MARKETPLACE & DIRECTORY DEVELOPMENT PRICING
Clear Starting Points for Marketplace and Directory Work
We price around the type of work you actually need: a scoped WordPress improvement, a custom directory, a custom marketplace, or strategy before the build. Use these starting points to choose the right conversation, then we turn custom work into a clear proposal.
Pricing Router
Start with the engagement type.
Custom directory
Custom quote
Custom marketplace
Custom quote
WordPress expert services
From $800
Strategy call
From $395
Choose lane
Confirm range
Scope milestones
Three Engagement Paths
Choose the Engagement That Fits the Work
Most Directorism engagements are custom quoted. Public prices are reserved for repeatable WordPress services, strategy sessions, and flexible Work Credits.
Known outcome: Package. Evolving backlog: Work Credits. New platform or shared delivery responsibility: Custom Quote.
Work Credits Base Rate
$100/hour
Foundation
This is our public rate for flexible Work Credits. Custom projects are priced around the agreed outcome, scope, responsibility, risk, and timeline, not by multiplying a public hourly rate.
Value
Work Credits give you senior marketplace specialists for a real but evolving backlog. The value is accountable progress, visible usage, and fewer expensive wrong turns, not simply access to development hours.
When it fits
Use this rate to assess fit for flexible Work Credits. It is not a public total or quote formula for a full build, growth program, integration, or other variable-scope engagement.
Use this rate to budget flexible Work Credits. For custom work, the signed proposal remains the authority on investment and terms.
Perfect for
Custom platforms and complex engagements
Custom directories, marketplaces, platform rebuilds, growth programs, integrations, AI systems, and enterprise work vary with your goals and current platform. We define the outcome, delivery responsibility, and risks before pricing the engagement.
How Custom Pricing Works
Once the scope, milestones, acceptance criteria, assumptions, and exclusions are agreed, the proposal sets the project investment. New requirements or material discoveries are discussed before they change cost or timeline.
The $100/hour rate applies to flexible Work Credits. Custom platform proposals are based on the agreed scope, responsibility, risk, timeline, and commercial terms; this public rate is not the formula for a build quote.
What Shapes the Proposal
- Required workflows and acceptance criteria
- Architecture and maturity of the current platform
- Integrations, data condition, and migration requirements
- Implementation, security, compliance, and launch risk
- Timeline, team composition, and external dependencies
- Ownership, support, and ongoing responsibilities
Product access, screenshots, wireframes, workflow maps, sample data, technical documentation, and clear decision ownership reduce ambiguity. Better inputs let us define stronger boundaries, reduce contingency, and produce a clearer proposal.
When Discovery Comes First
When critical unknowns prevent a responsible fixed quote, we recommend a paid strategy or discovery engagement first. It converts assumptions into decisions, technical scope, and a delivery plan before major build spend.
Once ready, the proposal records deliverables, milestones, acceptance criteria, dependencies, ownership, launch support, and commercial terms so both sides know what completion means.
Custom Platform Development
Fully Custom Next.js Services
These engagements are designed around your operating model, architecture, integrations, data, and launch risk. We define the scope first, then issue one accountable proposal with milestones and acceptance criteria.
Build From Scratch
Custom Marketplace Development
Two-sided platforms with payments, provider operations, trust systems, administration, and a launch-ready commercial foundation.
Custom quote
Scope first
Build From Scratch
Custom Directory Development
Owned directory platforms with structured listings, advanced discovery, lead generation, monetization, and SEO at scale.
Custom quote
Scope first
Rebuild and Migrate
Platform Reconstruction
Replace a limiting legacy platform while protecting essential workflows, data, search equity, and business continuity.
Custom quote
Scope first
Connect the Stack
Third-Party Integrations
Connect CRMs, payment systems, ERPs, data providers, and operational tools around the platform you already run.
Custom quote
Scope first
Add Intelligence
AI-Powered Development
Design marketplace-specific AI systems for matching, discovery, moderation, enrichment, support, and operational decisions.
Custom quote
Scope first
Extend the Experience
Progressive Web App Development
Create an installable, mobile-first platform experience with offline behavior, notifications, and cross-device continuity.
Custom quote
Scope first
Specialist Delivery
Why Specialist Marketplace Work Costs More
The price reflects marketplace-specific judgment, accountable delivery, and fewer expensive wrong turns. Compare that model with generalist agencies, freelancers, DIY delivery, and internal hiring across the factors that shape execution.
We build AI-powered matching systems that convert 3x better
Senior product, design, and engineering leads operate as your technical co-founders so you launch a defensible marketplace in eight weeks.
