How to Create a Directory Website of AI Tools like Futurepedia with WordPress for Free
TLDRThis tutorial guides you through creating a directory website for AI tools using WordPress, the Listing Hive theme, and Hive Press plugin, all for free. It covers installing the theme and plugin, extending functionality with extensions like reviews and tags, customizing categories and fields, and building a homepage with WordPress blocks. The video also touches on monetization strategies like paid listings and membership plans, using WooCommerce and additional Hive Press extensions.
Takeaways
- 😀 The tutorial focuses on creating an AI tools directory website using WordPress, specifically with the Listing Hive theme and Hive Press plugin.
- 🔧 Installation of the Listing Hive theme and Hive Press plugin is the first step, followed by the suggestion to install additional compatible extensions for enhanced functionality.
- 📚 To customize the directory, categories for AI tools can be created, and custom listing fields like pricing models can be added to provide detailed information.
- 🛠️ The tutorial demonstrates how to make the directory searchable and sortable by implementing filters and custom fields.
- 🏠 A homepage for the directory is created using WordPress's native page builder, with various blocks like listing search forms and categories.
- 🎨 The look and feel of the website can be further customized through the WordPress customizer, including site identity, colors, header images, and menus.
- 📝 The script explains how to add custom widgets and use additional CSS for further styling and personalization of the directory website.
- 💼 The tutorial covers monetization strategies for the directory, such as paid listings, featured listings, and claim listings, which can be set up using WooCommerce and specific Hive Press extensions.
- 🔐 There's an option to restrict access to certain parts of the directory and offer membership plans, turning the site into a members-only platform.
- 💡 The script concludes by emphasizing the ease of creating a directory website with WordPress, Listing Hive, and Hive Press, which are free and user-friendly tools.
Q & A
What is the purpose of an AI tools directory?
-An AI tools directory serves as a platform that lists and provides information about various AI software, allowing users to explore and discover new tools and find the right ones for their projects.
Which WordPress theme and plugin are recommended for creating an AI tools directory?
-The recommended WordPress theme is 'Listing Hive' and the plugin is 'Hive Press', which is a free and powerful directory plugin that handles most of the website's features.
How can one extend the functionality of the directory using Hive Press extensions?
-One can extend the directory's functionality by visiting the Hive Press extensions page and installing compatible extensions such as 'Reviews', 'Favorites', 'Tags', and 'Social Login'.
How do you create custom categories in the directory?
-Custom categories can be created in the 'Listings > Category' section by naming the category, describing it, uploading a category image, and setting up parent categories for a hierarchy.
What is a custom listing field and how is it created?
-A custom listing field is a user-defined field that helps users obtain specific information about each tool. It is created by going to 'Listings > Attributes > Add New', naming the field, marking it as editable, choosing the field type, and setting it up as a search filter and display format.
How can you build an attractive homepage for the directory using WordPress blocks?
-An attractive homepage can be built by going to 'Pages > Add New', naming the page 'Home', writing a header text, and adding different blocks such as 'Listing Search Form' and 'Listing Categories' by clicking the plus icon and customizing them using the settings column.
What are the steps to customize the look and feel of the website?
-To customize the website, click on the 'Customize' button, and go through sections like 'Site Identity', 'Colors', 'Header Image', 'Menu', 'Widgets', 'Homepage Settings', 'Fonts', and 'Additional CSS' to adjust various elements.
How can users add new tools to the directory?
-Users can add new tools to the directory by clicking the 'Add Listing' button, filling out the submission form with the tool's name, category, images, and custom fields, and then clicking the 'Submit Listing' button.
What are the monetization models that can be applied to an AI tools directory?
-Monetization models include 'Paid Listings', where users pay to add new tools; 'Claim Listings', where tool owners pay to claim their listings; and 'Memberships', where users pay for access to view more tools.
How does the 'Paid Listings' model work in the context of the AI tools directory?
-The 'Paid Listings' model involves creating WooCommerce products for different listing packages, setting up these packages in Hive Press, and charging users for adding new tools to the directory.
What is the process for setting up 'Claim Listings' as a monetization model?
-To set up 'Claim Listings', create a WooCommerce product for the claim fee, configure it in Hive Press settings, and allow users to claim tool listings. Once a claim is approved, the user becomes the listing vendor with edit access.
Outlines
🛠️ Building an AI Tools Directory with WordPress
This paragraph outlines the process of creating an AI tools directory using WordPress. It emphasizes the use of the Listing Hive directory theme and the Hive Press plugin, which simplifies the setup and management of the directory. The tutorial guides users through installing the theme and plugin, extending functionality with additional extensions like reviews, favorites, tags, and social login. It also covers creating custom categories and listing fields to enhance the directory's usability and organization.
🎨 Customizing the Directory with High Press Extensions
The second paragraph delves into customizing the directory's appearance and functionality. It explains how to set up the homepage using WordPress's native page builder, incorporating blocks for search forms and categories. The tutorial also covers site identity customization, including logo upload and color scheme adjustments. Further, it discusses menu setup, widget addition, and the use of High Press templates for detailed page customization. Monetization strategies are introduced, including paid listings, featured listings, and claim listings, which involve setting up WooCommerce products and configuring High Press settings.
💼 Monetizing the AI Directory with Membership Plans
The final paragraph focuses on monetizing the AI tools directory website. It introduces the High Press memberships extension, which allows for creating membership plans that restrict access to certain content. The process involves creating WooCommerce products for membership fees and configuring these within the High Press settings. The tutorial demonstrates how users can claim listings, purchase membership plans, and access premium content. It concludes by highlighting the ease of using WordPress, Listing Hive, and Hive Press to build and monetize a directory website.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Artificial Intelligence (AI)
💡Directory Website
💡WordPress
💡Listing Hive
💡Hive Press
💡Extensions
💡Custom Fields
💡Page Builder
💡Monetization Models
💡WooCommerce
Highlights
Create an AI tools directory website to organize the growing number of AI software.
Use WordPress for a free and easy-to-use platform to build the directory.
Install the Listing Hive directory theme for a professional look.
Activate the Hive Press plugin for core directory features.
Explore over 15 High Press extensions to enhance directory functionality.
Install the Reviews extension for user-generated content on AI tools.
Add Favorites and Tags extensions for better user interaction.
Set up Social Login for user convenience.
Create custom categories for tool listings to simplify navigation.
Add custom listing fields like pricing model for detailed tool information.
Make fields editable, filterable, and sortable for user-friendly search.
Use WordPress page builder to create an attractive homepage.
Customize the homepage with blocks like listing search form and categories.
Set the created page as the homepage in the WordPress dashboard.
Further customize the site's look and feel using the customizer tool.
Upload a logo and set site title, tagline, and icon for branding.
Adjust primary and secondary colors to match the directory's theme.
Set a header image to enhance the homepage's visual appeal.
Customize menus to include important pages like the blog.
Add custom widgets for displaying additional content on the site.
Use High Press templates to refine the look of listing pages.
Explore monetization models like paid listings for directory sustainability.
Use WooCommerce for handling payments for premium directory features.
Implement a claim listings model to allow tool owners to claim their listings.
Create membership plans for a members-only access to the AI tools directory.