GeoDirectory V2 Goals and Development Plan

This is our 1st official post about GeoDirectory V2! WooHoo! 🙂

We have been working on GDv2 for a few months and it’s time to share a few of the details and goals, so users and developers can plan for the future.

Why GeoDirectory V2?

GeoDirectory V2 delivers Simplicity, Theme Compatibility, and a Modernized Codebase that take advantage of newer versions of WordPress and PHP.

Simplicity

GeoDirectory users have created directories for every niche, and our users come from everywhere and from every skill level. We have senior level developers supporting hundreds of GeoDirectory sites for large companies, junior developers using GeoDirectory for client projects, and WordPress beginners who are creating a directoy for their home town as their very first site.

No matter the user, everyone wants simplicity in both setup and management with a minimum of fuss. For this reason we took few steps to simplify things:

Setup wizard

GeoDirectory V2 features a new Setup wizard that is simple and effective; be up and running in just a few seconds without missing any of the essential settings (like playing with background colors 🙂 ).

Settings

GeoDirectory V2 features a completely rebuilt settings area brings the main settings up front in an easy to use interface, while still providing easy access to the advanced settings and options that our users love.

Menus

GeoDirectory V2 further improves usability for site managers by taking full advantage of the WordPress menu system. All the benefits of advanced links created by GeoDirectory now available in the familiar WordPress menu management interface.

Theme Compatibility

GeoDirectory V2 is 100% compatible with any modern theme, right out the box.

Our members have spoken! Themes come in all shapes and sizes; GeoDirectory V2 comes with a whole new layout functionality that will enable you to fit your directory to your niche using your theme. GeoDirectory V2 includes new options that enable you to take advantage of page builders such as WordPress’s upcoming Gutenberg! After Gutenberg’s release GeoDirectory V2 will include blocks giving you unprecedented freedom for your layout.

The changes aren’t just limited to the content area, either. GDv2 allows you to move blocks between the content area, sidebars and even widget areas. New options enable you to decide exactly which pages display which blocks, too. With GeoDirectory V2 you can make exciting new layout designs using even more GeoDirectory block elements than ever before, and do it all with any theme!

Modernized Codebase

GeoDirectory V1 was written for an older version of WordPress and PHP. GeoDirectory V2 is modernized and streamlined in both the core and with regard to dependant resources. These improvements touch all the features and functionality making for performance improvements across the board. GeoDirectory V2 takes advantage of opportunities for gains with PHP and in WordPress for current and future features like Gutenberg!

Conclusions

Simplicity and Compatibility without compromising on features or speed!

GeoDirectory V2 setup is a breeze for any skill level. GeoDirectory V2 continues the tradition of the most feature-rich and scale ready plugin for directories, whether it is the centerpice of the site or part of a larger whole.

Coming soon…

Work on GeoDirectory V2 continues; the foundation for GDv2 is complete and now we are working hard to make all the features you know and love work as good or better than ever before.

Expect an update about an official public beta of the GeoDirectory Core plugin in February! (We will let you know how to participate once released.)

Look out for more posts about specific improvements and features during our countdown to the beta. There are just too many improvements for a single post!

Thanks,

Team GeoDirectory!