There are many ways to earn money online. One of the popular ways are WordPress directory themes. There are literally unlimited options here. You can create online portal for given location or a specific industry.
How to get data on website?
The main task of portal website is to merge the same type of information in one place. Yet the actual items in the online catalog can be different. This may be a company, gastro operations, doctors, dentists, nonprofit organisations, sports clubs and the like. The volume of such information is crucial for any website. So how do you fill up the portal website data?
You can do it yourself, using your own personnel. Or you can give access to company owners, operating companies, ergo those whom you want to merge on your catalog website to register and through their own account add information about them-self. If you allow owners to add items directly, valuable content on your portal sites will grow faster than loading all items in-house. So how about it?
Choose the strategy. Free or fee?
Disclosure of information on portal website is one of the components of process of managing sales on catalog website. Fee for adding items to the catalog list is a common way of how to make a website a profitable project. User pays for the package in which there are permitted certain functions and a set number of items (does not pay for each item separately).
Many studies focused on pricing policy, recommend to offer several different packages. If they differ in price and content, they are more likely to generate a conversion for the benefit of your portal site. Your customer has therefore a better decision-making possibilities. The number of different packages is unlimited. Presentation site for them can be simply created using Pricing Table element.
Setting up and managing packages in portal template, all nicely together in one
place
Our Best WordPress directory themes offer you easy way to configure everything you need to get started as quickly as possible. Settings for Theme Options –> Packages play an important role for your business portal. In Packages you can define individual packages (subscriptions) for users, who will be registered on your portal page and add items. Package management is also important from the perspective of users themselves as you can customize the packages for each group of users and give them the opportunity to enter and display information as needed.
If you are starting with a portal website, you should consider to allow users to add items free of charge, making it easier for you to get important content for your website. This makes it possible to build traffic and motivate users (owners of items) to opt for the higher paid packages with enhanced functions. In free package you can allow adding of only one item with limited input – information about item.
So how to create different packages?
Packages may be differentiated by time horizon, number of items pertaining to one user and the range of functions. Difference in packages can be in activating inputs such as opening times, picture gallery, social icons and so on. For each package, you can choose the type of header for detail listing presentation, or whether the item is included in the special group “Featured” listings.
Package setup by administrator
As administrator, in creating packages you have virtually unlimited possibilities of how to set those individual packages. According to these settings and permissions within the package you provide for users, you can adjust its price (eg. the more functions you allow, higher the package price). This way you can differentiate your pricing strategy. As part of the package settings you can choose to automatically sent notification of the impending end of package’s validity.
Specific examples of setting package:
Basic Package
Administrator decides to establish the basic, testing package. In the settings for Basic Package enables all functions related to the addition of Item – ability to add content, media, excerpt, image, etc …. He will set the price as 0, which means that it is a free package.
But since it is a testing package, which is free, admin can reduce a number of items that can be added, for example 3 items. When user fills that quota, he will have to purchase a full-featured paid package to be able to add more items.
Standard Package for premises owners
With Standard Package administrator decides that he wants to adapt it for owners of small shops. In the settings he enables many functions, but not all of them. For example, he does not allow the possibility of adding Featured items (items will not be shown at the top of the list). He will set number of items to 10, package expiration for 30 days and the price at $30.
Professional Package
For this package all functions are allowed to all the features, including Featured items during 30 days. The maximum number of added items will be limited to 200 items. Price $ 69. Professional Package will use those users who want to add Featured items and for example media agencies which promote different clients various activities and opt for advertising on the portal page.
Pharmacy/ Doctor/ Dentist Package
Admin decides to create packages by type of business, adjusting the settings and price accordingly.
Note: Package names, permissions and prices are merely illustrative and serve as an example. All settings are variable and can be adjusted according to the needs of the portal page owner.
Location of the registration form via WordPress widget
How to create Submit listing page you can read in our documentation. Registration as well as entry form can be created using Widget – Theme – Login. By creating registration with a widget you can insert it anywhere on a website:
- Sidebar
- Footer
- Anywhere within the content – via widget area element in Page Builder
The best part is that you create a widget once and then it can be used as many times as you need. No more duplicating of forms.
Video tutorials
For making it even possible for visitors of your portal website based on WordPress to ever register, you have to enable this feature in the basic settings of WordPress itself.
