July 16, 2024

Simple Link Directory Plugin

Link Directory plugin to curate topic based link listings. Curate gorgeous Link List, Link Archive, Partners or Vendors Directory

Link Directory Plugin for Modern Websites

Link Directory plugin with a unique approach! Simple Link Directory is a unique and advanced WordPress Directory plugin and a Link Listings Manager for One Page directory and Content Curation. Create innovative and elegant Link, Resources page or Link page on your WordPress website in matter of minutes.

🚀 Support, Bug Report, Feature Requests | Directory Demo | Upgrade to Simple Link Directory Pro Now!

Simple Link Directory includes Shortcode Generator Directory Block for Gutenberg.

++ Looking for a Business Directory? Check out our Simple Business Directory Plugin with Google Maps

It is the best wordpress directory plugin for the new age web. Compatible with any theme. With the Pro version of Simple Link Directory you can start making money or generate backlinks with the link exchange addon on complete Auto Pilot. This plugin can be used for Single page Business directory, One page Link directory, Link library, Bookmark collection, Directory listing, Web directory, Listing directory, Video Gallery, Youtube Video Directory, Video Database, Vendor or Partners Directory, Affiliates Directory, Resources page, Link Curation, Intranet etc.

++ Looking for a Complete Solution? Get a Premium Link Directory Theme!

Who Should Use this Plugin?

This plugin is a good fir for you if you are a:

Prolific Blogger and need a directory to showcase your links
SEO Specialist wanting to create backlinks from Link Exchange
Content Curator to create a Link Directory
Marketer
Webmaster
Advertising or Marketing Agency

Simple Link Directory Use Cases

Use for Your Resources Page:
Do you manage a Resources Page or Links Page with lists of useful links to other websites? If so, Simple Link Diretory is a perfect solution for you to manage those links, show them beautifully and invite user engagement.

Build a Complete Directory Website:
These days one page or small directory websites have become quite popular. If you are passionate about something why not turn your bookmarks into a Single Page directory? With the help of this plugin, you can create niche specific Directory website within a matter of hours that can attract a lot of new visitors and attention.

Create a Link Manager for Company Intranet:
A lot of businesses require their company employees to access certain websites on regular basis. Such as Media or Marketing companies. You can create link directories for your company Intranet using this plugin.

Create a Local Business Directory:
Do you want to create Lists of the best restaurants or pet shops in your city? You can do that with SLD. Create a directory for Chiropractors, resorts, schools or local businesses with SLD.

Create a Vendor Directory:
If you are a business with a lot of vendors that carry your products – use this plugin to List them in a user friendly manner. Your website users will thank you.

Create a Video Gallery or Video Directory
You can use Simple Link Directory as a Vimeo or Youtube Video Directory Listing. With the pro version, simply add links to Vimeo or Youtube Videos and the video will play in a lightbox. Create a Video Gallery or Video database from Youtube and Vimeo easily with this multi-purpose directory plugin. Check the Video Directory Demo You can use any of the available templates for the Video Gallery or Video Directory!

Create Affiliate Links Directory:
Want to create useful directories with affiliate links? This plugin is perhaps the best possible solution that you will find online for the purpose. The professional version even allows you to mask URLs, should you want.

Create Top Sites List:
Although, Simple Link Directory does not have all the bells and whistles of top site scripts but you can easily make it work like that. The Upvote feature allows users to Vote for Links that they like and find useful. Order by UpVote feature lets you sort the links by number of upvotes. Pretty handy.

Make Money with Your Directory – Passive Income:
With the SLD Professional Version it is dead simple and insanely quick to create a best directory set up that can generate passive income for you over time. Do some SEO and regular blogging along with your website and you can start making money online with minimal effort.

