A Shopify store locator app is an extremely valuable tool for any business trying to get products in the hands of their customers. As a smart and savvy business owner, you’ve certainly made a habit of doing your due diligence when it comes to incorporating new tools, and deciding on which store locator app to use is no different. We’re here to help you understand what to look for in a store locator, how to choose one, and how to integrate it into your Shopify site. We’ll also touch on why Grappos is the best choice for a Shopify store locator.

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What is a Shopify Store Locator App?

A store locator app can show current and potential customers where your brick-and-mortar stores are in relation to them, as well as show where your products are sold in a retail setting. If you produce beverages, like beer or wine, it can also show which restaurants in the area offer your products. Good Shopify store locators also provide analytics that gives insight into customer behavior and product demand, allowing you to take advantage of opportunities and changes in market trends.

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Why You Should Integrate a Shopify Store Locator

Store locators improve the overall experience with your brand. In a world where consumers can have groceries delivered to their doors within a few hours, the ability to visit a brick-and-mortar store seems more like a burden than a convenience, especially when consumers don’t actually know where to go. With a store locator app, you’re streamlining the process for your customers and building a reputation as a brand they can trust. A good Shopify store locator also gives customers directions directly from your website rather than requiring them to search using other apps. 

Check out these great store locator examples →

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What to Look for in a Store Locator App

Whether you are a small business catering to local customers or a nationwide brand, there are certain qualities in a Shopify store locator you don’t want to miss. Other features are certainly important, like customization and branding capabilities, but the three factors listed below determine how useful your store locator will actually be.

1. Ease of Integration & Use - If the Shopify store locator you choose is easy to integrate into your site and feels natural to use, that’s a good sign your customers will enjoy using the app. The only thing worse than not having a store locator is having one that is clunky and works poorly.

2. Analytics and Reporting - Store locators collect a good bit of data about your customers simply due to the way they’re built. A good store locator will compile that data and give it back to you in a detailed report so you can monitor performance, trends, etc.

3. Solid Customer Support - A good store locator should have a team to support it. Even if an app is built perfectly and is easy to use, you may still have questions about how to fully take advantage of it. A store locator should also receive regular updates to improve performance for both you and your customers. 

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How to Add a Store Locator to Shopify

Once you’ve chosen a store locator, you’ll need to upload your data to the backend of the software. Depending on the app, size of your data, and frequency of updates, this could be very time-consuming. Grappos actually takes care of all data updates for you so you can focus on running your business rather than data entry.

Next, you’ll want to customize the locator to match your brand and website, customizing the font, colors, map styling, and other aspects of the locator interface and features. Grappos manages all locator customizations for you, so you don’t need coding skills and you don’t need to learn a new software tool to get up and running quickly.

Once you’re done adding your data and customizing your store locator, you’re ready to add it to your Shopify site. 

Whether you want to add the store locator to an existing page or create a new page for the app, the process is the same. Open the page you want to add the store locator to, then click the Show HTML icon on the top right of the page editor. Paste the code snippet where you’d like the store locator to appear on the page and click Save. Your store locator should be ready to go!

Learn more about how to add a store locator to your website → 

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Why Grappos Makes the Best Store Locator for Shopify

Grappos is by far the best store locator app for Shopify because it is so much more than a store locator. Our locator app is easy to install by simply copying and pasting the code snippet into your site. Grappos works on all devices so your customers can use the app no matter how they’ve accessed your site. The software also includes built-in tracking and reporting so you can keep your finger on the pulse of product demand, capitalize on opportunities by identifying gaps, and stay on top of trends with real-time search insights. We also support alternative buying options if your product isn’t available locally to the customer.

The software is also supported by an excellent team that provides live customer support via phone and email so you’re never stuck trying to learn how to use the software. Grappos is committed to offering the best product locator on the market, which is why we manage all data updates and even customize the store locator for you. Integrating Grappos to your site is like gaining a whole new team that's committed to helping your business succeed.

‍Request a Shopify demo locator from Grappos → 

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3 Basic Store Locator Apps to Get Started

If the size of your business doesn’t quite necessitate a robust store locator app, it might still benefit from a basic program. We’ve researched a few Shopify store locators that are functional and, in many cases, free to integrate.

1. Closeby - Store Locator: Closeby is a great Shopify store locator that’s perfect for small businesses. The app is free to use for the first five locations and can still be customized according to your brand. Closeby has basic integrations with Google Sheets and Google Analytics and can be used on both desktop and mobile devices. To access unlimited locations and premium customization features, the upgraded plan is only $19 a month, making it an affordable first Shopify store locator.

2. Store Locator by Metizsoft: Metizoft created a Shopify store locator app that scales affordably as your business grows. The app is free for up to three locations and is only $5.99 a month for up to fifty store locations. The interface is customizable and supports basic analytics with the higher plan. This is a great choice if you’re looking for a professional, but basic, Shopify store locator.

3. Stockist Store Locator: Stockist has a 14-day free trial so you can determine if the app is right for your business before signing up for one of their three plans: basic, plus, or premium. The app is minimalistic so as to not distract from the user experience, but it can still be customized to match your site. The store locator also auto-populates store locations based on visitors’ IP addresses, thus making it easier for customers to know how to find your products.

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Add a Shopify Store Locator to Help Your Business Grow

If you’re an e-commerce brand that also sells products in brick-and-mortar locations, adding a store locator to your Shopify site is a must. Store locators make it easy for new and returning customers to find your products. Choosing a powerful store locator like Grappos allows you to also monitor demand, customer trends, and more, arming your sales and marketing teams with the information they need to help your business grow. Request a demo to see for yourself why Grappos is the best store locator for Shopify.