4 Tips to Optimise your Store Finder this Black Friday
With Black Friday fast approaching, your store finder can be more than just a navigation tool, it can become a powerful driver of foot traffic and sales during one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Shoppers are eager to find deals in-store, and with 71% of customers typically spending more in-store than online, optimising your store locator can have a direct impact on your Black Friday success. 70% of in-store shoppers are more likely to exchange items rather than return them, making the in-store experience critical to retaining revenue.
To help you get the most out of your store finder this Black Friday, we’ve outlined four essential tips to attract more visitors, boost engagement, and ultimately increase sales.
1. Focus on your brand and customer experience
One of the keys to a successful Black Friday is providing a seamless and efficient customer journey, and your store locator should be no different. Rather than treating it as a standalone feature, ensure it integrates smoothly with your overall website experience.
Use technologies that pull the customer’s location directly from their browser or enable type-ahead functionality to reduce friction and get shoppers to the right store faster.
Custom styling to keep your brand front and centre is also crucial. Avoid generic, competitor laden maps, and instead opt for branded maps that keep the customer focused on your offerings. Consider displaying stock availability next to each store listing. Black Friday shoppers want to know if the items they're seeking are in stock, by offering this information upfront, you can increase in-store visits and reduce customer frustration.
2. Don’t overlook SEO
On Black Friday, customers are often frantically searching for nearby stores and the best deals. Optimising your store listings for SEO can make it easier for them to find you. Ensure each of your store locations has a dedicated, unique URL that can be linked from your store finder.
These individual pages help search engines deliver accurate, local results to customers searching for nearby stores. Make sure each page contains vital information like store addresses, operating hours, and stock availability. By improving your store finder’s SEO, you’ll not only boost visibility but also make it easier for customers to find relevant information quickly.
3. Prioritise convenience
Black Friday is a high-stress shopping day, and convenience is king. Your store finder must provide accurate information quickly to avoid frustrating potential customers. Many store finders rely on straight-line distance calculations, but this method can be inaccurate in real-world conditions. For example, a store that appears closer on the map might actually be harder to reach due to traffic, road closures, or geographical obstacles.
Instead, use road-based distance calculations that account for actual travel time. This ensures that the store you suggest is truly the most convenient for customers, helping them navigate the chaos of Black Friday with confidence.
4. Budget wisely for your store finder
With the rush of Black Friday, ensuring your store finder is equipped to handle high traffic is crucial. Partner with a technology provider that offers scalable, predictable pricing so you can budget effectively. Avoid complex or hidden costs that could surprise you during peak periods like Black Friday, when the stakes are high! You need a solution that aligns with your technical and financial goals to manage increased customer demand without breaking the bank.
A well-optimised store finder can be a game-changer during Black Friday. By enhancing the customer journey, improving your store locator’s SEO, centering customer convenience, and selecting a scalable solution, you can maximise in-store traffic and sales during this key retail event. Don’t miss the opportunity to turn your store locator into a valuable asset this Black Friday and beyond. Try Loqate’s Store Finder today.
