Member directories are one of the most powerful features of Ultimate Member. They help your members discover each other, connect, and build relationships. Whether you’re running a professional network, hobby community, or social platform, a well-designed member directory is essential.
In this guide, I’ll show you everything you need to know about setting up member directories – from basic configuration to advanced customization. Let’s get started!
What Are Member Directories?
Member directories are pages that display lists of your members. Think of them like a phone book or employee directory, but for your WordPress site. They show member profiles in an organized, searchable format.
Directories help with:
- Member discovery and networking
- Building community connections
- Showcasing your member base
- Enabling member-to-member communication
Creating Your First Directory
Let’s create a member directory step by step:
- Go to Ultimate Member → Member Directories
- Click “Add New”
- Give your directory a name
- Configure the settings (we’ll cover these next)
- Save your directory
Once created, you can display your directory anywhere using a shortcode or by adding it to a page.
Directory Configuration Options
Ultimate Member gives you lots of options for customizing directories:
Display Settings
Choose how members are displayed:
- Grid View – Members shown in a card grid layout
- List View – Members shown in a vertical list
- Profile Cards – Detailed profile cards with photos
Each layout works better for different purposes. Grid views are great for visual communities, while list views work well for professional directories.
User Roles to Display
You can choose which user roles appear in your directory:
- Show all roles
- Show specific roles only
- Exclude certain roles
This is useful if you want separate directories for different member types, or if you want to hide admin accounts from public view.
Fields to Display
Choose which profile fields appear in directory listings:
- Profile picture
- Name and username
- Bio or description
- Location
- Custom fields
- Social media links
Don’t overwhelm visitors – choose the most important fields that help members identify and connect with each other.
Search and Filter Options
Search functionality helps members find each other quickly:
Search Configuration
Enable search and choose what fields are searchable:
- Name and username
- Bio and description
- Location
- Custom fields
- Tags or categories
Good search makes directories much more useful. Make sure to include fields that members are likely to search for.
Filter Options
Filters let members narrow down results:
- Filter by user role
- Filter by location
- Filter by custom fields
- Filter by tags
Filters are especially useful for large directories. They help members find exactly what they’re looking for.
Directory Styling
Make your directory match your site’s design:
Layout Customization
Customize the directory layout:
- Number of columns (for grid view)
- Members per page
- Pagination style
- Card or list item styling
Custom CSS
For advanced styling, add custom CSS:
- Go to Ultimate Member → Settings → Appearance
- Add CSS targeting directory elements
- Style cards, filters, search boxes, etc.
Custom CSS lets you create directories that perfectly match your brand.
Displaying Your Directory
Once configured, display your directory:
Using Shortcodes
The easiest way is with a shortcode:
[ultimatemember_directory id="123"]Replace 123 with your directory ID. You can find the ID in the Member Directories list.
Adding to Pages
You can add directories to any page:
- Edit the page where you want the directory
- Add the shortcode
- Publish the page
Multiple Directories
You can create multiple directories for different purposes:
- Public directory for all members
- Premium member directory
- Directory by location or category
- Featured members directory
Advanced Directory Features
Once you’re comfortable with basics, explore advanced features:
Sorting Options
Let members sort directories by:
- Name (alphabetical)
- Registration date
- Last active
- Custom field values
Pagination
For large directories, pagination is essential:
- Set members per page
- Choose pagination style
- Configure “Load More” options
Directory Widgets
Some themes support directory widgets for sidebars or footer areas. These are great for showcasing featured members or recent signups.
Integration with Profiles
Directories integrate seamlessly with profile pages:
- Clicking a member in the directory takes you to their profile
- Profile information syncs with directory display
- Changes to profiles update directories automatically
This integration makes directories and profiles work together seamlessly.
Privacy and Visibility
Control who can see your directories:
Directory Visibility
Set directory visibility:
- Public – Anyone can view
- Members Only – Only logged-in users
- Specific Roles – Only certain roles can view
Member Privacy
Respect member privacy settings:
- Members can choose to hide from directories
- Private profiles won’t appear
- Field-level privacy is respected
Always respect member privacy choices. Forced directory inclusion can drive members away.
Mobile Optimization
Many users will browse directories on mobile:
- Test directory on mobile devices
- Ensure cards/list items are touch-friendly
- Check that search and filters work on small screens
- Optimize images for mobile loading
Mobile-friendly directories are essential for modern membership sites.
Performance Considerations
Large directories can be slow. Here’s how to optimize:
- Use pagination to limit results
- Enable caching for directory pages
- Optimize images (profile pictures)
- Consider lazy loading for large directories
- Use a good hosting provider
Testing Your Directory
Before going live, test thoroughly:
- View directory as different user roles
- Test search functionality
- Try all filter options
- Check pagination
- Test on mobile devices
- Verify profile links work
- Check privacy settings
Common Issues
Here are common directory issues and solutions:
Directory Not Displaying
If your directory doesn’t show:
- Check shortcode is correct
- Verify directory is published
- Check for JavaScript errors
- Test with default theme
Search Not Working
If search doesn’t work:
- Verify search is enabled
- Check field settings
- Test with different browsers
- Check for plugin conflicts
Styling Issues
If directory doesn’t look right:
- Check theme compatibility
- Add custom CSS
- Test on different devices
- Check for CSS conflicts
Best Practices
Tips for great directories:
- Keep it simple – Don’t overwhelm with too much information
- Make it searchable – Good search is essential
- Respect privacy – Let members control visibility
- Mobile-first – Design for mobile users
- Keep it updated – Directories should reflect current members
- Make it engaging – Use good photos and complete profiles
Next Steps
Now that you understand directories, consider:
- Creating multiple directories for different purposes
- Customizing directory styling to match your brand
- Adding advanced filters and search
- Integrating with other Ultimate Member features
Member directories are powerful tools for building community. Take time to configure them well, and your members will appreciate the ability to find and connect with each other.