Title: Directory Spark – Business Directory & Listings Author: DylanAuty Published: August 7, 2026 Last modified: August 7, 2026 --- Search plugins ![](https://ps.w.org/directory-spark/assets/banner-772-250.png?rev=3637444) ![](https://ps.w.org/directory-spark/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=3637444) # Directory Spark – Business Directory & Listings By [DylanAuty](https://profiles.wordpress.org/dylanauty/) [Download](https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/directory-spark.1.0.0.zip) * [Details](https://wordpress.org/plugins/directory-spark/#description) * [Reviews](https://wordpress.org/plugins/directory-spark/#reviews) * [Installation](https://wordpress.org/plugins/directory-spark/#installation) * [Development](https://wordpress.org/plugins/directory-spark/#developers) [Support](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/directory-spark/) ## Description Directory Spark is a WordPress directory plugin built for local business directories, niche listings boards, and anything in between. Run the step-by-step setup wizard, add your categories, and you have a fully working directory accepting public submissions in minutes. **Activate, run the wizard, create your categories, and publish.** Most directories are live within minutes of activating the plugin. Use Directory Spark for local business directories, restaurant guides, service provider listings, community noticeboards, freelancer directories, accommodation guides, membership organisation directories, and more. #### Free Features **Listings** * Unlimited listings with no cap on how many you can create or accept * Title, description (rich text), and featured image on every listing * Standard fields on every listing: address, phone, email, website, and business hours * Latitude and longitude fields for precise map positioning per listing * Business hours: per-day open and close times with a day toggle for each day of the week * Custom fields: add extra fields to every listing, with your choice of type * Category system: a hierarchical category tree with browseable archive pages per category * Featured listings: flag specific listings to highlight and filter them separately **Custom field types** * Text: single-line text input * Textarea: multi-line text input for longer content * URL: a URL field rendered as a clickable link on the listing page * Number: numeric input with browser validation * Email: email input rendered as a clickable mailto link * Select: a dropdown with custom options defined in the field manager * Checkbox: a simple yes/no field **Frontend submission** * Logged-in visitors can submit listings from any page using `[directory_spark_submit]` * Submissions land in a pending queue for admin review before going live * Full submission form includes all standard fields, business hours, and any active custom fields * Honeypot spam protection on every submission * Submitters receive an immediate on-screen confirmation after submitting **Admin approval workflow** * All submissions arrive as pending listings in a dedicated admin screen * One-click approve and reject actions directly from the listing editor and list table * Bulk approve, reject, or trash from the listings list view * Rejection note field: write a message for the submitter explaining why their listing was declined * Submitter receives an email on approval and on rejection, with the rejection note included **Listing display** * Grid template: image-first card layout with title, address, phone, website, and category pill * List template: horizontal layout with image on the left and listing details on the right * Every card is fully clickable; phone and website links remain independently clickable within the card * Single listing page: featured image hero, description, business hours, custom fields, contact details card, and contact form * Contact form on every listing page, routed to the listing owner’s email address * All brand colours inherit from the button colour set in Settings, so the directory matches your site **Search and discovery** * `[directory_spark_listings]` shortcode: full listing archive with search bar and category filter * `[directory_spark_search]` shortcode: standalone search bar for embedding anywhere on the site * Keyword search, category filter, and pagination in the free plugin * Native CPT archive at your chosen URL slug, with individual archives per category * `pre_get_posts` integration: no secondary queries; the main WP query does the work **WP Go Maps integration** * Works with the free [WP Go Maps](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-google-maps/) plugin * Enable a map embed on every single listing page from Settings – Integrations * Map centres automatically at the listing’s lat/lng coordinates when set * Map ID picker populated from your live WP Go Maps maps **User account area** * `[directory_spark_account]` shortcode: logged-in users view all their submitted listings in one place * Status displayed per listing: