Listing plans
Price basic, featured, and sponsored placements. Publish on payment; hide or downgrade when a sub ends.
Startswith
Niche directories, live before the brief gets cold
Type the niche. We stand up categories, sample listings, and a public URL. You keep editing — then charge for placements on your own Stripe.
Examples: EU SaaS toolsCrypto tax softwareClimate data vendorsBoutique agenciesCreator tools
Free forever for one small directory · No card to start
<2 min
prompt → public URL
0%
cut on listing revenue
8
starter templates
*.xyz
subdomain included
SSL
auto on custom domains
Three moves from blank page to URL
01 — Name the niche
One line is enough: who it’s for, what gets listed, what “good” means.
02 — Generate the skeleton
Template choice, categories, starter listings, and SEO defaults land in one pass.
03 — Operate it
Swap in real data, tune the theme, attach a domain, turn on paid listings when you’re ready.
-
01
Name the niche
Who it’s for, what gets listed, what “best” means — one sentence is fine.
-
02
Generate the skeleton
Categories, starter listings, theme tokens, and a public subdomain.
- Template matched to the niche
- Editable sample catalog
- SEO defaults already on
-
03
Operate & monetize
Replace samples, attach a domain, open paid listings on your Stripe when traffic shows up.
Templates
Eight starters that match how niches actually browse
Opinionated defaults for filters and listing fields — not a pile of generic cards with different stock photos.
eusaas.startswith.xyz
EU SaaS
Compare pricing, regions, and compliance posture
cryptofintech.startswith.xyz
Crypto & fintech
Exchanges, tax, wallets, on/off-ramps
climatestack.startswith.xyz
Climate stack
MRV, carbon, energy, and ESG tooling
localpros.startswith.xyz
Local pros
Trades and services with city filters
agencyroster.startswith.xyz
Agency roster
Studios by specialty, retainers, case studies
creatorstack.startswith.xyz
Creator stack
Tools for newsletter, video, and monetization
learnmap.startswith.xyz
Learn map
Courses, cohorts, and tutors by topic
opencatalog.startswith.xyz
Open catalog
OSS projects, licenses, and maintainers
New · Agents
Directories agents can actually ship
Directify-class builders optimized for humans clicking around. Startswith adds the GitBook move: paste one prompt, get a live URL + backoffice — then your customers’ customers enrich listings on the public site.
- Copy prompt → Cursor / Claude / ChatGPT
- MCP + plugins when connected (Cursor first)
- Builder stays on app.startswith.xyz
Set up Startswith with your agent
## GOAL
GET A NICHE DIRECTORY LIVE ON STARTSWITH. DONE = YOU HAND ME:
1) PUBLIC URL https://{slug}.startswith.xyz THAT LOADS WITH SEARCH + CATEGORIES + TAGGED LISTINGS
2) BUILDER URL ON https://app.startswith.xyz (dashboard with setup checklist)
TELL ME CLEARLY WHEN A STEP NEEDS ME (SIGN-IN, API KEY) — DO EVERYTHING ELSE YOURSELF.
## ARTIFACTS (same as the human create wizard — Directify seed bar)
- Directory name + short English slug
- ≥5 custom fields · ≥6 categories (w/ descriptions) · ≥8 colored tags · ≥5 realistic listings
- Theme hero title/subtitle · live public site
## FIRST, CHECK YOUR TOOLS
If Startswith MCP tools or an API key are connected, use them.
Else open https://app.startswith.xyz/sign-in, then Create Directory with niche: <PASTE NICHE HERE>.
Example niches: SaaS Tools, Crypto tax software, Local Businesses, AI Tools, Wedding Vendors.
## AFTER LIVE
Report counts (fields/categories/tags/listings), Preview URL, Dashboard URL,
and next checklist steps: logo, replace samples, theme, domain, monetize. Install path (rolling out)
Brand the catalog, not the template
Hero copy, colors, and type — adjusted on your real listings. Ship a look that matches the niche instead of a generic “directory skin.”