We architect matching algorithms, payment splits, and trust systems around marketplace liquidity instead of generic app checklists.
Our platforms hit revenue 3x faster because we ship proven systems, not experiments. Weekly founder syncs keep you aligned while dedicated pods handle design, dev, and growth in parallel sprints.
Our seniors built Stripe Connect integrations, real-time matching, and scaled platforms to 1M+ users. They architect for growth from day one, not scramble when you hit scale.
Live in 8 weeks because we run discovery, design, and dev in parallel—not sequential waterfalls. Your competitors are still choosing colors while you're onboarding paying customers.
Premium investment that delivers ROI in weeks, not years. Compare our cost to 18 months of founder salary spent building, or the revenue lost while cheaper options fail.
We've analyzed 1000+ marketplace models and know exactly why Uber for X fails but niche B2B thrives. Our strategy sessions save you from building features nobody pays for.
Overall Rating
New Founders
First-time founders with domain expertise but no technical background
DIY Builders
Founders stuck in technical debt from bootstrapped WordPress or no-code builds
Funded Startups
Funded teams racing to turn validation into a market-leading platform
Established Platforms
Existing platforms needing optimization, modernization, or reconstruction
Serial Entrepreneurs
Repeat founders who expect senior judgment and disciplined execution
Market Leaders Expanding
Established companies launching a marketplace within an existing ecosystem
Proof From The Field
What Founders Say
Marketplace and directory founders explaining why they trusted our team with the scope, delivery, and next stage of their platform.
"I spent 10 months bouncing between two different developers and trying to piece things together with tutorials and plugins. I had a vision, but I couldn't get anyone to actually help me build it properly. When I found Directorism, everything changed...."
"Chris, without you and your team, this platform simply wouldn't exist. You stepped in when I was lost, brought clarity, fixed the chaos, and executed with care. This wasn't just development, it was a true partnership, unlike anything I'd experienced...."
"We'd been running a local business directory for years, but growth had stalled. Directorism came in, reimagined the entire product, and rebuilt it into a full booking platform with real value on both sides. They didn't just improve the site - they..."
"I had a clear vision for a niche marketplace, but zero technical background and a history of disappointment with devs. Working with Directorism felt like lifting a weight off my shoulders. Chris and his team were real experts, fast, and transparent...."
"After working with two local agencies that overpromised and ghosted, I finally found Directorism. Chris brought exactly what I was missing: structure, honesty, and real experience. He laid out every step, gave me options without pressure, and kept..."
"After wasting over $15K with other developers, I was ready to give up. Then I found you, Chris, and everything changed. You instantly understood the product, the vision, and the market. You treated it like your own startup, not just another client..."
"I spent 10 months bouncing between two different developers and trying to piece things together with tutorials and plugins. I had a vision, but I couldn't get anyone to actually help me build it properly. When I found Directorism, everything changed...."
"Chris, without you and your team, this platform simply wouldn't exist. You stepped in when I was lost, brought clarity, fixed the chaos, and executed with care. This wasn't just development, it was a true partnership, unlike anything I'd experienced...."
"We'd been running a local business directory for years, but growth had stalled. Directorism came in, reimagined the entire product, and rebuilt it into a full booking platform with real value on both sides. They didn't just improve the site - they..."
"I had a clear vision for a niche marketplace, but zero technical background and a history of disappointment with devs. Working with Directorism felt like lifting a weight off my shoulders. Chris and his team were real experts, fast, and transparent...."
"After working with two local agencies that overpromised and ghosted, I finally found Directorism. Chris brought exactly what I was missing: structure, honesty, and real experience. He laid out every step, gave me options without pressure, and kept..."
"After wasting over $15K with other developers, I was ready to give up. Then I found you, Chris, and everything changed. You instantly understood the product, the vision, and the market. You treated it like your own startup, not just another client..."
"I spent 10 months bouncing between two different developers and trying to piece things together with tutorials and plugins. I had a vision, but I couldn't get anyone to actually help me build it properly. When I found Directorism, everything changed...."
"Chris, without you and your team, this platform simply wouldn't exist. You stepped in when I was lost, brought clarity, fixed the chaos, and executed with care. This wasn't just development, it was a true partnership, unlike anything I'd experienced...."
"We'd been running a local business directory for years, but growth had stalled. Directorism came in, reimagined the entire product, and rebuilt it into a full booking platform with real value on both sides. They didn't just improve the site - they..."
"I had a clear vision for a niche marketplace, but zero technical background and a history of disappointment with devs. Working with Directorism felt like lifting a weight off my shoulders. Chris and his team were real experts, fast, and transparent...."
