Thread: Ready to buy, but...

Ready to buy, but...

Hi,

I have a directory site since 2006 and have moved from a program called Listing Manager (by Interactive Tools) and then moved up to their CMS system and then switch to GeoPlaces from Templatic.

I am ready to jump into AppThemes and use Vantage for a couple of sites.

Question(s)… Is the map part of the theme or is it a plugin? I understood from some post that I need a plugin to show the map.

Does the map support “Clustering” (showing a number instead of a pin when there are lots of listings in one area?

interested to know your experience with GeoPlaces

The latest version of Vantage v1.2 includes the map as seen on the Vantage demo site (no additional plugin is required). You can read all about the latest features on our blog post here.

There is no clustering option for the map at this time, but if this is a feature you'd like to see implemented in a future release of the theme, we welcome submissions to the AppThemes Ideas Exchange. This is where our community can submit, vote for, and comment on feature ideas and our development team can consider them for a future release. We can't guarantee that all ideas will be implemented, however it will give us a good indication of what people would like to see. Thanks.

Vantage or Directory Press

Hi,


It is me again (unregistered as of yet… and the starter of the post)… Clustering on the map is not what will make it or break it. And…


After reading on your site, I believe it is possible with a plugin called MapSupreme for Vantage. Please let me know if I am correct.


I have had a couple of directory themes over the years. Some were sold when good offers came in, a few I still have an earning revenue ONLY from Google Ads and I want to make sure this time that I switch to a platform that will grow with the site.


I know for sure that we want “Wordpress” as the CMS system. Tired of working on Dreamweaver and uploading. (this is how some of my older directory sites work. The listings were created live on a CMS system, but the design and all static pages were created in Dreamweaver.


My only dilemma now is if I should go with Directory Press or with Vantage. I just recently discovered both. I do feel that Vantage / App Themes has a stronger community and better plugins.


What I need now is a directory for a GLOBAL travel site, however, 90% of the listings are in the USA:

- Must have very good map implementation and be able to show search results on maps
- 5 Main Categories (Hotels, Restaurants, Attraction, etc).
- Each category has unique fields. Example: The restaurant main category has a field called “Cuisine”. The hotels category can be a “Large Hotel, Motel, Bed and Breakfast, Villa”, etc.
- Site must be able to show Google AdSense without messing around a lot with code.
- Front end submission from the public (does not need paid listings).


I am usually very much involved in message boards/help forums where I share my ideas and tweaks that worked on our site. I also like to reply to other users who ask how to customize their sites.


Do you feel “Vantage” is the right way to go?

Yes the Mapsupreme plugin does offer a clustered or grouped Google map, you can read more about the plugin on the marketplace page which has a link to the demo as well. If you have other questions specifically relating to that plugin you are welcome to comment on the page itself where the developer can communicate directly.

Based on the description of your project, Vantage certainly does suit your needs. As you have noted, we do have a well established community and lots of great customers who also like to share their knowledge with others, so you'd be welcome and fit in well in that regard. Some of these go on to offering services in our Certified partners page as well. Thanks :)