How to Build WordPress Directory and Classifieds Sites using Toolset

Toolset lets you build custom directory and classifieds websites with WordPress. You have full control over everything in the site, without being limited to what a theme or dedicated plugin offers.

You can find directory websites for ads, houses, cars, recipes, courses, tours, and much more. In fact, any website that lists things and offers visitors to search is a directory.

Toolset lets you build directory websites for anything. You can start from scratch (and follow the instructions here) or use one of our reference sites as a starting point.

Key features of reference sites that you can build with Toolset

• Create listings for any post type
• Build powerful searches that use fields, taxonomy and post-relationship
• Include custom fields and taxonomy in items and in search criteria
• Build detailed navigation to browse in categories
• Display listings as tables, grids, sliders or on Google Maps
• Create forms for front-end user registration and front-end listing submissions
• Create user accounts, where site members can manage their own items
• Charge payments for registration and for submitting listings

Classifieds and directory websites that you build with Toolset have no preset features. You put together what you want, how you want it. There are no bloated features to disable and no missing functionality.

InkThemes has more information about what you need in a directory plugin in its list of the best free and paid WordPress directory plugins.

Building a directory website from scratch

You can use any theme that you prefer. We recommend using simple themes, because you’re going to create much of the functionality with Toolset.

Before you start: Toolset plugins to download

Before you start building your directory website with Toolset you will need to download the following plugins:

• Toolset Types
• Toolset Views
• Toolset Forms
• Toolset Access

You might also need to download the following plugins depending on what you want to achieve with your directory website:

• Toolset Layouts – If you need a drag and drop editor to design your pages
• Toolset Maps – If you want to display results on a map or if you need any maps on your website in general
• WooCommerce – If you are building a business directory
• Toolset Forms Commerce – If you want payment functionality for your forms

To install your Toolset plugins follow our guide on how to install and register Toolset.

Part 1: Setting up the custom post types, fields, and taxonomy

First, we need to set up the custom post type that will appear on the directory site.

In our example, we are creating a directory site for “ads.” Of course, you can create directory sites for anything else.

Steps to follow

1. Go to Toolset->Dashboard.
2. Create a new Post Type for Ads.
   1. Use the post title to store the title of your ads.
   2. Use the editor to store your ad body.

3. Return to the Toolset Dashboard. Now, add fields for that type.
4. Click Create field group.
5. Use the Add New Field button to add the following fields:
   1. Price (as Number)
   2. Ad Image (as Image)
   3. Contact email (as Email)
   4. Phone number (as Phone)

6. Return to the Toolset Dashboard.
7. Use the Create taxonomy button to add the “Ad category” taxonomy.You will use this to categorize your ads.

Now, when your taxonomy is ready, add the categories of your ads (terms).

8. Go to Ads -> Ad categories.
9. Add the following categories:
   • Books
   • Electronic devices
   • Miscellaneous

10. Add a few example ads to your site.

If you need help creating custom post types, fields, or taxonomies, read the full explanation in the Getting Started guide.

Part 2: Displaying items on the front-end

Now, when your WordPress back-end is ready to store the items, it’s time to display them on the front-end.

In Table 2 below, you will find some example templates you could create for your site and learn how Toolset can help you.

Table 2: Example templates you might need for a directory website

Template	What you need to do
Single Ad details	Create a Template Layout for the custom post type that you set up. Your template will display custom fields that belong to your post type. Learn in: Getting Started guide: Create templates to display custom posts
8 most recent ads in a grid	Create a View that lists your items. When creating a View, you decide how your items are displayed (as a list, grid, table, etc.) and which fields to include for each item. Learn in: Getting Started guide: Create and display custom lists of content
Random featured ads in a slider	Create a View that lists your featured items in a slider. Use filters based on your post field to select featured ads only. Learn in: Beyond the Basics guide: Showcase content with post sliders
Custom search for ads	Create a Custom Search View. Use custom fields and categories as filters. Learn in: Getting Started guide: Filter content lists and add custom search
Category Tree	If you have divided your categories into subcategories, you can build a category tree. Create two taxonomy views (one for first-level categories and one for subcategories) and include one within the other. See details: Taxonomy View with a Taxonomy View for a Child

Part 3: Adding and editing items from the front-end

Most directory sites allow visitors to create front-end content submissions. To add and edit items from the front-end, you need to create relevant forms. Next, you need to establish who can access which forms.

Check Table 3 below to learn what front-end forms you might need and how Toolset can help you.

Table 3: Front-end forms you might need for your directory website

What you will need	What you will need
Forms for submitting new ads	Create a Post Form for front-end content submission. Set relevant access privileges. Learn in: Building forms for creating content
Forms for editing ads	Create Post Forms for front-end content editing. Establish who can edit the content. In most cases, you will allow the ad owners to edit their own ads. Building forms for editing content

You can also set an automatic expiration duration for all posts submitted through these forms.
Learn in: Automatic post expiration in Toolset forms

Part 4: Handling user registration and account management

User registration

If you allow your users to edit items from the front-end, most likely you will also need front-end forms for user registration and editing profiles directly from the front-end.

Table 4.1 below summarizes what user forms you will need and how Toolset can help you.

What you will need	What you will need
Front-end forms for creating new user accounts	Create a User Form for registering users. In your front-end form, you can also include additional custom fields. Once created, you can add the form to any page and custom styling. Learn in: Building forms for creating user accounts
Front-end forms for editing user profiles	Create a User Form for editing user profiles. Learn in: Building forms for editing content or user profiles

Login form and account management

To allow users to log into your site, create a custom login form that fits the overall look of your site. After the user logs in, display links to the user’s resources.

The login form and user’s assets make up the “My account” page. Check Table 4.2 below to see what to cover in the account page and how Toolset helps you.

Table 4.2: Building the “My account” page with Toolset

My account page	What you will need
	To allow users to log into your site, create a custom login form that fits the overall look of your site. Learn in: Using Editing forms to “edit your profile”
	Once logged in, your users should manage their resources (list, edit, and delete items they create) directly from the front-end. You can gather them in one place on the “My account” page.

Part 5: Charging fees for content submissions or membership

Often, directory website owners would like to make profits from the site.

Examples:

1. Users are allowed to add free ads that will expire after a pre-set duration and also long lasting ads that never expire but are paid.
2. The site might offer courses. Some courses are available to everybody, while others are for premium customers only – customers who have paid for their membership.

Both cases can be handled with Toolset and the WooCommerce plugin.

Use the Toolset Forms Commerce plugin to charge fees for content submission and membership.

Check Forms documentation for details:

• Using Toolset Forms Commerce to add payments to forms
• Charging payments with Forms to register users

Questions?

I look forward to hearing your feedback. If you are not a Toolset customer yet, feel free to send me your questions using the presales questions form. I’ll be happy to answer. If you’re already a Toolset client and you need help, use the technical support forum.