A crucial step for your online directory is selecting the appropriate WordPress theme, especially when you want to build a website on WordPress. A well-chosen theme influences both the functionality and user experience of your website.
That’s why you need to choose the best theme carefully. However, the problem arises when you look for such a theme and see that there are many similar themes. You can’t decide which one to go with.
We decided to help you, and we created this article comparing the three best directory themes at present. Read this article to the end and pick your directory theme.
👉 Good Read: How to Build a Directory Website
An Overview of Each Theme
We’ll now give you an overview of each theme before describing each theme’s key features in detail.
Listygo
Listygo is a modern WordPress theme. You can use it to build several types of classified ads or directory websites. The theme gives you many customization options. It works with both Elementor and Gutenberg page builders. This integration lets you design and manage your site easily.
There is no limit to the number of custom fields that the theme can handle. This function helps you make listings that are well-organized and full of information. Listygo also gives you a number of ad types that might help you make money. The theme works best on mobile devices.
People will have a nice time on any phone or tablet. Listygo also has separate apps for Android and iOS. This feature makes it easier for users to get to and use the site. Listygo is a strong and easy-to-use theme that can help you create websites like OLX, Gumtree, Booking.com, Airbnb, and Yelp.
MyListing
MyListing is a WordPress theme that gives users full control over their directory sites. You can make your own types of listings and pages with it. This makes it a wonderful option for anyone who wants to have complete control over the site’s appearance and functionality.
The theme works with the Elementor page builder. It has a drag-and-drop interface for making websites. MyListing also provides a great tool for creating listing types. This tool lets you set your own rules for defining and structuring listings.
There are also more than 10 Google Maps or Mapbox skins and powerful search filters in the theme. You can customize how the information looks to fit your needs perfectly.
MyListing is great for directories that need different information for each listing category. You can use it to make job boards, specialist service directories, or specialized real estate sites.
ListingPro
ListingPro is a full directory website solution. It has all the functions you need, including advanced search, a front-end submission form, and a built-in checkout system. Many payment gateways operate with the checkout system.
ListingPro also comes with a built-in ad campaign manager. This makes it simple to make money with your directory. If you want to start a directory quickly and with all the tools you need, ListingPro is a wonderful alternative.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
This section helps you learn more about all these WordPress directory themes.
| Key Features | Listygo | MyListing | ListingPro |
| Author | RadiusTheme | 27collective | CridioStudio |
| Launched | 2022 | 2017 | 2017 |
| Regular Price | $39 | $69 | $62 |
| Sales | 900+ | 20,000+ | 32,000+ |
| Rating on Themeforest | 4.58 | 4.80 | 4.85 |
| Update | Regular | Regular | Regular |
| Page Builder Support | Elementor, Gutenberg | Elementor | Elementor, Gutenberg |
| Front-End Submission | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Monetization (Built-in) | Paid Listings, Ad Promotions (Top, Bump-up) | Paid Listings | Paid Listings, Ad Promotions, Claim Listings |
| WooCommerce Support | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Advanced Search Filters | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dedicated Mobile Apps | ✓ (Android & iOS) | ✘ | ✘ |
| SEO-Friendly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| One-Click Demo Import | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Customization
All these themes have their own customization features. So, you can edit your directory the way you want.
Listygo works with both Elementor and Gutenberg. Thus, you can customize your website by dragging and dropping elements or widgets of these page builders. This dual-builder support makes editing smooth. It’s not challenging to build and run your site.
The theme is incredibly flexible because it lets you include as many custom fields and ad types as you want. It suits various directory areas, like real estate and service directories.
MyListing provides you with exact control to create custom listing types and fields. This provides a deep level of customization. You can build advanced search forms with unlimited custom filters. There are four pre-made explore page templates to help you build directories fast.
On top of that, this theme works with Elementor and has 50+ elements that you can easily drag and drop onto your preferred web page and design the directory site the way you want. The theme is ideal for directories with special needs, like real estate or job boards.
Now, let’s discuss ListingPro. You can customize this theme in numerous ways inside its all-in-one structure. The theme can handle setting up detailed directories. There are choices for membership plans, sorts of ads, and more.
New users may need some time to learn how to use all of the features. Even so, ListingPro is a great all-in-one tool for making complicated directories.
Performance & Ease of Use
Each directory theme works in its own way and is more or less user-friendly.
Listygo is made to be easy to use. It works with Elementor and offers a live customizer that lets you make changes right away. So you can easily create and change your directory. The one-click demo import option makes it even easier to set up.