Simple Link Directory Lite Version vs Professional Version

The Lite or Free version of SLD is perfectly fine if you plan to have a small directory of few lists that you want to show on any one of your WordPress page. Below are the Lite version Main Features:

Unlimited Directories and Lists that can be displayed on any of your pages easily
Gutenberg Block for Directory
4 Beautiful, Responsive Templates
Embed Option to share your Listing Directories
Show Single List or All Lists
Import Lists from CSV file
Integrated real support
Scroll to top
Outbound click tracking through google analytics
Upvote or Like Links
Add Link Button that Can Link to A Contact Form Page of Your Choice so Anyone Can Suggest Links to Your
Easy and Quick Short Code Generator, so you do not have to hunt down the shortcode parameters

A pro version of SLD is available with more advanced features to run a portal website.
Pro features:

Usability

Build lists with dozens or hundreds of links and show them in one page
Auto Generate Title and Description from website link
Auto Generate Thumbnail from Website link
Topic based Link Lists that can be Displayed Category wise
Multi Page mode generates Category, Lists and Link Details pages automatically starting with your page slug from a single shortcode
Tabbed Category Listing of All Your Directory Lists
Video Gallery – Vimeo Video Directory and Youtube Video Directory
Play Youtube Video and Vimeo Video Links in a LightBox Modal
Use as Link Directory, Resources page, Links page, Partners page, Associates page, Logo showcase, Local Business Directory, or Vendors page. Possibilities are endless
Live, on page, instant search
Live, on page, instant filtering of lists
Live, on page, instant filtering by Tags
Scroll to Top Button
RTL support
Optional Fixed Position Filter buttons that can be Left aligned or placed at top of your Lists
Multi Language support with mo/pot file. Dutch and Russian language files included.
Compatible with Gutenberg, Visual Composer, Elementor, Beaver Builder or any Visual Builder that supports shortcode.

Community Features

Allow users to submit links to your directory
Complete front end user registration, login and link submission
Free or Paid Link Listing Opportunity
Auto approve option for user registration to the directory
New user role: SLD User
Allow any WordPress User to Add Link
Auto approve links option
Manage user submitted links to the directory
Unlimited front end link submission for Admin user
Invite user interaction with Upvote
Enable Upvote for Main Click in General settings
Choose your UpVote icon: Thumbs up, Firey Hot, Heart, Star or Smiley Face.
Allow users to embed your lists on their websites
Allow registered users to create their own Favorite List of links

Design

16 templates to choose from for Single Page mode
2 templates to choose from for Multi Page mode
Fully responsive and modern designs
Directory templates are designed for different use case scenarios
Use theme fonts or choose a Google font
Fixed position filtering area
Custom CSS to add your own style

Front End Submission Features

Front End User Registration with Captcha, Log in, Link Submission
Alternaive option for link submission button (link to a contact form or google doc)
Admin Approves User Submitted Links to Listing Directory or Set to Auto Approve
Enable Free Frontend Submission
Free Submission Limit
Enable Email Notification for New Item Submission
Mark Paid Item as Featured
Show Featured Item at Top
Registration Captcha
Allow any logged in user to add link. Makes it possible for your existing site users to add link without registering again.
Allow User to Update Profile
Allow User to Upload Image
Do Not Allow do-follow Links
Auto Approve Registered Users
Auto Approve Item Submission
Exclude Lists from Front End Submission
Enable Email Notification for Package Expiration
Enable Claim Listing
Show Claim Listing Button at Top
Enable Paypal payment
Enable Paypal Test Mode
Enable Stripe payment

Admin Friendly Functionality

5 ways to add images: Auto Favicon, Font Awesome Icon, Upload Image, Paste Image Link OR Auto Generate Screenshot thumbnails from Website Links
Auto Generate Title and Description from website link
Auto Generate Thumbnail from Website link
3 Sidebar Widgets for Latest Links, Most Populat Links and Random Links
User Up Vote Management
Reset Upvotes – Upvote Expire after certain days
Admin settings to turn on/off live search, filtering
Two Diefferent Ways to Edit Directory Lists
Copy List Items or Links to Other Lists
Unpublish List Items or Links
Admin settings to turn on/off live search, filtering
Text block with each list that supports any shortcode. Display Ads Inside Directory
Embed option. Other website owners can now embed the useful lists you create on their websites with a backlink to your own website. Configure the text that will show with the embeds. Great for SEO!
Google Analytics Integration for outbound link click tracking!
CSV Import to create new lists easily.
CSV Export your lists for backup
Import your exported CSV back with update lists
Edit Front End Text Labels from Laanguage Settings Area

