I have a directory.

It works, especially if you don’t want much and the demo site you can see in their videos more or less is what you think you want.

Also, if you want some functionality here and there you can then either beg along with 100 others who need it and wait for development to get it done, get into css/html to modify the site (with the risk next update breaks it) or pay a developer that will happily part you with your money…

The most important thing to learn however is this: While you’re not officially profit-sharing on the built-in Stripe payment thingy you WILL profit share as even on discount each GB of bandwidth per month costs 1$ US. Let that sink in… a dollar a month per gigabyte. Did it get through? Good! Now make sure to properly compress all images - and even offer a free service to your most popular clients to “upload for them” etc :)

So, all in all: Yeah you buy something of a good starter for a SaaS Directory Builder (designed for the 2000s) but be prepared to pay a developer for anything more than a basic functionality and design you already see working as you want and an ample amount of dollars for traffic - especially if your site is popular - which is the whole reason of making it anyways.

Then, there’s that 2000s website look and feel. Front end (meh but can be improved if you pay a dev) and back (no solution but to click all over the place and learn to search a LOT)… I mean… it needs an overhaul from some really experienced UX artist to say the least. You will certainly watch 30 hour long videos and seek advice every step of your “customization” for sure.

My proposal: If you’re techy/able, get a completely custom solution from a dev that knows his stuff. If you can’t/don’t want to dish out the cash in advance but still want to try your directory idea start with BD (or a WP plugin) and be ready to move fast if your business model is anything but moderate traffic aimed…

Ideal candidates for a BD site are probably those that sell pricey digital products (see specialty training for example) or are enough of a marketing gurus that can sell ice cubes to eskimos (local businesses). The first one has better (not cheaper) platforms and the later is almost over in 2025…

That was my 2c. Fair or not. Pick your poison and stick with it. I know I did.

@Jason Thank you for the fair reply - I will gladly come back and change my tacos if things improve from an LTD buyer's perspective (as this is the platform we're writing on).