How To Create A Directory Website

So you think you want to create a directory website? Whether it’s a local business listing, a niche service directory, or even a rental marketplace…great choice! A well-designed directory site can be a powerful asset, generating revenue through listings, ads, and bookings.

But before you jump in, one big question looms: Which WordPress theme should you use?

There are dozens of options out there, but two themes consistently rise to the top in 2025: Listeo and ListingPro.

Both are packed with features and are built to handle serious directory functionality, but they cater to different needs. Whether you’re focused on a sleek booking platform or looking to monetize with paid listings and claimable profiles, choosing the right theme can save you hours of development time—and thousands in the long run.

To help you decide, we’ve created a detailed head-to-head comparison covering everything from customization and performance to monetization and ideal use cases.👇

Below is a detailed comparison of Listeo and ListingPro, two of the top WordPress themes for directory websites in 2025. Both are premium themes, designed for serious people who want to create a directory website or listing website, but they cater to slightly different needs and offer distinct features.

This comparison evaluates their features, ease of use, customization, monetization, performance, support, pricing, and ideal use cases to help you choose the best theme for your directory website.

Overview

• Listeo:
  • Price: $79 (one-time, buy it here)
  • Focus: A modern, versatile directory theme with a strong emphasis on booking and service-based listings (e.g., rentals, appointments, or service providers).
  • Key Strength: Built-in booking system, sleek design, and advanced search functionality.
  • Best For: Classified ads, service directories, rental platforms, or city guides requiring booking features.
  • Latest Version: Compatible with WordPress 6.8.x (as of 2025).
• ListingPro:
  • Price: $69 (one-time, buy it here)
  • Focus: An all-in-one directory solution for business listings, local directories, or niche directories, with no reliance on paid plugins.
  • Key Strength: Comprehensive feature set, including monetization, claimable listings, and Fill-O-Bot for auto-completing listings.
  • Best For: General business directories (Yelp-style), local listings, or multi-purpose directories.
  • Latest Version: Compatible with WordPress 6.8.x (as of 2025).

Detailed Comparison

1. Features

Both themes offer robust directory functionality, but their feature sets cater to different priorities if you want to create a directory website.

Winner: ListingPro slightly edges out due to its broader feature set (e.g., Fill-O-Bot, deals, lead forms) and no reliance on third-party plugins for core functionality. However, Listeo excels for directories requiring a booking system or service-focused features.

2. Ease of Use

• Listeo:
  • Setup: Offers one-click demo import, making it easy to replicate demo sites when you create a directory website. The admin interface is intuitive, with clear settings for listings, bookings, and search forms.
  • Form Customization: Drag-and-drop form editor simplifies creating custom listing fields, though it’s less advanced than ListingPro’s.
  • Learning Curve: Minimal for users familiar with WordPress. The booking system may require some configuration for complex use cases.
  • Documentation: Detailed documentation and video tutorials available. Responsive support via ThemeForest.
• ListingPro:
  • Setup: One-click demo import with multiple pre-built templates. The setup wizard guides users through initial configuration.
  • Form Customization: Advanced drag-and-drop form builder allows for highly customized listing fields without coding.
  • Learning Curve: Slightly steeper due to the extensive feature set, but the setup wizard and detailed documentation make it manageable.
  • Documentation: Comprehensive guides, video tutorials, and a knowledge base. Highly rated support via ThemeForest.

Winner: Listeo for its simpler setup and beginner-friendly interface, especially for booking-focused directories. ListingPro is equally user-friendly but may feel overwhelming for novices due to its extensive options.

3. Customization

• Listeo:
  • Page Builders: Compatible with WPBakery (included) and Elementor (recommended). Drag-and-drop editing for layouts and listing pages.
  • Design Options: Modern, clean design with customizable colors, fonts, and layouts. Includes dark mode and multiple homepage styles.
  • Flexibility: Highly customizable for service or rental directories. Less suited for complex business directories without additional plugins.
  • Demos: 10+ pre-built demos tailored for rentals, services, and classifieds.
• ListingPro:
  • Page Builders: Compatible with Elementor and includes a custom visual builder. No WPBakery support.
  • Design Options: Professional, versatile design with extensive customization for colors, fonts, and layouts. Supports multiple header styles and listing layouts.
  • Flexibility: Extremely flexible for any directory type (business, events, classifieds). Built-in templates for niche directories.
  • Demos: 20+ pre-built demos covering industries like restaurants, real estate, and local guides.

Winner: ListingPro for its greater flexibility and broader range of demo templates, making it suitable for diverse directory types. Listeo is strong for service-oriented sites but less versatile for general directories.

4. Monetization

• Listeo:
  • Options: Charge for listing submissions, subscriptions, or booking fees. Supports one-time or recurring payments.
  • Payment Gateways: PayPal, Stripe, and WooCommerce gateways. Additional gateways via WooCommerce extensions.
  • Features: Flexible pricing packages (free, paid, or featured listings). Booking fees can be a significant revenue stream.
  • Limitations: Fewer monetization features compared to ListingPro (e.g., no native ad campaigns or claimable listings).
• ListingPro:
  • Options: Paid listings, subscriptions, claimable listings, ad campaigns, and featured listings. Supports deals/coupons for additional revenue.
  • Payment Gateways: PayPal, Stripe, 2Checkout, and bank transfers. WooCommerce integration for more gateways.
  • Features: Advanced monetization with per-listing pricing, ad promotions, and claimable listings (businesses pay to claim their profile).
  • Limitations: No native booking fees, requiring third-party plugins for similar functionality.

