20 May 2011
Hi Toby,

Get in touch - we are currently developing a platform for our own directory site.

It would be great to hear from you.

Gary S. Creigh
weboxford@consultant.com

21 May 2011
Hi Toby

I'd like to help but not really sure what help you need. Directories at their simplest are generally just an a-z (of contacts/companies etc) and a hierarchy of categories.

What makes them complicated are the revenue streams... upsells, promotional elements, advertising/sponsorship opportunities and the administration tools that go with them. We could build you a simple on-line directory with the ability for companies self-administer their own entries, add a logo/banner/editorial etc for perhaps £2.5k. For a site a like WWDC, I would speculate -- and it is impossible to know all the underlying functionality just by looking at the "front end" -- the costs could be anything from £8k to £18+k (I hope the guys who developed WWDC aren't sniggering too loudly at my guesses here made in the absence of any tech spec).

Please let me know if I can be of any more help.

Thank you.


Jonathan
Accentika Internet
http://accentikainternet.co.uk

21 May 2011
If you take a look at http://hobbyline.com/aboutus.htm you will see a list of online Directory websites that I designed and control. A software solution is, in my mind, the only way to control the site. The software is just the easiest way to manipulate the database.

The software that I use employs templates that allow you to create a site that looks exactly the way you want. It allows for premium listings, pay-per-click advertising, integration of Google ads, and has many other features.

I would be happy to assist you.

23 May 2011
Hi Toby,

we have done a number of websites in this area, and have some very talented designers/developers who would be brimming with ideas to help. If you'd like to hear about what we could offer, email me full details of my project, along with your contact number and I'll ensure my business development manager is in touch to discuss the project with you.

My email is james.scott@creare.co.uk. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

James.

26 May 2011
Hello, if you want to create directory, I would stick with custom development, especially if you have a specific concept in mind. All the scripts out there end up being difficult to change.

We can definitely help you develop a directory.
Feel free to contact us to discuss the project you have in mind.
Thank you,

12 June 2011
Call 0115 714 0110 or email speak@vivoocreative.co.uk with your requirements =D

13 June 2011
Hi
Before you buy any expensive solution and understand clearly, how to manage directory, try Classipress based on Wordpress platform, or Mosets Tree for Joomla. Those, easy to use and user friendly extensions, are including all required "adds, pay, SEO" plug-ins. I developed small directory for general contractors http://www.renovationpro.info/ coding 2 weeks and tried Classipress on http://addmyad.net/ and in love with it. One our integration and you can run basic directory with unlimited addon's for any purpose.

Bests
Gala

20 June 2011
Hi Toby

With all due respect to those here I would not recommend a solution that costs you thousands to implement. Reading between the lines you don't have a lot of money to spend.
As Art Dimension has pointed out there are extensions available for free content management systems like Joomla and Wordpress - here are some of the Joomla-based applications: http://extensions.joomla.org/extensions/directory-a-documentation/directory
If you are not confident doing it yourself (and who can blame you), and as you appear to be on a limited budget, I would recommend paying someone to set up and customise an open source solution for you and then supporting you in populating and running it yourself.
A bespoke solution is likely to be very expensive indeed and also has the disadvantage that you will be stuck with the developer who built it for you. So if things sour between you and the developer, or if they go out of business, you may have to start again from scratch.
If you do go down the bespoke route, then make sure it is future proof and you can take it elsewhere if you have to.
And good luck!
Patrick Barnes
Moghill.co.uk

24 June 2011
Hi

Designing something like this is not that difficult, it can be time consuming and there may also be out of the box xolutions available which would significantly reduce costs.

I'd need to know more to provide a price so please feel free to get in touch and I'll happily quote for what you need.

Good Hunting :)