Step 1: Download and Install
Note
- You can find the instructions for installing an Extension by following this link.
- You can find the instructions for installing a Template by following this link.
The first step is to navigate to the Add New section of the Plugins menu in the admin sidebar. Once there, search for Connections. The Connections Business Directory will show up in the results. Click the Install Now button.
After installing Connections, click the Activate button to make Connections active on your WordPress site.
Step 2: Categories for your Directory
After activation, you will see the Connections menu items in the admin sidebar on your site. One of the sub-menu items will be for the Categories admin page. Click the link to begin.
Before proceeding, if you are unfamiliar with using the WordPress Categories for Posts, you might want to take a moment to review the basics of adding a category in Connections.
We will begin creating our directory by adding categories. This is an important setup step; you should choose your categories with the result in mind.
For instance, a corporation or business directory should have separate sections for groups such as Sales, Technical Support, or Marketing. In comparison, a local business directory might contain categories such as Electricians, Restaurants, Jewelers, etc.
These categories build the backbone of your directory. As you can see from the example below, we’ve built a corporate structure that includes departments and their subcategories. Subcategories help you customize your directory.
Step 3: Adding Entries
Once the categories are in place, choose Add Entry from under the Connections menu item in the admin sidebar.
Before jumping right in and adding entries, you might want to review the basics of adding an entry.
It is recommended that you choose the Entry Type before adding entry information. Take a moment to select each Entry Type option. Notice how the Name field changes based on the chosen Entry type. Each Entry type has its own fields, some of which are required to add an entry.
If creating a staff directory, leave the Entry type set as Individual. However, the Organization Entry Type would be the better choice if you are creating a local business directory.
After you choose the Entry type, you should select the Visibility status. The default is Public, meaning the Entry will be visible to your site visitors whether or not they are logged in. Choosing Private will require that the user be logged in in order to view the Entry. Choosing Unlisted will only allow users with the Administrator, Authors, and Editor roles to view it.
After making the choices discussed above, fill in the Entry’s information and select the categories to which the Entry will be assigned from those you set up earlier.
Step 4: Displaying your Directory
Now that you’ve set up your directory and entered entries, it’s time to publish the directory page. To do so, choose Add New under the Pages menu item in the admin sidebar.
Design this page as you would like it. Add the Title and text you wish to appear above the directory. Once that is in place, you will place a shortcode into the page that tells WordPress to get the directory you created and embed it at that point on the page.
You accomplish this by choosing the HTML tab in the upper right of your entry box.
Now that you are in the HTML mode, add the following:
[connections]
The Connections shortcode instructs WordPress to retrieve the directory and embed it on the page. Publish the page to view the directory.
Step 5: Set Directory Homepage
The final step is to navigate to the Connections : Settings admin page and set the Directory Homepage option to the page where you have embedded the directory in Step 4.