Winner: ListingPro for its extensive monetization options, including claimable listings and ad campaigns, which are ideal for revenue-focused directories. Listeo is better for booking-based revenue models.

5. Performance & SEO

• Listeo:
  • Performance: Lightweight code with fast loading times. Optimized for mobile responsiveness and minimal plugin dependency.
  • SEO: Schema markup for listings, clean code, and compatibility with Yoast SEO or Rank Math. AJAX search reduces page reloads.
  • Testing: Scores well on GTmetrix and Google PageSpeed Insights with proper optimization (e.g., caching plugins like WP Rocket).
• ListingPro:
  • Performance: Slightly heavier due to its comprehensive feature set but optimized for speed. Requires caching and image optimization for best results.
  • SEO: Built-in schema/JSON-LD support for listings, SEO-friendly URLs, and compatibility with major SEO plugins.
  • Testing: Performs well with optimization (e.g., WP Rocket, Smush). May need more server resources for large directories.

Winner: Listeo for its lighter footprint and slightly better out-of-the-box performance. ListingPro is comparable but may require more optimization for large-scale sites.

6. Support & Updates

• Listeo:
  • Support: 6 months of support included with purchase, extendable to 12 months for $25.50. Responsive support via ThemeForest comments and email.
  • Updates: Regular updates to ensure compatibility with WordPress and plugins. Active development as of 2025.
  • Community: Moderate community presence on forums and social media.
• ListingPro:
  • Support: 6 months of support included, extendable to 12 months for $21.38. Highly rated support via ThemeForest, email, and ticketing system.
  • Updates: Frequent updates with new features and WordPress compatibility. Strong track record since 2017.
  • Community: Large user base with active forums, tutorials, and third-party guides.

Winner: ListingPro for its highly rated support and larger community, which ensures faster issue resolution and more resources. Listeo offers solid support but has a smaller user base.

7. Pricing

• Listeo: $79 (one-time, buy it here)
  • Includes WPBakery Page Builder and lifetime updates.
  • Additional costs: Hosting, domain, optional plugins (e.g., WooCommerce extensions), and support extension ($25.50 for 12 months).
  • No recurring fees unless you opt for premium plugins or support.
• ListingPro: $69 (one-time, buy it here)
  • Includes all core features with no paid plugins required. Lifetime updates.
  • Additional costs: Hosting, domain, optional plugins (e.g., WooCommerce for bookings), and support extension ($21.38 for 12 months).
  • Slightly cheaper upfront and no mandatory recurring fees.

Winner: ListingPro for its lower price and no dependency on paid plugins for core functionality. Listeo is slightly more expensive but justified for booking-focused directories.

Ideal Use Cases

• Listeo:
  • Service directories (e.g., freelancers, tutors, salons).
  • Rental platforms (e.g., vacation homes, equipment).
  • Appointment-based businesses (e.g., doctors, spas).
  • Classified ads or city guides with booking needs.
  • Sites prioritizing a modern, sleek design and booking functionality.
• ListingPro:
  • General business directories (e.g., Yelp, Yellow Pages).
  • Local or niche directories (e.g., restaurants, gyms, pet services).
  • Multi-purpose directories with monetization focus (e.g., paid listings, ads).
  • Sites needing claimable listings or auto-completed business data.
  • Large-scale directories with diverse listing types.

Pros and Cons

Final Verdict

• Choose Listeo if:
  • You need a booking system for rentals, services, or appointments.
  • You prioritize a modern, lightweight design with fast performance.
  • Your directory focuses on service providers, classifieds, or niche listings with booking needs.
  • You’re comfortable with a slightly smaller community and fewer niche templates.
• Choose ListingPro if:
  • You want an all-in-one solution for a general business directory or multi-purpose listings.
  • You need advanced monetization (e.g., claimable listings, ad campaigns).
  • You value auto-completed Listings (Fill-O-Bot) and extensive customization for diverse industries.
  • You prefer a larger community and more robust support.

Recommendation: ListingPro is the better choice for if you want to create a directory website due to its comprehensive features, lower price, and flexibility for various use cases. However, if your directory requires a booking system or focuses on service-based listings, Listeo is the superior option.

So…what now?

No matter which you choose, the key to success is clarity. You need to define your niche, outline your monetization strategy, and map out your user experience before you start building.

Once your theme is installed, your journey is just beginning. You’ll need to configure search filters, optimize performance, set up revenue streams, and market your directory to attract users and listings.

Need help with that? Stay tuned—we’re working on a step-by-step guide for launching and scaling your directory website in 2025.

💡 Pro tip: Always launch with a clear value proposition and start small. Dominate a niche before trying to go broad.