If you’ve been thinking about launching a directory website but feel stuck or overwhelmed by all the tools, tutorials, and conflicting advice — this is the video you need.
In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you exactly how I would build a directory website as a complete beginner in 2025. No coding, no fluff — just the real steps that will get you from idea to MVP to launch in 30 days.
This is the same framework I’ve used to build directories like The Running Directory (https://www.therunningdirectory.ca) and the same process I teach inside MVMP Labs (https://www.connorfinlayson.com/courses/the-local-directory-playbook).
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Chapters
00:00 – Intro
01:05 – Why it feels so hard to start your directory
03:13 – Step 1: Start in Notion
06:20 – Step 2: Build 3 Static Pages in Webflow
08:36 – Step 3: Keyword Research + Competitor Analysis
12:15 – Step 4: Pillar Page + Listing Detail Page
16:05 – Step 5: How to Collect & Enrich Directory Data
20:11 – Step 6: CMS Pillar Pages for SEO
23:07 – Step 7: Recap & How to Launch Your First Version
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Tools I Use to Build Directories
📝 Plan Your Directory Website – Relume
https://www.connorfinlayson.com/a/relume
🛠 Build Your Directory – Webflow
https://www.connorfinlayson.com/a/webflow
📊 Manage & Organize Listings – Airtable
https://www.connorfinlayson.com/a/airtable
🔄 Sync Your Directory Data – Whalesync
https://www.connorfinlayson.com/a/whalesync
⚡ Automate Directory Operations – Make.com
https://www.connorfinlayson.com/a/make
🤖 AI-Powered Data Enrichment – OpenAI
https://www.openai.com
🔍 Supercharge Research & Insights – Perplexity AI
https://perplexity.ai/pro?referral_code=51POEJHL
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Tutorials & Real Examples Mentioned
How Corey Built NoCodeSupply (Started in Notion)
https://www.connorfinlayson.com/blog/corey-moen-no-code-supply
Keyword Research for Directories
https://www.connorfinlayson.com/blog/how-to-do-keyword-research-directory
Automate Competitor Analysis
https://www.connorfinlayson.com/blog/how-to-research-your-directory-competitors-on-autopilot
How to Build High-Quality Listing Pages
https://www.connorfinlayson.com/blog/build-directory-detail-pages
Real Example: Tattoo Friendly Onsen
https://tattoofriendlyonsen.com
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Want Help Launching Yours?
Join MVMP Labs – my course and community that helps you build and launch a real directory website using Webflow, Airtable, Whalesync, Make.com, and more.
https://www.connorfinlayson.com/courses/the-local-directory-playbook
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Questions? Drop them in the comments — I reply to every one.