pending, published, or rejected * Rejection note shown to the submitter when a listing is declined **Email notifications** * Admin notified by email on every new listing submission, with a direct link to review it * Submitter notified when their listing is approved * Submitter notified when their listing is rejected, with the admin rejection note in the email * All emails sent via `wp_mail()` for full compatibility with any SMTP plugin * Toggle each notification type on or off from Settings – Notifications **Settings** * Setup wizard on first activation: choose directory mode, set a listing label, create pages automatically * General: listings per page, listing label (singular and plural), current mode display * Design: grid or list template, featured image size, contact field visibility toggles, brand colour, button text colour, and border radius * Fields: add, remove, and reorder custom fields without writing code * Pages: assign the archive, submit, and account pages * Integrations: WP Go Maps toggle and map ID selector * Inquiries: contact mode, and editable form labels, headings, and success/error messages * Notifications: toggle per email type, set the admin notification email address * Developer: template override documentation and shortcode reference * Danger Zone: reset wizard, delete all listing data #### Directory Spark Pro [Directory Spark Pro](https://codecabin.io/store/directory-spark-pro/) unlocks monetisation, advanced search, deeper map integration, reviews, galleries, and the tools that growing directories need. **Paid listing packages** * Charge for listing submissions via Stripe or PayPal * Free, standard, and premium tiers with per-tier field access and featured status * Listing expiry dates with automatic renewal reminders **Claim listing** * Visitors can claim ownership of an existing unclaimed listing * Verified badge displayed on claimed and verified listings across cards and single pages **Reviews and ratings** * Star rating system with admin moderation * Aggregate rating displayed on listing cards and the single listing page * Schema.org LocalBusiness markup for search engine rich results **Advanced search** * Radius search: find listings within a set distance of a location, powered by WP Go Maps Pro * Map-synced filtering: the map and listing results update together as visitors adjust filters **Multiple listing types** * Run a business directory and a classifieds board from the same installation * Per-type field schemas: different custom fields and templates per listing type **Photo galleries** * Unlimited images per listing, displayed in a lightbox gallery on the single listing page **Import and export** * CSV bulk import: populate a directory from a spreadsheet in minutes * CSV export: export all listings, custom field values, and status to a CSV file **Better email delivery** * Reliable email delivery via SendGrid or Amazon SES **Developer tools** * REST API with bearer token authentication * Outbound webhooks for listing approved, rejected, and claimed events [Get Directory Spark Pro](https://codecabin.io/store/directory-spark-pro/) #### Built by CodeCabin Directory Spark is built and maintained by [CodeCabin](https://codecabin.io), the team behind [WP Go Maps](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-google-maps/), one of the most popular mapping plugins on WordPress.org. We build for the long term: clean architecture, minimal footprint, regular updates, and genuine support. #### Documentation * [Getting started with Directory Spark](https://codecabin.io/docs/directory-spark/) * [Setting up the submission form](https://codecabin.io/docs/directory-spark/submissions/) * [Custom fields guide](https://codecabin.io/docs/directory-spark/custom-fields/) * [WP Go Maps integration](https://codecabin.io/docs/directory-spark/maps/) * [Template overrides for developers](https://codecabin.io/docs/directory-spark/templates/) * [Directory Spark Pro](https://codecabin.io/store/directory-spark-pro/) ### External Services Directory Spark does not transmit data to any external services. Email notifications are sent through your WordPress site’s own email system (`wp_mail()`), which uses whatever SMTP or mail delivery you have configured on your host — no data is sent to external servers by this plugin directly. ## Screenshots [⌊Listings admin screen, with the listing list table, status filter tabs, and quick approve and reject row actions⌉⌊Listings admin screen, with the listing list table, status filter tabs, and quick approve and reject row actions⌉[ Listings admin screen, with the listing list table, status filter tabs, and quick approve and reject row actions [⌊Listing editor, showing standard fields, lat/lng coordinates, business hours, categories, featured image, and status controls⌉⌊Listing editor, showing standard fields, lat/lng coordinates, business hours, categories, featured image, and status controls⌉[ Listing editor, showing standard fields, lat/lng coordinates, business hours, categories, featured