How to quickly load a few listings (CSV import, Listing Generator, or Demo Mode)

This guide shows three simple ways to add a handful of listings to your directory so you can preview layout, categories, search, and filters before adding real data.

Option 1 — Import a CSV

1. Go to Listings → Import CSV.
2. Click Upload CSV file and choose a CSV from your computer.
3. On the next screen, map your columns to listing fields (for example: title/name, category, address, phone, website, description).
4. Click Run Import to start the import.

Tips for a successful CSV import:

• Keep the file small for a quick test and easier troubleshooting.
• Use a header row with clear column names so the mapping step is straightforward.
• Make sure date, numeric, and boolean columns use consistent formats (e.g., YYYY-MM-DD for dates).
• If a required field is missing, map another column to that required field or add it to the CSV.

Troubleshooting CSV imports

• If no listings appear after import, reopen the import screen and check the import log/messages for errors.
• If columns were mapped incorrectly, re-run the import with corrected mappings or fix the CSV and run it again.

Option 2 — Use the Listing Generator

1. Go to Listings → Listing Generator.
2. Enter a niche and a location (for example, a type of business and a city).
3. Adjust any available filters as needed, review the estimated API cost, then click Run.
4. When finished, go to Listings to review the newly created items.

Notes and tips:

• The Listing Generator creates placeholder listings based on the niche and location you provide; review them and edit fields as needed.
• Check the displayed estimated API cost before running so you understand any usage implications.

Troubleshooting the Listing Generator

• If generated listings don’t appear, confirm the generator run completed and then refresh the Listings page.
• If results are sparse or irrelevant, try a different niche/location or loosen filters.

Option 3 — Seed sample listings via Demo Mode

1. Go to Settings → Demo Mode.
2. Choose Seed (this adds sample listings you can use for testing).
3. After seeding, go to Listings to review the added items and remove anything you don’t want.

Notes and tips:

• Demo Mode is the fastest way to populate your directory with sample data for UI and feature testing.
• You can delete any sample listings you don’t want after seeding—go to Listings and remove them.

After you add listings

• Open Listings to confirm items were added and to make any edits.
• Use search, filters, and category pages to verify listings appear and behave as expected.
• If you need to remove multiple listings, use the bulk selection options on the Listings page (if available) or delete items individually.

Need help?

If you try one of these methods and listings don’t appear or fields look wrong, rerun the import or generator with corrected settings, or clear and reseed Demo Mode and try again. If you want, tell support which method you tried and we can walk you through the exact steps live.