RWT Webmaster Tools Blog

Create Link Directory in WordPress

Maintaining a list of links on a website is often tedious work, especially if editing the HTML manually.

Many webmasters use automatic link directory creation software to maintain a page (or pages) of links. The problem I have with such software is the distance it creates between the webmaster and their content. Automatic link page creation often leads to low quality linking. Because of the ease of creating a link, the link itself (no matter the value) becomes more important than the quality of the link.

For my Recommended Web Tools Directory page, I use the built-in functionality within WordPress to maintain all my links. It is not a totally automatic process nor is it totally manual. Because there are still several steps involved in creating a link, especially for one in a new category, it forces me to think about whether the value of the link is worth the time and effort to put it on my page. For me, this is a built-in checks and balances system.

There are several ways to create a link directory. What I outline below is just one of those ways. This little tutorial assumes a knowledge of the Page functionality within WordPress. If a step doesn’t make sense refer to my Other Web Resources/Recommended Web Tools Directory page.

For this tutorial, I assume the creation of the link directory from scratch.

1. Install the RunPHP plugin. Download and installation instructions can be found here or here. The RunPHP plugin is needed to run PHP from within WordPress Pages.
2. Create ‘Directory’ Link Category
   On the WordPress menu bar, clicks Links.
   Click Link Categories
   At the bottom is the “Add a Link Category Section”
   Name the Category ‘Directory’
   CLick the Description box.
   Click Add Category button.
3. Create the Directory Page.

   This page is the equivalent of my Other Resources page.

   Click Write on the WordPres menu bar.
   Click Write Pages.
   Name the Page. For example, mine is called Other Resources.
   Add code that will display the ‘Directory’ Link Category.

   <ul>
   <li> <?php _e(‘My Directory’); ?>
   <ul>
   <?php wp_get_links(X); ?>
   </ul>
   </li>
   </ul>

   X is the number assigned to the ‘Directory’ Link category.
   Click Links
   CLick Link Categories
   Find the ID number associated with the ‘Directory’ link category.
   Enter that value for X.
   Save the page. NOTE: The use of a template or any addition content if up to the individual user. This tutorial does not cover such items. Immediately go back and edit the page.
   On the Write Page page, under Discussion, check the eval() content check box. This enables the page to use the RunPHP plugin. NOTE: checking the eval() box on the first go around does not seem to work. This is a RunPHP plugin issue.
   Save page again.
   Create link to this page from the home page. NOTE: this again is up to the individual user. It can be accomplished in a number of ways.

4. Create Link Category
   On the WordPress menu bar, clicks Links.
   Click Link Categories
   At the bottom is the “Add a Link Category Section”
   Name the Category ‘All-time Favorites websites’ (name is user defined. This name is just for tutorial purposes.)
   Click the Description box.
   Click Add Category button.
5. Create category page
   Typically the Page of the category should be named the same as the link category.

   Click Write on the WordPres menu bar.
   Click Write Pages.
   Name the Page: All-Time Favorite Websites
   Add code that will display the ‘Directory’ Link Category.

   <ul>
   <li> <?php _e(‘All-Time Favorite Websites’); ?>
   <ul>
   <?php wp_get_links(X); ?>
   </ul>
   </li>
   </ul>

   X is the number assigned to the ‘All-time Favorite Websites’ Link category.
   Click Links
   Click Link Categories
   Find the ID number associated with the ‘All-time Favorite Websites’ link category.
   Enter that value for X.

   Save the page. NOTE: The use of a template or any addition content if up to the individual user. This tutorial does not cover such items.

   Immediately go back and edit the page.
   On the Write Page page, under Discussion, check the eval() content check box. This enables the page to use the runphp plugin.
   Note the page slug. Copy and paste it to an empty document for future reference. NOTE: the name of the page slug imitates the name of the WordPress Page. The page slug can be changed. It does not need to read the same as the name of the WordPress Page.
   Save page again.

6. Add link to category link in the Directory link category
   On the WordPress menu bar, clicks Links.
   Click Add Link
   Enter the URI of the link: http://www.yoursite.com/index.php/all-time-favorite-websites
   Enter link name: All Time Favorite Websites
   Description: Enter a short description about what links are contained in this category.
   Category: Choose ‘Directory’
   Click Add Link

   Note: the URI will be dependent on the permalink structure used on the website.

7. Add new link to link category
   On the WordPress menu bar, clicks Links.
   Click Add Link
   Enter the URI of the link: http://www.thisreallycoolwebsite.com
   Enter link name: Really Cool Website
   Description: Enter a short description about the website.
   Category: Choose ‘All Time Favorite Websites’
   Click Add Link

Go to the home page.
Click on the directory link that was created
This will open the main directory page
Listed should be the heading ‘My Directory’
Indented under My Directory should be a hyperlink “All Time Favorites Websites”
Below the hyperlink there should be a short description.

Clicking on the “All Time Favorites Websites” hyperlink should open the All Time Favorites Websites page.
Listed should be the heading “all time favorite websites”
Indented should be a hyperlinks to Really Cool Website
Below the hyperlink there should be a short description.

This process is much easier if simply adding a link to an already existing category. Simply follow the directions under Step 7.

If you have any question please email me. I would be happy to provide any support I can. See my Contact page for email details.