How to Create a Hotel Directory Website in WordPress (Step-By-Step Guide)

Why Create a Hotel Directory Website?

A hotel directory website serves as a centralized platform where travelers can find and compare hotels based on various criteria. Whether you’re looking to monetize through advertising, premium listings, or affiliate marketing, it’s essential to create a hotel directory website with well-built structure to attract a steady stream of visitors. Additionally, with the global increase in travel and tourism, the demand for easy-to-navigate hotel directories is rising.

Choosing the Right Domain and Hosting

Your domain name is the first impression users will have of your website. Choose a domain that is relevant, easy to remember, and reflective of your brand, such as “findbesthotels.com” or “luxuryhotelguide.com.” The domains should be free to register and it’s recommended not to choose the names that the .com TLD of them is occupied. This means that you should not choose “luxuryhotelguide.org” if “luxuryhotelguide.com” is occupied.

When it comes to hosting, opt for a provider that offers speed, security, and WordPress optimization. Some popular choices include SiteGround, Bluehost, and WP Engine. These providers offer one-click WordPress installations and excellent support, ensuring your website runs smoothly.

Installing WordPress

Once you have your domain and hosting, the next step is to install WordPress. Most hosting providers offer a one-click installation process, making it simple to get started. Also, you can download WordPress from its official website and install it manually. Once installed, you can access your WordPress dashboard, where you’ll manage all aspects of your website.

Selecting the Right Theme to Create a Hotel Directory Website

The theme you choose sets the tone for your website’s design and user experience. For a hotel directory website, it’s crucial to select a theme that is clean, responsive, and compatible with hotel directory plugins like Listdom.

Features to Look for in a Theme:

• Responsive Design: Ensure that your site looks great on all devices, from desktops to smartphones.
• SEO Optimization: Choose a theme that is built with SEO best practices in mind.
• Customization Options: The ability to customize layouts, colors, and fonts will help you match your brand.
• Directory-Specific Features: Themes with built-in directory features, like advanced search and filtering, will save you time and effort.

Installing and Configuring Listdom Directory Plugin

Listdom is a powerful WordPress hotel listing plugin specifically designed for building directory websites. It’s an ideal choice to create a hotel directory website due to its extensive features and ease of use.

Why Choose Listdom WordPress Directory Plugin?

• Multiple Layouts: Listdom offers various listing layouts, including grid, list, map, and side-by-side views, giving you flexibility in how you display hotel information.
• Advanced Search and Filtering: The plugin allows users to search hotels by criteria such as location, price, and amenities, making it easy for visitors to find exactly what they’re looking for.
• Custom Fields: You can create custom fields to include specific hotel details, like room types, availability, and additional services.
• Interactive Maps: Listdom integrates with Google Maps, allowing users to view hotel locations visually.
• User Reviews and Ratings: This feature enables users to leave reviews and ratings, which helps build trust and guides other visitors in their decision-making.
• Monetization Options: Listdom provides options to monetize your site through premium listings, featured placements, and more.

Let’s use Listdom to create a hotel directory website in WordPress. If you want to use Listdom for other purposes, see how to build a directory website in WordPress for free.

Step 1: Install and Configure The Listdom Directory Plugin

The first step to begin using Listdom is to download and activate the plugin. The Listdom free version can be downloaded from the WordPress repository. The installation process is similar to any other WordPress plugin:

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
3. Search for “Listdom.”
4. Install and activate the plugin.

After activation, configure the plugin settings to fit your needs. You can set up the search and filter options, and choose the skin that best suits your hotel directory. Let’s see how to do these.

When Listdom is installed and activated, two new menus called Listdom and Listings are added to the WordPress dashboard. Follow these easy steps to use Listdom to create a hotel directory website.

Import Dummy Data

Click on Listdom > Home > Dummy Data tab. When you import the Listdom dummy data, you will find some pre-existing listings and taxonomies on your site. This guide is designed to assist you in comprehending the content available and providing direction on how to begin.

For example, here you can see the categories after the dummy data is imported. To create a hotel directory website, you can use the dummy data and change them based on the hotel names, categories, etc.

Step 2: Overall Settings

Before you go ahead and publish your initial listing, certain configurations need to be set up to create a hotel directory website. The Settings menu can be found under the Listdom menu. These configurations cover aspects such as Google Recaptcha, map settings, colors, fonts, and more.

While these configurations are not compulsory for using Listdom, they do enhance the functionality of your site. For instance, an API key is necessary for using Google Maps. To bolster your site’s security, it’s important to establish the Google Recaptcha Site and Security keys. This is where we set up the primary configurations. The datils of each part can be achieved through Listdom settings documentation. Let’s consider two more important setting sections here.

