Surf Wiki
Save to docs
general/retail-processes-and-techniques

From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base

Online locator service

Tool for finding business locations

Online locator service
Summary

Tool for finding business locations

Results from a query of a selected location using walmart.com's store finder

An online locator service (also known as location finder, store finder, or store locator, or similar) is a feature found on websites of businesses with multiple locations that allows visitors to the site to find locations of the business within proximity of an address or postal code or within a selected region. Types of businesses that often have this feature include chain retailers, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses that can be found in multiple metropolitan areas.

The locator also provides important information about each location, including its address, phone number, hours of operation, services provided, and sometimes directions to the location. On many sites, searches can be narrowed to locations providing certain services not provided at all locations (e.g. 24-hour operation, handicap accessibility, pharmacies).

Location finders often operate in conjunction with a well-known online map service, such as Google Maps, MapQuest, or Bing Maps, allowing the user to see on a map where the particular location is found on a map.

Software

Store locators use locator software in order to allow visitors to find nearby stores and business locations. In a common form, a visitor inputs a ZIP code and the locator returns all locations in a database within a specified radius. It is often used in conjunction with mapping/driving direction software on brick and click corporate websites to help customers locate a physical business location.

Some online locators determine user location from the user's IP address, rather than asking a user to input his or her location. The company utilizes IP geolocation software from Digital Element to power the “My Local Ace” section of its website. Based on a site visitor’s location, the website can show the visitor how many stores are in their area, as well as a city-level locator map to help the customer find the store closest to their address.

Create a beautiful Store Locator widget only using Google Sheets and zero coding effort. Add a fully interactive map to websites by copy-paste method. Store Locator app works on WordPress, Shopify, Wix, Squarespace and more

References

References

  1. 0-9752186-0-3, p. 183
  2. [https://books.google.com/books?id=hhIEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22store+locator%22&pg=PA36 Network World]. June 17, 1991.
  3. [https://books.google.com/books?id=VA8AAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22store+locator%22&pg=RA1-PA120 Log Home Design], November 2000
  4. "Network World".
  5. [http://www.gsicommerce.com/assets/docs/pdf/generic/CSA-AceHardware-Nov08.pdf Chain Store Age, “Making it Personal”, November, 2008]
Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

retail-processes-and-techniques digital-marketing geographic-position
Want to explore this topic further?

Ask Mako anything about Online locator service — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.

Research with Mako

Free with your Surf account

Content sourced from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.

Report