Brilliant Directories Reviews

I have a directory.

It works, especially if you don’t want much and the demo site you can see in their videos more or less is what you think you want.

Also, if you want some functionality here and there you can then either beg along with 100 others who need it and wait for development to get it done, get into css/html to modify the site (with the risk next update breaks it) or pay a developer that will happily part you with your money…

The most important thing to learn however is this: While you’re not officially profit-sharing on the built-in Stripe payment thingy you WILL profit share as even on discount each GB of bandwidth per month costs 1$ US. Let that sink in… a dollar a month per gigabyte. Did it get through? Good! Now make sure to properly compress all images - and even offer a free service to your most popular clients to “upload for them” etc :)

So, all in all: Yeah you buy something of a good starter for a SaaS Directory Builder (designed for the 2000s) but be prepared to pay a developer for anything more than a basic functionality and design you already see working as you want and an ample amount of dollars for traffic - especially if your site is popular - which is the whole reason of making it anyways.

Then, there’s that 2000s website look and feel. Front end (meh but can be improved if you pay a dev) and back (no solution but to click all over the place and learn to search a LOT)… I mean… it needs an overhaul from some really experienced UX artist to say the least. You will certainly watch 30 hour long videos and seek advice every step of your “customization” for sure.

My proposal: If you’re techy/able, get a completely custom solution from a dev that knows his stuff. If you can’t/don’t want to dish out the cash in advance but still want to try your directory idea start with BD (or a WP plugin) and be ready to move fast if your business model is anything but moderate traffic aimed…

Ideal candidates for a BD site are probably those that sell pricey digital products (see specialty training for example) or are enough of a marketing gurus that can sell ice cubes to eskimos (local businesses). The first one has better (not cheaper) platforms and the later is almost over in 2025…

That was my 2c. Fair or not. Pick your poison and stick with it. I know I did.

@Jason Thank you for the fair reply - I will gladly come back and change my tacos if things improve from an LTD buyer's perspective (as this is the platform we're writing on).

Brilliant Directories is currently my most exciting and most promising SAAS investment to date! 💯 It has all of the features I'm looking for like custom domain, SEO, blogs, advanced customizations, and useful automations to launch an extensive and versatile website directory. 🚀

The platform is rock-solid and robust 💪 yet straigforward for new users like me. Thanks to the smooth onboarding and the comprehensive training videos and knowledge base that are easily accessible from the dashboard. 👍

BD is a full-fledged directory builder with a proven track-record in the industry. 🏆 Jason and his team are very responsive not just on AS but also on emails and on their social media channels as well. - Yes, the BD online community is active with helpful members! 🤗

Cheers, and thank you for making our life a lot easier! 😊

After testing Brilliant Directories 1 week, I can confirm it's a solid directory builder that outperforms WordPress alternatives with lightning-fast performance and instant preview updates. The system has its own unique workflow that takes some getting used to, but once mastered, it's incredibly efficient. While the backend functionality and customer support are exceptional, the mobile interface looks dated and needs modernization

One of the best value deals ever on appsumo. It's actually quite idiosyncratic in terms of workflow but once you've got your head round it the whole thing is so fast to use. I tried to launch a wordpress based directory previously and had constant issues with page loading times and BD hasn't had any. It's also really responsive when you're building sites - hit update and do a preview and it's there. It's just really satisfying. The only issue is the mobile site that's generated. It's really upsetting to have created the most beautiful directory site ever, only for mobile users (ie most of them) to be shown a mobile version of the site which looks like it's from 2010. It's such a shame- there's so many updates and new features but at the same time the community seem to be constantly crying out for a better and more up to date front end, particularly on mobile, and nothing seems to be on the horizon.

I still love it though- and support are great too. It's just a solid system that's rewarding to use and backed by what seems to be really genuine people. I even purchased the premium plug-in and hosting upsell primarily just to show my support with some ongoing revenue! Appsumo needs to find more hidden gems like this

[This is an excerpt from a blog post I wrote, for my directory, that reviews and recommends BD.]

1. Comprehensive Features
Brilliant Directories offers everything you could need to launch and manage a directory. From integrated email and payment systems to customizable components, the platform is designed to be both robust and flexible. As a software developer, I’m impressed by how complete this software feels—there’s nothing I’d add. The white-label nature of the platform allows you to truly make it your own by enabling or disabling features based on your specific use case.

2. Ease of Setup
Getting started with Brilliant Directories is remarkably simple. The platform offers extensive customization options while remaining low- to no-code, making it accessible even for those without technical expertise. For those who are more technically inclined, the website code is fully accessible through the user dashboard, and there’s even a developer’s hub for deeper configurations.

3. Exceptional Support
One of the standout aspects of Brilliant Directories is its support system. The quick-start guide is thorough and easy to follow, and automated assistance is always available via a chatbot in the backend. Additionally, their support team is highly responsive—I personally experienced this when I encountered issues integrating Google Maps (a third-party component). Despite submitting my support ticket late on a Saturday evening, the team resolved my issue by Sunday evening—a testament to their dedication.

4. Speedy Launch
Thanks to its comprehensive features, ease of setup, and responsive support, you can launch a directory in mere hours rather than weeks or months. Setting up or connecting similar components on your own would take significantly longer.

5. Community-Building Features
Brilliant Directories excels in fostering network and community building. Its features lend themselves to creating a social media-like atmosphere where members can easily contribute content and engage with one another. This ease of use makes working with the platform enjoyable and motivates me to grow [my directory] into a thriving community.

[End excerpt]

Because there are so many configuration options, and it's so easy, it has been a joy (and fun) to set up. I'm excited for my directory's launch and thoroughly enjoy working with Brilliant Directories software. :)