In the AI era, AI-powered navigation websites are gaining popularity. As more AI applications are deployed on the web, directory navigation sites have become increasingly valuable. Examples like toolify.ai and futuretools.io have achieved significant traffic and commercial success. Below, we’ve compiled nearly ten mainstream solutions for building directory websites, carefully curated for your reference.
Description: A free, open-source directory website program that enables users to quickly create and manage navigation sites. It includes built-in site management, automatic content crawling, internationalization, SEO optimization, and multiple image storage options.
Advantages:
- Free and open-source
- AI-driven content generation
Disadvantages:
- Requires some programming knowledge
Resources:
- GitHub: https://github.com/someu/aigotools
- Official Website & Demo: www.aigotools.com
Description: An open-source directory navigation program built with Next.js and Tailwind CSS, offering a lightweight and aesthetically pleasing design. It comes in two versions:
- Lightweight version without crawling: tap4-ai-webui-lite
- Version with automatic crawling: tap4-ai-crawler and tap4-ai-webui
Advantages:
- Free and open-source
- Vercel deployment
- AI-driven
- Comprehensive documentation
Disadvantages:
- No backend management
- Requires direct database operation (Supabase)
Demo: www.tap4.ai
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Description: MkDirs offers both free and paid versions.
- Built with Next.js, NextAuth, and PostgreSQL
- Supports English and Chinese
Advantages:
- Two language options
Disadvantages:
- Lacks detailed installation documentation
- Requires database purchase and configuration
Resources:
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- The most comprehensive directory program tested, with one-click Vercel installation and Sanity Studio backend integration
- Includes payment, submission, and advertising features
- Multi-project use with lifetime updates
Advantages:
- Easy installation with detailed tutorials
- Multi-project compatibility
Disadvantages:
- Costs $99
Demo: https://demo.mkdirs.com
Description: A SaaS-based solution that requires no installation or technical experience. Simply configure your domain and basic settings to get started.
Advantages:
- Ready to use out of the box
Disadvantages:
- Expensive: $19/month for a single site, $49/month for unlimited sites
Note: The unlimited sites plan is cost-effective for building multiple directory websites.
Official Website: https://directify.app
Description: A Next.js frontend with Supabase backend, available in free and paid versions. The free version lacks a management backend and payment features. The paid version, accessed via a membership, includes additional templates like logo design and Travel Stash.
Free Version:
Paid Version:
- Membership: $129/year
- Purchase: https://pro.cult-ui.com
Advantages:
- Free version available
- Paid version includes multiple templates
Disadvantages:
- Limited detailed descriptions in directories, less favorable for SEO
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Description: A simple, open-source, database-free program template ideal for basic directory websites.
Advantages:
- Easy to use
- One-click Vercel installation
- No database required
Disadvantages:
- Limited to links only, no detailed descriptions or image display
Resources:
- GitHub: https://github.com/qiayue/gitbase
- Demo & Official Website: https://gitbase.app
Description: An AI-powered platform for generating websites using predefined templates, suitable for directory websites.
Template URL: https://pagegen.ai/generate-template?templateId=directory-1
Advantages:
- Quick generation using templates
- Affordable, starting at $9
Disadvantages:
- Requires some programming knowledge
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Description: WordPress, the most popular website-building platform, can be used with a suitable template to create directory websites.
Tutorial Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6FcF0rVpJo
Recommended Template: 1Page - Masonry WordPress News
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Each solution caters to different needs and technical expertise levels:
- Beginners: Directify or WordPress for ease of use
- Developers: Aigotools, Tap4 AI, or MkDirs for customization
- Budget-Conscious: Free versions of Gitbase or Cult-Directory
- Scalability: MkDirs paid version or Directify’s unlimited plan
Choose the solution that best aligns with your goals, budget, and technical skills.