How to Set Up Your Directory Using the AI Setup Assistant

Introduction

Launching a successful directory has never been faster or easier. With the release of eDirectory 14.2, we are thrilled to introduce the AI Setup Assistant (or Smart Onboarding)—a powerful new feature designed to jumpstart your project in record time.

Instead of building every section manually from the ground up, the new AI Setup Assistant automatically generates a fully customized foundation tailored specifically to your business niche. In just a few guided steps, your website comes to life with relevant category structures, core module configurations, sample content, suggested pricing plans, and beautiful homepage layouts—giving you a complete, professionally organized website ready for launch in a matter of minutes.

Important Note: This feature is available only on eDirectory version 14.2+

Important Notes & Disclaimers

First Access Only: The AI Setup Assistant is only available during the very first login to your Site Manager panel and for new licenses installed on version 14.

One-Time Usage: This tool cannot be reaccessed to regenerate a website on an already established or developed website.

Full Control & Flexibility: If you want to change any aspect after completing the setup, you are completely free to edit and customize everything directly in your Site Manager:

  • Page Layouts & Homepage: Go to Site Manager → Design → Page Editor.
  • Colors & Fonts: Go to Site Manager → Design → Colors & Fonts.
  • Categories: Go to Site Manager → Content → Listings → Categories.

Step 1: Welcome & Initial Choice

When you log in for the first time, you will see the Welcome to your new directory launch screen.

  • Click Start smart setup to begin the AI-guided onboarding.
  • (Optional) If you prefer to manually configure your site from scratch without AI assistance, you can click Skip and go to Admin.

Step 2: Basics Identity

In Step 1 of 4, define the primary identity of your directory:

  • Directory name: Enter the official title of your website (e.g., CitySpot Local Directory).
  • Language: Select the default language for your platform.
  • Location (Optional): Specify the target geographic region or city (e.g., Austin, TX).

Click Continue to proceed.

Step 3: Define Your Segment & Niche

In Step 2 of 4, specify what kind of directory you are building to help the AI tailor categories, sample content, and modules.

  1. Select a Category Type: Choose from popular options like Local businesses, Real estate, Professional services, Membership, Local guides, Marketplace, Events, Travel & leisure, or select Custom.
  2. Describe your segment: When you select Custom, enter your specific niche (e.g., Gyms & fitness centers).
  3. Tell us a bit about your project (Recommended): Provide a brief summary of your directory’s goal.

Important Note: The more detailed and clear your project description is, the better the AI Setup Assistant will perform. The generated pages, content, category structures, and overall layout directly rely on the information you provide in this step.

Click Continue.

Step 4: Visual Identity

In Step 3 of 4, establish your site's basic branding:

  • Logo (Recommended): Upload your company logo (Recommended size: 250 × 100 px, Max size: 5 MB). The design of your website relies on this logo image as well; therefore, we recommend uploading a high-quality final logo image.
  • Primary color: Choose or enter the Hex color code for your main brand color.
  • Secondary color: Choose or enter the Hex color code for your accent color.

Click Continue.

Step 5: Review & Build

In Step 4 of 4, review the summarized details:

  • Basics Identity: Name, language, and location.
  • Segment: Selected niche and description.
  • Visual Identity: Logo and color palette.
  • What our Smart Setup will create: A quick summary listing the optimized modules, categories, sample content, suggested pricing plans, and homepage layouts that will be generated.

Click Run smart setup to launch the automated generation process.

Step 6: Automated Generation & Recommendations

  1. The assistant will process your selections for a few moments while applying the configurations.
  2. Once processed, you will see the Setup Assistant recommendations review screen showing your active modules, listing templates, starter content counts, suggested categories, advertising plan tiers, and homepage structure.
  3. Review the overview and click Apply setup to apply all generated assets to your directory.

Step 7: Finalizing & Accessing Your Admin Panel

  1. The system will build your modules, categories, locations, starter content, design system, and pages in real-time.

    Once completed, you will see the "You're ready to get started" success screen.

    From here, you can:

    • Click View my directory as a visitor to see your new site live.
    • Click Go to the admin panel to access your Site Manager dashboard and start customizing.

Conclusion

With the eDirectory 14.2 AI Setup Assistant, setting up your website is an effortless, intelligent process that turns your vision into a live platform almost instantly.

Now that your tailored starter setup is ready, your website is fully operational and primed for growth. From here, you can freely add your real listings, tweak your branding, fine-tune pricing plans, or adjust page layouts whenever you like directly through your Site Manager.

Welcome to the ultimate launchpad for your directory business—your site is ready to go!

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