Use this checklist to get your GeoBuddy-powered directory live as fast as possible. Work through each step in order — the whole process takes under 30 minutes on a fresh WordPress install.
Phase 1 — Environment setup #
- ☐ Confirm WordPress 6.3 or higher is installed
- ☐ Confirm PHP 8.0 or higher is active (Tools → Site Health → Info → Server)
- ☐ Confirm your site has an active SSL certificate (HTTPS)
- ☐ Confirm PHP memory limit is 128 MB or higher
Phase 2 — Plugin installation #
- ☐ Install and activate GeoDirectory from WordPress.org
- ☐ Install and activate GeoBuddy from WordPress.org
- ☐ Install and activate any premium addons via ZIP upload (if purchased)
Phase 3 — GeoBuddy configuration #
- ☐ Go to GeoBuddy → Settings → Custom Fields and enable the social media fields you want on listings
- ☐ Enable the 360° Virtual Tour field if relevant to your directory
- ☐ Click Save Changes
- ☐ Go to Settings → Permalinks and click Save Changes to flush rewrite rules
Phase 4 — Directory setup via GeoDirectory #
- ☐ Go to GeoDirectory and set up your listing type (e.g. Business, Restaurant, Property)
- ☐ Create your first category
- ☐ Add a test listing to verify everything is working
- ☐ Check the test listing on the front end — confirm social fields and virtual tour field appear correctly
Phase 5 — Optional: import a demo template #
- ☐ Go to GeoBuddy → Settings → Site Templates
- ☐ Browse available free templates and choose one that fits your directory type
- ☐ Select Additive import mode to add template content without replacing your existing site
- ☐ Click Import and wait for the process to complete
Phase 6 — Go live checks #
- ☐ Run Tools → Site Health and resolve any critical issues
- ☐ Test listing submission as a guest or logged-out user
- ☐ Confirm all pages — directory, listing detail, search results — load without errors
- ☐ Test any active premium addon features