General Settings → General

In this part, you have the option to specify the settings for date, time, and currency. You can select the default currency as well as the date and time format. Also, there are several more settings that you can get back to them later or go deeper by reading the setting documentation.

General settings → Map Module

To create a hotel directory website you need to have good-looking maps on your site. To incorporate Google Maps into your website and display the listings on the map, you will need to obtain an API key from Google Maps. You can find information about obtaining the API key here. Additionally, there are other configurations associated with maps, such as default zoom, GPS zoom level, default latitude, and longitude, which you can configure and revisit at a later time.

Step 3: Listing taxonomies and features

Within the Listings menu, taxonomies and features can be discovered. Taxonomies are very important to create a hotel directory website. Go to the Listings menu to manage the taxonomies. The available taxonomies in Listdom and their usages for a hotel listing website are:

• Categories:
  • Luxury Hotels
  • Budget Hotels
  • Boutique Hotels
  • Family-Friendly Hotels
  • Pet-Friendly Hotels
• Labels:
  • Special Offers
  • New Listing
  • Top-Rated
  • Last Minute Deal
• Tags:
  • Beachfront
  • City Center
  • All-Inclusive
  • Romantic Getaway
  • Eco-Friendly
• Locations:
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Tokyo
  • Sydney
  • Cape Town
• Features:
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Swimming Pool
  • Spa Services
  • Airport Shuttle
  • Pet-Friendly

All can be assigned to specific listings. For instance, you can establish a location named “New York” and then designate it as the default location for certain hotel listings. The Listdom features and taxonomies guide can help you with this. The Listdom features and taxonomies guide can be helpful here.

The setup for Categories, Locations, Tags, Features, and labels is identical. You need to input a name, slug, and description for each. For some of them, you might have the option to select an icon, image, color, etc. These selections will be utilized in various styles and locations across the website.

Step 4: Adding and Managing Hotel Listings

Creating a listing is a fundamental aspect of your hotel directory website. To begin, go to Listings > Add Listing to add a new listing. Input a name and then customize its appearance and functionality by adding various options. Populate your directory with listings by furnishing detailed information, including titles, descriptions, images, and contact details. Be sure to appropriately categorize each listing for easy navigation.

With Listdom installed, you can start adding hotel listings to create a hotel directory website. Each listing should include detailed information to help users make informed decisions.

Essential Details for Each Listing:

• Hotel Name and Location: Include the full address and any nearby attractions.
• Photos and Videos: High-quality images and videos make listings more attractive.
• Description: Provide a detailed description of the hotel, highlighting its unique features.
• Amenities: List all available amenities, such as Wi-Fi, breakfast, pool, etc.
• Pricing Information: Clearly display pricing, including seasonal rates if applicable.
• Contact Information: Include the hotel’s phone number, email, and website.
• Map Location: Utilize Listdom’s map integration to show the hotel’s exact location.
• User Reviews: Encourage guests to leave reviews, adding credibility to the listings.

You can add listings manually or allow hotel owners to submit their listings through a submission form. Listdom also provides an option to review and approve listings before they go live, ensuring that only quality content is published.

For a quick start, check out the Listom listing creation guide. if you’re looking for a starting point, read the Listom listing creation guide.

Step 5: Skin choosing and shortcode creation

To create a hotel directory website you need to display a list of listings on your site. You have the option to showcase your hotel listings using various styles and appearances such as List view, Grid view, Half Map view, Table view, and more. Listdom offers over 80 pre-designed views that can be seamlessly integrated with any WordPress theme by applying certain configurations.

Navigate to Listdom > Shortcodes to generate custom shortcodes with specific settings. Depending on the page builder or editor you are using, such as the WordPress Classic Editor, Block Editor, Elementor, etc., you can embed the shortcodes using different methods on your website. Typically, you can directly input the shortcode into a text area or utilize a Shortcode widget to display it. Get to know the Listdom Shortcode Builder more.

Step 6: Setting up search and filter forms

Listdom’s search and filter builder allows you to effortlessly create simple to advanced forms and assign them to your shortcodes. Simply go to Listdom > Search and Filter Builder menu and create your desired search form with drag & drop form builder. finally use the shortcode of the form anywhere on your site. To learn more, take a look at the specific documentation of Listdom search and filter builder.

Finally, your hotel directory site is ready. you can customize it more by reading the Listdom documentation. Also, you can get in touch with the Listdom support experts and answer any questions and issues.

Step 7: Customize Your Directory Website

Employ the Listdom hotel directory plugin to customize your website’s look to match your brand and attract your desired audience. Tailor your theme’s visual aspects, such as colors, fonts, and arrangements, to produce a distinct and attractive website.

