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Short answer: the cheapest reliable route is to narrow the scope, pick an existing platform or hosted service, and launch a small, testable MVP rather than building everything at once. As @Member#592800 advised, a focused project scope is the single best way to control cost. @pakidesigner's post points toward using an existing site stack to shorten development. Whether this is a personal experiment or a company product (as @janki066 asked) changes decisions about polish, uptime, and ongoing support.

Typical options and ballpark costs:

• Hosted directory/SaaS: $20–$200 per month; fastest to launch, less control.
• Plugin-based site on a mainstream platform: hosting $5–$50/month, premium theme $30–$150, paid add-ons $50–$200, plus configuration or a few days of dev work — total $300–$5,000 for a practical MVP.
• Off-the-shelf marketplace scripts: one-time license $30–$300 plus customization.
• Custom build: $5,000+ depending on complexity and hourly rates.

Core MVP features to prioritize:

• Searchable, filterable listings
• Category/taxonomy and basic listing data
• Simple submission form plus admin moderation
• Mobile-responsive layout and basic SEO
• Analytics and spam protection
• Optional map/geolocation and payment for featured listings

Recommended, practical steps: 1) capture a one-page spec describing user roles and three must-have flows (search, submit, manage), 2) evaluate one hosted service, one plugin-based setup, and one script for cost/time, 3) build a tight MVP, launch, measure, iterate, and 4) budget for ongoing maintenance (expect 10–20% of initial build per year). For directory plugins and to check map API costs before committing, see a common directory plugin and current Maps pricing: Business Directory Plugin and Maps Platform pricing.