Here you can see how to create a widget for users to register.
How do Packages work from the perspective of user who wants to add items to your portal page
Every WordPress directory theme is a multi user website. That means users can register and manage their own information themselves.
1. If user want to start adding his items, he must first sign up for specific package and pay for it. The only exception is a free package. Temporarily, until payment is made, he is listed as a Subscriber and adding items is deactivated.
2. After the payment, system will change the role the Subscriber to one according to the prepaid package and then he can start adding items. Authorisations for adding items, as well as their maximum number are based on the Packages settings set by admin.
Which items can be edited by User?
Items owner (user) can add and change information about an items, which are allowed within his paid or free package. In general he can edit:
- Basic information about items as Name, description or excerpt
- Item Image and Galery
- Item Options – Item options detials:
- Subtitle
- Header appearance for the item (map or picture)
- Label item as Featured
- Contact information related to the item (address, telephone number, email address and website URL)
- Opening hours
- Social networks (available for input from various social networks)
- Features (icons for items features)
User himself can decide which data are for the business and its customers important and which are not.
Portal templates contain a lot of settings and features, giving you a great tool for your online business. Watch more articles about how to work with AitThemes.
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Nice one. Unfortunately the front end submission [ with easy admin ] for companies is a terror.
Hello again,
we highly appreciate your feedback. Thanks!
Best regards,
Zlatko
By the way…what is the use with your packages if no one in my country uses Paypal or Stripe?
Hello Paul,
thanks for your message. We are sorry, we don’t offer an additional service related to websites of themes users except the following ones: https://www.ait-themes.club/services/ . In general, support covers mainly finding of solutions for problems in theme and help users use the product, if there is a bug we’ll fix it as soon as possible. Unfortunately we are not capable working on user’s custom websites. But we have created and keep working on adding knowledge base, please kindly have a look at: https://www.ait-themes.club/knowledgebase/
Secondly, i would advise you to contact an experienced wordpress developer/designer who will help you to create unique web site, for example at some market place like “fiverr.com”
Thanks for understanding.
Best regards,
Zlatko
10 years in copywriting this author has??? This article is so hard to read… bad grammar and lots of spelling mistakes. Does not make me want to purchase!
Hello,
thanks a lot for your feedback, we highly appreciate it. Anyhow, would you mind to share with us what would you make happy, which kind of information or function would you require?
Kindest regards,
Zlatko
Hi devs and Ivi!
My name is Paul and i am a member of the AitThemes.club
This is a good article, but nothing is said about the payment system. All AIT`s directory themes use a PayPal and Stripe payment gatewasy…And nothing else! Using only this payment gateways reduces the probability of critical use AIT directory themes for commercial purposes. You probably ask me why I talk about it. Now I’ll tell about it…
As a result of a long research I came to the sad conclusion. In Russia (for example), the PayPal payment gateway is not needed. It is useless. Why? Because PayPal does not allow the use of API if I am not a legal entity. That is, to use the API payment I must be the owner of the company. But in this case, the payment gateway is absolutely not necessary. Because the scheme of cooperation between the two entities (my and client companies) may be easier, avoiding payments through PayPal intermediary (3.9% tax per 1 operation).
If I, as the owner of the site, is a legal entity – I dont need a PayPal payment system – all package sales will be made by bank transfer through paying the bills. If I am a not legal entity – PayPal payment system can`t work with me, since under the terms I have to be an individual entrepreneur or be the owner of a LLC.
Stripe Payment system is not currently in a position to serve customers in Russia…
In view of such circumstances I have an idea for AIT Themes (your colleague Zlatko has informed). Can your company’s developers to integrate one or more payment systems, which are very popular in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and other countries of the former USSR?
(its a very big digital market)
I mean such payment systems as a:
— Webmoney (very popular, since 1998): wmtransfer.com
— Yandex.Checkout (Payment service No.1 in Russia): checkout.yandex.com
Regards, Paul.
Hi Paul,
many thanks for your feedback, we appreciate it. There are many reasons why payment gateways are not available in all countries. Running directory website for profit is standard business activity therefore some strict rules are may applicable with countries. As it is electronic services VAT rule are very special within EU for example. Stripe payment is primary for US market. To implement new gateway into themes is not easy thing. I’ll forward your request to our management to consider such customisation work to implement payment systems you mentioned.
