Huge missing element for local portals built on Wordpress

Search for DirectoryPress...it seems to have everything you need.

Have you looked at the woothemes directory theme ? that also might be what your looking for.

Yes, that's what I found also. So I created my own wp theme and plugin for local directories 2 years ago. Subsequently, more wp options are available:

• DirectoryPress
• Templatic Geo Places
• WooThemes Listing Theme
• AppsTheme Vantage

Hey Jack,

I've been researching and trying to find the ultimate easy to use business directory script for years now and can understand your frustration.

I love wordpress and thought I found the answer to my prayers when the Appthemes folks mentioned developing a business directory version of their excellent classified theme last year, but since that's taking forever and won't be ready for at least a few more months, I'm leaning towards using the Templatic Geo Places like Adam mentioned.

All that I've come across so far are themes and not a plugin like you mentioned, but Adam, if you've developed something good there - I don't think anyone would mind your posting the link - or feel free to PM me as I'm open to seeing what else is out there. (Edit - I think I previously signed up via the link in your sig, but is this not available yet?)

Cheers,

Steve

P.S. Kudos on doing a great job with your site Jack and thanks for posting the link!

LOL - I KNEW as soon as I posted this something would appear.
Geo Places | Templatic

Only problem is it's a template and I don't want to replace/rework my current site. Getting used to the idea that I will have to have a new directory and separate blog and just go with a theme like above.

Thanks for suggestions - hadn't seen some of the above. I was staying away from anything that was its own theme in my searches.

I use Classipress.

See example.

Ross Performance Parts | businesslistingsaustralia.com.au

Quentin

IMHO this is where Wordpress really falls down as a CMS. It's a blogging platform... albeit a good one... but not really a solid web application framework like Joomla, Drupal, or Dotnetnuke.

There are some really killer directory modules out there for those app frameworks.

One of the best, rock solid combinations I've seen to date is the PropertyManager module for DotNetNuke. But DNN does require a URL rewriter for SEO friendly URLS... although Ventrian has done a decent job of creating search friendly URLs out of their directory module.

The module is template based and uses tokens to drop the database info into your HTML "skin".


FYI... Jack, I am in Richmond all the time. My folks are originally from Eaton. I never knew there was any local directory up that way besides Waynet.

Yep... I've found a few beautiful but invisible sites in my area as well that no one knows exists. It's obvious that online directories generally need just as much local newspaper exposure as typical brick & mortar businesses. A trade-out with a local publisher to let folks know your site exists is a great start...
Photo contests, special offers from local businesses, article submissions from local high school writers, coupons, forums are a great way to get people to click and peruse...

I recently sold a local directory site that is set-up using Classipress.

I like the look and functionality of Classipress over what I can see of the proposed directory theme. I like the way customers listings appear as a separate, business-card listing on the main page. You can also change theme with a click of a button to make all the categories appear at the top of the page before the just listed section. There is TONS of advertising space in the sidebar of this theme. The featured ads also generate more revenue than the basic business listing. It's very workable as a directory theme.

Hi Steve: You can embed a video. Since I first set the site up and did the testing, it seems that YouTube has changed from <embed> to <iframe> so you have to remember to select the 'Use Old Embed Code' option when you get your link.

You also have the option of enabling html, and the number of characters in both title and post. The more characters you enable for post size, the more things you can embed.

When testing the site I also embedded albums from Picassa using the embed code, but I think Google has also changed that to an iframe, so I'm not sure if the same option exists to use the old embed code for Picassa Albums. I think Flickr albums still work - again, haven't tested it.


Edited to add: You can allow customers to post as many images in their ad as you want. You can also edit the image sizes, though I haven't played around much with that feature either.

To increase the number of images you have to edit the admin-values.php file, look for the Max Images Per Ad array and increase the numbers accordingly.

Also keep in mind that if you use an affiliate link from Appthemes for either Hostgator or Blue Host hosting, you get a 50% discount for the theme. Keep your hosting sign-up information, send them an email, and they will send you a code to apply when you complete your purchase. http://www.appthemes.com/resources/wordpress-hosting/ They also have a good affiliate program.

Edited Again to Add: Just checked out the Geo Places template. I like it a lot! It's certainly a lot brighter than the classipress theme!

However, I didn't see a categories section. Will go back and check. Okay - I see that the categories are the tabs on the top, so the category options are quite limited compared to Classipress.

The categories pop-up on Classipress is very annoying when you hover over the link, and despite there being several requests from different users on the support forum, there is still no clear-cut instructions as how to change it, though I see that some users have managed to make some modifications.

I just spent the last month putting up my directory site. I first went with ClassiPress. Big mistake. They have not perfected it yet, the code is written in an overly difficult manner and the Google Maps causes your site to freeze for almost 5 seconds as it loads on of your ads. I spent $600 customizing ClassiPress then just decided to ditch it and go with WooThemes Listings.

Listings is great. Not perfect, but easily customizable with a good coder from Odesk.

My site just went live yesterday. You can look at it in my sig. I only have one test ad up though. I am using my site as a printable coupon site for local auto repair shops. So my coder made it so the pictures print too.