RE: Directory part of the website as a section, but not the entire website itself
Correct Connections “lives” on a single page (unless you setup multiple pages for different listings).
RE: No ads on directory
Connections does not display ads in the directory. The closest would be the required attribute links on the maps in premium templates. Source attributes are required as part of terms of service for the maps tiles from the amp service provider. For example, a link to Google in the lower corner of the map when using them as the mapping tile service provider.
RE: No outside users submitting listings
Only is you setup it up using the Form addon Connections.
RE: Lightweight, doesn’t delay site speed
All plugins affect the overall loading of WordPress. I strive to make that impact as little as possible. The page with the most impact is the directory page itself because of the required database access to lookup the directory entries and the resources required to display them.
RE: Able to be installed on shared hosting servers like GoDaddy, HostGator, etc.
Should not be an issue. I like recommending SiteGround though.
RE: Allows for listing categories
Yes, just like WordPress posts, Connections entries can be assigned to multiple categories.
RE: Clean, modern-looking public interface
Most users like the cMap template because it is fairly flexible with many option to change colors in the Template Customizer.
RE: Able to search by provider (find a doctor) or by location (distance: city or zip code)
Search and category filtering is featured in the premium templates. I do have an advanced search addon in beta which has the ability to search by radius of a zipcode. This beta addon is made available to those that request it and who have purchased the Pro Pack bundle.
RE: Landing page for viewing and searching listings by category
Category filtering is a feature of all the premium templates. This is displayed as a drop down above the directory. Alternatively you could use the Enhanced Categories addon, to list them (or display as an image grid) before the directory or on a separate page which links back to the directory. The category links will filter the results by category link clicked.
RE: Landing page for viewing and searching listings by provider/doctor
All premium templates include a keyword search field which search the name fields among others (configurable).
RE: Landing page for viewing and searching listings by map
Sorry, presently not a feature in Connections.
RE: Each has his/her own login (user, pass, email) and can change password, password recovery
This is built into WordPress.
RE: Each able to make edits/changes to his/her listing
You will need the Link addon and optionally the Form addon. Link is required to allow a registered WP User to add and edit their own Connections Entry. Form is only needed if you wish for this to happen on the site’s frontend instead of the WP Users Profile admin page.
RE: Each either has multiple listings or multiple locations listed/attached to his/her account – This is because each doctor works at multiple locations/clinics
A Connections Entry can have any number of addresses attached to it. It is a repeatable field so a doctor could add all addressed they work.
RE: Provider listings can be in multiple service categories
yes, just like WordPress Posts, Connections Entries can be assigned to any number of categories.
RE: Listing details include: provider doctor name, provider headshot, practice/clinic name, address/city/state/zip (multiple locations), phone number and fax number (multiple locations), website and link to clinic website, list services provided
Yes, Connections does provide enough fields to cover the details you listed.
RE: Need multiple admins for directory, different from the main website admin
You can use the Connections Role settings to allow a different role to admin the director. For example you could let any user with the Editor Role admin the directory.
RE: Directory admins able to change/edit all listings, reset provider passwords, etc.
Yes, directory admins will be able to edit any listing. Resting passwords would be done thru the features builtin into WordPress.
RE: We are OK if an add-on or pro version is needed. I just need to know if it will work for us before we invest.
Taking your questions and requirements into consideration, I would recommend the Pro Pack. Sounds lie you would need most of the addons to gain the feature you require.
I hope I have answered your questions clearly and thoroughly.
