I am interested in starting a small community and am wondering what the best software would be. Ideally this software would easily display: - Address and contact info... - Google maps - Businesses that don't have websites Please share your experiences. Examples would be great.
The best example of a local directory that I have seen is here - however after contacting the owner to find out what software they were using I found it was custom. I have a killer domain to use for a local directory/portal, but like you can't really find the software to run it that would measure up to the example I showed.
Do some research on your competitors and see what they are offering. See if you can find out what script they are using and/or post their links on here so we can see and let you know.
why not to try eSyndicate, i found using them for social networking, it easy for you to add more field at your directory..
Do you honestly think that CanadianEh and swedal don't know what eSyndicate is??? Read what the original question was before you answer.
same here - I buy up all of the domains for my local county and have a few REALLY good ones. Unfortunately, no software out there exists that's worth getting. I want something that is a clone of yellowpages.com - complete with a google map, rating system (kind of like Yelp.com) and other plugins that help find similar local places. I'm shocked that nobody has ever created something like this, either standalone or for Wordpress...wish I knew how to program
sorry sir, i already read the original question, here the example what i mean about... Example site, that may help you know about...
This script looks great, but kinda expensive for moa. http://www.edirectory.com/ Demo listing http://www.demodirectory.com/listing/soft-bed-hotel.html
Looks like a basic directory script for most cats. And for a few cats (properties and dating), it looks he is just showing some affiliate links. Nothing complicated really. Also, it looks like he may be running a different script/database for each category. You will notice how you have a different submit page for each catefory...and that there is no way to search the entire site (other than the google search on homepage). Yep, that site is using esyndicat...check here: http://www.darngooddeals.com/admin/login.php And really, I see no reason why an existing script like phpld or esyndicat shouldn't be used. Obviously, they would need to be altered a bit to get depending on exactly what you wanted to do...but it wouldn't be anything too difficult (assuming you are comfortable with php/mysql).
Why would you say "CanadianEh and swedal don't know what eSyndicate is???" eSyndicate can do as CanadianEh as asked fro in his original post.
I found the only way to get the style and functionality that I wanted was to sit down with a designer and create it from scratch. We've incorporated google maps and cater for businesses that don't have websites by allowing a 1000 words of text and a couple of pictures, plus they can include weblinks in the future if they wish. Here's a recent sign up which gives an idea of functionality. http://www.mylocalservices.us/Misso...6445/Squat_Squad_Canine_Waste_Management.html Off the shelf software and scripts can limit potential and give directories a standard common look. If you can get a coder, it's worth the extra cost.
$2,000 for that?! Are they out of their mind? It amazes me where some developers pull these figures from...I wouldn't pay more than $100 for software like that.
for Local Regional Directory Script regionaldirectory.org http://www.hotscripts.com/listing/free-regional-directory-script/ This two links might be very helpful to you.
This is a PHPLD script. It doesn't look like the info has been updated since 2007. I got the impression that the PHPLD folks had given up on the regional script. Is anyone using the regional software? Thanks for all the input so far. Still looking for some good examples.
I think this can be done in WordPress with good customisations from an experienced coder, and the right plugins.
Mark You have done a damn good job on Damn Good Deals. I added it to my list of directories at web-directories.ws. I didn't realize that esyndicat was that advanced. Are you using an "off the shelf" version with plugins or did you do significant modifications?