Create Your Own Classified Ads Website with WordPress: A Step-by-Step Guide

For over 16 years, we have explored various methods to generate income online using WordPress. While launching an online store or engaging in affiliate marketing are popular choices, you might also consider building your own classified ads website.

A classified ads website serves as an online marketplace where users can post advertisements for items they wish to sell, buy, or trade. This can include anything from second-hand furniture and clothing to vehicles, apartments, or even services such as lawn care or pet sitting.

In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating a classified ads website using WordPress, step by step. Whether you are a novice or an experienced WordPress user, this tutorial is tailored to help you build an intuitive classified ads site without the need for a developer.

Benefits of Creating a Classified Ads Website

A classified ads website enables users to post advertisements for items they wish to sell. Visitors to your site can then use the information provided in the ad to reach out to the seller and complete a purchase.

You have the option to set a specific commission for each sale or charge users a fee to post their ads on your website. Additionally, you can allow users to list job opportunities similar to those found on platforms like Freelancer or Upwork.

Additionally, you can establish a platform tailored to the specific needs of your local community for buying, selling, and job hunting. You might even focus on a particular niche for classified ads, such as sports gear or second-hand clothing, to draw in more customers.

This will simplify the process for users to buy or sell items from the comfort of their homes, ultimately increasing traffic to your website.

In summary, creating a classified ads website can be a straightforward way to generate income online.

Now, let’s explore how to effortlessly create a classified ads website, step by step. Here’s an overview of the steps we will discuss in this tutorial:

Step 1: Select a Website Builder

To launch a classified ads website, the first step is to choose a website builder.

We recommend using WordPress as it is the leading website builder, powering over 43% of all websites on the internet. It is free, user-friendly, and highly scalable.

It’s important to note that there are two versions of WordPress.

WordPress.com serves as a blogging platform, whereas WordPress.org is an open-source, self-hosted software. For more information, check out our comparison of WordPress.com and WordPress.org.

To create a classified ads website, you will need WordPress.org, which offers complete creative control and can seamlessly integrate with various classified ads plugins. For further insights, refer to our comprehensive WordPress review.

After selecting your website builder, the next step is to purchase a domain name and hosting.

Step 2: Select a Domain Name and Hosting for Your Website

A domain name is your website’s address on the internet, such as LocalListing.com or www.TreasureTrove.com. This is the address customers will enter in their browser to access your site.

In contrast, hosting is the service that stores your website online and keeps all its data. If you need assistance choosing a provider, check out our top recommendations for the best WordPress hosting services.

While WordPress itself is free, you will incur some costs for your website. A domain name typically costs around $14.99 per year, and hosting services start at approximately $7.99 per month.

If you’re new to this, these expenses may seem a bit high.

Fortunately, Bluehost is currently offering an exclusive discount for CanadaCreate readers, which includes a free domain name and SSL certificate. They are one of the largest hosting providers globally and are officially recommended by WordPress.

To take advantage of the Bluehost discount, simply click the button below.

This will direct you to the Bluehost website, where you can click the ‘Get Started’ button.

You will be taken to the pricing page, where you can choose a plan that fits your website’s needs.

We suggest the Basic or Choice Plus plans, as they are the most popular options among our readers. After selecting a plan, click the ‘Select’ button.

You will then be directed to a new screen where you can enter the domain name you wish to use for your classified ads website.

Choose a domain name that reflects your niche and is easy to spell, pronounce, and remember. For more tips, check out our beginner’s guide on selecting the perfect domain name.

If you’re still unsure, try using CanadaCreate’s free Business Name Generator to help you come up with a suitable website title.

Enter your desired name and click the ‘Search For Domain’ button. If the domain is available, you can proceed to the next step.

Next, fill in your account details, including your phone number, business email address, name, and country. You will also see optional add-ons available for purchase with your hosting plan.

Then, enter your payment information to complete the purchase. Afterward, you will receive a confirmation email containing details to access your Bluehost dashboard.

This dashboard will serve as your control panel, allowing you to easily manage your classified ads website.

Step 3: Create a New WordPress Website

After purchasing hosting, it’s time to install WordPress. Remember, if you sign up for Bluehost using our link above, WordPress will be installed automatically for you.

