Create a Custom Store Locator for Your Wix Website

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What is a Custom Store Locator?
3. Benefits of Using a Custom Store Locator
4. Setting Up a Custom Store Locator with Atlas Maps
   • Signing up for Atlas Maps
   • Creating a Map
   • Adding Locations
   • Importing Locations from CSV
   • Organizing Locations into Groups
5. Styling and Customizing Your Store Locator
   • Changing Colors, Shapes, and Sizes
   • Choosing Custom Markers
   • Modifying Modals and Information Displayed
   • Adjusting Map Themes
6. Controlling Map Features and Functions
   • Gesture Handling and Zoom Options
   • Enabling Controls like Full Screen and Street View
   • Displaying Current Location
   • Adding Directions Button
7. Publishing and Embedding Your Custom Store Locator
8. Using the Custom Store Locator on Your Wix Website
9. Conclusion

How to Add a Custom Store Locator to Your Wix Website

Are you a business with multiple locations? Do you want to make it easy for your customers to find the nearest store to them? Adding a custom store locator to your Wix website can solve this problem. In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up a custom store locator using Atlas Maps. With this service, not only can you customize the appearance of your store locator, but your users can also search for specific locations and even enable their current location to find the nearest store to them.

Introduction

In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is vital for businesses. Customers often turn to the internet to find information about products or services and locate the nearest store. This is where a custom store locator comes in handy. It allows you to provide a tool on your website that enables users to easily find your various locations.

What is a Custom Store Locator?

A custom store locator is a feature on a website that allows users to search for store locations based on their current location or specified criteria. It provides users with a map, markers for each store, and additional information such as addresses, contact details, and images. As the website owner, you have the flexibility to customize the appearance and functionality of the store locator to match your brand and meet your specific business needs.

Benefits of Using a Custom Store Locator

Adding a custom store locator to your Wix website offers several benefits for both you and your customers:

1. Enhanced user experience: A store locator makes it easy for your customers to find the closest store to them, improving their overall user experience on your website.
2. Increased foot traffic: By providing users with a convenient way to locate your stores, you are more likely to attract customers to visit your physical locations, leading to increased foot traffic and potential sales.
3. Saves time and effort: Rather than manually searching for store locations or calling your business to ask for directions, customers can quickly find the information they need online.
4. Customization options: With a custom store locator, you have control over the appearance, style, and information displayed. You can incorporate your branding elements and make the store locator an integral part of your website design.
5. Analytics and insights: Many custom store locator tools provide analytics and reporting features that allow you to track user interactions, analyze popular search locations, and gain insights into customer behaviors.
6. Scalability: If your business has multiple locations, a custom store locator is a scalable solution that can handle a large number of stores and efficiently display them to the users.

The benefits of using a custom store locator are clear. So let's dive into the step-by-step process of setting one up using Atlas Maps on your Wix website.

Setting Up a Custom Store Locator with Atlas Maps

To get started with creating your custom store locator, follow these steps:

1. Signing up for Atlas Maps

Before you can begin creating your store locator, you'll need to sign up for Atlas Maps. Visit the Atlas Maps website and sign up using the link provided in the description. Once signed up, you will be directed to the map creation page.

2. Creating a Map

The first step is to rename your map to reflect the purpose of your store locator. Choose a name that is easy to remember and relevant to your business or brand. For example, if you have a chain of burger restaurants, you could name it "Burger Shack Locations."

3. Adding Locations

Now that your map is named, you can start adding your store locations. Simply enter the address of each location manually, and Atlas Maps will automatically find and mark the location on the map. This process can be time-consuming if you have many locations. Alternatively, you can import a CSV file with all your locations at once. Atlas Maps will parse the file and add the locations to your map.

4. Importing Locations from CSV

If you have a large number of locations, manually adding them one by one can be impractical. Fortunately, Atlas Maps allows you to import locations from a CSV file. Prepare a CSV file with columns for address, city, state, and any additional information you want to include. Then, click on "Import" in Atlas Maps and select the CSV file. The system will process the file and add all the locations to your map automatically.

5. Organizing Locations into Groups

If you have a significant number of locations spread across different cities or regions, it's helpful to organize them into groups. This allows users to filter locations based on specific criteria. To create a group, click on the "Add" button and select "Create Group." Name the group (e.g., Toronto) and drag the corresponding locations into that group. This feature is particularly useful for businesses with multiple locations across different regions.

Congratulations! You have now added all the necessary locations to your custom store locator. In the next section, we will explore how to style and customize the appearance of your store locator to match your brand and website design.

Styling and Customizing Your Store Locator

One of the advantages of using Atlas Maps for your custom store locator is the ability to personalize its appearance and style. Follow these steps to customize your store locator:

Changing Colors, Shapes, and Sizes

To match your store locator with your brand colors or website theme, you can easily change the colors, shapes, and sizes of the markers on the map. Atlas Maps provides a user-friendly interface that allows you to modify these aspects without any coding knowledge. Simply select the marker you want to change and adjust its color, shape, size, and border thickness.

Choosing Custom Markers

As part of the customization process, you can select custom icons or markers for your store locations. Instead of using the default markers provided by Atlas Maps, you can integrate your own designs or choose from a library of icons. This adds a unique touch to your store locator and helps users identify your brand quickly.

