Are you looking to create a directory website? Online directory websites are one of the most profitable online businesses. A directory is a list of information that is useful for both the visitors as well as owners of the website.

Online directory websites provide valuable information to the users searching for several random information. Their search can range from best restaurants in the area to phone numbers, services, names, jobs or even travel destinations.

The use of online directories has increased in recent years and it is quite a common type of website nowadays. It has been used for promoting sites, business and for gaining traffic and following.

Are you are thinking to create an online directory website and wondering what types of niche you should focus? Well, you can find it out here as we have listed the best types of profitable online directory types to earn money in 2020!

1.Real estate directory websites

An awesome directory WordPress theme can help you set up a real estate directory website easily. A real estate directory would allow visitors to check some of the top properties in your neighbourhood.

When creating a property listing website you would be looking to have all the real estate properties features. A feature-rich WordPress theme can help you to get more traffic and also generate income from your website. Communicative features between visitor and the property owner, properly organized data, bookmarking facility etc. are really useful.

When it comes to property it must have an advanced search filter option based on the property type, location, and amenities. Visitors should be able to search for information based on different categories and sub-categories such as properties for sale, rental properties, suburban homes, villas, condos, etc. If the property is for sale then the categories include whether it is a rental property, its area, number of bedrooms, bathrooms and so on. If it is a global directory then a map feature and city selection based search is a great help.

There are several ways to monetize from the real estate directory. You can go for paid guest post submissions allowance on your website, an eCommerce store with your real estate directory website, featured real estate listings on the homepage, Google Adsense etc.

Here are some of the key features to look for in a Real estate directory website:

• Fully functional frontend submission for users and agents
• Proper categories on a website
• Advanced filter, location-based features like proximity search
• Google Maps for easy location recognition of the relevant property
• Agents page to contact them directly
• Displaying advertisement banners on your website
• Responsive and Mobile-friendly experience

2. Events

Directories that typically focus on events are the events directory website, also called as events portal. The purpose of the website is to list events by different locations posted under different categories. It enables you to showcase the details of an online event you are hosting and enables its promotion.

Events can range from family events, music concerts, parties, ceremonies, to charity events. There are also technical event directories that only list the technical events. Event directories allow listing all the relevant information like the date & time of the event.

The events web directory can also list the info on the name, info and contact details of event organizers, planners. Some of the events directory websites also allow users to buy tickets for events through their website. Many events websites also sell events related badges, coupons, banner and other party poppers etc.

Organizers of different events can utilize a frontend submission to post events. This also acts as a source of income generation by offering price packages and charging for the events that they submit. Other ways of earning income include allowing paid event listing submissions, featured events for more promotions, displaying advertisement banners on your event website, ticket.

Unique features needed for events portal site are:-

• Event search based on Start Date and Time.
• Advanced Filter Events based on categories and types
• Location-based events search
• Google Map feature to show events on maps.
• Frontend Submission for Event Organizers

3. Jobs

An online job portal is one of the trending niches that you can use to create an online directory site. The employers can post job listings in their companies while the job seekers come to find vacancies. It is in fact, an online employment exchange where employers can find candidates for their firm while job seekers can find the best relevant jobs. The employees usually pay and post their job listings using the front end submission system in the directory.

Some job directories also allow the job hunters to post their resumes, although it is not an essential feature.

The job portal contains listings posted under various categories and seekers can choose based on what types of jobs they are looking for. Features like city selection allow job seekers to find jobs in their desired cities.

They can even apply for jobs with the resumes which they have submitted on your site. Apart from showcasing jobs & resumes, you can show company profiles as well. A company profile page list the number of companies who have listed jobs on your site. You can also attract users by displaying Trending or Latest Job Listings on the front page.

Features that you need for job portal site include:-

• Frontend Submission for Job listings that also allow monetization
• Display Company profile
• Job search based on location and categories
• Email Notifications to employers and candidates.

4. Hotels/Restaurants

Food and restaurants websites is another trending niche that can help you earn money from your online directory this year. This type of directory typically targets a certain location and is also one of the most popular.

You can create an amazing hotel directory website for your city where you can showcase the list of hotels where users can search for the best hotels to stay in. You can also showcase a listing of all food points like restaurants, cafe, diners, bars etc.

Other options can include allowing booking features, selecting cuisines, number of people or type of rooms you need. Above all, like all directory websites, the hotel owners can submit their hotel information through frontend submission feature and list on your site.

Some attractive features like a coupon module for including discount coupons or an event module for listing food events and food fairs cannot be missed in hotel directories.

5. Classifieds

A classifieds directory website for listing different classifieds products is also one of the very profitable directory niches. Classifieds contain various categories and are generally multipurpose websites. It allows listing top jobs, housing, resumes, and forums. You can also expect specific categories like auto classifieds website, a book classifieds website etc.

It also allows submitting classified ads. It acts as a central advertising platform where sellers and the buyers can search as well as post classifieds advertisements respectively. Featured classified advertisements, allowing paid classified listing submissions, Google AdSense is the key monetization features.

Essential features in a Classifieds website are:

• Search feature based on Category and Location
• Frontend submission forms fro advertisements
• Login/Register feature

6.Travel Booking

An online directory niche is all about travel and locations is the best option to choose for a directory website. It can offer listings that can range from car rentals, hotels, flights, cruises and much more. They are one of the major attractions in a place. There are different types of directories in travel niche such as the travel review director, destination directory. It can also provide travel guide information that you need for your destination such as awesome pictures, overview, timings and much more. The travel guide can also be paired with travel blogs.

Unlike other directories, a front end submission system is not necessary for travel directory. You can ask your users to pay the relevant amounts to feature their listings on your site and also offer special price packages and. Search results based on Trending, Latest, Price, Deals and many more. You can also allow displaying advertisement banners on your website. A travel directory may or may not have a front end submission system. A map-based directory template is a pre-requisite for a travel directory.

Unique Features required in a travel booking site are:

• Location-based search
• Booking feature
• Frontend Submission
• Offers, Coupons, Recommendations and Deals

7.Business Directory

Creating a directory with different business listings is a smart option.

There are different types of business listings based on the geographical area which can either be a global business directory website or specific ones about certain areas. You can also choose from several businesses like restaurants, hotels, spas or electronics store.

Business directory website can be a location-based directory to precisely show the correct locations of the listings on the maps. It can even feature a front-end submission system to let the business list themselves in the business directory. You must list all the features on your site. You should be looking for features that allow Google Maps, Reviews, Ratings and Latest listings on your site. This gives the visitors get a better idea of the listings that they are searching for. Furthermore, the advanced filter and search feature based on location and categories would be great for better user experience.

Summary

Finally, we have listed out the best niche to choose for creating online directory websites. Online directories are one of the best platforms to monetize and earn income from the directory website. It is really an easy process to set up an online directory website. We hope you got an idea about which type of directories to go for while creating your own online directory website.