If you intend to set up a different website for your classified ads, you can navigate to the ‘Websites’ tab in the Bluehost dashboard. Then, click the ‘Add Site’ button.

You will be directed to a new screen where you can choose the type of site. Since you are creating a brand new WordPress site, select the ‘Install WordPress’ option.

If you simply want to transfer an existing WordPress site to a new domain name, select the ‘Transfer an existing WordPress’ option. After that, click the ‘Continue’ button.

Now, enter a name for your classified ads website in the ‘Site Title’ field.

Next, click the ‘Continue’ button.

Bluehost will then prompt you to connect a domain name for your ads website.

If you haven’t purchased a domain yet, you can select the ‘Use a temporary domain’ option for now. Don’t forget to click the ‘Continue’ button to proceed.

Your WordPress site is now being installed, which may take a few minutes.

After the installation is complete, you will be redirected to the ‘Websites’ tab where you can see your newly created website.

Click the ‘Edit’ button to access your WordPress admin area.

Alternatively, you can log in to your dashboard by visiting yoursite.com/wp-admin/ in your web browser. Just be sure to replace yoursite.com with your actual domain name.

Step 4: Select a Custom Theme

When you visit your WordPress website, you will see that the default theme is currently active.

A theme is a professionally designed template that determines how your website appears to visitors.

To create a positive user experience and motivate visitors to post ads, consider switching your default theme to one that aligns with your specific niche.

You can choose from a variety of popular WordPress themes and personalize them to suit your preferences.

For more inspiration, check out our curated list of the top WordPress business themes. Once you’ve selected a theme that fits your needs, follow our tutorial on how to install a WordPress theme.

If none of the available themes appeal to you, consider using SeedProd. It is the leading WordPress theme builder that enables you to create a custom theme in just a few minutes.

With its drag-and-drop builder and pre-designed templates, you can effortlessly design your pages. Many of our partner brands have successfully built their websites using SeedProd and achieved outstanding results. For more details, check out our SeedProd review.

After activating the plugin, navigate to the SeedProd » Theme Builder section in the WordPress dashboard and click on the ‘Theme Template Kits’ button.

This will direct you to a new page where you can explore the available templates and choose your favorite.

This action will open the visual builder, allowing you to customize the theme using blocks available in the left sidebar.

For more information, check out our guide on creating a custom theme in WordPress.

Alternatively, if you prefer to use a standard WordPress theme, you should navigate to the Appearance » Customize section in your WordPress dashboard.

This will launch the theme customizer, allowing you to modify background colors, menu placements, site titles, and other settings.

If you are using a block theme, you will need to go to the Appearance » Editor section to access the full site editor.

Here, you can easily drag and drop blocks from the left column to personalize your website. Remember to click the ‘Save’ button to apply your changes.

For additional details, refer to our guide on utilizing the WordPress full site editor.

Step 5: Utilize the Business Directory Plugin to Create Your Classified Ads Website

Now that your theme is customized, it’s time to configure your website to accept classified ads.

To accomplish this, you will need the Business Directory Plugin, which is widely used for creating directories, setting up classified ads, managing listings, and processing payments.

Start by installing and activating the Business Directory Plugin. For detailed instructions, refer to our tutorial on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Important Note: The Business Directory Plugin offers a free plan. However, to access additional features such as support for Stripe and PayPal, you may need to upgrade to the pro plan.

After activation, navigate to the Directory » Settings page in your WordPress dashboard. You will see a prompt requesting permission to create new pages for your website.

Click the ‘Create required pages for me’ button. The plugin will generate a ‘Business Directory’ page where users can view various listings and submit their own ads.

Once that is complete, switch to the ‘Registration’ tab at the top.

You can enable the ‘Require login to post listings’ option if you want users to register and log in to your site before submitting their classified ads.

Next, provide the URL for a login and registration page that you have set up on your site. If you haven’t created one yet, check out our tutorial on how to create a custom login page in WordPress.

Alternatively, you can disable this option to allow anyone to submit listings. Finally, click the ‘Save Changes’ button to apply your settings.

Next, navigate to the ‘Listings’ tab located in the left sidebar.