Listygo is a good option for anyone who needs to set things up quickly and easily. Its easy-to-use interface is excellent for both new and experienced users.
MyListing includes a lot of valuable features and lets you control many aspects. For people who are new to the WordPress environment, the sophisticated listing management system can be confusing.
However, one of its best features is the theme’s flexibility. But it can take users some time to understand how to use all of its features. MyListing is a strong option for people who know how to use technology or have specific demands.
ListingPro virtually has all the features you need. It is an all-in-one solution that requires minimal setup. It’s easy to get started with ListingPro, but you have to learn how to use it to its full potential. There are so many features that it can be hard to keep track of them all. It could take a while to learn how to use all the options.
Monetization Flexibility
Every theme has its own set of options to monetize your directory website.
Listygo gives you a lot of ways to make money. You can charge people to submit paid listings. You can sell premium ad spots like bump-up, featured, or top ads. You can also use WooCommerce to handle payments for goods and services. Listygo works with subscription models. This helps you make money over and over again.
Paid listings and highlighted advertising on MyListing are ways to make money. It also works with WooCommerce. This integration gives other services more ways to accept payments. You may need to do some extra work to set up these features. You need to make sure they function for what you require.
ListingPro has strong built-in monetization tools. These are paid membership plans, ad promotion options, and integrated booking fees. These features make it a full revenue solution that doesn’t need any third-party plugins. ListingPro is helpful for directories that need a simple way to handle payments and keep track of their money.
Admin Panel Control
Each WordPress theme lets the site administrator manage the directory differently.
Listygo offers a simple and easy-to-use admin panel by Redux. You have full control over important aspects. You can manage ads, payment systems, and user settings. The interface is easy to use.
Therefore, you can easily maintain your classified ads or directory website. Listygo WordPress directory theme is perfect for anyone who wants both control and ease of use.
MyListing gives you a lot of flexibility over its advanced features. You may change everything about your directory. The admin panel is quite helpful. New users may have trouble with its complexity. It may take some time to learn and set up the many settings.
ListingPro contains a professional admin panel. It offers deep control over its integrated functions. This is ideal for users who manage complex directory sites.
These sites may have various membership plans, ad types, and payment systems. ListingPro provides comprehensive admin tools, but the many options may require time to master.
Content Management & SEO
Good content management and SEO are vital for a site’s visibility and performance. That said, let’s discuss how good or bad each theme’s content management and SEO is.
Listygo is built with the greatest SEO principles in mind. Sites using this theme load quickly. They work well on mobile devices and have clean code. The theme design is suitable for SEO, which means it will help your directory appear higher in search results.
Listygo lets you add as many categories and custom fields as you want. This helps you put things in order for both people and search engines.
MyListing has great SEO features. This is especially true for custom content types. You can change the way your listing is set up to help with SEO.
When you do so, search engines can easily find your material.MyListing is highly customizable. You may need to perform extra configuration to optimize it for SEO fully.
ListingPro is also an SEO-friendly directory theme. It has optimized code and can read metadata. Thus, sites built with this theme become more likely to show up in search results.
The theme has basic functions to help you get started with SEO. However, if you have a large site, you should put in more SEO effort to get the best search engine rankings.
Good Read: Marketing Strategies for Online Business Directories
Mobile Responsiveness & Apps
As you know, the number of mobile phone users is increasing daily. So your directory website needs to be mobile-friendly to improve user engagement. That said, let’s know whether these themes are responsive.
Listygo has a responsive design. Your site will perform well on all devices. Listygo’s specialized Android and iOS mobile apps are one of its best features. These apps make it much easier for people to use and get involved. They give people on the go a native experience.
MyListing is responsive and works well on mobile devices. MyListing has features that can be changed in many ways. Some custom layouts may need more tweaks to look right on mobile devices.
ListingPro works on mobile devices. Your site will appear fantastic on a wide range of devices. The basic functions operate fine on smartphones, but you may need to tune more complicated features, like advanced search filters, to perform well on mobiles.
Choose the Best Directory Theme
Every directory theme has its own pros and cons. Every theme is good for a different need. Listygo is a great all-around choice. This theme has a good balance of customization, ease of use, monetization options, SEO features, and support for mobile apps.
Listygo is a robust option for companies in need of a flexible and scalable solution. It offers a wide range of tools for long-term growth at a great price. Because of this, it’s an excellent option for creating a directory website.
