Create a classification only when visitors will use it
Free includes the standard Type, Mode, Tag and Price Range classifications and their normal archive and map filters. Pro adds a live visual builder for global custom fields, custom classifications and dynamic archive or map filters when a directory needs a more specialised data model.
Use classifications for reusable choices
Audience, Discipline, Region, Accreditation and Service Category work as shared choices. A telephone number, deadline or one-off note belongs in a listing field instead. If that field needs to become a dynamic archive or map filter, plan it with Pro’s visual builder.
Use the four core taxonomies before adding more
Type and Mode can contain parent and child terms, Tag is a flat list, and Price Range can be hierarchical. Their public labels adapt to the selected profile.
Standard archive and map filters already use these Free classifications. Reusing them keeps submissions, search and content maintenance simple. Add another classification only when none of the four core choices expresses the distinction visitors need.
Design custom fields and classifications as one system
Use Pro when the four standard classifications cannot express a visitor’s decision. Give every custom field or classification a stable key, plain-language label, suitable input type and a clear reason to appear in submission, listing or filter views.
Choose each field type deliberately and use the live preview to check the resulting form. A hierarchical classification works like categories with parent and child terms; a flat one works like tags.
Create a small vocabulary and name an owner
Build the first term set centrally rather than asking every contributor to invent wording. Decide singular/plural style, capitalisation, geographic granularity and whether near-synonyms should merge.
In Pro, decide separately whether a field appears on the submission form, published listing and a dynamic filter. A useful field does not automatically need to become a filter.
Create one useful classification
Write the question it answers
Use plain language such as “Who is this for?”, “Which region does it serve?” or “What accreditation does it hold?”.
Try the four standard choices first
Use Type, Mode, Tag or Price Range when one fits. Two classifications for the same idea produce conflicting filters and fragmented landing pages.
Choose Free or Pro deliberately
Stay with the four standard Free classifications when one fits. Use Pro for a custom field, custom classification or dynamic archive or map filter.
Create a controlled first set
In Pro, choose stable keys, clear labels and suitable field or hierarchy types, then add only the values publishers need now.
Test from submission to search
Complete the form as a contributor, edit the listing, view the published page and verify every intended Pro dynamic filter.
Taxonomy quality checklist
- The concept applies to many listings
- No built-in taxonomy already serves the same purpose
- Slug is short, stable, lowercase, and unique
- Label is clear to contributors and visitors
- Hierarchy choice matches the term model
- Initial terms follow one naming convention
- Submit-form visibility is intentional
- Overview and query behaviour has been tested
Questions you may have
Should Audience be hierarchical?
Usually it can be non-hierarchical when values are peers such as Beginners, Families, or Professionals. Use hierarchy only when parent/child navigation is genuinely useful.
Will a custom classification automatically appear in every filter?
No. In Pro, choose which fields and classifications belong in each dynamic filter experience.
Can I rename a taxonomy slug after content exists?
Treat the slug as permanent. Changing it can disconnect existing term assignments. Update the public label instead, then keep the original slug in place.
Which classification features require Pro?
The live visual builder, global custom fields, custom classifications and dynamic archive and map filters are Pro. Free includes the four standard classifications and core filters needed for a conventional directory.