Custom Configuration & Styling
What This Gives You
What BD gives you by default: Limited styling options buried in theme settings. Changing how search results or widget elements look usually means editing code or hiring a developer.
What DirectoryCustomize adds: Every widget comes with a visual settings panel — no code needed. Change colors, toggle display elements, switch layouts, and map custom fields, all from a point-and-click interface. Changes go live instantly.
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On This Page
| Section | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Opening the Settings Panel | How to access widget configuration |
| Settings Tab | Control what information shows on each card |
| Design Tab | Change colors and visual themes |
| Layout Tab | Switch between grid, list, and other arrangements |
| Custom Fields Tab | Map your BD custom fields to display slots |
| Plugin-Level Settings | API keys, notifications, and plugin info |
Opening the Settings Panel
- Go to the My Widgets tab
- Find the widget you want to configure
- Click the wrench icon to open the settings panel
Settings Tabs
Depending on the widget, you'll see up to four tabs inside the panel:
Settings
The Settings tab controls what information shows on each card or widget:
- Toggle display elements on/off (image, date, price, buttons, tags, author section, etc.)
- Set button text and icons
- Enable or disable specific features (favorites button, Add to Calendar, external link, etc.)
Options that don't apply to the current layout are greyed out automatically — you'll only see controls that actually work with your active design.
Design
The Design tab controls your visual theme and color palette:
- Select a design preset — one-click style change that updates colors and appearance
- Each preset shows a color preview before you apply it
Layout
The Layout tab controls how content is arranged on the page:
- Card layout (grid view, list view, cinema mode, etc.)
- Column count and spacing
- View toggle buttons (show/hide the grid/list switch visitors see above results)
Custom Fields
If you have custom fields set up in BD, the Custom Fields tab lets you map them to display slots on the card. For example, you could show a "Hosted by" field in the author section, or display a custom "Price Range" field on each listing card.
Applying Changes
Widget settings auto-save — changes take effect immediately on your live site. No save button needed.
Plugin-Level Settings
The Settings tab in the main plugin navigation (not the individual widget settings panel) controls your account connection and preferences.
Connection
Where you manage your API keys:
- Customize Relay Key — your unique key from your welcome email. This connects the plugin to DirectoryCustomize services.
- Site API Key — your BD site API key (from BD Admin > Developer Hub > Generate API Key). Used to apply configuration changes to your live site.
Notification Preferences
Three options, all auto-save:
- Email me when an update is available
- Email me when an update is applied
- Email me about new products and features
About This Plugin
Shows the current plugin version and site URL, with links to directorycustomize.com and the Support tab.
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Need help? Use the Support tab inside the plugin to submit a ticket.