image, and status controls [⌊Frontend listing grid, showing image-first cards with category pills, featured badges, and clickable card layout⌉⌊Frontend listing grid, showing image-first cards with category pills, featured badges, and clickable card layout⌉[ Frontend listing grid, showing image-first cards with category pills, featured badges, and clickable card layout [⌊Single listing page, showing the hero image, contact details card, business hours, custom fields, and contact form⌉⌊Single listing page, showing the hero image, contact details card, business hours, custom fields, and contact form⌉[ Single listing page, showing the hero image, contact details card, business hours, custom fields, and contact form [⌊Settings panel, showing the tabbed interface covering design, fields, integrations, and notification controls⌉⌊Settings panel, showing the tabbed interface covering design, fields, integrations, and notification controls⌉[ Settings panel, showing the tabbed interface covering design, fields, integrations, and notification controls [⌊Setup wizard, stepping through directory mode selection, listing label, and automatic page creation⌉⌊Setup wizard, stepping through directory mode selection, listing label, and automatic page creation⌉[ Setup wizard, stepping through directory mode selection, listing label, and automatic page creation ## Installation #### Automatic installation 1. From your WordPress admin, go to **Plugins – Add New Plugin** 2. Search for **Directory Spark** 3. Click **Install Now**, then **Activate** 4. The setup wizard launches automatically. Follow the steps to choose your directory mode, set a listing label, and create your archive, submit, and account pages 5. Go to **Listings – Categories** and add your first categories 6. Add your first listing at **Listings – Add New Listing** #### Manual installation 1. Download the plugin zip from WordPress.org 2. Upload the `directory-spark` folder to `/wp-content/plugins/` 3. Activate through the WordPress **Plugins** screen 4. The setup wizard will launch automatically on your first visit to the Listings admin #### After activation Directory Spark creates your archive, submit, and account pages automatically during the setup wizard. Place `[directory_spark_listings]` on any page for a full listing archive with search. Place `[directory_spark_submit]` on a page to accept submissions from logged-in visitors. Add `[directory_spark_account]` to a page so submitters can track the status of their listings. ## FAQ ### Is Directory Spark free? Yes. The core plugin is free with no listing caps, no time limits, and no hidden fees. [Directory Spark Pro](https://codecabin.io/store/directory-spark-pro/) adds paid listing packages, reviews and ratings, advanced search, photo galleries, CSV import and export, multiple listing types, and more. ### What is the difference between the free plugin and Pro? The free plugin covers everything needed to run a working public directory: submission, approval workflow, custom fields, search, email notifications, and a WP Go Maps integration. [Directory Spark Pro](https://codecabin.io/store/directory-spark-pro/) adds monetisation with paid packages via Stripe or PayPal, reviews and ratings, radius search powered by WP Go Maps Pro, photo galleries, CSV import and export, and multiple listing types in the same installation. ### Does Directory Spark work with my existing theme? Yes. Directory Spark integrates with any properly coded WordPress theme. Single listing pages resolve through your theme’s standard template hierarchy. The plugin injects listing content via WordPress’s content filter, so your theme’s header, footer, and sidebar are left untouched. Developers can override any template by placing files in a `directory-spark/` folder inside the active theme. ### Can visitors submit listings without an account? The free plugin requires visitors to be logged in to submit a listing. This creates accountability for submissions and keeps the approval workflow clean. ### How does the approval workflow work? When a visitor submits a listing it is created with a pending status and does not appear publicly. The admin receives an email with a link to review it. From the listing editor the admin can approve (publish), reject with a note, or trash the submission. The submitter receives an email either way, and rejection emails include the admin’s note. ### Can I customise what fields appear on each listing? Yes. The Custom Fields manager under Settings – Fields lets you add any number of fields to every listing. Field types available in the free plugin are: text, textarea, URL, number, email, select dropdown, and checkbox. Fields appear automatically on the submission form, the listing editor, and the single listing page. ### Does Directory Spark work with WP Go Maps? Yes. When the free [WP Go Maps](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-google-maps/) plugin is active, you can enable a map embed on every single listing page from