Customizability and Flexibility

Choose theme font or google font.
Configurable highlight color for each list
Customize colors, fonts and almost all aspects of the link lists
Complete control over directory list ordering
Custom Ordering of Lists
Order List Items by Up votes, Item title, Date
Randomize Lists and List Items
Over a dozen shortcode parameters
Easy and Powerful Shortcode Generator – no need to hunt down all the different parameters
Custom JS and CSS panel to modify directory functionality
Pagination for List Items available as a shortcode option.
Mark Directory Links as New or Featured
Expire Items Marked as New After a Certain Time Defined by You
Language center to easily update system languages

Topsite List Script Features

Order Listing Directory by Link Clicks
Click statistics for admin
Restrict upvote by IP
Restrict UpVote for Logged in Users only
Reset upvotes for Specific Lists
Reset upvotes for All Lists
Enable Upvote for Main Click in General settings

Link Directory for Company Intranet
* Allow any registered user to create their own favorite List by bookmarking links from your diretory lists.
* Dynamically add or remove links from bookmark list from front end
* Use a single master CSV file to Export and Import your listings

Monetization Option to Earn Money Online on Auto Pilot

Integrated PayPal payment option for user link submission
Create subscription package with any amount and your PayPal email ID
Free and/or Paid Listing to Earn Money
Claim Listing
Define link visibility duration and your currency of payment
AD/Text Block with each list to make money using shortcode of other plugin
URL masking option for affiliate links
SLD is the best way to earn money online – and the quickest. You can start making money with wordpress in 48 hours or less

Directory AddOns

Broken Link Checker

Checks broken links on all pages, posts and custom post types
Checks broken links for the Simple Link Directory Lists
Quick Scan broken links any time
Full Scan broken links on automated scheduled times with time scope and post status
Send email notifications and view saved report
Link Report for Internal External links on all pages and posts

Review, Rating for SLD Pro

Allow your site users to leave a review comment and rate the link listings.
Allow review for logged in users only or allow guest
Auto approve reviews or approve by admin before being published
Turn rating, review on and off shortcode or page basis
Add/Edit/Manage reviews from admin
Change All language texts from admin
Contact Us for Details.

Modern Multi Page Mode

Display your Link Lists with a Completely Innovative Look!
Modern and innovative List view and link display
Choose from two different templates
Filter by List, Categories and Tags
Pagination support
Change all text languages

🚀 Upgrade to Simple Link Directiory Pro
🚀 Looking for a Complete Solution? Check Out our Simple Link Directory Theme
//-> Try our FREE ChatBot for WordPress with AI – WPBot. It is an easy to use, Native, No coding required, AI ChatBot to provide Automated Live Chat Support. Use ChatBot to answer user questions and also collect information from the users using conversational forms. It can be also be powered by DialogFlow, Tavily or OpenAI ChatGPT or simply use the built-in features to provide Live support and collect data. ++++ Check out the ChatBot for WordPress Demo.

Power Up with AddOns for Simple Link Directory Pro

Link Exchange AddOn
Broken Link Checker AddOn
Review Rating AddOn AddOn
Modern MultiPage Mode AddOn

ShortCode Generator

You are encouraged to use the SLD * handy Short Code generator * from your page’s Visual Editor. Check the plugin’s Help section for more details about shortcode parameters.

** We welcome your feedback and new feature requests to improve the plugin! **

Use

Create new lists with your links.
After activating the plugin, create a new page or post. In the body section write this shortcode
[qcopd-directory mode=”all” column=”3″ style=”style-1″ ]
Save the page/post and check the page in front end. You’ll see a nicely designed Link Directory.
Under the SLD Settings-Help in admin area you can find more details and tips.

