Directories can be profitable as a stand alone website or as an addition to an existing website. WordPress plugins let you integrate a directory into an existing website design. This can be a great way of displaying useful resources and relevant links to your readers and customers. I came across a number of developers lately who were interested in finding a reliable free directory plugins for WordPress, so here’s a few of the best ones for you.

Let us take a closer look at some of the best themes and plugins that are available to WordPress users. If you liked the post, bookmark on Delicious, Digg, StumbleUpon etc to spread the word. We appreciate it! If you like this effort then don’t forget to take a look on other articles: Video Background WordPress Premium Themes, Free Live Chat Widgets for WordPress, Free Masonry Style Themes for WordPress and User Interface Design Templates.

1. Google Apps Directory

Enable logged-in users to search your Google Apps employee directory from a widget on your intranet or client site. Enter search text to see matching names and email addresses, along with profile photos! To use Google Apps Directory, you will also need to register a Service Account with Google and upload details to the Google Apps Login plugin’s settings page.

2. WordPress Catalog

Spider WordPress Product Catalog plugin is a convenient tool for organizing the products represented on your website into catalogs. Each product on the catalog is assigned with a relevant category, which makes it easier for the customers to search and identify the needed products within the WordPress catalog.

3. Ultimate Product Catalogue Plugin

Displays a product catalogue or menu for your store, restaurant, group, etc. Has three default responsive layouts and can accept custom CSS. You can use categories, sub-categories and tags to make your products easy to sort through for your visitors.

4. eCommerce Product Catalog by impleCode

Reward your WordPress website with a beautiful and easy to use product catalogue. eCommerce Product Catalog plugin is powerful and basic at the same time. It is built by the experienced folk at impleCode who constantly develops the core and the extensions.

5. iThemes Security

iThemes Security (formerly Better WP Security) gives you over 30+ ways to secure and protect your WordPress site. Most WordPress admins don’t even know they’re vulnerable, but iThemes Security works to fix common holes, stop automated attacks and strengthen user credentials.

6. BePro Listings

BePro Listings is the best wordpress directory plugin available. With its modular architecture, you decide how users search, filter and view information. Use optional base features like, clustered Google maps, paypal payments, email notifications, ajax search / filter and front end submission.

7. Link Library

This plugin is used to be able to create a page on your web site that will contain a list of all of the link categories that you have defined inside of the Links section of the WordPress administration, along with all links defined in these categories. The user can select a sub-set of categories to be displayed or not displayed.

8. GeoDirectory

GeoDirectory was developed using WordPress standards, resulting in great performances, an intuitive user interface and back end options. Built based on over 3 years experience developing and supporting GeoTheme, one of the most succesful directory themes for wordpress, over one year of development and testing, GeoDirectory is finally released to the public.

9. Store Locator Plus

Store Locator Plus is an advanced system for managing multiple physical locations via a fully integrated WordPress solution. Whether you have ten locations or ten-thousand, you manage them right from within your WordPress admin panel. There is no special programming or extra setup required.

10. File Away

Upload your files from the front-end using ajax. Manage them securely from the front-end with the file manager. Display them to your users in stylized lists or sortable data tables. Gather download statistics. Construct shortcodes manually or using a point and click UI. Easily create dynamic paths to show different content to different logged-in users.

11. WP Symposium

WP Symposium turns a WordPress website into a Social Network! It is a WordPress plugin that provides a forum, activity (similar to Facebook wall), member directory, private mail, notification panel, chat windows, profile page, social widgets, activity alerts, RSS activity feeds, Groups, Events, Gallery, Facebook Connect and Mobile support!

12. Connections Business Directory

Quite simply, Connections Business Directory is the best directory plugin available for WordPress. Its simplicity in design and function, vast array of unique features and versatility are the reasons more and more people are turning to Connections for their directory needs.

13. MiwoFTP – File & Folder Manager

MiwoFTP is a smart, fast and lightweight file manager plugin. It operates from WordPress back-end so you don’t have to use any FTP program anymore. You can browse folders, create, edit, copy, move, delete, search, upload and download files and much more.