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Directory

Create a directory website with SpreadSimple

Create your directory website with ease using SpreadSimple — the ultimate no-code directory website builder. Quickly add and manage listings, update information, and organize your directory in a Google Sheet.

Use Google Sheets functions and formulas to manage your directory content in a simple and convenient way, and see real-time updates on your website.

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emoji-hand-bottom What is a directory website? emoji-hand-bottom How to сreate emoji-hand-bottom Showcases emoji-hand-bottom FAQ

What is a directory website?

A directory website, also known as a web or link directory, is an online platform that categorizes websites under various topics. These curated collections of links provide users with an organized way to discover relevant websites. Directory websites have a structured hierarchy with categories, helping users navigate to specific interests. Each listing can include essential details like the website title, URL, detailed description, and occasionally owner info and user reviews.

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How does a directory website work?

Directory websites, often termed topic directories, categorize websites manually, ensuring quality and relevance. Site owners submit their websites, services, and other information, which undergo owner reviews for inclusion. Some directories may allow site owners to post submissions on a paid model and feature selected listings, often with different pricing models. Users can find content through well-organized categories or the directory's search feature.

Types of web directories

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General web directories
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Niche or specialized directories
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Real estate directory websites
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Job directory websites
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Online business directories
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Restaurant and hotel directory websites
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Events directories and online event portals
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Travel directory sites
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Review directory websites
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Coupons and deals directories
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Online classifieds websites
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Article directories and knowledge bases
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Contact directory websites
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Regional or local directories
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City-specific directories
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B2B directories
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Professional services directories
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Yellow pages directories
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Course directories and learning management systems
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Blog directories
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Educational directories
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Health directories
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Software directories
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Automotive directories
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Online marketplace websites
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Wedding directories
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Online video directory websites

Directory website showcases

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How to build a directory website on SpreadSimple?

Pick a niche for your directory website

Deciding on the focus of your directory website is a critical step in its creation. Your niche selection can determine the success of your project, so it's essential to make an informed choice.

  1. Choose a Profitable Niche

    Select a niche that interests you and where you aim to sell.

  2. Conduct Market Research

    Use SEO tools to find popular keywords and assess the competition.

  3. Analyze the Competition

    Check for existing directory websites serving your chosen niche.

  4. Identify Profitable Niches

    Check for existing directory websites serving your chosen niche.

  5. Verify Business Interest

    Contact businesses to gauge their willingness to pay for directory listings.

Create a website from a template

Create a directory website on SpreadSimple

Step 1. Create a website from a template

Pick one of the available templates to start building your directory website. You can choose any that you like and adjust its settings to fit your use case. All our templates are flexible and customizable. All features and settings are available for all the websites.

Create a website from a template

Step 2. Fill it with your content

After creating a website, you can fill in the source Google Sheet with your content. Add your listing descriptions, images, and specifications, and configure the way your content is displayed on your website. Create more pages to tell about your project or yourself. Add a contact page and a form to collect user submissions.

Fill it with your content

Step 3. Set up the necessary features

Enable all the necessary features like filters, search, and sorting to help your visitors navigate through the content with ease. Categorize your content by creating aliases for pages with filtered results. If you are building a geo-related directory enable map view. Connect analytics, chats, and any other 3rd part tools to power up your online directory.

Add features and set up checkout

Step 4. Publish and test

Connect your website to your custom domain. Test it to make sure everything is working correctly, publish it and you are all done!

Test and publish
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*14-days trial for free

Use essential features for your directory website

Item details page

Item details page

Create a dedicated page for each of your products

Google Analytics add-on

Google Analytics add-on

An easy way to integrate Google Analytics to your website

Content pages

Content pages

About Us, FAQ and other pages to tell more about you and your project

Connect custom domain

Connect custom domain

Important for SEO and establishing your brand

SEO: meta tags, favicon, preview image

SEO: meta tags, favicon, preview image

Various settings and options to optimize a website for search engines

Filters and categories

Filters and categories

Filter the list of items by one or multiple criteria

Featured cards

Featured cards

Highlight certain items on your list and make them stand out

Map view

Map view

Present your property listings using an interactive map

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Branding

When creating your directory, don't underestimate the importance of branding. Building a strong brand identity will set your website apart in a crowded online landscape. Your brand encompasses your website's name, logo, colors, and overall image. It's what users will remember and trust when seeking information in your niche.

