Creating a business directory, classified ads listing or niche-based business submission website is a daunting task. But thanks to various WordPress solutions, it is no longer as complex as it was before.
WordPress has many Free and Premium plugins of different capabilities and functionalities dedicated to building directory websites. Among them, the most installed one is Directorist with over 20K active installations (As of July 2025). Directorist is an award-winning directory builder plugin that streamlines building classified ads listing sites easy and full of features.
Calling it just a plugin will be injustice as the solution is mammoth in size and capabilities. It is an all-in-one solution that includes the Directorist core itself, the Pixetic theme that comes with 14 niche-based themes and 30+ extensions that offer endless opportunities for entrepreneurs.
In the following overview, we’ll briefly cover all basic features of Directorist and its customizability options. Also, we’ll talk about its extensions and themes and finally explain how Directorist-based websites can be a source of passive income through monetization in several different ways.
So, let’s dive in!
Directorist Core Features
The Directorist core is the Free plugin that any WordPress user can install from the open-source marketplace and start building the website. It is compatible with native WordPress page builders as well as Elementor and other popular builders. Here’s a list of features and compatibilities that Directorist Core free plugin offers:
- Compatible with most popular WordPress themes such as Avada, Divi, Astra, and OceanWP.
- Import and Export Directory in CSV format (listing, category, location, tag, media, etc.).
- Unlimited location and category based listing creation.
- Comes with 25+ Elementor Page Builder widgets.
- Supports Gutenberg builder and 16 Gutenberg blocks.
- Powered with advanced search filters with custom filters.
- Allows both front-end and back-end listing submission.
- Front-end users get a dashboard to manage their listings.
- Integrates with both Open Street Map and Google Map (API required).
- Enjoy unlimited custom fields on the listing form.
- Design is responsive and compatible on all devices.
- WooCommerce multi-vendor plugin compatible.
- Built-in SEO functionalities along with Yoast SEO compatibility.
- Personalized directory using a wide range of shortcodes.
- Ajax-powered listing and review submission.
- Listing owner contact form and image slider.
- Submit listings and review without login (Guest Submission).
- Listing reviews and ratings.
- Secured with Google reCAPTCHA.
- Badges to mark listings such as: New, Popular, Featured, and Open/Close.
- List and Grid view for categories, locations, and listings pages.
- Supports any language and translation using the Loco Translate plugin.
- Multiple directory templates support the same theme.
- Sidebar filter layout
Directorist Extensions
Beside the core features, here are some of the most popular Directorist Extensions that are available in premium plans.
- WooCommerce Pricing Plans: Create unlimited pricing plans/packages with different sets of features of WooCommerce.
- PayPal Payment Gateway: Integrate PayPal payment gateway with your directory website to receive payments using this extension.
- Pricing Plan: This extension offers various pricing plans for different businesses managing their listing on your website.
- Mailchimp Integration: Enable email marketing from your directorist-based website using the Mailchimp Integration extension.
- Claim Listing: Let businesses claim their unclaimed listing on your website using this extension and uncover new revenue opportunities.
- Directorist Ads Manager: Manage all ad spaces and placements on your directory efficiently with this extension.
These are few of the most useful extensions that the Directorist plugin comes with. Users who avail the premium plan can avail them under different subscription plans.
Directorist Themes
Although the Directorist plugin is compatible with most popular WordPress themes, it also comes with its now niche-based themes suitable for different directory owners. Pixetic is the name of the theme that has a total of 14 theme designs including Job boards, car listing, lawyer listing, restaurant listing, place listing, hotel listing etc. Some popular themes of Directorist are:
- dJobs: Job Directory Theme
- dHotels: Hotel Listing theme.
- dClassified: Classified ads listing theme.
- OneListing and OneListing Pro: Minimal multi-industry listing theme.
- dPlace: Travel and Tourism based listing theme.
- dRealEstate: Real Estate and Property listing theme.