In this section, you can adjust the number of listings displayed per page, set the default status for new listings, and more options.

Feel free to explore the additional settings available on this page.

For example, you can go to the ‘Searching’ tab and check the box for the data you want to be searchable. If you want users to search ad listings by email address, make sure to select that option.

Pro Tip:To enhance the search functionality across your entire website, we recommend using SearchWP. For detailed instructions, check out our tutorial on improving WordPress search.

After making your adjustments, click the ‘Save Changes’ button to apply your settings.

Next, proceed to the ‘Payments’ tab.

In this section, you can choose a currency and add a payment confirmation message that users will see after a successful transaction.

Then, select the ‘Authorize.net’ option and enable the toggle. This is the only payment method available in the free plan. If you upgrade to a premium plan, you will also have the option to use PayPal, Stripe, or Payfast.

Next, enter your login ID and transaction key to link the payment gateway with the plugin. After completing this step, click the ‘Save Changes’ button.

To begin accepting classified ads on your website, navigate to the Directory » Directory Content page and select the ‘Form Fields’ tab from the left menu.

This screen will display a list of default fields that users must fill out when submitting their ad details.

You can rearrange the order of the form fields by using the up and down arrows located on the left side of each field.

To remove a field, simply click the ‘Delete’ link. If you want to make changes to a field, click the ‘Edit’ link instead.

This action will open a new page where you can modify the field label, change its type, mark it as required, add an optional description, and more.

Once you finish editing, click the ‘Update Field’ button to save your changes.

Next, switch to the ‘Categories’ tab from the left menu and click the ‘Add New Category’ button.

We suggest creating at least 4-5 categories for your ads. This will enhance user navigation through your listings and allow you to target specific niches effectively.

You can create various categories for items such as sports equipment, job listings, clothing, and more.

Clicking the button will open a popup where you can enter a name for your new category.

Next, click the ‘Add New Category’ button in the prompt to finalize the addition.

Then, navigate to the ‘Plans’ tab, where you’ll find a free listing plan and a paid plan available for $1 for 365 days.

To modify these settings, simply click the ‘Edit’ link beneath one of the options.

Important Note:You can also create a brand new pricing plan by clicking the ‘Add New Plan’ button at the top of the page.

This will direct you to a new screen where you can customize the plan’s name, set the duration of the listing, specify the number of images allowed, establish pricing, and more.

Once you have made your changes, click the ‘Save Changes’ button to apply your settings.

With everything set up, visit the Business Directory page on your website, where you will see a search form for visitors to find classified ads.

If someone wishes to submit a listing, they can click the ‘Add Listing’ button.

This will take you to a new screen where you can enter your ad’s title, description, website URL, email address, phone number, and zip code.

After completing the form, users can simply click the ‘Complete Listing’ button to submit their advertisement.

Once users begin submitting ads on your site, you can view them by navigating to the Directory » Directory Content page and selecting the ‘Listings’ tab.

Here, you’ll see that all listings are marked as ‘Pending Review.’ To make any adjustments, click the ‘Edit’ button.

This will open the block editor, allowing you to review all listing details and add relevant tags.

When you’re satisfied with the changes, simply uncheck the ‘Pending Review’ option and click the ‘Publish’ button to make the classified ad live.

You can also create a classified listing yourself by clicking the ‘Add New Listing’ button on the ‘Listings’ page.

This will open the block editor again, where you can enter all the details for the classified ad yourself.

Congratulations! You have successfully created a classified ads website.

For more information on the features of the Business Directory Plugin, please refer to our tutorial on how to create a web directory in WordPress.

Step 6: Set Up a Home Page and Navigation Menu

The Business Directory Plugin creates a dedicated page for users to view your ad listings, but it is labeled as ‘Business Directory,’ which may cause confusion.

We suggest renaming it to something more relevant to classified ads by navigating to the Pages section and selecting the ‘Quick Edit’ option for that page.

Next, you should add the classified ad listing page to your navigation menu to enhance user experience, allowing easy access to browse and submit ads.

To accomplish this, go to the Appearance » Menus page and expand the ‘Pages’ tab on the left side. Here, check the ‘Classified Ad Listing’ option and click the ‘Add to Menu’ button.

