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Best Directory Software?

marketingweb

Top Contributor
Hi All,

I'm wanting to start up a local directory, but want it to look professional and legitimate, not some rubbish free-for-all link directory. I'm currently in the process of working out the best platform to build it on (without coding it fully from scratch), and not coming up with anything that suits my needs. Hoping someone can help.

By far the most widely used seems to be software from http://www.phplinkdirectory.com which costs around $30-$80 (once off cost). Price is fine, but all the standard templates look so 2004 to me, and would in my opinion just make the site look like a spam site. I can of course modify a template, but don't trust myself to build from scratch with a new system.

On the other end of the scale is an awesome looking product from http://www.edirectory.com which looks absolutely perfect and just what I want, until I see the price! At a choice of around $1500 upfront + around $1000 more for cool addons it's well out of my price range. Their monthly plan is still $200 upfront plus around $70 a month, so I just don't see it as being viable for me.

The third option I've found is at http://www.phpmydirectory.com/ and it may be the best for me, but it still isn't grabbing me. Pricing with addons I'd want is around $200 which I'm fine with. However I still haven't found any templates I like and something I can't put my finger on just isn't making me feel like it's a good choice....so....

Does anyone have any experience of these, in terms of how hard they are to get going?


Does anyone know of any other choices I have missed?

Any other relevant advice?

Thanks in advance,
Matt
 

geodomains

Top Contributor
Hi Matt,
I have an edirectory website www.travelagents.com.au, although its not showing their brand, I got it late last year when they were offering a special deal.
I am very happy with the directory and when you really look into all the features it has, its not that dear compared to getting one built.
I host it on my own server and spent maybe $400US for some extras, other than that its a bargain for what it does.
I do have the name of another directory on my other computer that is only $80US that I thought was my next choice, but its in being repaired at the moment, so can't give you the details until I get it back. Found it http://www.easysearchdirectory.com/

Don
 
Last edited:

Vicstar

Regular Member
Does anyone know of any other choices I have missed?

Hey Matt,
I had these bookmarked (i have others.. a mix of paid, serviced & free... but so many are complete dagsville...)..
http://www.onlinedirectorysolutions.com.au/
http://www.hotscripts.com/
http://www.cavescripts.com/business_directory_pro.php
hire a freelancer:
http://www.freelancer.com/projects/...&searchFormat=short&keyword=directory+website
http://www.esyndicat.com/product.html
w/demos- http://omega.esyndicat.com
* don't forget there's the google maps api avail where you could create a Map focused database - or even attach it to a CMS template... or find a template with it already integrated, eg
~ WORDPRESS GEO PLACES ~ :
http://templatic.com/cms-themes/geo-places-city-directory-wordpress-theme
wordpress Directory Press:
http://www.directorypress.net/
or http://www.premiumpress.com/directory-script/
or http://www.equicktips.com/best-premium-wordpress-directory-theme/
http://extensions.joomla.org/extensions/maps-a-weather/maps-a-locations/map

hope something here helps. Good luck!
 

DomainNames

Top Contributor
edirectory costs a lot if you want anything changed. Many things they charge for should be in the script but are not. The initial cost is not what you will end up paying most likely
 

hydie

Member
What script does this one? It looks great www.photographers.com.au
That does look quite good!

One that i couldn't see mentioned here is Vantage by AppThemes (based on Wordpress) - www.appthemes.com/themes/vantage

I halfway through using this for www.wreckingyards.com.au
 

hydie

Member
Thanks Chris! Still working on it, one of many directory sites to come.

The only downfall that I could find with Vantage is with the Import .CSV function, it would sometimes freeze and only upload half, became a bit of a problem when you upload thousands.

And there is also no batch edit entries.
 

johno69

Top Contributor
The only downfall that I could find with Vantage is

  1. Responsive isn't very good at all. The banner covers the logo on your site on iPhone, and many others.
  2. Can't have listings in multiple categories
  3. Users are not able to upgrade to a paid listing while listing is active
  4. Theme is built in a way where very little can be done in a child theme, therefore you have to re-fix anything you have changed every time there's an update.
  5. The theme's main feature is it's search. Featured listings are not shown as "Featured" in search results.
  6. Support is even worse than terrible. They straight out lie in the presale topics.
  7. Cannot charge a recurring subscription.
  8. Users cannot renew listing but need to create a new one after expiry.
So many more I won't bother to go on...

I also tend to think the design is becoming dated fast. But that's just a personal thing.

I use it here: www.findahairdresser.com.au and have been pretty vocal in their forums on the lack of support, and lack of any real idea on what users may want from the theme.

If you are interested in an iPhone app for your site I have made a few that tie into the Vantage theme.
 

hydie

Member
  1. Responsive isn't very good at all. The banner covers the logo on your site on iPhone, and many others.
  2. Can't have listings in multiple categories
  3. Users are not able to upgrade to a paid listing while listing is active
  4. Theme is built in a way where very little can be done in a child theme, therefore you have to re-fix anything you have changed every time there's an update.
  5. The theme's main feature is it's search. Featured listings are not shown as "Featured" in search results.
  6. Support is even worse than terrible. They straight out lie in the presale topics.
  7. Cannot charge a recurring subscription.
  8. Users cannot renew listing but need to create a new one after expiry.
So many more I won't bother to go on...

I also tend to think the design is becoming dated fast. But that's just a personal thing.

I use it here: www.findahairdresser.com.au and have been pretty vocal in their forums on the lack of support, and lack of any real idea on what users may want from the theme.

If you are interested in an iPhone app for your site I have made a few that tie into the Vantage theme.
Well there you go, thanks for those other points.. Lucky it is only on one of my small database directories.

Previously I have used eDirectory. However haven't touched it for a while as if was initially done with a separate developer that built it all (4 odd years ago).

What script does this one? It looks great www.photographers.com.au
What theme is this one? Will it also have a compatible app?
 

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