Google Store Locator Plus Launched
The Google Store Locator allows you to add a simple, easy-to-use store locator to your website in minutes via the Google Cloud, no coding needed.
The Google Store Locator Plus is Google’s own solution for building a fast, accurate, and scalable store locator using Google Maps and Google Business Profile data. It allows businesses to add a fully functional, customisable store locator to their website within minutes, without the need for custom development.
Because it pulls location data directly from Google Business Profile, your store locator always stays in sync with your live listings. Opening hours, addresses, phone numbers, and other updates made in Google are automatically reflected on your website.
For brands managing multiple locations, this creates a direct bridge between Google Search, Google Maps, and on-site conversions.
To implement the locator, enabling APIs like Maps JavaScript API, Places API, Geocoding API, Distance Matrix API, and Directions API is necessary. With the Locator Plus implementation guide, businesses can customise their maps to display location details, provide Place Details for informed decision-making, show locations from a 45-degree view, identify user locations with type-as-you-go functionality, and calculate travel time and distance to nearest locations.
What is Google Store Locator Plus?
Google Store Locator Plus is a Google Cloud solution that allows businesses to create interactive, location-based maps for websites and apps using official Google Maps infrastructure. We have an example of what Google Store Locator Plus looks like.
At its core, it connects directly to:
- Google Maps Platform
- Google Business Profile locations
- Google Places & Directions data
This ensures your locator always displays accurate, real-time information, without manual updates or third-party scraping.
Key capabilities include:
- Interactive map with location search
- “Near me” and type-ahead address search
- Distance and travel-time calculation
- Directions via Google Maps
- Street View integration
- Appointment links and calls
- Analytics and benchmarking
Benefits of Google Store Locator Plus
Accurate by Design: Your locator pulls directly from Google Business Profile, ensuring consistent and up-to-date location data across all touchpoints.
Increased Foot Traffic: Customers can quickly find the nearest location and get directions in one click, removing barriers to physical visits.
Brand Trust & Visibility: Using Google’s native mapping infrastructure reinforces credibility and improves user confidence.
Scales with Your Business: Whether you manage 10 locations or 10,000, the locator updates automatically as locations are added or edited.
Built-In Analytics: Track views, interactions, calls, direction requests, and benchmark performance against similar businesses.
Store Locator Solutions: How Google Compares
1 - Google Store Locator Plus
Best for: Businesses already invested in Google Business Profile
Pros: Native Google data & Maps, extensive functionality, accurate location data, integration with Google services, lower setup complexity, and still evolving feature set.
Cons: High costs for large-scale usage and privacy concerns.
2 - Yext
Best for: Enterprises managing listings across many platforms
Pros: Comprehensive platform for managing location data, and integration with multiple platforms.
Cons: Relatively high costs, limited customisation options.
3 - Mapbox
Best for: Highly customised, developer-led projects
Pros: Flexible tools for creating custom maps, full control. and open-source options.
Cons: Technical skills required for implementation, potentially higher costs for large-scale usage.
Store Locator Pricing
Popular Choices for Different Business Sizes
- Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs): For smaller businesses, a simple, user-friendly store locator is often the best choice. Google Maps Platform offers a free solution suitable for most SMBs.
- Large Businesses: Larger businesses might need a more robust store locator with more features. Yext is a good option for large companies needing a comprehensive solution for managing location data.
- Enterprises: Enterprises have the most demanding store locator needs. They may require a custom solution that integrates with their existing systems.
Managing Risk and Data Accuracy
One important consideration is that Store Locator Plus mirrors Google Business Profile updates automatically. While this ensures accuracy, it also means that incorrect edits or competitor-suggested changes can quickly appear on your website.
For this reason, we strongly recommend monitoring Google updates closely and putting governance processes in place. At GMBapi.com, we help businesses track changes, manage access, and reduce the risk of unwanted edits across large location sets.
Why Store Locators Matter More Than Ever
Search behaviour has shifted heavily towards local, intent-driven queries. Users expect to find a nearby location, confirm that it’s open, and get directions instantly. A store locator plays a key role in converting these high-intent searches into physical visits.
We have an example of the Google Store Locator live here.
A well-designed Google store locator builds brand trust by providing accurate, up-to-date information, making it easier for customers to move from search to visit. For brands with multiple locations, it acts as a seamless link between Google Search, Maps, and your website.
There are some nice visuals here. If you’re unsure whether this solution fits your needs, feel free to reach out. We’re happy to help set it up for a test run.
Setting Up Google Store Locator Plus
Google Store Locator Plus is set up through the Google Cloud Platform and requires only minimal technical knowledge.
After creating a Google Cloud project, you can access the Store Locator Plus solution directly from the Google Maps Platform Solution Library.
This launches a guided three-step setup process.