"After working with two local agencies that overpromised and ghosted, I finally found Directorism. Chris brought exactly what I was missing: structure, honesty, and real experience. He laid out every step, gave me options without pressure, and kept..."
"After wasting over $15K with other developers, I was ready to give up. Then I found you, Chris, and everything changed. You instantly understood the product, the vision, and the market. You treated it like your own startup, not just another client..."
"I spent 10 months bouncing between two different developers and trying to piece things together with tutorials and plugins. I had a vision, but I couldn't get anyone to actually help me build it properly. When I found Directorism, everything changed...."
"Chris, without you and your team, this platform simply wouldn't exist. You stepped in when I was lost, brought clarity, fixed the chaos, and executed with care. This wasn't just development, it was a true partnership, unlike anything I'd experienced...."
"We'd been running a local business directory for years, but growth had stalled. Directorism came in, reimagined the entire product, and rebuilt it into a full booking platform with real value on both sides. They didn't just improve the site - they..."
"I had a clear vision for a niche marketplace, but zero technical background and a history of disappointment with devs. Working with Directorism felt like lifting a weight off my shoulders. Chris and his team were real experts, fast, and transparent...."
"After working with two local agencies that overpromised and ghosted, I finally found Directorism. Chris brought exactly what I was missing: structure, honesty, and real experience. He laid out every step, gave me options without pressure, and kept..."
"After wasting over $15K with other developers, I was ready to give up. Then I found you, Chris, and everything changed. You instantly understood the product, the vision, and the market. You treated it like your own startup, not just another client..."
"We'd been live for over six years, but our marketplace felt like it was stuck in 2018 - slow, cluttered, and hard to maintain. Directorism didn't just refresh the design - they reshaped our flows, rebuilt performance, and repositioned us for a bigger..."
"Before Directorism, I spent nearly a year with local devs who didn't understand what I was building. They delivered broken pages, missed deadlines, and had no clue how a two-sided platform should work. Chris and his team got it instantly, they mapped..."
"I had the pleasure of working with Directorism for customization on my website, and I couldn't be happier with the results. Their team demonstrated exceptional expertise, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of my specific needs. From design..."
"Every other developer I talked to just asked for a feature list. Directorism asked why those features mattered. That simple difference was a game changer. They weren't just trying to code a to-do list - they helped me think like a founder. They asked..."
"Before working with them, we were stuck due to our limited experience with the Listeo theme. Once Chris and his team came on board, everything started moving. He listened closely, offered smart suggestions, and guided us through key improvements...."
"We'd been live for over six years, but our marketplace felt like it was stuck in 2018 - slow, cluttered, and hard to maintain. Directorism didn't just refresh the design - they reshaped our flows, rebuilt performance, and repositioned us for a bigger..."
"Before Directorism, I spent nearly a year with local devs who didn't understand what I was building. They delivered broken pages, missed deadlines, and had no clue how a two-sided platform should work. Chris and his team got it instantly, they mapped..."
"I had the pleasure of working with Directorism for customization on my website, and I couldn't be happier with the results. Their team demonstrated exceptional expertise, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of my specific needs. From design..."
"Every other developer I talked to just asked for a feature list. Directorism asked why those features mattered. That simple difference was a game changer. They weren't just trying to code a to-do list - they helped me think like a founder. They asked..."
"Before working with them, we were stuck due to our limited experience with the Listeo theme. Once Chris and his team came on board, everything started moving. He listened closely, offered smart suggestions, and guided us through key improvements...."
"We'd been live for over six years, but our marketplace felt like it was stuck in 2018 - slow, cluttered, and hard to maintain. Directorism didn't just refresh the design - they reshaped our flows, rebuilt performance, and repositioned us for a bigger..."
"Before Directorism, I spent nearly a year with local devs who didn't understand what I was building. They delivered broken pages, missed deadlines, and had no clue how a two-sided platform should work. Chris and his team got it instantly, they mapped..."
"I had the pleasure of working with Directorism for customization on my website, and I couldn't be happier with the results. Their team demonstrated exceptional expertise, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of my specific needs. From design..."
"Every other developer I talked to just asked for a feature list. Directorism asked why those features mattered. That simple difference was a game changer. They weren't just trying to code a to-do list - they helped me think like a founder. They asked..."
"Before working with them, we were stuck due to our limited experience with the Listeo theme. Once Chris and his team came on board, everything started moving. He listened closely, offered smart suggestions, and guided us through key improvements...."