Modifying Modals and Information Displayed

When a user clicks on a marker, a modal window appears with additional information about the store location. Atlas Maps allows you to customize the content and appearance of this modal. You can include images, the store's name, address, hours of operation, contact details, and any other relevant information. By providing comprehensive details, you ensure that users have all the necessary information at their fingertips.

Adjusting Map Themes

To further customize the look and feel of your store locator, you can modify the map theme. Atlas Maps offers a range of pre-designed themes to choose from. Alternatively, if you have a specific map style in mind, you can use external resources like Snazzy Maps to find and copy custom map styles. This allows you to create a store locator that seamlessly integrates with your overall website design.

Now that you have styled and customized your store locator, it's time to explore the various controls and functionalities available to enhance the user experience. Let's continue with the next section.

Controlling Map Features and Functions

Atlas Maps provides several features and controls that allow you to fine-tune the behavior and functionality of your store locator. Here are some options you can explore:

Gesture Handling and Zoom Options

With gesture handling controls, you can set the behavior of the map when users interact with it. Whether you want to allow zooming, panning, or both, you can configure these settings to create the desired user experience.

Enabling Controls like Full Screen and Street View

To enhance usability, you can choose to include additional controls such as full-screen mode or street view. These options provide users with a more immersive experience and make it easier for them to explore the surroundings of your store locations.

Displaying Current Location

Atlas Maps allows you to display the user's current location on the map. By enabling this feature, users can see their own location in relation to the store markers. This is particularly useful for users on mobile devices who want to find the nearest store quickly.

Adding Directions Button

To make it even easier for users to find their way to a specific store, you can add a directions button to the modal window. When clicked, this button opens a separate tab or window with directions to the selected store location. This feature eliminates the need for users to navigate away from your website to get directions.

Now that you have customized the behavior and controls of your store locator, it's time to publish and embed it on your Wix website. Proceed to the next section for the final steps.

Publishing and Embedding Your Custom Store Locator

Once you are satisfied with the design and settings of your store locator, it's time to publish it and generate the necessary embed code. Atlas Maps provides an embed code that you can insert into your Wix website to display the store locator.

To publish your store locator, access the publishing options on Atlas Maps. Here, you will see a preview of how the store locator will look on your website. You can also choose to enable a sidebar in the preview, which allows users to search for specific locations. Once you are happy with the preview, copy the embed code provided by Atlas Maps.

To add the store locator to your Wix website, navigate to the desired page where you want to display it. Add an embed element to the page and paste the embed code into it. Adjust the dimensions of the embed element to fit the store locator's size. Preview the page to ensure the store locator displays correctly.

Congratulations! You have successfully added a custom store locator to your Wix website. Next, let's explore how your visitors can use the store locator on your website and the benefits it provides.

Using the Custom Store Locator on Your Wix Website

With the custom store locator now embedded on your Wix website, your visitors can easily locate your stores. They can search for specific locations, filter results based on groups, or enable their current location to find the nearest store.

When a user interacts with the store locator, they can click on a marker to view additional details and images of the store. They can also get directions to the selected store if you have enabled that feature. The store locator provides a seamless and user-friendly experience, improving customer satisfaction and engagement with your business.

Conclusion

Adding a custom store locator to your Wix website is a powerful tool that enhances the user experience and makes it easy for your customers to find your store locations. With Atlas Maps, you can customize the appearance, style, and functionality of the store locator to match your brand and meet your specific business needs. Take advantage of the features and controls available to create a store locator that stands out and makes a positive impression on your website visitors.

By implementing a custom store locator, you increase foot traffic, save time and effort for your customers, and provide a convenient solution for finding your various store locations. It's an essential tool for businesses with multiple locations and a must-have for improving the online presence of your brand.

So why wait? Get started with adding a dynamic and customizable custom store locator to your Wix website today!

Highlights

• Easily add a custom store locator to your Wix website using Atlas Maps.
• Customize the appearance, style, and functionality of the store locator to match your branding.
• Users can search for specific locations, filter results, and enable their current location to find the nearest store.
• Improve user experience, increase foot traffic, and save time for your customers.
• Embed the store locator on your Wix website to provide a seamless and engaging experience.

FAQ

Q: How many locations can I add to my custom store locator? A: Atlas Maps allows you to add as many store locations as you need, making it suitable for businesses with a handful of locations or those with hundreds of stores.

Q: Can I import locations into Atlas Maps from a spreadsheet? A: Yes, Atlas Maps provides an option to import locations from a CSV file. Simply prepare the file with the required information, and Atlas Maps will automatically add the locations to your store locator.

Q: Can I customize the appearance of the markers and modals in my store locator? A: Absolutely! You have full control over the colors, shapes, sizes, and markers used in your store locator. You can also customize the modals to display additional information about each store.

Q: Does the store locator work on mobile devices? A: Yes, the store locator created with Atlas Maps is fully responsive and works seamlessly on mobile devices. Users can easily find the nearest store while on the go.

Q: Can I track how users interact with the store locator? A: Atlas Maps provides analytics and reporting features that allow you to track user interactions, popular search locations, and other valuable insights. This information helps you understand user behaviors and make data-driven decisions.

Q: Does Atlas Maps offer support if I encounter any issues or need assistance? A: Yes, Atlas Maps offers support to its customers. If you have any questions or need assistance with setting up or customizing your store locator, you can reach out to their support team for help.