Then, click the ‘Save Menu’ button to apply your changes.

If you are using a block theme, this method will not be applicable. To modify the menu in Full Site Editing (FSE), go to the Appearance » Editor page in the WordPress dashboard.

This will launch the full site editor, where you need to select the ‘Navigation’ tab.

Once you do this, a list of items currently in the navigation menu will appear in the left column.

From there, click the pencil icon to edit.

The full site editor will now display the menu section where you should click the ‘Add Block’ (+) button next to the navigation menu items.

This will prompt you to search for the plugin page using the name you assigned to it. Once located, click on it to add it to the menu. Finally, click the ‘Save’ button at the top to save your settings.

For more information, refer to our tutorial on how to add a navigation menu in WordPress.

Next, we suggest creating an appealing homepage for your classified ads website. This will serve as the first impression for users and may influence their decision to stay and explore or leave.

To assist you, check out our beginner’s guide on how to create a custom homepage in WordPress.

After designing an attractive page, you can easily set it as the homepage by navigating to the Settings »Reading section from the admin sidebar.

Now, select the ‘A static page’ option in the ‘Your homepage displays’ section. Then, open the ‘Homepage’ dropdown and select the page you wish to use.

Finally, click the ‘Save Changes’ button to apply your settings.

Step 7: Create a Contact Form Using WPForms

After setting up all the necessary pages, it’s time to create and add a contact form.

This feature will offer users a simple way to reach out if they have questions about payment options or classified ads. Additionally, it can help you grow your email list by capturing potential leads.

You can easily achieve this using WPForms, the top-rated contact form plugin available.

WPForms includes a user-friendly drag-and-drop builder, over 2000 pre-designed templates, and comprehensive spam protection. It also offers a free plan for those on a budget.

At CanadaCreate, we have utilized WPForms to create various forms and have found it to be highly scalable and dependable. For more information, check out our WPForms review.

Simply select the ‘Simple Contact Form’ template in WPForms and add it to any page or post using the WPForms block.

For comprehensive guidance, refer to our tutorial on creating a contact form in WordPress.

To enable quicker communication, we suggest using a business phone service like Nextiva. It is user-friendly, feature-rich, and offers competitive pricing.

This will allow users to reach you directly via phone calls to ask questions or report issues on your website, enhancing the overall user experience.

Enhance your website with Nextiva by incorporating live chat, customer relationship management (CRM), online surveys, fax services, and more. For detailed instructions, check out our tutorial on setting up an auto attendant phone system for your site.

Step 8: Enhance Your Site’s Rankings with AIOSEO

After customizing your classified ads website and adding essential features, it’s crucial to focus on search engine optimization (SEO). This strategy will increase traffic to your platform, enhance brand visibility, and ultimately drive more conversions.

You can achieve all of this with the All in One SEO plugin for WordPress.

Recognized as the top SEO plugin available, it features a user-friendly setup wizard to guide you in selecting the optimal SEO configurations for your website. We’ve been utilizing it at CanadaCreate for several years and have observed significant improvements in our search engine rankings. For further insights, check out our AIOSEO review.

AIOSEO includes tools like a headline analyzer, XML sitemaps, schema generator, broken link checker, and much more.

Additionally, you can optimize images for SEO and link your website to Facebook and Twitter. This integration allows you to promote key ads across your social media platforms to draw in more visitors.

For comprehensive guidance, refer to our ultimate WordPress SEO guide.

Bonus: Utilize MonsterInsights for Website Analytics

After optimizing your website, we recommend using MonsterInsights, the leading analytics solution available.

This tool enables you to track the sources of your visitors and their interactions with the ads featured on your site.

You will also be able to assess the effectiveness of your classified ads in driving conversions. By gathering real-time data through the plugin, you can refine your SEO strategies or explore additional methods to increase traffic and generate leads.

In summary, MonsterInsights empowers you to make informed, data-driven decisions to enhance user experience and potentially boost the performance of your classified ads.

For more information, refer to our comprehensive guide on tracking conversions in WordPress.

We hope this article has helped you understand how to create a classified ads website. You might also want to check out our beginner’s guide on selling ads on your WordPress site and our top recommendations for the best WordPress plugins to grow your business.

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