The quickest working route is a free Google map when you have a few pins, and an embed code from a dedicated locator when visitors need to search. With StoreRocket you create your locator, import a spreadsheet, match the design and paste one embed code into a page, the way you would add a video.
A custom build makes sense when the locator is part of your core product. This guide shows all three routes, then gives the placement steps for Shopify, WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, Webflow and other site builders. We make StoreRocket, so weigh our view with that in mind.
Related: How to put multiple locations on Google Maps | Store locator examples | Google Maps API alternatives
The short answer
A free map or app is enough when
- You have a short list of locations that rarely changes.
- Visitors only need to see where you are, not search by address or filter.
- One embedded Google map with a pin for each place does the job.
- Whoever updates the page is comfortable editing it by hand.
Use StoreRocket when
- Visitors need to search by address or postcode and see the nearest location first.
- The people who update locations are not developers.
- You want filters, opening hours and a phone layout that already work, styled to match your site.
- You want the mapping layer maintained for you as your list of locations grows.
Only a few locations and no budget? You may not need a store locator at all. A free embedded map with a pin for each location is fine when the list is short, rarely changes and visitors only need to see where you are. Our guide to free store locator options compares them.
What a Store Locator Should Do
Before choosing a method, know what a good store locator actually includes:
| Feature | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Search by zip/city | Visitors find the nearest store |
| Auto-detect location | Mobile users get results without typing |
| Custom filters | Filter by services, products or features |
| Directions button | One-tap navigation, opening the destination in Google Maps |
| Store details | Hours, phone, address, photos for each location |
| Mobile responsive | Search and directions stay usable on smaller screens |
| Fast loading | A locator that loads quickly stays usable on a phone |
| Analytics | See where people search and which locations get clicks |
| Easy updates | Add or edit locations without touching code |
A map with pins may be enough for simple use cases. A searchable locator adds the tools visitors need to find a relevant location.
Method 1: Google My Maps (Free, Limited)
The simplest approach: create a custom map on Google My Maps, add your locations, and embed the iframe on your website.
How to do it:
- Go to google.com/maps/d and create a new map
- Add locations by searching addresses or importing a CSV/Google Sheet
- Click Share, make the map public
- Click the three-dot menu, select "Embed on my site"
- Paste the iframe code into your website
What you get: Pins on a map that visitors can click. For a short list that rarely changes, this is enough.
For the full comparison, see our guide to putting multiple locations on Google Maps.
Method 2: Build It Yourself (Google Maps API)
You can build a custom store locator using the Google Maps JavaScript API. You get full control over every pixel, but you also get full responsibility for every line of code.
What you'll need:
- A developer who knows JavaScript
- A Google Cloud Platform account with Maps JavaScript API, Geocoding API, and Places API enabled
- A backend/database to store your locations
- An admin interface to manage locations
- Custom code for search, filters, directions, and mobile layout
- Ongoing maintenance as Google updates their APIs and pricing
A custom build needs the parts above plus address search with suggestions, a geocoded location list, a phone layout and someone to fix it when the map library or your list of locations changes. See how to build a store locator with AI for the parts and the checks.
API cost: Google Dynamic Maps costs $7 per 1,000 loads and Geocoding costs $5 per 1,000 requests in their first paid bands after each SKU's free monthly allowance.
When this makes sense: If you're building a platform where the store locator is the core product, you have unique requirements no existing tool handles, and you have a development team ready to build and maintain it.
You can also build this route with an AI coding tool. Build a store locator with AI, or use StoreRocket? compares what you'd still own after launch.
Method 3: Dedicated Store Locator Software (Recommended)
Dedicated store locator tools provide the map interface, search, filters, location management, analytics, hosting, and the embed code. You add your locations, paste one snippet on your website and, after any free trial, connect your own map-provider key.
How It Works (Using StoreRocket as an Example)
Step 1: Import your locations
Upload a CSV or Excel file with your location data, address, phone, hours, categories, and any custom fields. The import places each address on the map for you (rows that already have latitude and longitude keep them), and in the dashboard it shows what will change before you publish. For ongoing Google Sheets sync (depends on the plan), create a linked spreadsheet in StoreRocket and edit that sheet. The Google Sheets setup guide explains automatic daily sync and the manual Sync from Sheets action.
