Want to build a restaurant directory website but don’t want to spend money on expensive tools?
Good news – you don’t have to! With WordPress and a few free resources, you can create a fully functional directory where users can browse, search, and list restaurants with ease.
In this guide, We’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of setting up a restaurant directory without paying for premium plugins or themes.
You’ll learn how to install WordPress, use a free directory plugin (aDirectory), and set up a restaurant-friendly theme (Fodstar) to get your site up and running.
By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have a professional-looking restaurant directory that’s ready to go live. So, let’s get started!
What You Need to Get Started with the Restaurant Directory Website
Before creating a restaurant directory website, you need a few essential things:
- A domain and hosting,
- WordPress,
- A directory plugin, and
- A suitable theme.
While some free options exist for domains and hosting, they often come with limitations like slow speed and lack of control. For a smooth experience, it’s best to invest in a reliable setup.
Once WordPress is installed, the right directory plugin and theme will help you build a fully functional restaurant directory.
I. Domain and Hosting
To launch a restaurant directory, you need a domain name and hosting. A domain is your website’s address (like restaurantdirectory.com), while hosting stores your site’s files and makes it accessible online.
Free hosting options like InfinityFree and ByetHost exist, but they come with limitations like slow speed, ads, and restricted features. A paid hosting plan is a better long-term choice for performance and reliability.
II. WordPress Installation
WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that helps you build and manage websites without coding. Once you have hosting, you need to install WordPress to start working on your directory.
Many hosting providers have a one-click WordPress installer. You can find it in your hosting control panel under tools like Softaculous, Installatron, or QuickInstall.
III. Free Directory Plugin
A directory plugin is the core tool that adds directory functionality to your WordPress site. It helps you create and manage restaurant listings, display business details, and organize listings by categories, locations, and features.
For this, aDirectory is a great free option. It allows you to add unlimited listings, create custom fields, and let restaurant owners submit their businesses. The plugin also includes search and filtering options which makes it easier for users to find restaurants based on cuisine, location, or other preferences.
Once installed, you can configure the settings, create listing categories, and start adding restaurants to your directory.
IV. Free Themes That Work Well for Directories
A theme controls the look and layout of your website. Since you’re building a restaurant directory, you need a theme that works well with directory plugins and showcases restaurant listings in an attractive way.
A great option is Fodstar – Restaurant Directory Listing Theme. It is designed specifically for restaurant directories. The theme offers a clean layout, an easy-to-use interface, and a mobile-friendly design. It also works smoothly with directory plugins like aDirectory, ensuring a hassle-free setup.
Once installed, you can customize the theme’s colors, fonts, and layout to match your brand. This will make your directory more visually appealing and user-friendly.
How to Create a Restaurant Directory Website with WordPress for Free- Step-by-Step
Now that you have everything ready, it’s time to build your restaurant directory. In this section, we will walk you through the step-by-step process. You’ll learn how to install the necessary tools, set up your directory, and customize the design.
Even though we’re focusing on free tools, the setup will still look professional. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a fully functional restaurant directory where users can browse, search, and add restaurant listings.
So, here are the steps that you need to follow to create a restaurant directory website using WordPress:
- Step 01: Install WordPress
- Step 02: Install the aDirectory – Ultimate WordPress Directory Plugin
- Step 03: Install the Fodstar Theme
- Step 04: Configure the Basic Settings
- Step 05: Create Categories, Tags, and Locations for Your Directory Site
- Step 06: Create and Publish Restaurant Listings
Now let’s get into the details!
Step 01: Install WordPress
To install WordPress on your hosting account, follow these steps:
a) Access Your Hosting Control Panel
Login to your hosting account, and navigate to the control panel (cPanel) provided by your hosting provider. You can typically access cPanel by entering your domain name followed by “/cpanel” in your web browser’s address bar.
b) Locate the WordPress Installer
Once you’re in cPanel, look for the “Softaculous Apps Installer” or “WordPress Installer” icon. This tool simplifies the process of installing WordPress by automating most of the steps.
c) Select WordPress for Installation
Click on the WordPress icon to launch the installation wizard. You’ll be prompted to choose the domain where you want to install WordPress if you have multiple domains associated with your hosting account.
d) Configure Installation Settings
Fill in the required information, such as the site name, site description, admin username, and password. Make sure to choose a strong password to secure your WordPress admin area.
e) Complete the Installation
Review your settings, double-check everything, and click the “Install” button to begin the installation process. The installer will automatically create the necessary database and configure WordPress for you.
