Once you follow this article, you will be able to start a directory website<\/a> just like Yelp, Foursquare, eBay, Yahoo, or even like Facebook. So, sit tight and follow the tutorial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To build a directory website with WordPress, you just need two things – <\/p>\n\n\n\n Directorist is a popular directory website builder plugin that has more than 10,000 users<\/strong> from around the world with a 4.7 <\/strong>customer rating out of 5<\/strong>. It comes with the following benefits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Core (free) features include<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Premium features include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n See all the premium features from this link<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to pick the best directory website builder, it is an unparalleled one. We believe this directory builder tool will be the perfect one to know how to start a directory website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We assume that you have a WordPress website up and running. Now the only thing you have to do to create an online directory is to follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Navigate to the WP Admin Dashboard > Plugins > Add New > Search for the keyword \u2018directorist\u2019 > Hit the “Install Now” button (as indicated with arrows)<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Next up, you need to activate and configure the setup wizard to make a fresh start. We recommend you to visit our official documentation<\/a> so that you can configure it perfectly or the way you want. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Directorist is compatible with all WordPress themes<\/a>. You can choose any theme that you like but choosing a directory theme will add extra flavor to the appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For this purpose, you can install the directory niche-centric \u2018OneListing<\/strong><\/a>\u2018 theme which comes completely free of cost. In case you want to take your directory website to the next level, you can upgrade to the premium version<\/a><\/strong> later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you get the theme, navigate to the WP Admin Dashboard > Appearance > Themes > Add New<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then click on Upload Theme > Choose File and select the \u2018onelisting.zip\u2019 > Install Now<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, activate <\/strong>the theme to take an effect:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Upon installing the theme, you will see some plugins and tools suggested to install. So, make sure you have installed all the suggested ones so that the theme works perfectly fine. For example, you must install & activate the Elementor, Contact Form 7, MailChimp, and a Theme ToolKit. So, we recommend you hit the \u201cBegin Installing Plugins<\/strong>\u201d option to install them all at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And that\u2019s it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n A directory website must be user-friendly in a way that visitors can find their listing item in a flash of an eye. Upon creating relevant categories, Directorist can suggest related listings according to the visitors’ choice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To this end, you need to create a set of relevant categories and tags. In the Directorist menu, you will find both of these items where (category) you can also add images, assign the category to a parent one, give a description, add icons & colors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To do so, you just need to go to the Directory Listings > Categories > Fill out the fields > Hit the \u201cAdd New Category\u201d button<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Similarly, you can add tags so that Directorist can show the relevant listing item to the visitors. You can do it from Directory Listings > Tags > Enter Credentials > Add New Tag<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just like adding categories or tags adding locations helps the users find the desired automotive listing from a car classified ads website. To add locations, you have to go to the Directory Listing > Locations > Enter credentials (name, description, directory type, etc.) > Hit the Add New Location<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, it\u2019s time to upload some listings on your directory website. Assume that we are building a car directory. Now, to upload car listings the users will need to navigate to the \u201cAdd Listing\u201d button on your website. Next up, the user will find the following form. To submit his or her listings, he or she must fill out the required fields.Requirements<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Why Choose Directorist<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/directorist.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/Directorist-home-page-1024x443.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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How to Build a Directory Website in These 5 Easy Steps<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Install & Activate Directorist<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"build](\"https:\/\/directorist.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/02\/1-installing-directorist-1-1024x430.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nStep 2: Install a free directory theme<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"build](\"https:\/\/directorist.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2021\/10\/2-installing-onelisting-1024x433.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"installing](\"https:\/\/directorist.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2021\/10\/3-install-now-onelisting-1024x505.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"installing](\"https:\/\/directorist.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2021\/10\/4-activate-onelisting-1024x325.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"installing](\"https:\/\/directorist.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/02\/5-begin-installing-plugins-1024x330.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nStep 3: Create categories & tags for your website<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"create](\"https:\/\/directorist.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/02\/2-create-categories-2-1024x465.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"create](\"https:\/\/directorist.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/02\/3-add-new-tag-1024x450.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nStep 4: How to add new locations<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"create](\"https:\/\/directorist.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/02\/4-directory-listings-locations-1024x449.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nStep 5: Listing Submission by Users<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n