Installation

Download the plugin zip file. Extract and upload simple-link-directory in your wp-content/plugins folder.
From the wp-admin panel go to plugins and activate the plugin
Create a new page and paste the plugin Short Code with short code generator.
You are done.

Screenshots

Gutenberg Compatible ShortCode Generator
BackEnd Manage Your List of Links
BackEnd View All Your Lists
BackEnd Settings
Front end design template 2
Front end default design template
BackEnd Create New List of Links

FAQ

I cannot save my Directory List. delete item or add new items to the List

The issue you are having with saving the Diretory Lists is because of a limitation set in your server. Your server probably has a low limit for how many form fields it will process at a time. So, after you have added a certain number of links, the server refuses to save new link items. The server’s configuration that dictates this is max_input_vars. Set it to a high limit like max_input_vars = 10000. You can do it with local php.ini file or htaccess if your server supports it, Otherwise, please contact your hosting company support if needed.

The sub title is not showing

The default template does not show subtitles. Use style-1 from the shortcode generator to display subtitles. To show sub titles on the default template as tool tip, please upgrade to the Simple Link Directory Pro version.

Does the free version have filter buttons?

No. It is a pro version feature at the moment. But in the future, we have plans to make it available in the free version as well.

I cannot have more than 1 columns

To display more than one column, you need to create multiple Lists and choose to Show All Lists from the shortcode generator. A single list will always show in a single column.

I’m having trouble grasping the use of categories. It seems like and that they can only be assigned to a list rather than a specific link.

The base pillars of SLD are Lists, not individual links. The most common use case scenario of SLD is to create and display multiple Lists of many Links on specific topics. As such, there is no option for a Link (list item) to belong to multiple Lists or Categories. That would make the process of creating Lists slower. For each link you would have to select a List and a Category from drop downs despite the chances of a single List item to belong to multiple Lists are usually not that high. When you have dozens or hundreds of Lists that would become a real issue to create or manage your Lists.

Do you have pagination or load more items? I have thousands of links

Items in lists can be paginated in the pro version. This option is available in the shortcode generator. But you can also add the parameters manually.

Values: “true”, “false”. This option will allow you to paginate list items. It will break the list page wise.
Example: paginate_items=“true”. You also need to add the parameter per_page. This option indicates the number of items per page. Default is “5”. paginate_items=“true” is required to get this parameter working.
Example: per_page=“5”

Lists themselves cannot be paginated as the main concept of SLD is to be a Simple, One Page Directory.

I have a list to import but it does not work and there is no message saying why my import does not work.

The most common reason for failed import is encoding. The CSV file itself and characters in it must be in utf-8 format. Please check your CSV file for any unusual/non-utf-8 characters. If the problem persists, please email us the CSV file.

I have some blank page that are crawled by Google! How to avoid them?

Like many, if not most, WordPress plugins SLD uses custom posts and WordPress creates slug URLs even though they are not being used by SLD at the moment. We are working on making use of them.

But rest assured they are not harmful. They are generally not linked from anywhere and not indexed by Google. The only exception is if you have an XML sitemap generator that automatically scans and generates Links to these slug URLs. Yoast SEO plugin does that. You can exclude those slugs from xml sitemap. Go to Yoast->XML Sitemap->Post Types tag and select Manage List Items (sld) to Not in sitemap – then Save.

How can I upgrade from free version of SLD to Pro version?

Download the latest pro version of the plugin from website
Log in to your WordPress admin area and go to the Plugins management page.
Deactivate and Delete the old version of the plugin (don’t worry – your data is safe)
Upload and Activate the latest pro version of the plugin
You are done.

I have setup List Categories and Lists and neither is showing on home page. Did I install correctly?

You have to put the short code on the WordPress oage or post page where you want to show the List/s. There is a Shortcode generator in your page or post visual editor. Use that to create shortcode and insert to your page, where you want to display the lists, easily.

Is SLD mobile friendly? Does it function well on cells and tablets?

Yes, all templates are mobile device friendly and Responsive.

How Can I Translate Your Plugin or Use Another Language Besides English?

