Browse by Location and Category Widgets

Introduction

eDirectory offers a suite of widgets designed to enhance user navigation by providing intuitive browsing options based on categories and locations. This article provides a comprehensive guide on implementing and customizing these widgets to optimize your directory's user experience.

Location Widgets: Browse by Location

The "Browse by Location" widget allows users to filter listings based on predefined locations within your directory.

Functionality:

  • Displays a list of all configured locations.
  • Redirects users to a results page showcasing listings associated with the selected location.

Note: In order to work properly, this widget needs the following:

1- There must be locations added to your site. In order to add them, please, check this article: How do I add Additional Locations to my site?

2- The listings must have the locations added to them on the listing form:

3- The listings must be "Active" in the site in order to display the locations.

Implementation Guide:

  1. Access Page Editor: Navigate to Design → Page Editor → Home Page → Edit.

Note: The Home page is used as an example but this widget can be added to any page.

  1. Add Widget: Click "Add a widget."

  1. Select Browse by Location: Choose the "Browse by location" widget from the "Common" category.

  1. Edit Widget: Click to edit the widget.

  1. Widget Configuration:
    • Browse by location: Sets the widget's title.
    • More locations: Sets the label for the link to view all locations.
    • Display banners: Enables or disables banner display within the widget.
    • Background color: Sets the widget's background color.
    • Enable counter: Enables or disables the display of listing counts per location.
    • Apply changes to all pages using this widget: Applies changes globally to all pages using this widget.

  1. Save Changes: Ensure to save the widget configuration and the page modifications.

Category Widgets: Featured Categories

eDirectory offers five distinct category widgets to showcase your directory's categories.

1. Featured Categories With Icons:

  • Displays categories with associated icons.

Implementation Guide:

  1. Access Page Editor: Navigate to Design → Page Editor → Home Page → Edit.

Note: The Home page is used as an example but this widget can be added to any page.

  1. Add Widget: Click "Add a widget."

  1. Select Featured Categories With Icons: Choose the "Featured categories with icons" widget.

  1. Edit Widget: Click to edit the widget.

  1. Widget Configuration:
    • Category Type: Select the module (Listings, Events, Articles, Classifieds, etc.) for category display.
    • Find by category: Sets the widget's title.
    • All categories: Sets the label for the link to view all categories.
    • Background color: Sets the widget's background color.
    • Enable counter: Enables or disables the display of listing counts per category.
    • Apply changes to all pages using this widget: Applies changes globally to all pages using this widget.

  1. Save Changes: Ensure to save the widget configuration and the page modifications.

2. Featured Categories With Images:

  • Displays categories with associated images.

Implementation Guide:

  1. Access Page Editor: Follow steps 1-2 from the previous section.
  2. Select Featured Categories With Images: Choose the "Feature categories with images" widget.

  1. Edit Widget: Click to edit the widget.

  1. Widget Configuration:
    • Category Type: Select the module for category display.
    • Browse by category: Sets the widget's title.
    • More categories: Sets the label for the link to view all categories.
    • Display banners: Enables or disables banner display within the widget.
    • Background color: Sets the widget's background color.
    • Enable counter: Enables or disables the display of listing counts per category.
    • Apply changes to all pages using this widget: Applies changes globally to all pages using this widget.

  1. Save Changes: Ensure to save the widget configuration and the page modifications.

3. Featured Categories With Images (Type 2):

  • Displays categories with images, using a different layout.

Implementation Guide:

  1. Access Page Editor: Follow steps 1-2 from the previous section.
  2. Select Featured Categories With Images (Type 2): Choose the "Feature categories with images (Type 2)" widget.

  1. Edit Widget: Click to edit the widget.

  1. Widget Configuration:
    • Category Type: Select the module for category display.
    • Featured categories: Sets the widget's title.
    • All categories: Sets the label for the link to view all categories.
    • Background color: Sets the widget's background color.
    • Enable counter: Enables or disables the display of listing counts per category.
    • Apply changes to all pages using this widget: Applies changes globally to all pages using this widget.

  1. Save Changes: Ensure to save the widget configuration and the page modifications.

4. Featured Categories:

  • Displays categories in a list format.

Implementation Guide:

  1. Access Page Editor: Follow steps 1-2 from the previous section.
  2. Select Featured Categories: Choose the "Feature categories" widget.

  1. Edit Widget: Click to edit the widget.

  1. Widget Configuration:
    • Category Type: Select the module for category display.
    • All categories: Sets the label for the link to view all categories.
    • Categories: Sets the widget's title.
    • Display banners: Enables or disables banner display within the widget.
    • Background color: Sets the widget's background color.
    • Enable counter: Enables or disables the display of listing counts per category.
    • Apply changes to all pages using this widget: Applies changes globally to all pages using this widget.

  1. Save Changes: Ensure to save the widget configuration and the page modifications.

5. Featured Categories (Type 2):

  • Displays categories in a carousel format.

Implementation Guide:

  1. Access Page Editor: Follow steps 1-2 from the previous section.
  2. Select Featured Categories (Type 2): Choose the "Feature categories (Type 2)" widget.

  1. Edit Widget: Click to edit the widget.

  1. Widget Configuration:
    • Category Type: Select the module for category display.
    • Title: Sets the widget's title.
    • Background color: Sets the widget's background color.
    • Enable counter: Enables or disables the display of listing counts per category.
    • Apply changes to all pages using this widget: Applies changes globally to all pages using this widget.

  1. Save Changes: Ensure to save the widget configuration and the page modifications.

Note: To display images in "categories with images" widgets, navigate to Content → Listings → Categories → edit category.

  • Upload images to the "Thumbnail" option.
  • Upload icons to the "Icon" option for the "Featured categories with icons" widget.

Note: If you would like the category to be displayed on the widgets, there are two conditions that must be fulfilled:

1- When clicking to edit a category, check the box "Featured" shown above. The category will only be displayed if this option is checked.

2- The other mandatory condition for a category to be displayed is to be associated with a listing, or in other words, it is needed to add the categories to the listings:

Conclusion

By effectively implementing and customizing the "Browse by Location" and "Featured Categories" widgets, you can significantly enhance your eDirectory's navigation and user experience. These tools empower users to quickly and easily find relevant listings based on their preferred categories and locations. Remember to adhere to the noted prerequisites and configuration steps to ensure optimal functionality and visual appeal. These widgets, when properly used, provide a better way to assist users find the information they are looking for.

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