Top Essential and Optional Features for Classified Websites

Features are value additions with the core process. In a typical Online Classified website, the core functionality is posting an Advertisement and well defined Search system. In modern days we can see more and more features coming out as additions with modern classified websites. Here we shall discuss on some essential and optional features for both Users and Administrators of any Classified website.

Essential Features for Classified Website Users:

1. One Page Advertisement Posting Form : This form must have customizable fields to support your niche classified site and very easy to submit.
2. Focus on Search : Search box is the heart of the classified website, so it must be bigger than other normal websites and properly placed in an easily accessible location.
3. Location based Search or Geo-location System: Categories or Sub categories must be divided based on proper location, because everyone prefers buying or selling near locality than travelling a far distance.
4. Responsive : It means the site must work on any internet enabled devices. Most of classified website users prefer to use these websites on their Smartphones and on the go.
5. SEO friendly: Every advertisement should be properly indexed by google with the help of Metadata and proper keywords automatically.
6. Contact Advertiser Form: It is a core feature of Classified websites.
7. Easy Navigation and Account Management: Simplified navigation and user account management is a must.
8. Comment System: Either be it Social Commenting or Guest Commenting, it is essential for consumers to communicate with sellers publicly to get answers for some Frequently Asked Questions.

Optional Features for Classified Website Users:

1. Photo: Now almost all leading classified websites support photo posting.
2. Filters: Filters for shorting is essential for continent searching. Filters are generally used for Location, Price, Date or Age of Ads, Sub-categories, Contact Verification and other specific custom fields.
3. Messaging or Chat: Real time Chat or Personal Messaging between buyer and seller is becoming essential feature now a day.
4. Android / iOS App: Some regular users might find apps are useful ways to accompany a classified website.
5. Multilingual : If it is a local classified site then an option of local languages helps users.
6. Social Share : Social sharing on Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp etc. features
7. Report and Favourite : Report of an inappropriate Ad to admin and if the Buyer likes an Advertisement he can add it to Favourites list.

Essential Features for Classified Website Administrator:

1. Solid Backend: Detailed backend management features to manage every functionality like Category, sub-categories, location, ads management etc.
2. Spam Detection and Management: Implementing some verification systems like SMS and Email verification to reduce spam advertisements or use of Captcha.
3. Membership : If you are planning to monetarize then there must be Membership Levels for FREE and Premium Members with details management options.
4. Payment System : Support for various Payment Gateways and Multiple Currencies if it is going global.
5. SEO Management: SEO Friendly Links, Location subdomains, Customize page title, meta keywords and description for all pages, Google Sitemaps, Canonical URLs.
6. Backup: Instant or scheduled automatic database backups for emergency failure protection.
7. Security Features: Prevent Contact Details like Phone Scraping, Email Copy Protection, Limit login attempts, Login History, IP Blocking, Email Blocking, Forbidden Words
8. Bulk import & export: Possibility to import and export all or selected Ads in single click and Send Bulk Emails
9. Detailed Statistics: Admin Dashboard must give real-time updated insights of your classified site.

Optional Features for Classified Website Administrator:

1. Customizable Homepage: It must be attractive but not overloaded with information.
2. Related Ads Listing: Ads from same categories are displayed in various location beside or below the main advertisement.
3. Other Features: Video Posting, Affiliate accounts, Allow login with username or just email address, Allow login and registration using Facebook, Google and OpenID accounts, Allow visitors to post ads without an account, Allow subscriptions, Email Alerts, Hide phone field, Different Listing plans based on City or Category, Featured Ads, Highlighted Ads, Seller Profile Page, Recurring payments, Compare listings etc.

These are the most required and optional features of a modern Online Classified Website. There are several custom Classified Scripts are available online some of them are Open Source and some are Paid or Hosted Scripts. Also there are numerous Template/Themes and/or Plugins/Extensions are available for most popular CMS’s like WordPress, Joomla, Drupal and others. It is very complicated task to choose among these different alternatives out there.

We have plans to review them one by one however if you are starting any type of Classified site then you must keep in consideration these points below:

Important thinks to remember while choosing an Online Classified Script

1. Open Source or Closed Source
2. Self Hosted or Hosting Bundled with Script
3. Programming Platform and Hosting Compatibility
4. Scope of Upgradation on the basis of Cost, Time, Complexity, Affordability
5. Integration or API compatibility with other Third party applications
6. Support terms form Developer regarding Installation, Upgradation and Customization
7. Refund Policy (if any)
8. Licensing Policy (On How many Domains and Sub-Domains)
9. Carefully look Add-on or Additional Themes and Functionality (Most Demos are set using all the Features and Functionalities but Additional Chargers may require to avail them)
10. Read Reviews, Comments, Testimonials and Support Portal (if available) as much as you can on various sites about the particular Script you have finalised for use on your Classified Site.

You can read our Top 10 Handpicked WordPress Classifieds Themes here.

We would like to know about various Classified Scripts or Platforms you are using or know about. Please comment them below as we are eager to know and update these posts to be helpful for various users.