I must first say that the product is light weight, as its total package size is less than 500 KB. The script is very easy to install either locally or in a remote web server. The product supports both MS Access and SQL Server. This is a big bonus for those users who do not have access to SQL Server, although majority of web hosting providers nowadays provide support for SQL Server. You just need to upload the contents of the directory creadirectory_full inside the root directory of your website and load the site by calling index.asp. You will need to enter some initial information and the license key which can be generated from the website of the vendor. The initial home page will look like below.

Figure 1

As you can see, the page contains various categories under which you can file the relevant website. These categories are included with the product by default. You can, however, delete or add more categories depending upon your requirements and the theme of the site. For instance, if you wish to utilize the product in a developer oriented site then you can create a list of several programming languages and can file relevant articles and reviews under each one of them.

The listing can be added to the directory by anyone who access the website by entering the required details as shown below.

Figure 2

The listing will be visible to the end users only if the administrator approves it by logging into the administration panel as shown in Figure 3. Administrators can either approve them as such or with any modification or can entirely delete the listing if the relevant listing is inappropriate to the context of the site.

Figure 3

The view of the above listing after its approval will look like below.

Figure 4

The listing will also be visible upon clicking New Listings and Most Popular links from the top of the page. Moreover, they are also listed on the bottom of the site along with total number of visitors who accessed the link.

The main feature of the product is that it enables you to create an unlimited number of categories and subcategories. You can easily customize the header and footer by inserting the appropriate tags and can also insert Google Adsense which enables you to earn revenue using the admin panel. A key point to note is that the ads are automatically placed at the relevant places and this helps administrators to easily modify the Ad formats as and when required. 

Moreover, the product provides a facility for the end user to post reviews against each listing. Administrators can optionally place CAPTCHA on the submission form to provide more security for the directory and can display thumbnail images of the website beside each listing as shown below. These features are disabled by default and can be enabled from the admin panel.

Figure 5

The vendor has nicely implemented dynamic filtering system based on IP and Words. Administrators can manage them from their panel by selecting the relevant link. End users will automatically receive e-mails from the system as and when their listing has been approved or declined. Administrators can also preview the directory from within their management area. You can view a complete list of features of the product at http://www.creascripts.com/creadirectory_features.asp.

 

The vendor provides excellent support through e-mail. They have also hosted live demos of both the finished directory and the admin panel so that you can explore the features before purchasing for the product. You can view a list of sites hosted with the product at http://www.creascripts.com/live.asp. The product comes with documentation in PDF format which examines each and every step associated with the usage of the product.

I feel that you can integrate the directory into your existing website very easily with little knowledge of HTML and ASP. Once you get used to the product you can step in to customize the script in an advanced way. I would suggest the vendor provide samples of websites integrated with the directory so that beginners can easily learn the tips and tricks involved with the customization of the product.