Migration · 11 min read
WordPress directory plugins work until updates, hosting, WooCommerce, and map add-ons become a second job. This playbook covers migrating Directorist, HivePress, GeoDirectory, and similar stacks to Row.so.
Use your plugin’s CSV export, WP All Export, or a SQL/CSV dump of the listing post type. Include featured images as URLs, taxonomies, and custom meta you still need.
Import CSV to Sheets. Fix encoding, empty titles, and broken image links. Collapse plugin-specific meta into clear columns Row.so can map (Price, Phone, City, Website, Featured).
Create a directory, connect the Sheet, map fields, and sync. For location directories, switch to Map Locator and verify geocoding. For community niches, enable Upvote List or comments as needed.
Connect Stripe, Lemon Squeezy, Polar, or PayPal. Recreate submission fees and featured tiers. Test the full paid path before DNS cutover.
WordPress permalinks rarely match new paths 1:1. Build a redirect spreadsheet from old permalink → new Row.so URL for the top traffic pages, then ship 301s when DNS moves.
Keep the same custom domain when possible. Update Search Console sitemaps to the Row.so sitemap after launch.
Yes. Export listings to CSV/Sheets, map fields in Row.so, recreate paid plans with native checkout, then point your domain and redirect old permalinks.
Same pattern. GeoDirectory migrations should preserve address fields for Map Locator. HivePress classifieds fields become custom fields and filters.
No for the directory itself. Retire WP hosting once redirects and email/DNS are stable. Keep a static park page only if you still need legacy URLs temporarily.
Yes. Use Row.so Map Locator with OpenStreetMap by default, or bring Google Maps / Mapbox keys.
Row.so is an AI directory website builder with paid listings on every plan — describe your niche or connect a Google Sheet and go live today.
Compare
Compare Directorist and WordPress directory plugins vs a hosted directory builder for maintenance, SEO, and payments.
Map Locator
Convert a directory into a professional Map Locator — interactive map, near-me, directions, and SEO location pages.
Getting started
A decision guide for building a directory without coding — WordPress plugins, hosted SaaS, and Google Sheets builders.
Migration
Export listings, map fields to Google Sheets, reconnect payments, and launch on a hosted AI directory builder without BD’s complexity or take-rate surprises.