Once the installation is complete, you’ll receive a confirmation message with a link to your WordPress dashboard.
Step 02: Install the aDirectory – Ultimate WordPress Directory Plugin
Once your WordPress website is up and running, it’s time to add the functionality that transforms it into a directory website. This is where a WordPress directory plugin comes in. Among the many options available, we recommend using the aDirectory plugin.
If you are wondering why we are using the aDirectory plugin, let us tell you that this is the most beginner-friendly directory plugin out there.
This is a new and growing plugin. It comes with all the necessary features that you’ll require to create and manage your WordPress directory website. On top of that, it’s absolutely free to use.
Now let us show you how to install this plugin!
- To install the aDirectory plugin, navigate to your WordPress dashboard -> Plugins -> Add New Plugin, and type the plugin name – aDirectory in the search box.
- Install and activate the aDirectory plugin from the search result.
Step 03: Install the Fodstar Theme
After installing and activating the aDirectory plugin, the next step is to make your directory website visually appealing and user-friendly. This requires a theme designed specifically for directories.
You can use any WordPress theme that you like to design your directory site. For this tutorial, we are going to use the Fodstar – Restaurant Directory Listing Theme.
Key Benefits of Fodstar:
- Stunning Design: Eye-catching layouts to showcase restaurants beautifully which makes your site attractive and engaging.
- Responsive and Mobile-Friendly: Ensures your directory looks flawless on all devices, from desktops to smartphones.
- Customizable Listings: Perfectly integrates with the aDirectory plugin and it lets you create detailed restaurant listings with menus, reviews, and images.
- Interactive Features: Includes maps integration and advanced search filters, so users can easily find restaurants based on location, cuisine, or ratings.
- SEO and Speed Optimized: Helps your directory rank better on search engines and load quickly for an excellent user experience.
Now let us guide you on how you can install this theme to your WordPress website:
- First, go to this link and download the theme for free.
- Then log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Appearance -> Themes -> Add New Theme -> Upload Theme.
- Then upload the theme from your computer and hit the “Install Now” button to install the theme.
- Finally, activate the theme to complete the full procedures.
Step 04: Configure the Basic Settings of the aDirectory Plugin
Once you’ve set up your directory plugin and theme, it’s time to configure the basic settings of your directory website.
- To configure the basic settings, go to your WordPress dashboard -> aDirectory -> Settings & Builder.
- Then click on the “Settings” tab. There you’ll find the settings to configure.
On this interface, there are:
- Listing Default Expire Date: Defines how long a listing remains active. Keep your directory content fresh and relevant.
- Listings Per Page: Sets the number of listings displayed on each page. Improves usability and ensures faster loading times.
- Default Preview Image: Assigns a placeholder image for listings without pictures. Helps maintain a uniform appearance.
- Hide Email Agent Page: Disables email visibility on agent pages. Protects privacy and reduces spam risks.
- Select Currency: Allows you to choose a currency for transactions. Aligns payment options with your audience’s preferences.
When you’re done with the configurations, don’t forget to hit the “Save Change” button to save all the changes.
Step 05: Create Categories, Tags, and Locations for Your Directory Site
A well-organized directory makes it easier for users to find restaurants based on their preferences. That’s why setting up categories, tags, and locations is important.
- Categories: These help group restaurants by type. For example, you can create categories like Fast Food, Fine Dining, Cafés, Pizzerias, Vegan, Seafood, and Buffets.
- Tags: Tags add extra details to listings. You can use tags like WiFi, Outdoor Seating, Family-Friendly, Live Music, Pet-Friendly, and Delivery Available.
- Locations: Adding locations allows users to search for restaurants in specific areas. You can organize them by city, neighborhood, or region.
a) Create Categories
- To create a category, go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to aDirectory -> Categories.
- Click Add New Category and:
- Enter a name (e.g., “Fast Food”).
