Directorist – Business Hours is a dedicated extension for the Directorist directory system that allows listing owners to display their operational schedules to customers. Since its release in 2017, the extension has become a standard requirement for directory owners needing to show real-time availability for local businesses. It automates the process of informing visitors when a service is active or closed via dynamic badges and customizable widgets.
WPExclusive members get access to Business Hours as part of a full plugin and theme library, with plans starting from $9.99/month. See the full Directorist Extensions collection →
What Is Directorist – Business Hours?
Directorist – Business Hours is developed by Directorist Extensions and is a directory plugin for WordPress. It belongs to the directory category on WPExclusive, alongside other tools for building robust listing marketplaces and local business finders.
The plugin solves the problem of manual availability updates by allowing listing owners to set fixed schedules that automatically trigger site-wide status indicators. It is built for directory sites focusing on restaurants, medical clinics, law firms, and any physical business where operating time is essential data for the end user.
Directorist – Business Hours Features
The feature set is built around automating the display of time-sensitive business data across multiple listing layouts.
Real-Time Status Indicators
The plugin automatically generates “Open Now” and “Closed Now” badges on listing cards. If a customer views a restaurant listing at 2:00 PM and the set hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, a dynamic badge alerts them to the current status. Administrators and listing owners can customize the text for these badges to match the site’s branding or language needs within the directory environment.
Flexible Scheduling and Timezones
Business Hours supports both 12-hour and 24-hour time formats to cater to global audiences. Listing owners can set unique hours for each day of the week or mark a business as open 24/7. Crucially, the plugin includes a customizable timezone feature, ensuring that a business in New York displays its hours relative to local time rather than the server or visitor’s timezone.
Front-end Integration Options
The display logic is highly flexible, allowing hours to appear as a dedicated section on the single listing page, a sidebar widget, or both. Listing owners can fill out these details directly through the front-end submission form. This feature encourages professional behavior from vendors, as complete data often translates to higher trust and more leads in a competitive directory ecosystem.
Pricing
Direct retail pricing for the extension starts at $29 for a single site license. WPExclusive members access it as part of their membership plan, which includes unlimited site usage.
| Plan | Price | Sites | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Site | $29.00/year | 1 Site | 1 Year Updates |
| Up to 5 Sites | $49.00/year | 5 Sites | 1 Year Updates |
| Unlimited Sites | $89.00/year | Unlimited | 1 Year Updates |
| WPExclusive Membership | From $9.99/month | Unlimited | Business Hours + full library |
For developers managing multiple sites, a WPExclusive membership covers Business Hours plus hundreds of other plugins and themes, usually less than the cost of one premium license.
Latest Version
The current version is 3.7. The plugin receives regular updates to ensure compatibility with the core Directorist framework and modern WordPress versions. WPExclusive updates plugin files promptly after each release.
How to Install
- Download the Business Hours .zip from your WPExclusive member account
- In WordPress: Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin
- Select the .zip and click Install Now → Activate
- Navigate to Directory Listings Settings → Extension → Extension General
- Toggle Business Hours to the “On” position to enable the feature for listing owners
Use Cases
Local Business and Restaurant Directories
Providing accurate opening hours is the primary conversion factor for visitors looking to visit physical locations. By using directory tracking features, users can filter by “Open Now,” ensuring they only see businesses currently accepting customers.
Medical and Professional Service Listings
Law firms, clinics, and doctor listings use the plugin to demonstrate their availability during official hours. This helps manage expectations regarding when support or appointments might be available.
Agencies and Developers Managing Multiple Client Sites
Developers building different niche directories can deploy this functionality across all client sites without purchasing individual licenses for every domain. A WPExclusive membership provides the necessary files for unlimited deployments.
vs Alternatives
| Feature | Business Hours | GeoDirectory Events | HivePress Social Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Purpose | Time Schedules | Event Management | Social Integration |
| Badge System | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Custom Timezones | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Starting Price | $29.00 | $19.00+ | $0.00 (Base) |
| Available on WPExclusive | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Browse the full directory plugins on WPExclusive →
Pros and Cons
✅ Strengths
- Highly flexible timezone management for global directories
- Dynamic “Open Now/Closed Now” badges that update without page refreshes
- Seamless integration into both front-end submission forms and back-end listings
- Support for 24/7 business operations and split schedules
⚠️ Limitations
- Requires the free Directorist core plugin to function
- Developer auto-updates require an active license key. WPExclusive publishes updates manually when new versions are released.
Is Directorist – Business Hours GPL Licensed?
Yes. Directorist – Business Hours is distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), the same license that governs WordPress itself. GPL gives any user the legal right to use, study, share, and redistribute the software. This is the legal framework that makes WPExclusive’s membership model possible.
WPExclusive distributes 100% original, unmodified files, the same release the developer publishes. No injected code, no alterations, no security risks.
Get Directorist – Business Hours on WPExclusive
WPExclusive membership starts at $9.99/month, $87/year, or $149 lifetime, giving you Directorist – Business Hours plus every plugin and theme in the library, on unlimited sites.
Explore the full Directorist Extensions collection → or browse all WordPress plugins →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Directorist – Business Hours do?
Directorist – Business Hours is a directory extension used to manage and display business schedules. It ensures customers know exactly when a listing is available by showing real-time status badges and detailed weekly hours.
Is Directorist – Business Hours free?
No, Business Hours is a premium extension. While the core Directorist plugin is free, this specific add-on requires a license or a WPExclusive membership starting at $9.99/month.
What is the latest version of Directorist – Business Hours?
The current version is 3.7. The plugin is actively maintained, and WPExclusive members always receive the most current release after developer updates.
How much does Directorist – Business Hours cost?
Retail licenses start at $29.00 per year for a single site. Via WPExclusive, it is included in plans from $9.99/month for unlimited site use.
Is it legal to use Directorist – Business Hours via WPExclusive?
The plugin is GPL licensed, which explicitly permits redistribution. WPExclusive provides original, unmodified files, fully within GPL terms.
Can I customize the “Open Now” text in Directorist – Business Hours?
Yes, the plugin allows administrators to modify the text for status badges. This ensures the terminology matches the specific niche of the directory, such as using “Active” instead of “Open.”
