MVMP Labs

The Local Directory Playbook

A complete step-by-step playbook for. founders who want to build and monetize niche directories - fast. Even if you've never built a website or written a line of code before.

OpenAIRelumeAirtableApifyWhalesyncPerplexity AIWebflow
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intro-video
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Lessons
125
Chapters
9
Of video
25h 15m
Tools
7
[01]Overview

About this playbook

Ever thought about launching a local directory website but worried about coding? You’re not alone. Many entrepreneurs and solopreneurs see the potential in local business directories but don’t know where to start. That’s where this playbook comes in.

In this guide, you'll learn how to:

  • Choose a profitable niche for your directory.
  • Build a website using Webflow and Airtable—no coding required.
  • Find and manage data efficiently.
  • Grow your directory with SEO, ads, email marketing, and partnerships.
  • Monetize your directory with featured listings, affiliate links, and premium subscriptions.

Whether you’re looking to create a side income or launch a full-fledged business, this playbook gives you a roadmap to building a successful local directory.

[02]Takeaways

What you'll learn

  1. 01

    Build Your Directory Landing Page

    Learn how to use Webflow and Relume to create the home page, about page and contact page for your directory!glide

  2. 02

    Do Keyword Research & Competitor Analysis

    Learn how to identify high-value keywords for your directory and analyze competition (on autopilot)

  3. 03

    Build Dynamic Listing Pages

    Learn how to create dynamic listing pages for businesses and products in your directory

  4. 04

    Create Dynamic Overview Pages

    Learn how to create dynamic pillar/overview pages with search and filtering

  5. 05

    Create Your Admin Portal

    Learn how to build a scalable database for your directory that will also serve as your admin portal

  6. 06

    Set Up An Automated Data Sourcing System

    Learn how to populate your database with high-quality content using AI and Automation

  7. 07

    Create Category Specific Overview Pages

    Learn how to use the Webflow CMS to create tons of SEO optimized sub pages for your directory