You can also add locations manually through the dashboard or use the REST API (depends on the plan) for your own integration.
Step 2: Customize the design
Set the brand colors, choose a marker, and configure which filters and fields appear. A custom Google Maps or Mapbox style depends on the plan. The locator should look like it belongs on your website, not like a third-party widget bolted on.
Step 3: Configure search and filters
Set the default search radius, enable auto-location detection, add custom filters (e.g., "Services," "Products carried," "Wheelchair accessible"), and configure how results are sorted and displayed.
Step 4: Embed on your website
Copy the embed code shown on your StoreRocket Install page. It already carries your account ID, so paste it exactly as copied. Paste it into any page on your website.
The same embed works on Shopify, WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, Webflow, and other websites that accept JavaScript embeds.
Step 5: Monitor performance
On plans with analytics (see current plans), the dashboard reports locator views, the searches visitors made, click totals by location, and a geographic search heatmap.
What You Get vs. What You Build
| Feature | DIY (Google Maps API) | Store Locator Software |
|---|---|---|
| Search by zip/city | You build it | Built-in |
| Auto-detect location | You build it | Built-in |
| Custom filters | You build it | Built-in |
| One-tap directions | You build it | Built-in |
| Analytics and search heatmap | You wire it up | Depends on the plan |
| Phone layout | You code it | Built-in |
| Location management | You build admin panel | Dashboard |
| Bulk import (CSV) | You build importer | Built-in |
| Google Sheets sync | You build integration | Depends on the plan |
| Custom branding | You style it | Design controls and custom CSS |
| Ongoing maintenance | You handle it | Managed for you |
Platform-Specific Instructions
Adding a Store Locator to Shopify
StoreRocket has a Shopify app. Install it from the Shopify App Store and it creates a Store Locator page for you; then add or import your locations and customize the locator in StoreRocket.
You can also use the standard embed on an existing Shopify page or custom Liquid section.
For the complete Shopify guide, see our Shopify store locator page.
Adding a Store Locator to WordPress
WordPress offers the most flexibility:
Option A: Page embed (simplest)
- Create a new page in WordPress
- Add a Custom HTML block (Gutenberg) or switch to the Text editor (Classic)
- Paste the embed code
- Publish
Option B: Template embed (for developers) Add the embed code directly to any PHP template file where you want the locator to appear.
A free StoreRocket plugin on WordPress.org also adds the locator with a block or a shortcode, and the embed code works without it.
For the complete WordPress guide, see our WordPress store locator page.
Adding a Store Locator to Squarespace
- In the Squarespace editor, navigate to the page where you want the locator
- Add a Code Block (Insert Point > Code)
- Paste the embed code into the code block
- Save and publish
Plan note: Squarespace runs JavaScript in Code Blocks only on some plans. If the locator does not load, check Squarespace's plan details.
For the complete Squarespace guide, see our Squarespace store locator page.
Adding a Store Locator to Wix
- In the Wix Editor, click Add Elements, choose Embed Code, then Embed HTML
- Paste the embed code
- Resize the embed element to fill the content area
- Publish
For the complete Wix guide, see our Wix store locator page.
Adding a Store Locator to Webflow
- In the Webflow Designer, add a Code Embed element to your page
- Paste the embed code into the embed element
- Publish
Webflow's Code Embed element accepts HTML, CSS, and JavaScript on an eligible Workspace or Site plan. Verify the published page because scripts do not always run inside the Designer preview.
For the complete Webflow guide, see our Webflow store locator page.
Adding a Store Locator to Any Other Website
If your website supports custom HTML, you can add a store locator:
- Navigate to the page where you want the locator
- Open the HTML editor for that page
- Paste the embed code
- Save
The same pattern works on GoDaddy, Weebly, Drupal, Joomla, Magento, BigCommerce, custom-coded sites, and other platforms that accept JavaScript embeds.
