Short answer: yes — if you treat it like a real niche media business, control costs, and execute a simple monetization plan. This article explains why directories still work, where the revenue comes from, what realistic up-front costs look like, and the 13 practical principles you need to launch and grow without wasting months.

You’ll also see how my done-for-you build removes nearly all the technical barriers so you can focus on content and revenue instead of setup (but more on that later).

And don't forget to get my free guide on how to build online directory

Why directories still matter (and who wins)

Directories are not “get rich quick” sites. They are industry- or location-focused media assets: stable businesses that connect buyers and sellers, generate qualified leads, and become valuable because they gather accurate data and organized content in one place.

Directories still win when:

• You choose a niche where buyers actively search for services.

• Businesses want visibility and measurable leads.

• You build recurring revenue instead of one-off ads.

• You maintain simple, trustworthy systems that don’t require coding.

The market hasn’t saturated because most people overcomplicate the model. The ones succeeding today are the ones who keep it tight and focused.

Realistic costs and the tech choices

There are two main ways to build a directory:

1. Use third-party directory software and pay monthly or yearly; or

2. Use a builder like Directify and only pay for the build.

Option 1: Subscription-based directory platforms

These are platforms like [Brilliant Directories, where you pay for hosting, features, and templates.

• Brilliant Directories: public pricing shows $145/month, a $950/year plan (about $79/month average), or a $1,450 lifetime license. It includes hosting, built-in membership and payment tools, and heavy automation, which suits people who want an “all-in-one” solution.

• DirectoryEasy: a modern no-code directory builder with AI features, automation, and templates. Their pricing and promotions vary, and the site often runs time-limited offers.

These options are fine when your preference is to control the software yourself. They also cost more upfront or month-to-month.

Option 2: A Done For You build (no monthly software fee)

This is the service I offer for beginners and those who don’t want technical setup, hosting, configuration, or recurring software expenses.

With my done-for-you package:

• You only pay the one-time setup fee for the entire build.

• You purchase your own domain name.

• There is no monthly platform fee, no hosting to manage, and no paid software plan to maintain.

• Your directory is built in the platform I use and support, and everything is configured for you — categories, search, listings, design, monetization, and launch-ready pages.

This is often the simplest path for someone who wants a professional directory, wants it built properly and is looking for ongoing help and support as they learn the nuances of the online directory world. Learn more about it here.

How directories make money (simple, reliable models)

The strongest revenue streams for 2026:

1. Featured listings

2. Monthly or yearly listing subscriptions

3. Pay-per-lead packages

4. Category or homepage sponsorships

5. Ad placements and seasonal promotions

6. Affiliate links (especially in B2B niches)

Even two of these models are enough to build a profitable business if you keep the niche focused.

13 Principles to Launch and Grow a Profitable Directory

These principles are practical and tactical — the same ones I use with clients.

1 — Start with one clear niche

Avoid broad markets. Choose a specific group of businesses with an urgent need for visibility.

2 — Solve a real business problem

Your directory needs to deliver visibility, leads, or measurable traffic. This is what justifies recurring revenue.

3 — Validate before building

Speak with 10–20 businesses. Ask what would make a listing worth paying for. Use their language when writing your benefits page.

4 — Keep tech simple

Directify makes it possible to avoid hosting, monthly fees, or complicated integrations. You pay once, the site is built for you, and you’re ready to operate immediately. Subscription-based platforms work too, but your monthly costs add pressure early on.

5 — Seed it with at least 20 listings

An empty directory doesn't convert. Add professional base listings so the site feels active from day one.

6 — Create a clear advertiser funnel

Landing page → short benefits guide → simple booking link.
People buy when the path is friction-free.

7 — Price to validate, then scale

Start with pilot pricing to gather data. Adjust once you understand what advertisers respond to.

8 — Show performance

Advertisers renew when they see clicks and leads. Use analytics (or the reporting built into your platform) to demonstrate results.

9 — Publish useful, search-driven content

SEO compounds. Write about “best [service] in [city]” or “how to choose a [provider].” This attracts real buyers, which makes advertisers eager to join.

10 — Make onboarding automated

If your platform handles member signups, renewals, and listing submissions automatically, your workload stays light.

11 — Keep operations structured

If you’re solo, focus on content + outreach. As you grow, offload moderation or customer support.

12 — Run simple experiments

Test pricing, featured placement, and discounts. Use data rather than assumptions.

13 — Use a DFY build if you want to move faster

A done-for-you directory build lets you skip:

• the research

• the tech setup

• the configuration

• the design decisions

• the hours of testing

• the early “does this even work?” anxiety

With Directify, your directory is launched with professional structure, 20–30 starter listings, optimized category pages, monetization paths installed, and your first outreach templates ready to use.

A realistic revenue scenario

A local or niche directory can generate:

• 50 standard listings at $25/month = $1,250/month

• 10 featured listings at $75/month = $750/month

This alone creates a $2,000/month recurring base.
Your only recurring expenses: domain name and optional promotions.

Because Directify has no monthly software fees, your margins are cleaner compared to subscription platforms.

What slows or kills directory projects

• Choosing a niche that is too broad

• Launching without a clear revenue model

• Not seeding listings

• Lack of validation

• No reporting or tracking

• Overbuilding and under-selling

• Spending months fighting software instead of selling

These are the exact problems the DFY build solves.

Your next steps: free guide + DFY support

If you want a simple, beginner-friendly path, I created a free guide that walks you through:

• How to pick and validate a profitable niche

• The exact outreach script to test advertiser interest

• How to structure categories and listings

• How to price early packages

• How to attract your first 100 users

• The 7-day launch checklist for getting a directory live fast

It’s the resource I give to every client because it gives clarity and confidence — even if you’re not techy.

If you want the fast path, my Directify Done-For-You build includes:

• Full directory built for you (no monthly fees ever)

• Custom design, categories, and monetization setup

• 20–30 seeded listings

• Your own custom domain

• Optimized advertiser pitch pages

• A clean, simple backend that beginners can manage

• Launch support with outreach templates

If you'd like the free guide or want to talk through whether your idea is viable, just let me know your niche and I’ll send you the tailored version plus your next steps.