Meet Zach

My name is Zach and I’m a full‑stack developer with over 3 years of experience. From the very start, my goal was to become an indie hacker—to build projects from A to Z and achieve financial independence. That motivated me to learn everything needed to design, build, and monetize software products.

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What inspired the creation of DirectoryEasy?

It all began with SaaSCore, a Next.js SaaS boilerplate I built to help developers launch apps quickly—complete with landing pages, authentication, dashboards, email marketing, and affiliate tools. To promote it, I created TopBoilerplate.com.

I realized many users wanted to build similar directories. So I spun off the code into a boilerplate: Nextjs.directoryeasy.com. But it still required coding skills. To empower non-developers, I launched DirectoryEasy.com—a no‑code platform that lets anyone build directories in minutes.

What makes DirectoryEasy stand out from other directory builders?

DirectoryEasy shines because it offers:

• A clean drag‑and‑drop no‑code builder with:
  
  • Custom themes, fields, categories
    
  • CSV import/export
    
  • Smart automation (publishing delays, rotating featured listings)
    
  • Built-in blog integration
    
• Stripe and PayPal monetization: listing plans, featured placements, banner ads
  
• Advanced analytics and email marketing tools, plus an AI content generator for SEO articles and auto-notifications

What types of directories do your users typically create?

1. Local business directories (e.g. city-based services: cafés, salons)
   
2. Niche industry directories (e.g. healthcare providers, freelancers)
   
3. AI / SaaS tool directories, often monetized with affiliate links or premium listings

How does the no‑code builder work? What can users customize?

• Setup: Sign up → choose theme (light/dark) → connect domain/subdomain → launch in under 5 minutes
  
• Bulk Import: Upload CSV and map fields (name, logo, location, etc.)
  
• Smart Automation: configure publishing delays, rotate featured spots, and email notifications
  
• Customization:
  
  • Fields & categories: add text, number, date, tag, rating, coupon, logo fields
    
  • Design: choose modern templates, adjust branding, light/dark mode
    
  • Custom pages: About, FAQ, blog posts via visual builder
    
  • Monetization: set up plans, payments, featured listings, and ads
    
  • Analytics: track visitor behavior, listing views, revenue, conversions, bounce rate, session length

How do you ensure a great experience for both directory owners and end users?

• Clean, intuitive UI for both owners and contributors
  
• Fully automated workflows (publishing, emails, featured rotations)
  
• SEO-friendly and fast-loading directories with filters, search, and OpenGraph metadata

How do you see AI affecting SaaS and no‑code platforms in the future?

AI enables smarter capabilities for no‑code tools:

• Auto-generating SEO-optimized content
  
• Intelligent field suggestions and validation
  
• Automated support, analytics insights, and revenue suggestions

DirectoryEasy already includes content generation and will continue adding more AI-driven features.

What’s your long-term vision for DirectoryEasy? Any big features on the horizon?

We’re evolving into a complete all-in-one platform with AI, global reach, and deep customization.

Planned Features

1. One‑Click AI Directory Generation
   
   • AI-generated listings, categories, and content with a single click.
     
2. Recurring Subscriptions & Enhanced Monetization
   
   • Add subscription-based plans and enhance PayPal & Stripe integration.
     
3. SEO Workflow Enhancements
   
   • Customizable Do-Follow links and Draft/Published state workflows.
     
4. Global Support
   
   • Multi-currency support to enable global transactions.
     
5. Better Content Management
   
   • Custom author profiles with photos and bios.
     
6. Advanced Integrations
   
   • Webhooks for third-party automation and custom code injection.

If someone is considering launching a directory-based business, what advice would you give them?

• Start with a focused niche
  
• Use CSV imports and automation to scale fast
  
• Prioritize SEO with optimized pages and content
  
• Test monetization early with paid listings or premium features
  
• Engage niche communities (e.g. Reddit groups, newsletters) for early validation

Did you enjoy our interview? Do you have anything to say to our community?

Absolutely—I loved it! To everyone in this community: start building with tools like DirectoryEasy, validate your ideas, listen to users, iterate fast, and enjoy the journey. Your success begins with action.