I know one woman who runs an entire 2,000-member online business all by herself in her spare time.
That's because she leaves most of the work up to her Directory Software — it essentially manages her members and their listings for her.
What is Directory Software?
Directory software is a tool for building and managing any sort of online directory or listing website.
Common features usually include detailed contact listings, member listings, map views, classifieds, events, articles, photo galleries, and more.
If you run any sort of organization that needs a directory, Directory Software can provide you with:
- An all-in-one payment processor to accept and manage online payments
- An easy way to create, update, and delete your online listings
- Easy ways for members to join your organization online
- An automatically updated contact database
- Email and newsletter templates to send to your contacts
- Website hosting and professionally designed website templates
- Many tools also come with a mobile app to manage your directory on the go
If You’re a Membership Organization, Try This Directory Software Free
WildApricot is the number one membership management software tool on the market.
That’s because we’ve created one of the easiest ways to manage multiple membership levels, events, payments, newsletters, and website updates. Every day, over 20,000 organizations use us to manage their member listings.
You can start a free trial of WildApricot by clicking here. In just an afternoon you can have a full member directory setup on your brand new website, complete with a contact database, event listings, and automated payments.
“Members can self manage accounts. Automatic upgrades and easy to manage Web content. Automatic billing through predefined time periods etc. Ease of use. We were up and running in a few weeks. Data import was easy as well.”
- John Shakour, Laurelwood Swim Club
If you’d like to compare more options, there are dozens of other directory software tools, perfect for any type of organization.
Here’s a list of 10 options to consider.
I’ve sorted the list alphabetically and given you highlights of each tool’s major features and the cost, so you can focus on the solutions that suit your needs.
11 Powerful Directory Software Options
- Pricing available upon request
- Demo video on demand
360Directories is a tool that can be used by consumers, businesses, and large-scale organizations. Some of their features include print and mobile coupons, community event calendars, local job postings, and site contests.
- Pricing starts at $150/month
- Additional add-ons available for purchase
- DIY Setup is free, or support assistance for $450
- Student, Nonprofit, and Military discounts available
- Free demo available upon request
Brilliant Directories is one of the most popular directory software options used by over 10,000 organizations. Some of their features include member management, payment processing, email marketing, lead-gen tools, and SEO tools.
- Employee directory software
- Free basic plan
- Pricing starts at $39/month
Bitrix24 is a robust employee management software with a social intranet network. They offer many features including activity streams, badges, announcements, photo galleries and workflows.
- Wordpress theme
- One-time payment of $89
- Includes 12 months of free updates and support
- Demo available on-demand
DirectoryEnging is a WordPress theme for building a highly-customized directory website. You can make money from your website by charging for listing submissions and offering ad space.
- Pricing starts at $99/month
- Demo available upon request
edirectory is an all-in-one tool with many features including a full mod-store. They also have a moble app builder so you can design your own customized app.
- Owned (downloadable): One-time payment of $1,200
- Hosted (cloud-based): Pricing starts at $99/month
- Demo available upon request
ezydir is a robust directory software with multi language support. Some of their features include mobile apps, video galleries, maps geolocation, super and sponsor management, and bulk import and export.
- Business Directory Script
- Pricing starts at a one-time payment of $149
- Demo available upon request
GoClixy offers a business directory script which can be added to your website. Features include a free mobile app, featured listings, banner and adsense advertisements, and membership plans. Free first-time installation.
- One-time payment of $499
- Enhanced design services (including 2 hours of support) start at $199
- Demo available upon request
MarketGrabber offers a robust directory management software perfect for a number of niches including job boards, classifieds, events, real estate, auto/vehicle, horse listings. Features vary depending on your needs, but main features include featured listings, unlimited categories, ad view counters, and a search engine optimization.
- Pricing available upon request
- Demo available upon request
OwnLocal specializes in the processing, distribution, and reporting of your directories. Their platform can help you with localized SEO and moving an offline directory (like newspaper listings) online.
- Owned (downloadable): One-time payment of $140
- Hosted (cloud-based): $35/month
- Add-ons start at $10
- Premium support is $99/month
- Other services available for purchase
- Demo available on-demand
phpMyDirectory is a basic directory software with a number of content rich features like click to call, send SMS, and RSS feeds.
- Pricing starts at $48/month
- Free basic plan
- Free 30-day trial
- Free support
Thousands of directory-based websites use WildApricot for managing their contacts, listings, and memberships. Features include a drag and drop website builder, a built-in emailing system, a mobile app, a member directory, a member's-only area, and automated member payments and renewals. Free 30-day trial.
We hope this list helps you determine the best directory website software for you!
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