"We'd been live for over six years, but our marketplace felt like it was stuck in 2018 - slow, cluttered, and hard to maintain. Directorism didn't just refresh the design - they reshaped our flows, rebuilt performance, and repositioned us for a bigger..."
"Before Directorism, I spent nearly a year with local devs who didn't understand what I was building. They delivered broken pages, missed deadlines, and had no clue how a two-sided platform should work. Chris and his team got it instantly, they mapped..."
"I had the pleasure of working with Directorism for customization on my website, and I couldn't be happier with the results. Their team demonstrated exceptional expertise, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of my specific needs. From design..."
"Every other developer I talked to just asked for a feature list. Directorism asked why those features mattered. That simple difference was a game changer. They weren't just trying to code a to-do list - they helped me think like a founder. They asked..."
"Before working with them, we were stuck due to our limited experience with the Listeo theme. Once Chris and his team came on board, everything started moving. He listened closely, offered smart suggestions, and guided us through key improvements...."
The Public Price List
Fixed-scope WordPress services
These fixed-scope packages improve, extend, secure, and optimize WordPress platforms you already own. Full marketplace builds follow a separate project path.
View 5 public service prices
Compare scope, timeline, and starting investment.
View 5 public service prices
Compare scope, timeline, and starting investment.
Performance
Performance Optimization
Speed and Core Web Vitals work with measurable before/after acceptance criteria.
Basic
2-3 days
$899
Advanced
3-5 days
$1,650
Common
Enterprise
1-2 weeks
$2,999
Fixed scope with lightweight checkout or proposal terms.
View DetailsDesign
Design Transformation
Marketplace-aware UI refreshes for dated or generic WordPress experiences.
Starter
3-5 days
$950
Professional
1-2 weeks
$1,950
Common
Enterprise
2-3 weeks
$3,950
Fixed scope with lightweight checkout or proposal terms.
View DetailsSecurity
Security Hardening
Security hardening for platforms where trust, uptime, and compliance matter.
Essentials
2-3 days
$999
Advanced
3-5 days
$1,999
Common
Fortress
1-2 weeks
$3,500
Fixed scope with lightweight checkout or proposal terms.
View DetailsSEO
SEO Optimization
Technical SEO and marketplace content structure for stronger organic discovery.
Foundation
3-5 days
$1,499
Growth
1-2 weeks
$2,999
Common
Authority
2-4 weeks
$4,999
Fixed scope with lightweight checkout or proposal terms.
View DetailsCustom Features
Custom Features
Scoped extensions such as booking flows, integrations, dashboards, and AI matching.
Standard Features
3-7 days
$800 - $2,000
Advanced Features
1-3 weeks
$2,000 - $5,000
Common
Enterprise Features
3-6 weeks
$5,000 - $12,000
Lightweight start for small scope; SOW/MSA applies when thresholds are crossed.
View DetailsSelected Fixed Offers
Other Fixed-Price Starting Points
These bounded services can carry one useful public price signal. They help you diagnose, validate, or unblock a platform before a larger custom proposal is appropriate.
Full builds, ongoing growth responsibility, AI systems, integrations, and enterprise work remain custom quoted after scope review.
Specialist Advice
Strategy Call
Pressure-test the model, scope, technology path, or next investment before committing to delivery.
$395
1 hour
Platform Diagnosis
Platform Audit
Get a focused review and prioritized roadmap when you know the platform has problems but not which fix belongs first.
From $2,500
3-7 days
Operational Leverage
Workflow Automation
Automate a bounded set of repetitive marketplace operations before considering a broader transformation.
From $1,500
1-2 weeks
Flexible Capacity
Work Credits
Use senior expert capacity for a real but changing backlog without forcing uncertain work into a fixed project scope.
$100/hour
Purchased in credit blocks
Pricing Policies
The Rules Behind The Numbers
Our pricing is meant to qualify the right conversation, not force every founder into the same checkout flow. Fixed tiers create speed when scope is predictable. Custom quotes protect you when the work depends on architecture, integrations, operating model, or launch risk.
The practical rule: WordPress is productized support for existing platforms; Next.js is where full builds live; growth services are scoped around outcomes; consulting can be bought before implementation; variable-scope work receives a proposal after we review the material unknowns.
Our Accountability
Scope, Milestones, and Acceptance Criteria
We define what each phase must deliver before work starts. If a milestone misses the agreed specification, we fix the gap before calling it complete. Commercial refund or delay terms belong in the proposal where the scope is specific.
Choose Your Next Step
Turn the Right Pricing Path Into a Clear Scope
If you know what needs to be built or improved, send us the project brief. If the decision itself is still unclear, buy a focused strategy session before committing implementation budget.