Understanding Directories

Rayos Training

Overview

Directories are best described as organized groups of business listings that display on the site and apps.  Directories are used to create pages like “Best Doctors” or “Best Electrical Contractors” on a site. Or, they can be used to showcase “Best Of” content annually.

Directories are highly configurable, but each directory shares some basic attributes:

A Main Directory index page

  • This page is linked to from the site navigation and displays a list of the Directory Listings
  • The page has Directory Filters that allow a user to navigate the directory

Directory Listings pages

  • These pages are for the Directory Listings, which are typically businesses or professionals in your market
  • Listings have Fields, which display information to the user. The default fields are:
    • Title – The name of the Listing
    • Listing Owner – If a business owner is set up as a user, the user can be named listing owner
    • Description
    • Type – Three tiers of listings – Bronze – basic; Silver – premium; Gold – deluxe.
    • Address
    • Address 2
    • City
    • State
    • Country
    • Zip Code
    • Website
    • Email
    • Contact Name
    • Phone Number
    • Fax
    • Images
      • NOTE: Some directories have custom fields that showcase additional content, like video, on silver and gold listings.

Directory Filters

  • Directory filters are the way a user navigates the directory
  • Filters display on the Directory index page, generally in the right or lefthand rails
  • Filters include Category, City and Listing Type, among others

 

Steps to Create A directory Listing

  1. Hover over Directories in the main WP navigation menu to view your directories.  Click on a directory title to view the listings.
  2. Click Add New Listing button at the top of the page.
  3. Fill out the fields on the page. The fields could be unique to that directory, but most directories use default fields.
  4. Publish the Listing.
  5. The listing will automatically display on the Directory’s main index page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn’t my listing showing up?

Make sure your listing is published. Listings in draft status will not display.

 

Add A Directory Field

  1. In the lefthand navigation menu, click on Custom Fields
  2. Find your directory field group in the list and hover over its title
  3. Click Edit
  4. Click the green Add Field button
  5. Fill out the field properties
    • Field Label – This is the name which will appear on the EDIT page
    • Field Name – Single word, no spaces. Underscores and dashes allowed
    • Field Type – Choose the type of field you want to create
      1.  In the pulldown menu, choose the type of field to create. The most common types are Text and Text Area
    • Instructions – The instructions are shown when submitting data
    • Required – If it is a required field, check yes. If not, check no
    • CSS Classes – Additional CSS class to add to field wrapper element. If you have multiple classes, separate them with a space
    • Default Value – This appears when creating a new post
    • Placeholder Text – This appears when creating a new post
    • Prepend – Appears before the input (for developers only)
    • Append – Appears after the input (for developers only)
    • Character Limit – Leave blank for no limit
    • Conditional Logic – Yes or no (for developers only)
    • Wrapper Attributes – Width and height
  6. PUBLISH the directory field

Edit A Directory Field

  1. In the lefthand navigation menu, click on Custom Fields
  2. Find your directory field group in the list and hover over its title
  3. Click Edit to edit the directory field
  4. PUBLISH the directory field