- Enter slug (e.g., “fast-food”).
- Add a description (optional but helpful for SEO).
- Assign a parent category if needed (e.g., “Restaurants” as the parent category for “Fast Food”).
- Insert Image.
- Finally, hit the “Add New Category” button to add the category.
You will see the category list on the right sidebar if you can successfully create a category.
b) Create Tags
- To create a tag, navigate to aDirectory -> Tags in the dashboard.
- Click Add New Tag and provide a name (e.g., “dinner”).
- Save the tag and apply it to relevant listings during their creation.
c) Create Locations
For a directory site, location-based filtering is essential. This allows users to search listings based on specific areas, cities, or regions.
- To add a location, go to aDirectory -> Locations.
- Click Add New Location and:
- Enter the name of the location (e.g., “India”).
- Add a parent location if it’s part of a larger area.
- Save your location and assign it to listings as needed.
Step 06: Create and Publish Restaurant Listings
Now that your categories, tags, and locations are set up, it’s time to add restaurant listings to your directory. Listings are the core of your website. They display important details like the restaurant’s name, address, menu, contact info, and images.
a) Create Listings from the Backend
To create a restaurant listing, go to your WordPress dashboard and open the aDirectory plugin. Click on “Add New Listing” to start.
Fill in all the important details like the restaurant name, description, address, etc. You can also add high-quality images to make the listing more attractive.
Don’t forget to assign the listing to the right category, tags, and location. This helps users find the restaurant easily when they search or filter results. Once you’ve added all the information, click “Publish” to make the listing live on your website.
Repeat this process to add more restaurants. If you plan to allow restaurant owners to submit their own listings, aDirectory offers frontend submission forms.
This way, restaurant owners can create and manage their listings directly from your website without accessing the WordPress dashboard.
Let’s find out how to do that!
b) Create Listings from the Frontend
With aDirectory, you can easily enable frontend listing submissions. To let restaurant owners sign up to your directory website, first, you need to enable this feature on your site.
Navigate to your WordPress dashboard -> Settings -> General, and scroll down a bit, there you’ll find the option “Membership”. Tick this box to enable anyone can register.
Now anyone will be able to register on your directory website.
After signing up as a restaurant owner, click on the “+Add Listing” button and you’ll be redirected to a new interface.
Now you need to insert the information for restaurant’s name, description, location, contact details, pricing, and photos.
Once a restaurant owner submits a listing, you can choose to review and approve it manually or set it to publish automatically.
When you are done with your directory website, your site will look like this:
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Restaurant Directory Website
The cost of creating a restaurant directory depends on the tools you choose. Since this guide focuses on a free setup, you can build the website without spending anything. However, if you want better performance and advanced features, you may need to invest in certain things.
Basic Free Setup ($0)
- Domain & Hosting – Some providers offer free hosting, but they come with limitations like ads, slow speed, and restricted storage.
- WordPress – Completely free to use.
- aDirectory Plugin – A free plugin that adds directory functionality.
- Fodstar Theme – A free restaurant directory theme.
Recommended Paid Options (For Better Performance)
- Domain Name – Around $10–$15 per year for a custom domain.
- Hosting – Starts at $3–$10 per month for reliable shared hosting.
- aDirectory Premium Version – Starts at $230 for 5 websites. It also comes with lifetime access. No need to pay the renewal fee.
- Premium Themes – If you are using the premium version of the aDirectory plugin, you’ll get the premium Fodstar theme included in the bundle.
A fully free setup works if you’re just starting out. But if you want better speed, security, and advanced directory features, investing in a few paid tools can make a big difference.
Conclusion
Creating a restaurant directory website with WordPress is easier than you might think. With the right tools, you can build a functional and user-friendly directory without spending a dime.
By using aDirectory as your free directory plugin and the Fodstar theme, you get all the essential features to list restaurants, organize them by categories and locations, and make them easily searchable.
While the free setup is a great starting point, upgrading to a paid domain, hosting, or premium features can improve performance and user experience. But that’s completely up to you!
Now it’s your turn to take action. Follow the steps in this guide, set up your directory, and start listing restaurants today. Your restaurant directory could soon become the go-to platform for food lovers in your area!