The directory is the product
Listings, featured slots, and leads are how catalogs pay for themselves. Wire your Stripe; Startswith never takes a share of what businesses pay you.
Homepage inventory
Sell top slots and category pins with clear start/end dates — no spreadsheet gymnastics.
Inquiry forms
Every listing can collect leads. Export CSV or forward to your inbox / webhook.
Owner claims
Import a seed list, let businesses claim their page, then upsell a featured upgrade.
Your Stripe
Connect your own Stripe. Listing cash hits your account — Startswith does not take a revenue share.
What your buyers might pay you (you set these)
Example · Basic listing
$49
Example · Featured
$149/yr
Example · Sponsor
$299/mo
Not Startswith subscription prices — sample packages a directory owner charges businesses listed on their site.
Built to stay readable as you grow
Search-friendly pages, imports, and quiet analytics so the catalog can thicken without becoming a second full-time job.
Search-ready pages
Readable URLs, per-directory sitemap, meta tags, and lightweight structured data from day one.
Editorial extras
Ship comparison notes and AI-assisted listing blurbs when you want density without a CMS detour.
Bulk import
CSV today; Sheets sync and a browser clipper on the roadmap for Studio.
Quiet analytics
Visits, top listings, and referrers — enough to steer the catalog, not a third-party tracker farm.
Who it’s for
Operators who already know the niche
Startswith is the scaffolding layer — you bring judgment, affiliates, and distribution.
Affiliate / tool maps
Ship a comparison hub, keep listings honest, and attach your own checkout later.
Local vendor lists
City + category filters without standing up WordPress plugins for the tenth time.
Internal catalogs
Curated stacks for a community or portfolio company — private link or public page.
Content → commerce
Start as editorial SEO, add paid placements once traffic shows up.
Startswith plans
Simple ladder. No surprise tiers.
What you pay us to run the builder — separate from what businesses pay you for a listing on your directory.
Free
$0
forever
- 1 directory
- 50 listings
- AI bootstrap
- {slug}.startswith.xyz
- Theme basics
Best value
Builder
$15 /mo
or $150/yr (2 months free)
- 1 directory, unlimited listings
- Custom domain + SSL
- Full theme editor
- Lead forms + export
- Connect your Stripe
- Remove Startswith badge
Studio
$39 /mo
or $390/yr (2 months free)
- Up to 5 directories
- Everything in Builder
- CSV import
- Analytics
- API + webhooks
- Priority AI credits
Paid plans include a 7-day trial. Cancel anytime. Listing revenue always stays yours. Builder is priced to undercut typical “Pro” unlimited tiers; Studio undercuts multi-site “Growth” plans.
FAQ
Common questions
What does Startswith actually generate?
From one sentence you get a hosted directory: name, categories, sample listings, theme tokens, and a public subdomain. You edit everything afterward — nothing is locked behind the first AI pass.
Who is this for?
Operators who want a niche catalog online fast: affiliate maps, vendor lists, tool directories, local services. If you already know the niche, Startswith removes the scaffolding delay.
How do directories make money here?
You charge for listings, featured slots, or leads. Payments go to your Stripe. Startswith bills you for the builder plan only — never a cut of directory revenue.
What is included on Free?
One directory, up to 50 listings, AI bootstrap, theme basics, and a startswith.xyz subdomain. No card required. Upgrade to Builder when you need a custom domain or unlimited listings.
Builder vs Studio?
Builder is for a single serious directory (unlimited listings, domain, Stripe, leads). Studio is for operators running several niches, plus CSV, analytics, and API access.
Can I bring my own domain?
Yes on Builder and Studio. Point a CNAME, verify, and TLS is issued automatically. Free stays on {slug}.startswith.xyz.
How does pricing compare to other directory builders?
We keep the ladder short: Free is generous on listings, Builder undercuts typical “Pro” unlimited+payments tiers, and Studio packs multi-directory + API below most “Growth” plans. Same rule everywhere: 0% of your listing revenue.
Have a niche. Need a URL.
Scaffold the catalog now — polish listings and monetization when the shape is right.
Free · no card · public subdomain included