Quick start checklist

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