[03]Playbook content

Playbook curriculum

9 chapters · 125 lessons · 25h 15m

Chapter 01INTRO: Building a Local Directory Website3 lessons · 16 min
  1. 01My Strategy For Building Directory Websites12 min
  2. 02Download the MVMP App to your phone0 min
  3. 03How To Get Support While Building2 min
Chapter 02SPRINT 1: Build Your Directory Landing Page11 lessons · 1h 17m
  1. 01Create Your Webflow/Relume Account & Start Your Directory1 min
  2. 02Create Your Sitemap8 min
  3. 03Create Your Wireframe10 min
  4. 04Update Your Landing Page Copy12 min
  5. 05Create Your First Design Concept6 min
  6. 06Add Logo/Images and Create More Design Concepts6 min
  7. 07How To Generate Images With Midjourney5 min
  8. 08Import Your Chosen Design Concept To Webflow7 min
  9. 09Optimize Your Landing Page SEO4 min
  10. 10How To Add More Pages To Your Webflow Site8 min
  11. 11Connect Your Domain & Hit Publish6 min
Chapter 03SPRINT 2: Research, Validate and Roadmap Your Directory10 lessons · 1h 19m
  1. 01How To Find The Right Niche For Your Directory
  2. 02How To Find Keywords Based On A Competitors Website1 min
  3. 03How To Find Keywords in Keyword Planner (Walkthrough)2 min
  4. 04How To Do Keyword Research For Your Directory
  5. 05How To Use Airtable To Manage Your Keywords3 min
  6. 06How To Analyze Your Competitors on Autopilot35 min
  7. 07How To Automatically Categorize Your Keywords10 min
  8. 08How to Find & Analyze Competitors for Your Directory Business (On Autopilot!)
  9. 09How To Run An Automated SERP Analysis To Find True Competitors21 min
  10. 10How To Include The Keywords In The Competitors Record4 min
Chapter 04SPRINT 3: Build Your Directory MVP - Listing Pages15 lessons · 4h 14m
  1. 01Create Your Listing Detail Page Overview5 min
  2. 02Populate Your Static Listing Page13 min
  3. 03Create Your Listing Page10 min
  4. 04Create Your Listing CMS Collection15 min
  5. 05Map Your CMS Collection To Your CMS Detail Page7 min
  6. 06Set up the Listing Table In Airtable11 min
  7. 07Setup the two-way sync with Whalesync20 min
  8. 08Optimize Your Listing Page SEO7 min
  9. 09How To Add Multiple References To Your Listing Page (Services, Testimonials etc.)23 min
  10. 10How To Set Up Feature Tags For Your Listings / Multi-Reference Fields18 min
  11. 11How To Set Up Image Galleries on Your Listing Page7 min
  12. 12How To Hide/Show Content Sections On Listing Pages5 min
  13. 13How To Set Up Your Location Reference31 min
  14. 14How To Create Dynamic FAQs For Your Listing Pages57 min
  15. 15How To Structure Your Webflow CMS Collection For Your Directory20 min
Chapter 05SPRINT 4: Build Your Directory MVP - Pillar Pages15 lessons · 2h 14m
  1. 01How To Map Your CMS To Your Preview Cards9 min
  2. 02How To Set Up Your CMS Feed On Your Pillar Pages8 min
  3. 03Create Your Listing Overview/Pillar Page8 min
  4. 04How To Setup Linking Between Your Pillar Page and Your Listings2 min
  5. 05How To Refine Your Listing Page Navigation Section10 min
  6. 06How To Setup Your Listing Page Navigation Section16 min
  7. 07How To Filter By A Single CMS Value19 min
  8. 08How To Install Finsweet & Setup Search Filter8 min
  9. 09How Search & Filtering Works2 min
  10. 10How To Filter By Tags (Multi-Reference Filtering)6 min
  11. 11How To Setup Your Static Search Filters8 min
  12. 12How To Set Up A CMS Slider13 min
  13. 13How To Add All Types of Filters Shortcut3 min
  14. 14How To Filter By Date Ranges6 min
  15. 15How To Filter By Values Not On Your Preview Card9 min
Chapter 06SPRINT 5: How To Find and Manage High-Quality Data8 lessons · 3h 38m
  1. 01How To Trigger Dynamic Apify Tasks From Airtable18 min
  2. 02How To Seed Your Database With Perplexity AI1h
  3. 03How To Find Scrape Google My Business Data For Your Directory26 min
  4. 04How To Find High-Quality Seed Data For Your Directory9 min
  5. 05How To Find Social Links & Contact Details on Autopilot17 min
  6. 06How To Enrich Your Seed Data with Perplexity AI39 min
  7. 07How To Format Research Data Into Tags/LinkedRecords17 min
  8. 08How To Bulk Format Content Data (Rich Text, Single Line Text)27 min
Chapter 07SPRINT 6: Build Filtered Pillar Pages5 lessons · 1h 3m
  1. 01How To Set Dynamic SEO Titles and Meta Descriptions13 min
  2. 02How To Dynamically Show or Hide Content For Empty Collections9 min
  3. 03How To Set Up a Dynamic CMS Navbar11 min
  4. 04How To Build Your CMS-Powered Pillar Pages17 min
  5. 05How To Create Dynamic Schema.Org Markup On Your Pillar Pages12 min
Chapter 08SPRINT 7: Marketing & Growth Strategies1 lessons · 22 min
  1. 01How To Build Your Email Outreach System for a Directory22 min
Chapter 09FAQ: Directory Group Calls18 lessons · 10h 49m
  1. 01March 20th - Group Call1h 8m
  2. 02April 3rd - Group Call1h 13m
  3. 03April 10th - Group Call1h 9m
  4. 04April 17th - Group Call1h 8m
  5. 05Why You're Still Stuck (Even After Learning No-Code)7 min
  6. 06No-Code vs AI-Generated Code: What's the Best Path Forward?22 min
  7. 07How AI Agents Work in Make.com (And How You Can Use Them)15 min
  8. 08Should You Launch Your Directory Globally or Start Local?6 min
  9. 09April 24th - Group Call1h 8m
  10. 10How to Monetize a Talent Directory: Subscription vs. Lead Gen vs. Revenue Share9 min
  11. 11How to Automate Data Collection for Your Directory (Without Burning Out)17 min
  12. 12Struggling With Your Directory's Purpose? Here's What Helped Us Find Clarity8 min
  13. 13How to Set Up Facebook Ads That Get Real Results (For Any Type of Business)29 min
  14. 14This Is the Easiest Way to Start Helping People (And Build a Business Doing It)9 min
  15. 15Facebook Ads Deep Dive + Why You Should Launch Early | MVMP Group Call April 291h 23m
  16. 16May 8 - Group Call1h
  17. 17Build a Lightweight CRM in Airtable to Automate Your Directory Outreach7 min
  18. 18The 6-Star System for Writing Outreach Emails That Actually Get Replies24 min
[04]Questions

Frequently asked questions

What tools do you use to build your directory?

I use Webflow for the frontend, Airtable for the database, and Whalesync to keep everything in sync. I also set up automations using Make.com, and integrate tools like Perplexity AI and ChatGPT to speed things up. The stack is flexible depending on your use case, but those are the core tools I start with.

How much does it cost to run a no-code directory?

Plan for around $100/month when you're starting out. That covers most of the main tools. Costs can go up as your traffic or usage grows, or if you add more advanced integrations—but you can definitely keep it lean in the beginning.

How long will it take to build a directory as a beginner?

If you’re consistent, you can have your MVP live in about two weeks. Some parts take a day or two, others like setting up your CMS might take a bit longer. It depends on your pace, but the course is built so beginners can follow along without getting stuck.

How do I know if this will work for my directory idea?

The Local Directory Playbook is designed around core principles that work for most types of directories—talent directories, product directories, content directories, etc. If your idea fits into that style, the process will work. The biggest thing to think about is where your data will come from. That’s usually where things get tricky.

What happens if I need help with my directory?

We run regular group chats, so if you're stuck, just jump on a call and ask. I also offer one-on-one coaching at a discounted rate for NVMP Labs members. So whether it's a small question or something bigger, support is always available.

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