Connections Business Directory review
A capable free directory core, with advanced publishing tools sold as extensions.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Connections Business Directory is a self-hosted WordPress plugin for creating directories of businesses, staff, individuals, organizations, families, and links. Its free core includes repeatable contact fields, categories, and directory structures suited to address books and organization-managed listings. Flexible fields can cover addresses, phone numbers, email, instant messaging, social profiles, links, and dates, while custom fields are available through the Custom Fields API. It is a practical fit for WordPress site owners who need a configurable directory rather than a separate hosted service.
The pricing model starts with the free Connections Core plugin. Paid one-time options add targeted capabilities: ROT13 Email Encryption costs $2.99, the Extension Pro Pack costs $29.99 for a single site, $99.99 for 1–5 sites, or $199.99 for unlimited sites, and the Template Pro Pack costs $59.99 for a single site, $149.99 for 1–5 sites, or $199.99 for unlimited sites. The extension bundle includes Form, Link, CSV Import, Contact, and other extensions. Public listing submissions with moderation, bulk CSV importing, and some search or map functions therefore depend on paid extensions or premium templates rather than the free core.
Its strongest case is breadth within a WordPress directory: keyword search, category filtering through supported templates, address geocoding, map display support, CSV import and export, and integrations with Gravity Forms and WP Go Maps give site owners several ways to manage and present entries. That flexibility also creates a more modular buying decision, since required functions may be spread across extensions and templates. Choose it for a self-hosted WordPress directory that needs varied contact records and configurable expansion. Choose another option if you need a hosted platform, an all-inclusive core feature set, or advanced directory workflows without add-ons.
Connections Business Directory pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free core supports business, staff, address-book, and link directories
- Repeatable contact fields cover phones, email, social, links, and dates
- Search, maps, CSV tools, and custom fields support varied directory needs
- Where it doesn't
- Public submissions require the paid Form extension
- Advanced search and map features may require extensions or templates
- Self-hosted WordPress limits it to sites using that platform
Connections Business Directory fact sheet, pricing and score →
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