Settings– Integrations. Select which of your maps to embed, enter a latitude and longitude on each listing, and the map centres automatically at that location. Radius search and map-synced filtering are available in [Directory Spark Pro](https://codecabin.io/store/directory-spark-pro/) with WP Go Maps Pro. ### Can I charge for listing submissions? Paid listing packages with Stripe and PayPal are available in [Directory Spark Pro](https://codecabin.io/store/directory-spark-pro/). ### Can businesses claim their listing? Claim listing is available in [Directory Spark Pro](https://codecabin.io/store/directory-spark-pro/). It allows business owners to request ownership of an existing listing and take over management of the details. ### Does Directory Spark include reviews and ratings? Reviews and star ratings are available in [Directory Spark Pro](https://codecabin.io/store/directory-spark-pro/). The free plugin includes a contact form on every listing so visitors can reach the listing owner directly without the owner’s email address being exposed. ### Can I import listings from a CSV or migrate from another plugin? CSV import and export are available in [Directory Spark Pro](https://codecabin.io/store/directory-spark-pro/). In the free plugin, listings are created individually through the admin or via the frontend submission form. ### Will my data be deleted if I uninstall Directory Spark? No. Your listings, categories, custom fields, and settings are preserved when you deactivate or delete the plugin. To permanently remove all Directory Spark data, use the **Delete All Data** option under **Settings – Danger Zone**. ### How do I override a template? Copy any file from the plugin’s `/templates/` folder into a `directory-spark/` folder inside your active theme. Directory Spark checks for theme overrides before loading its own templates, so your version takes priority without modifying plugin files. The Developer tab in Settings shows the exact path to use. ### How can I report a security vulnerability? Please report security issues to security@codecabin.io with a description of the vulnerability and steps to reproduce. We review and respond to all security reports promptly. ## Reviews There are no reviews for this plugin. ## Contributors & Developers “Directory Spark – Business Directory & Listings” is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin. Contributors * [ DylanAuty ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/dylanauty/) * [ NickDuncan ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/nickduncan/) * [ CodeCabin_ ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/codecabin_/) [Translate “Directory Spark – Business Directory & Listings” into your language.](https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/wp-plugins/directory-spark) ### Interested in development? [Browse the code](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/directory-spark/), check out the [SVN repository](https://plugins.svn.wordpress.org/directory-spark/), or subscribe to the [development log](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/log/directory-spark/) by [RSS](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/log/directory-spark/?limit=100&mode=stop_on_copy&format=rss). ## Changelog #### 1.0.0 * Initial release: build a business directory with frontend submissions, admin approval workflow, seven custom field types, business hours, email notifications, WP Go Maps integration, grid and list card templates, and a shortcode-based archive with keyword search and category filtering ## Meta * Version **1.0.0** * Last updated **7 hours ago** * Active installations **Fewer than 10** * WordPress version ** 6.2 or higher ** * Tested up to **7.0.3** * PHP version ** 7.4 or higher ** * Tags * [business directory](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/business-directory/)[classifieds](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/classifieds/) [directory](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/directory/)[listings](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/listings/) [local business](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/local-business/) * [Advanced View](https://wordpress.org/plugins/directory-spark/advanced/) ## Ratings No reviews have been submitted yet. [Your review](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/directory-spark/reviews/#new-post) [See all reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/directory-spark/reviews/) ## Contributors * [ DylanAuty ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/dylanauty/) * [ NickDuncan ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/nickduncan/) * [ CodeCabin_ ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/codecabin_/) ## Support Got something to say? Need help? [View support forum](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/directory-spark/) ## Donate Would you like to support the advancement of this plugin? [ Donate to this plugin ](https://codecabin.io)