Thank you
Kind Regards
Hi
can i learn more about how to include woocommerce and product sales within listings – specifically – which directory themes allow this and how do I set ti up?
thanks
Hello Catherine,
User pays for the package in which there are permitted certain functions and a set number of items (does not pay for each item separately). But Events PRO custom post type can be linked with a product (woocommerce). The plugin is compatible with all directory themes except FoodGuide theme: https://www.ait-themes.club/documentation/#events-pro-plugin
Hope this will help.
Best,
Zlatko
Hello.
Is there a way of creating packages not accessible to the public?
For example, I want to provide access to an agency for creating 100 items without having the package details available at the registration form. I wan to be able to create the package and assign it to a user I create and send them the login credentials once they pay (with Bank Transfer). Is that possible?
Another important missing ability would be to connect advertisements with “item categories” or “locations” or even specific items (for better targeting and cross selling).
It is a straight forward and 80% complete solution for my needs and I am pleased with the support you provide. We could use a better knowledge base deployment since this is more like a search within the support documents. But I guess that way, it allows you to get more priority support requests 😉
Hello Panos,
theme uses Price Table element to display the user’s packages offer: https://www.ait-themes.club/doc/price-table-element/ . It’s up to you whether you decide to have it visible for page visitors. If you are intended to hide the packages options in a registration form, you should follow these instructions: https://www.ait-themes.club/knowledge-base/hide-parts-of-website-via-css/
How to set users packages: https://www.ait-themes.club/doc/how-to-create-package-assign-permissions-and-set-price-in-directory-type-theme/
Secondly,
we are sorry, there is no such an option to connect Advertisements custom post type with items or taxonomy menu element. Did you consider Featured Items functionality?
https://www.ait-themes.club/doc/how-to-earn-money-online-with-featured-items-in-directory-type-theme/
Best regards,
Zlatko
Hello, I’m having trouble putting it all together. Can you provide an example of a existing directory(URL?)that is taking full advantage of all these functions?
Hello,
feel free to have a look at the gallery where we showcase some websites categorized by the name of the theme: https://www.ait-themes.club/showcase/
Best regards!
Zlatko
Not a bad article…though the theme could do so much more.
Advertising – you offer it as one of the components but you can’t easily manage it in terms of providing usage stats for advertisers, you can’t offer it as paid add on to customer packages. Basically what I’m saying is that needs a bit more work. Ideally, you might want to display certain advert depending on the business category.
Items – seriously guys who call’s it ‘items’ they’re business(es). I’ve tried renaming ‘my items’, even looked at the documentation which suggests adding the language pack. Done that, but the instructions no longer match what you need to do.
Easy Admin – why does it add any additional meta boxes from admin installed plugins. I don’t want customers to override any settings from other plugins. That really needs sorting. I found a plugin that sort of works on some plugins but not all.
No help for clients to register or how to fill in their business details if they get stuck
Overall this theme as massive potential and I really hope it can be fixed to make it so. I’d say it’s 95% excellent, but just needs some details ironing out to really make it great
Hello Malcolm,
thanks a lot for your feedback and compliments. We’ll definitely consider your ideas and make decision.
Regarding Items – to rename it did you follow these instructions? https://www.ait-themes.club/knowledge-base/how-can-i-change-items-slug-and-slug-of-other-custom-post-types/
Thanks for your understanding.
Best regards!
Zlatko
Very good article Ivi.
The aitthemes directory themes seem fantastic to me. In my case I do not use packages, as I do the direct management of my directories.
Just a suggestion … It would be okay to limit the number of images in the packages.
Best regards…
Hello Wilfrido,
thanks a lot for your compliments and for your proposal. We’ll evaluate the possibility to add this feature into user’s packages.
Have a great day!
Zlatko
Hey there,
we have themes/plugins made with responsive design. Once you are using a theme that is not mobile friendly, you should hire an experienced developer/designer or change the template. The customization of the theme requires a major intervention in the program.
Thanks for understanding.
Best!
Zlatko
Firstly the Theme is great. Takes some time to understand.
What do you mean by “opt for advertising” in the package configuration. Where is the option to select this . can you explain how this works?
Also the price that we put in will be automatically for a monthly subscription right ?
How does a end user cancel his subscription ? Can admins of web site cancel subscription ? Can you explain the cancellation process.