You can change the language texts from the Settings area. Currently, multi language is not supported.

Changelog

8.2.4

Updated the Support page

8.2.3

End Sale

8.2.2

4th of July Sale

8.2.1

Optimized code

8.1.9

Optimized code

8.1.8

Code Cleanup

8.1.7

Fixed a plugin redirect issue on activation

8.1.6

End Eid Sale

8.1.5

Eid Sale

8.1.4

Improved UI

8.1.3

Removed New year sale

8.1.2

New year sale

8.1.1

Christmas sale

8.1.0

Fixed some CSS issues

8.0.9

Removed BF sale

8.0.8

BF sale

8.0.7

BF sale

8.0.6

Removed Halloween sale

8.0.5

Halloween sale

8.0.4

Updated the support section

8.0.3

cmb row css display none issue fixed.

8.0.2

php usort issue fixed.

8.0.1

Fixed a conflict of functions between SLD free and SBD pro

8.0.0

Removed admin notice

7.9.9

Added admin notice

7.9.7

Added new template

7.9.6

Fixed a php warning

7.9.5

Fixed a link

7.9.4

Fixed a PHP warning

7.9.3

Removed SLD custom post type from site map

7.9.2

Fixed some JS variable issue

7.9.1

Improved the Import feature for missing CSV column

7.9.0

Removed Admin notice

7.8.9

Added Admin notice

7.8.8

Removed Admin notice

7.8.7

Improved Admin notice

7.8.6

Improved Admin notice

7.8.5

Admin notice added

7.8.4

Admin notice removed

7.8.3

Admin notice updated

7.8.2

Admin notice added

7.8.0

Fixed a possible php bug

7.7.9

Fixed upvote button

7.7.8

Added a notice

7.7.7

Fixed color picker in Add Entry

7.7.6

Fixed a PHP warning

7.7.5

Updated the addons page

7.7.4

Added RTL Support

7.7.2

fixed ajax nonce issue for upvote

Post ID cast as number

7.7.1

Added some links on the plugins page

7.7.0

Fixed Elementor preview issue

7.6.9

Added link background color option

7.6.7

Updated Help page

7.6.5

Admin general settings section added help page link.

Shortcode Generator list order text updated.

The default style will look simple template if there is shortcode attr style is empty or not match.

7.6.2

Redactored code. Removed unused files

7.6.1

Alt tags from title

7.6.0

WP 5.6 compatible

7.5.9

Fixed Shortcode generator is not closing

Remove dbx_post_advanced error

7.5.8

Removed menu item for subscriber users

7.5.7

Improved deactivation module

7.5.6

Added AddOn page

7.5.5

Fixed shortcode generator block

7.5.4

Fixing a conflict with twnty fifteen theme

7.5.3

Removed double slashed from asset links

7.5.2

Updated the support section

7.5.1

Improved the support section

7.5.0

Removed custom CSS and JS from shortcode function and all templates and placed them to footer

7.4.0

Added explanation for the Add New button

7.3.9

Extra check to remove duplicate embed page

7.3.8

Improved custom JS box

7.3.7

Removed unnecessary code.

Removed inline css and added through wp_inline_enqueue_style function.

Removed all possibled inline js and added it through wp_inline_enqueue_script function.

Code refactored.

7.3.5

Improved Shortcode maker code

7.3.4

We need the cmb folder inside inc

7.3.3

Removed unused folder inc

7.3.2

Improved special character support for import

7.3.1

Improved special character support for import

7.3.0

Fixed an issue with Gutenberg block

7.2.0

Fixed conflict with badgeos

7.1.0

Improved Global css/js loading. Now load only on the shortcode page

7.0.0

Support page update – Wpbot section added, Free support button added, image updated.

6.9.0

SLD post and category page disabled.

Help section updated.