In the first step, you select a locator design based on the functionality you want to offer your users.
The second step allows you to import your Google Business Profile locations directly into Store Locator Plus, ensuring all locations and details are sourced from verified data.
In the third and final step, you choose how the locator will be exported for use on your website. For most businesses, exporting the code to Google Cloud Storage for iframe embedding is the simplest and most flexible option.
After completing these steps, a confirmation screen appears where you define a name for the locator and select the API key used for authentication. If you choose a generated API key, it is important to apply appropriate restrictions to prevent unauthorised usage.
Embedding Store Locator Widget on Your Website
Once generated, the Store Locator Plus widget can be embedded into any webpage using an iframe<>. This approach works well across most CMS platforms, including WordPress.
Because the locator is hosted by Google, ongoing maintenance is minimal, and updates to your business data are handled automatically through Google Business Profile.
Google Store Locator Analytics and Insights
After launch, Store Locator Plus provides access to engagement analytics that show how users interact with your locator. This includes impressions, address views, phone calls, direction requests, and appointment actions. The most important insights can be found under the “locator engagement” tab:
The “engagement rate” is detailed through a “views metric,” which includes the number of impressions on the Store Locator and various “interactions.” Currently, these interactions primarily involve the number of times your address is viewed, phone calls made to your store, navigation requests initiated, or appointments scheduled through the store locator. While gaining insights into these metrics is beneficial, this concept is not entirely new.
A benchmarking feature allows you to compare performance against similar businesses using Store Locator Plus. While optional, enabling benchmarks provides valuable context on how your locator performs relative to others in your industry.
API usage and associated costs can be reviewed directly within your Google Cloud billing account.
Need help setting up the Store Locator?
Expert Setup and support from GMBapi.com
Using us to set up Google Store Locator Plus can be beneficial for several reasons:
- Expertise: We have extensive experience setting up Google Store Locator Plus for various businesses. We understand the intricacies of the tool, including its features, customisation options, and integration with other systems. This expertise can ensure that the locator is set up correctly and optimised for your specific needs.
- Efficiency: While setting up Google Store Locator Plus may seem straightforward, it can be time-consuming, especially if you’re not familiar with the process. We can efficiently configure the locator, saving you time and allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business.
- Customisation: Google Store Locator Plus offers various customisation options to match your brand and requirements. We can help tailor the locator to align with your branding guidelines and integrate seamlessly with your website or app.
- Optimisation: Beyond basic setup, optimising the locator for performance and user experience is crucial. We can optimise factors such as search functionality, map display, and mobile responsiveness to ensure that users can easily find your locations.
- Troubleshooting and Support: In case of any issues or technical challenges, having a specialist like GMBapi.com on hand can be invaluable. They can quickly identify and resolve problems, minimising downtime and ensuring that your locator functions smoothly.
Overall, while it’s possible to set up Google Store Locator Plus on your own, utilising a specialist can streamline the process, enhance functionality, and provide ongoing support for optimal performance.
Do you need help with the set-up, or do you have any questions about the store locator? Please contact us.
FAQ About Google Store Locator
Google Store Locator is a tool that allows businesses to create interactive maps displaying their store locations on their websites or their apps. It utilises Google Maps APIs, including the Maps JavaScript API, Places API, and Geocoding API, to provide features such as location search, navigation, and business details.
- Increased brand awareness – Customers searching for stores become more familiar with your brand.
- Higher foot traffic – Helps customers find the nearest location.
- Targeted marketing – Enables localised marketing strategies.
- Improved customer service – Displays contact details, opening hours, and store information.
- Increased sales – Easier store discovery leads to more visits and higher revenue.
The cost depends on API usage. While the Google Maps Platform offers a free tier, businesses with high traffic may need to pay between $0 and $100 per month based on the number of requests and features used. There are ways to keep costs under control, for example by not automatically loading the interactive map every time a page is opened.
If your business uses Google Business Profile, location data can be automatically imported into Store Locator Plus. However, businesses should monitor changes, as Google updates may sometimes be inaccurate or influenced by competitors. Our software makes that monitoring of Google Updates simple and straightforward.
Yes, a Google Map Store Locator can impact a website’s SEO by improving local search rankings, enhancing user experience, increasing engagement, and boosting click-through rates. Properly implemented store locators with unique URLs, structured data markup (LocalBusiness schema), and optimised local content can help search engines index individual store pages, making them more discoverable. However, if the locator is embedded using JavaScript or an iframe without proper indexable pages, it may not contribute to SEO. Additionally, issues like duplicate content, slow page speeds due to API calls, and reliance on Google Business Profile updates can pose risks. To maximise SEO benefits, businesses should ensure each store has a dedicated page with unique content, optimise metadata, use internal linking, and follow best practices for structured data and page speed.
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