What to Look For in a Store Locator
Must-Have Features
- Search with autocomplete. Visitors type a zip code or city and get suggestions as they type
- Auto-detect location. Uses the visitor's device location (with permission) to show nearby stores automatically
- Directions. One-tap directions, opening the destination in Google Maps
- Mobile responsive. Search, results, and directions stay usable on smaller screens
- Loading performance. Test the locator on representative devices and connections
- Easy location management. Add, edit, and delete locations without touching code
Useful Additions
- Custom filters. Let visitors filter by services, products, amenities, or any custom attribute
- Analytics and a search heatmap. On the plans that include it, see what visitors searched for and where
- Bulk import and Google Sheets sync. CSV import is built in; Sheets sync depends on the plan
- Lead capture. On the plans that include it, the locator can ask for the visitor's email when a search finds no nearby location
- Custom branding. Match your website's look and feel, not a generic widget
- Multi-language support. On the plans that include it, the locator's own text shows in each visitor's language (your location details stay as you write them)
- Location-page strategy. Treat crawlable pages for individual locations as a separate SEO project
Red Flags
- No measurement plan. Decide whether built-in locator analytics or your existing site analytics will answer the questions you care about.
- No search functionality. A map with pins suits a short list. Once visitors need the nearest of many locations, it needs search by address.
- Unclear limits. You should know which plan covers your location count and features before publishing.
Store Locator Pricing Comparison
| Method | Published Cost Model |
|---|---|
| Google My Maps | Free |
| Google Maps API (DIY) | Usage-based by SKU |
| WordPress plugin | Varies by plugin |
| Dedicated store locator | Varies by provider |
The API route requires development and usage-based billing. Plugins and dedicated store locator services publish their own pricing and plan limits.
After you install
Once the code is on your site, locations change in the StoreRocket dashboard and the locator updates itself. StoreRocket maintains the hosted locator and delivers updates through the embed already on your site.
StoreRocket gives businesses with several locations a store locator for their own website: import your locations from a spreadsheet, match it to your brand and paste one embed code. Create your locator with a free trial, no credit card needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a store locator cost?
Dedicated store locator software pricing varies by provider, features, and location count. StoreRocket's plans depend on your location count and the features you need (see pricing), and after the free trial you also pay your own Google Maps or Mapbox account directly. A custom solution carries development, maintenance, and map-provider usage costs.
Do I need a developer to add a store locator to my website?
Not for a standard embed. Dedicated tools like StoreRocket generate code that you paste into a page that accepts JavaScript embeds. You need a developer for a custom solution built from scratch with the Google Maps API or Mapbox.
Which map provider should I use for my store locator?
For most businesses, a dedicated store locator handles the map integration while you connect a provider key. During the free trial StoreRocket supplies the map. After you subscribe, you connect your own Google Maps or Mapbox key and pay that provider directly. The best provider depends on the exact APIs, traffic, geography, and styling you need.
Can I customize the design of my store locator?
Yes. Dedicated store locator software lets you match your brand colors, choose marker styles, configure filters, and control the layout without writing CSS. Custom API builds offer unlimited design control but require a developer to implement and maintain every visual change.
How do I import my locations into a store locator?
If your chosen platform supports CSV uploads or Google Sheets sync, prepare each location's name, address, phone number, and hours. Platforms that geocode imported addresses do not require latitude and longitude data in the source file.
Can a store locator help with SEO?
A fast locator page that is linked from your navigation gives search engines a clear page to find. Individual location pages are a separate SEO strategy and should contain genuinely useful, location-specific content.
Getting Started
- Decide your method. A dedicated store locator avoids building and maintaining the mapping interface yourself.
- Gather your location data. At minimum: store name, address, phone, and hours. Bonus: categories, services, photos, and custom attributes.
- Import and customize. Upload your data, set your brand colors, configure filters.
- Embed on your site. Paste the embed code on your "Find a Store" page.
- Tell customers about it. Link to your store locator from navigation, emails, social media, and ad campaigns.