Addons and Extra Features of the Listdom

The Listdom Pro Add-on

Listdom listing plugin add-ons can add extra features to the Listdom main plugin. some of the Listdom add-ones are free and some of them are paid. You can see them here. The most used addon is Listdom Pro Addon. This add-on comes with pro features like OpenStreetMap, Map GPS search, Radius search, etc. that help to create a hotel directory website with WordPress even more professional. To see the full list of the documentation of each of them, you can see the Listdom addons documentation.

Implement Monetization Strategies in Your Hotel Listing Site

To create a hotel directory website that can generate income, consider exploring different monetization options. Listdom offers various monetization features for your hotel directory website. Once your website is operational, you can explore a range of monetization options. Choose the monetization strategies that best align with your hotel directory website’s goals and target audience.

Premium and Top-UP Listings:

Charge hotel owners a fee to feature their listings at the top of search results or in a highlighted section.

Advertising:

Sell ad space on your website to travel agencies, tour operators, or local businesses.

Affiliate Marketing:

Partner with hotel booking platforms and earn commissions on bookings made through your site.

Membership Plans and Subscriptions:

Offer membership plans to hotel owners, providing them with exclusive features for publishing listings in exchange for a recurring fee.

Claim a Listing

You can create a list of hotels and then reach out to them to inform them about their property on your site. This way, they can complete the payment process and obtain authorization for their hotel listing.

Paid Labels

Create several labels like “Exclusive”, “Recommended”, etc. The hotel owners can buy the labels so their listings will stand out on the site.

Enable Visitors to Submit Hotel Directories

With Listdom Pro addon you can make a frontend dashboard too. With this option, your site users (maybe the hotel owners) can submit their hotel listings from the frontend dashboard. To learn more you can read Listdom frontend dashboard documentation.

Test and Launch Your Hotel Directory Website

To create a hotel directory website, the final step is to test all of its features to make sure it works properly. This includes testing the search functionality, listing submissions, and payment processing. If you find any issues or bugs, fix them before you launch your site.

Optimizing Your Hotel Directory Website for SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for driving organic traffic to your website. SEO is a game-changer step to creating a hotel directory website that wants to grow faster in the market. Here are some tips to optimize your hotel directory site:

Keyword Research:

Identify relevant keywords such as “hotel directory website,” “create a hotel directory website,” and “hotel listing plugin.” Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs to find keywords that have good search volume and low competition.

On-Page SEO:

• Title Tags and Meta Descriptions: Include your target keywords in title tags and meta descriptions.
• Header Tags: Use H1, H2, and H3 tags to structure your content, and incorporate keywords where appropriate.
• Internal Linking: Link to relevant pages within your website to improve navigation and SEO.
• Image Optimization: Use descriptive file names and alt text for images to enhance SEO.

Mobile Optimization:

Ensure your website is mobile-friendly, as a significant portion of users will access it from their smartphones. A responsive design and fast loading times are essential to create a hotel directory website.

Content Marketing:

Regularly update your blog with content related to travel, hotel reviews, and local attractions. This not only drives traffic but also improves your site’s SEO.

Promoting Your Hotel Directory Website

It’s a bad approach to create a hotel directory website and leave it in the world of competitors. It will lead your business to fade gradually. Promotion is key to attracting visitors and increasing the number of hotel listings on your site. Here are some effective strategies:

Social Media Marketing:

Promote your site on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Share listings, blog posts, and special offers to engage with your audience.

Email Marketing:

Build an email list of subscribers and send them regular newsletters featuring new listings, travel tips, and exclusive deals.

Paid Advertising:

Invest in Google Ads or Facebook Ads to target specific demographics and drive traffic to your hotel listing website.

Partnerships:

Collaborate with travel bloggers, influencers, and local businesses to reach a broader audience. Offer them incentives like commissions or discounts for referrals.

Maintaining and Updating Your Hotel Directory Website

Regular maintenance is essential to keep your hotel directory website running smoothly:

• Update Plugins and Themes: Regularly update WordPress, Listdom, and any other plugins or themes you use.
• Backup Your Site: Use a reliable backup solution to ensure you can restore your site in case of any issues.
• Monitor Performance: Use tools like Google Analytics to track your site’s performance and make data-driven decisions for improvements.
• Engage with Users: Respond to user reviews and feedback to build a community around your site.

Conclusion

It is a rewarding venture to create a hotel directory website in WordPress that can provide value to travelers and generate income for you. By using the Listdom plugin, you can build a feature-rich, user-friendly website that stands out in the competitive travel market. Whether you’re focusing on local hotels or creating a global directory, Listdom’s powerful features will help you achieve your goals.