Hey there,
thanks for your compliments. Opt for advertising means the decision for creating and managing the listing that belongs to e.g. media agencies.
Anyhow, it’s also possible having such an option to select it as the theme uses Advertisements custom post types and elements too. This is possible once you install and activate Permission manager plugin that offers to users the options, for detailed info please check out the plugin and the documentation:
– https://www.ait-themes.club/wordpress-plugins/ait-permissions-manager/
– https://www.ait-themes.club/documentation/#permissions-manager-plugin
The price can be set for any period (Expiration limit section). Package expiration limit should be set in days (0 for unlimited). Can be used for both free and single paypal payments.
Once yo create new packages it will appears as a new Role in admin -> users -> “Role” section. Consequently you can manage each registered user and change the role at any time. This option has only administrator.
Hope it will help.
Best regards!
Zlatko
I bought you Business Finder theme and wanted to integrate the Registration and Login form. The only issue I’m having is that if the user chose are wrong username or email there is no error on page or pop up, instead it redirects to the homepage and a topbar pop up with the error saying that the username or email has been registered already. So the user would have to, again, go to the Registration page to try and register.
Hello,
thanks for asking. Yes, this is a way how does theme working. User should use another email or it should be deleted in administration by admin.
Best regards!
Zlatko
I’m not talking about the validation process per say, I just have the issue with the re-direct going to homepage if they register incorrectly. It’s a bit annoying navigating again to the registration page and filling up your details again. Wouldn’t it be best to have a warning pop saying “This email or username is already registered” rather than a redirect to the homepage?
Hi there,
thanks for getting back on this. We’ll re-consider it with our development team and make decision. I’ll contact you back soon.
Thanks for your patience.
Kind regards!
Zlatko
Dear,
thank you again for your feedback and great feature ideas for our products. Your suggestions has been added to our list of ideas which we analyse further and the most wanted features are being implemented into our products.
Thanks for your understanding and patience.
Kindest regards!
Zlatko
Hope you can also have a built in lead management tool 😀 So, the clients can know what are the benefits they are getting from the directory site.
In addition, though this is an out of topic for this page. I notice you can add subcategories under a main category but there’s no option to add categories under a LOCATION.
Hope you can add that in the future. 🙂
A subscriber here.
Hello Kristine,
thanks for your interesting idea.
I’d like to inform you that:
currently we are working on creating multipurpose and universal Citadela theme based on our Framework III – all available Gutenberg blocks will be designed, all WordPress functionality, Gutenberg and Customizer will be available by using the theme. Detailed info about new available at: https://www.ait-themes.club/new-wordpress-theme/
The template will be compatible with all WordPress plugins written according to the WordPress Codex and Standards. Full compatibility with common a 3rd party developers plugins like WPML, Revolutions Slider, etc. Further features are going to be developed and added continuously an yet directory functionality will be available by using Citadela Directory plugin…Migration option form current directory theme to Citadela directory theme will be available too.
In addition, regarding newly prepared project and its extension features we’d like ask you to give us a minute of your time to answer 4 simple questions: https://aitthemes.typeform.com/to/vc7arn that can help our team make better products faster.
Thanks for understanding.
Best regards!
AIT team
Hello,
Great theme, highly recommended for those looking to get a solid foundation to build upon.
I have a question about testing packages workflow and functionality before going to production?
Is there anyway we can put packages/payments in test mode and test different payment options?
For example:
How do I test the functionality and workflow of a premium package using CC payment option?
How do I test the functionality and workflow of a premium package using PayPal payment option?
I don’t mind doing custom coding on my end if that is the solution, just point me to the right direction please.
Thanks
Hello There,
Thank you for being interested in our products.
We are sorry, test mode is not available mostly due to fact based on our and customer’s experiences that paypal demo sandbox is not working correctly. Therefore we would recommend manage “testing” with small real amounts of money. Anyhow, obviously if there are some issues – payment transaction can takes more days, but for more details try to write directly on paypal support.
https://www.paypal.com/us/smarthelp/home
After purchase you have 1 year access to our support forum where our technicians are ready to answer you most efficiently even as quickly as possible when you decide a priority question (obviously within a few working hours). Customer Support is provided during working days from 8am to 5pm Central European Time at: https://system.ait-themes.club/support/add-question.
Have a good day!
Zlatko
AIT team