Reviving the Business Directory Group
I've followed this group for awhile, because I have created a lot of business directories outside of Drupal, and have wondered if it could be done easier and quicker within Drupal and it's vast amount of contrib modules. Well, I think it can, now that I do 90% of website development work in Drupal.
A lot of people have been calling for a business directory module, but I personally don't think that a module is the way to go about it. A directory is more of a site recipe, and I was wondering if anyone was willing to contribute ideas about contrib modules that they have used to build their directories (Location, CCK, Profiles, Taxonomy Modules). It could also be possible to construct a business directory module, but this may be re-implementing a lot of functionality that already exists.
The thing is that there are so many different ways to build a directory, that it would be hard to nail down a specific implementation that meets everyone's needs. But, we could probably come up with a good starting point that would account for large world-wide directories, as well as regional directories, as well as niche directories.
I think an install profile would be the most beneficial, and maybe we could hammer one out by having people suggest ideas about what a directory should do for them.
I agree - a business
I agree - a business directory module is unnecessary. If you'd asked me a few weeks ago I'd have fiercely disagreed with you. I tore out large tufts of hair beating the directory I had in mind into shape. But having done it, I appreciate the absence of a dedicated module for the same reasons you outline. The concept is so hazy. No-one seems to agree on what a business directory actually is. Each one is uniquely adapted to the requirements of its parent site - and under the circumstances it's hard to see how any module could be sufficiently versatile to please.
The kit is mostly there. The index can be intractable if you need a hierarchy. Views has a problem even with the simplest index, throwing up duplicate taxonomy terms in node types views. Buidling it as a taxonomy view gets past it, but this then limits the scope of any attachment views which would display entries beneath. I worked around it with panels and separate views, but this seemed an inelegant hack. I found sorting out payment, recurring payment and entry expiry similarly tricky.
But returning to the point - perhaps the need here isn't so much for a module, but prescriptions for different forms of business directories.
I totally agree!
Let it begin!
Count me in!
I just got a client who needs a business directory, and I figured I could piece it together with all the mods. Here's are the specific functions that we are looking for.
When signing up for an account, the user would enter all the following information with some drop down generated content for the categories:
Categorized business - High Level: Lawyers, plumbers, mechanics, etc.
Categorized business - detailed level: criminal lawyers, commercial plumbers, etc.
Busines Name
Address, Phone, city, etc.
website
Premium members could upload photographs and have advertising options.
All the above fields would be search by categories, such as by city, zipcode, type of business, etc. In addition, there would be a navigation on the home page with the high level categories.
Search results would display content in a list and eventually a google map with Sponsored Search results at the top (paid members).
Visitors would then be able to rate the businesses and leave comments about their services.
Those are the specs I have so far. I have downloaded the CCK and View Mods so far. Let's see where those lead me. I will post updates as I have them. If you have any suggestions as to other mods I may need, please let me know. I will be looking into the Location and Profiles as well.
Thanks,
Sol
For the subcategories...
you might find this article useful. I know that others have lost many hours trying to figure out subcats - and the solution turns out to be straightforward.
lm_paypal
I'm building a similar directory. The lm_paypal module is coming in handy for selling enhanced directory listings on a subscription basis.
Paypal for subscriptions
Awesome thanks! I actually have that installed on another site. Thanks for the help!
Mods for Business Directory
I am going to keep a list of the mods used for the directory for future use. I know I will need it again soon, so hopefully this will help others as well.
Once the site is up and running, I will post it for your review. Thanks!
Change ownership of content
I am brainstorming what to do with a directory that would have a lot of content/nodes imported into it.
Any thoughts on how I would set up a system (modules that I should use?) where someone could browse the directory, find their free listing and claim the listing during a registration process?
As part of the process the ownership would have to change from the user that imported all of the content to the new registered user or a user that registered previously but hadn't claimed a listing.
I've changed strategy a bit.
I've changed strategy a bit. I discovered there is a user import module that can create user accounts that will also match up to data imported using the node import format. There is also a shared mail module that allows you to use the same email address with multiple user accounts (this way you can get around the unique email address per account requirement).
Next step: lm_paypal subscriptions and also rules (and maybe something else) to setup the claiming process.
Thanks!
The import user module might be a great help indeed. I'll give it a try and see if I can use it to link up to the data nodes which was my biggest obstacle. If it works, I'll add it to my list of modules. This project is driving me nuts! I need to finish it this weekend and I am so overwhelmed. Will keep you updated on the progress. Once it is done I will post a link.
Thanks,
Sol
For importing the data I have
For importing the data I have an excel spreadsheet with the data and the username. I used user import to import/create the usernames (and also the role), then used node import to import the data. When using node import, map the fields in the spreadsheet to the appropriate fields for the node (in my case a custom cck), make sure to map the username field from the spreadsheet to the author/owner field for the node. This is how the user and the node are tied together.
How can I help
What is the best way to help?
Has there been any progress toward an install profile.
I know people will have differing general requirements but a starting point seems to be a profile.
Has any work been done towards this.
DG
Install Profile
Hi DG,
By install profile, do you mean a profile when the businesses sign up and enter their info? I think that would be crucial to the site. I would think it would need to be linked to the Paypal subscription module somehow where the user can opt to enter a free listing or paid listing. What do you think?
I was thinking of a collected
I was thinking of a collected set of configured modules to acheieve a directory framework along the lines of the profile install for acquia.