How to build a searchable member or supplier directory in WordPress without a developer

ByDave Grey

Directory listings – member directories, supplier databases, job boards, product catalogues – are a common site requirement. The typical options are either a bloated plugin that does too much, or a developer building something custom.

ToggleWP’s Filtered Directory module sits in between: flexible, frontend-ready, and no code required.

What you can build

Any searchable, filterable list of entries based on a custom post type. Common uses:

  • Member directories
  • Supplier or partner listings
  • Job boards
  • Resource libraries
  • Event or venue listings
  • Product catalogues

Setting up a directory

  1. Enable the Filtered Directory module.
  2. Either create a new custom post type within the module, or link it to an existing CPT – fields are auto-detected.
  3. Define your field schema: text, textarea, URL, email, number, select, multiselect, file, or taxonomy fields.
  4. Add the shortcode [cptlisting post_type="your-cpt-slug"] to any page.

Filtering behaviour

  • AJAX filtering – results update without page reload
  • Faceted counts – filter options show how many results each value returns
  • Live search within filter panels
  • AND logic across fields – filtering by location AND category returns results matching both
  • OR logic within fields – filtering by multiple categories returns results matching any

Display options

Card Grid – responsive 3→2→1 column layout with optional featured image.

Single Entry Pages – a layout builder for individual entry pages. Choose between 2 or 3-column layouts and drag fields into position.

Customisation without code

Override colours, border radius, and grid spacing via CSS custom properties – set --cptl-primary, --cptl-border, --cptl-radius, --cptl-gap, --cptl-bg, and --cptl-card-bg in your theme’s stylesheet.

For deeper customisation, copy /item-card.php into your theme to restyle listing cards, or /single-item.php to restyle individual entry pages.

  • wp-content/themes/your-theme/single/single-item.php — single entry page
  • wp-content/themes/your-theme/shortcode/item-card.php — listing cards

Most directory plugins are either too simple or require significant configuration to make usable. Filtered Directory covers the majority of real-world directory requirements with a straightforward setup process.

Similar Posts