Consider how you want your directory to be perceived and invest in branding that reflects your website's mission and values. A well-crafted brand will not only attract users but also make your directory a recognizable and authoritative resource in your chosen niche.

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Create a website from a template

Why choose SpreadSimple for your directory website?

Manage through Google Sheets

Manage through Google Sheets

Edit content in your Google Sheet and see instant results
Easy to use and fast setup

Easy to use and fast setup

No coding skills or technical knowledge required
We`ve got you covered

We`ve got you covered

Mobile responsive & SEO-friendly
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Monetize your directory website

Your directory website can be profitable with these monetization options:
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Paid Listings

Charge for premium listings with enhanced visibility.
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Banner Ads

Sell ad space for revenue through clicks and impressions.
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Featured Listings

Promote businesses for a fee.
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Affiliate Marketing

Partner with affiliate programs.
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Digital Products

Create and sell e-books or guides.
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Google AdSense

Display ads for ad revenue.
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Subscription Plans

Offer businesses subscription-based features.
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Membership Tiers

Offer exclusive perks for a fee.
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Tips to launch a successful directory website

Focus on User Experience

Focus on User Experience

Prioritize creating an intuitive and user-friendly design, ensuring easy navigation and quick access to information for your users.
Optimize for Mobile

Optimize for Mobile

In today`s mobile-driven world, you need to make sure your website is mobile-responsive for a seamless user experience. The good news is that all websites created on SpreadSimple are automatically mobile-friendly, so you don`t need to worry about this aspect.
Content Quality

Content Quality

Provide high-quality and accurate information on your listings to build trust with users.
User Reviews

User Reviews

Encourage users to leave reviews and ratings, as this can boost credibility and engagement.
Regular Updates

Regular Updates

Keep your directory up to date with fresh content and accurate listings.
Local SEO

Local SEO

If your directory serves a specific area, invest in local SEO to improve visibility in local search results.
Monetization Strategy

Monetization Strategy

Plan your revenue streams, such as charging businesses for premium listings or using display ads.
Community Building

Community Building

Create a sense of community among users and businesses to foster engagement.
Security Measures

Security Measures

Implement robust security measures to protect user data and maintain trust.
Promote Strategically

Promote Strategically

Use online and offline marketing to promote your directory website and attract both users and businesses.

Pricing

Start for free. Pay per website as you grow.
You can test any of the paid plans free for full 14 days

Connect

Advanced role-based websites

$ 2090 /mo

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30+ extensions and add-ons check icon
Customer accounts Beta
User groups and permissions Beta

Business

Best for driving your sales

$ 1390 /mo

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30+ extensions and add-ons check icon

Starter

Good enough to go live

$ 1290 /mo

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Testimonals

We appreciate the trust of our customers ❤️

  • Just test it to check possibilities, you´ll be surprised for the ease of use and quickness to setup.

    G2

    Manuel M

    G2

    It`s so easy to use - all I have to do is enter my data into a Google sheet, and Spreadsimple automatically generates a website-ready for me. Plus, the table looks great and is easy to navigate. I highly recommend this tool for anyone looking to quickly create websites from google sheets.

    Trustpilot

    Uddipan Barman

    Trustpilot

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FAQ

Does it make sense to create a directory website in 2024?

What pages are important for a business directory website?

Are directory websites profitable?

How to make money with business directory websites?

How much does it cost to create a directory website?

What content will attract more visitors?

What are some examples of the best business directory websites?

Let’s start building Let’s start building

Let’s start building

Use SpreadSimple and Google Sheets to manage your content and create an attractive and functional website without code.

You start with Free plan.
You can test any of the paid plans free for full 14 days.

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