6.8.0

Fixed a PHP warning

6.7.0

Fixed some z index issue with embed

6.6.0

font-face removed from embed

Fixed some image links inside admin area

6.5.0

h1 font style fix

6.4.0

Directory Block for Gutenberg improved

6.3.0

Shortcode Generator Directory Block for Gutenberg

6.2.0

Fixed a conflict with tips

6.1.0

Improved Help and Guideline

5.9.0

Improved deactivation survey

5.9.0

Improved deactivation survey and fixed duplicate emails

5.8.0

Added a survey for plugin deactivation

5.7.0

Replaced OT with custom framework for settings

5.6.0

Removed OT folders not being used by SLD plugin and improve security.

5.5.0

Allow any user role to no show review request

5.4.0

Moved Custom css to the bottom

5.3.0

Copy to Clipboard button added.

Add shortcode change to generate shortcode.

Shortcode generator updated.

5.2.0

Updated text.

5.1.0

Fixed a conflict with hueman theme

5.0.0

Fixed a conflict with sese theme

4.9.0

Improved help and tips

4.8.0

Item sorting issue fixed.

Help submenu added.

Item order None label is change to Menu Order.

Conflict CMB with Coastal theme – fixed.

4.7.0

Order=”none” should order according to backend ordering.

4.6.0

TPL_URL already defined issue fixed.

4.5.0

Fixed a conflict with max button plugin

4.4.0

Fixed an issue with WP fastest cache

4.3.0

New feature – mark item as featured

4.2.0

New sorting option added for list item – Date Modified.

4.1.0

Fixed upvote count for supercache

4.0.0

Embed option added in shortcode generator.

Added new Style-5.

3.9.0

Added new template style.

3.8.0

Add plugin credit similar to yoast.

Conflict with WP BackItUp Community Edition issue – fixed.

3.7.5

Upvote issue fixed.

3.7.0

Fixed packery conflict with Bridge theme

3.6.0

itemorderby upvote added in shortcode generator

3.5.2

Recommitting 3.5.0

3.5.0

Added option to change some system language

3.4.3

.ui-datepicker-group Class override issue – fixed. Removed Important flag.

3.4.2

.ui-datepicker-group Class override issue – fixed. Removed Important flag.

3.4.0

Removed some unnecessary CSS

3.3.5

Fixed a CSS issue causing links to not work with style-2

3.3.0

Rolled back CSS minifying issue fix because it was causing problem with Embed lists

WP reset added

3.2.0

Outbound Link Tracking – Added.

3.1.0

CSS minifying issue fixed.

Embed Credit Title and Link added.

3.0.0

New feature – Scroll to top button added.

Fixed – occassional Packery Overlap issue

2.9.0

Add Link Button added Which can Link to Any Page

2.8.5

Updated embed button design

2.8.4

Removed some text

2.8.2

Increased PHP version compatibility for this directory

2.8.1

fixed upvote display setting bug

2.8.0

http:// label added for item link.

Added rating review request.

Upvote feature added.

2.7.0

Custom Javascript Added in Settings area

Case insensitive Sorting fixed.

2.6.7

Fixed a bug for option tree conflict

2.6.6

Fixed a bug for php include error in some server

2.6.5

Fixed some potential css conflicts

Custom Css section added in settings

2.6.2

Adjusted some minor help language

2.6.0

Enable Top area added in General Setting.

Option tree added as Setting page

2.5.0

Do shortcode bug fix and small changes

2.4.0

Fixed some order & order by options.

order_by should removed as option for Single List in shortcode generator.

item_orderby added in shortcode.

2.3.0

Hide SLD from backend for subscriber user role

2.2.0

Embed icon update

Open new tab problem fixed.

Update All templates’ HTML/CSS to use H2 for the list title, then H3 for the link title, the link text should just be a paragraph. Done.

Font size & line height add for title & description through short code

2.0.0

*Support page email bug fixed

1.9.0

*Removed auto import of sample links

1.8.0

*Populate Directory with CSV import

1.7.1

*Minor bug fixes and a new section

1.7.0

*Added two more templates

0.9.1

*Initial version of Simple Link Directory

1.0

*Fixed some issues with plugin activation

1.6

*Fixed minor bugs, added embed option