- dRestaurant: Restaurant and Cafe listing theme.
- dDoctor: Doctor and health specialist listing theme.
- dService: Local service providers listing themes.
Most of them are highly customized to the specific needs of the users. They are also available in the Premium plans.
Directorist vs. Other Popular Directory Plugins
Directorist is one of the few advanced directory plugins available on WordPress beside other plugins such as GeoDirectory, HivePress and Business Directory plugin. What makes a Directorist different from the rest?
- Customizability: Customizability is a core requirement for niche-based listing websites but Directorist has made it more advanced than the rest by offering a pool of extensions. It not only empowers the users to make as much customization needed but also stand out from other ordinary websites.
- Affordability: Competitive advantage in pricing plan is another strength of Directorist. It is cheaper in cost from the competitors. Plus, if you get to avail the occasional deals, especially the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals or seasonal sale offers, you can save a lot on building your directory.
- Customer Support: Directorist offer round-the-clock customer support and ticket management. Not only they offer email communication but also in-person support from their Facebook community.
- Easy-to-use Layout: Although the plugin is complex in functionalities, the users while being onboarded get a guided tour of how to use it making it easy for them. Plus the robust documentation also helps users navigate through complex technical obstacles.
Use-Case of Directorist
Planning to build your directory or classified ads listing website. If your niche or website industry falls under any of the following lists, you can move forward with Directorist.
- Business directory website
- Restaurant directory site;
- Classified ads website like OLX
- Local service providers listing
- Job Boards like Indeed
- Real Estate and Property Listing
- Rental Businesses Listings
- Marketing and Technology Agency Listings
You can create all these listing websites and many others with the Directorist plugin with less effort than building on your own. The best part? You don’t need any coding skills. Only drag-and-drop and design sense is enough.
How to Streamline revenue with Directorist
If you are a directory website owner, surely you have a number of earning options. With a Directorist, you can earn in numerous ways. Let’s dig deeper for some practical options.
Charging Users for Adding Listings
It’s the most straightforward earning option on a directory website. The claim listing extension can help you announce to businesses that they can claim listing with payment. Use the pricing plan to generate various plans that are suitable for different businesses. Turn it into a quarterly/half-yearly/yearly subscription plan so that businesses pay upfront before getting their listing approved.
Charging Commissions
This is particularly applicable for marketplace owners of service or rental businesses where you can charge a commission from each transaction made through your website. Set up the Digital Marketplace extension to easily adjust commissions from vendors and listing owners.
User Subscription for Viewing Listings
It works perfectly for job boards and listing sites like Indeed or FlexJobs. Potential employees pay subscription fees to get all their desired job advertisements and apply procedures in one place. Use the Job Manager extension of Directorist to perform the listing and the PayPal payment integration to ensure that users can make smooth and secure payments.
Featured Listings Payment
Even if you are not charging businesses for creating listings, based on visibility you can create plans. If you feature a listing on the homepage and other popular pages, you can set a rate for that. This way businesses will pay to place their listing on those on-demand places to get noticed.
Banner Ads & Sponsorships
You can also place banner advertisements of businesses and charge them based on impressions or clicks. On top of that, sell your highly popular placements to businesses against sponsorship.
These are some of the most popular ways you can earn money using the Directorist plugin. Besides, you can also directly sell listed products or earn commission as an affiliate by listing other e-commerce products on your websites. You can generate leads for service-based business and sell those leads for a fee.
Wrapping Up
Directorist is not just a simple directory plugin, it is a one-stop solution for building any business directory website. By leveraging the robust features of Directorist, you can transform your site into a profitable and scalable business that delivers real value to both users and listing owners.
Whether you’re offering paid listings, upselling featured spots, monetizing through ads, or earning commissions from booking or affiliate deals, every method allows you to serve your niche more effectively while generating steady income. Directorist’s flexible ecosystem of add-ons and integrations empowers you to combine multiple revenue streams without compromising user experience.