Local Business Directory Theme Feedback Wanted

11 replies
Hi Gang

I have been creating local business directories in XSitePro (Which although it was not designed for that does a brilliant job) and recently decided to get my outsource team to create a Local Directory Theme for Wordpress.

First we looked at what was available and tried a few but they were extremely limited.

This is What We Have Come Up With So Far:

- - A Theme that allows you to create a table that automatically adds categories in
alphabetical order creating a basic page for each category.

- - Advertisers Can Get a Full Page Listing with Video and Images.

- - A Separate Directory for Community Groups

- - Social Networking Links for both the directory and all advertisers

- - Google Maps for Advertisers

- - 21 Rotating Banners Above the Main Directory and side bar ads on the Main Page
(No adverts appear on the Advertisers Full Page Listings) But you could give people
Free listings and use Adsense if you wanted to)

Why am I Telling You This?

1. I Freely admit that I am NOT even remotely close to being a technical sort of guy.

2. What features would YOU like to see in a local directory?

3. I am looking for some serious people to test the theme and wonder if YOU are
interested? if you are, please just PM me as I would love your feedback and suggestions
BEFORE we release this as a WSO We should be able to give you access to 'try it out'
within 7 days at least that is what we are aiming for!

4. I am thinking of either:

a) Selling the Theme
b) Giving it away Free (along with updates and ongoing training in regards to getting leads and clients - marketing etc) when people join a membership community

What do you think?

Okay I will sign off - I deeply appreciate the feedback and suggestions in advance!

And... sorry for the Typo in the Title - I Hit the Save Button Too Soon!
#business #directory #freedback #local #theme #wanted
  • Profile picture of the author Daniel LaRusso
    I'm about to send you a PM. I really want to get on with implementing a local directory, but I also haven't seen any with al the features that I'd want to see.

    There is a WSO that has one feature that I think is really cool - the directory is populated by pulling local business data from existing online listings, so you don't have to do a ton of research setting it up. That's a real time saver, to me.

    I also like all of your suggestions, and I think that having a good looking, but only with the essential parts, mobile version would be huge to have. I'm thinking that you could monetize the directory both with ads to set a business apart on the main desktop version, and with setting up mobile websites for businesses from linking to them on the mobile version.

    I'd love to be a part of a test group if you are open to that.
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  • Profile picture of the author ClickPimpsta
    If you need any beta testers, hit me up. I have about 35 domains registered with local areas in the name, such as InLaredoTexas.com. I'm planning on setting up local business directories with these domains, and offering something similar to what Matchbin.com does.

    I'd be willing to test your software on any number of my domains.
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  • Profile picture of the author Karen Pottinger
    I have been searching for a good looking theme for a video business directory - can find very few so far and the ones I do find are ugly! I have been thinking I would need to outsource it myself but would love to have a look at yours and test it out.
    thanks
    Karen
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  • Profile picture of the author aedo
    Hi there.. I live in country Victoria (Australia) and would like to 'test / work with you' on the project. Let me know if you are interested in some advice, support, assistance and a new friend in the business. I'm a bit of a Techy Guy myself ) ...working with Joomla, WordPress, HTML, PHP, CSS, +lots of other stuff ...Cheers! TIM
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    • Profile picture of the author LynnM
      It would be useful to be able to add standard, non-directory pages as well, for making a community site. Or can that be done with most WP directory themes anyway?

      As for question 4: I'd probably want to buy the theme, with tutorials.
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  • Profile picture of the author Always-A-Warrior
    If you are talking Mobile Directory then by all means I'm in.
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  • Profile picture of the author chrisutley
    Chris - you must be reading my mind. I just recently registered some domains for this purpose, and would be up for testing if you're still working on this.

    I'm also a skilled PHP/WordPress developer, so I can help to do some customizations if required.

    I'm wondering what exactly Mat and others had in mind regarding a mobile application? Are you looking for a mobile view of a full blown website, or more of a mobile application template that can be customized for different localities and deployed as an app in the app stores?
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  • Profile picture of the author cobrawho
    Originally Posted by copywriter View Post

    Hi Gang

    I have been creating local business directories in XSitePro (Which although it was not designed for that does a brilliant job) and recently decided to get my outsource team to create a Local Directory Theme for Wordpress.

    First we looked at what was available and tried a few but they were extremely limited.

    This is What We Have Come Up With So Far:

    - - A Theme that allows you to create a table that automatically adds categories in
    alphabetical order creating a basic page for each category.

    - - Advertisers Can Get a Full Page Listing with Video and Images.

    - - A Separate Directory for Community Groups

    - - Social Networking Links for both the directory and all advertisers

    - - Google Maps for Advertisers

    - - 21 Rotating Banners Above the Main Directory and side bar ads on the Main Page
    (No adverts appear on the Advertisers Full Page Listings) But you could give people
    Free listings and use Adsense if you wanted to)

    Why am I Telling You This?

    1. I Freely admit that I am NOT even remotely close to being a technical sort of guy.

    2. What features would YOU like to see in a local directory?

    3. I am looking for some serious people to test the theme and wonder if YOU are
    interested? if you are, please just PM me as I would love your feedback and suggestions
    BEFORE we release this as a WSO We should be able to give you access to 'try it out'
    within 7 days at least that is what we are aiming for!

    4. I am thinking of either:

    a) Selling the Theme
    b) Giving it away Free (along with updates and ongoing training in regards to getting leads and clients - marketing etc) when people join a membership community

    What do you think?

    Okay I will sign off - I deeply appreciate the feedback and suggestions in advance!

    And... sorry for the Typo in the Title - I Hit the Save Button Too Soon!
    I am interested I have just finished currently beta testing my last software program

    thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author shaunkerry
    Hi Chris just wondered if you were still going ahead with this or what stage you are at ?
    cheers
    Shaun
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  • Profile picture of the author JimRiley
    I recently tried GeoCraft by InkThemes for my own business directory wordpress theme and i must say this is really awesome experience to use it.

    GeoCraft Business City Directory Listing WordPress Theme | InkThemes
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