What is Geo Search?
Geo search, also known as local search or location-based search, is commonly used to receive results that are tailored to their location.
By using websites like Google or Yelp, a user can use location-based search to identify nearby shops or services. As an alternative, online merchants can enable geo search on their websites or apps to let users locate appropriate results based on their location.
Many businesses gain from giving customers location-specific results, including retail, restaurants, social media, search engines, and websites for entertainment, banking, and personal care.
What makes Geo Search important for eCommerce?
Location-based search has evolved into a user expectation as a result of the widespread use of services like Google Maps, Apple Maps, and others for effortlessly locating objects.
Additionally, consumers frequently start their online buying from mobile devices. They then proceed to make purchases in actual brick-and-mortar stores after using the phone as a browsing tool. People utilize geo search for research to take action in person for additional use cases as well.
Here is some strong evidence for the connection between mobile use and Geo Search that comes from Google’s research:
- 95% of smartphone users looked for results from local searches.
- 61% of users called the company and 59% went there.
- 26% of people made purchases online, while 36% did so in person.
- Within a day of their searches, 88% of these consumers took action.
- 88% of these users took action within a day of searching
You need geo search if your company has both a physical location and an online presence. Customers want to know what goods and services are nearby and easily accessible, and geo search connects your online and offline presence.
If your website doesn’t offer this, you are losing out on a wonderful opportunity to attract customers.
Examples of using Geo Search
ZARA
ZARA uses geo-targeting to show local currencies and languages based on the location of the store visitors. They also have a feature called “Find in Store” that allows visitors to search for products available in physical stores near them.
Healthy Paws Herbal Lab
With the power of Google API, the Healthy Paws Herbal Lab allows customers to locate different stores across the USA. When customers look for a Lab near them, they just need to enter their ZIP code and then the search results will pull the nearest locations from the Google database.
Best practices to implement Geo Search on your store
Establish and improve your omnichannel strategy
Innovative businesses understand the value of connecting and integrating the customer experience across many channels and places, including websites, apps, and physical storefronts where customers can interact with the brand.
The goal of a thorough omnichannel retail strategy is to create a unified experience, and Geo Search is an excellent tool for bridging these many platforms.
This could include but is not limited to, letting online shoppers look for things at stores close by for an e-commerce merchant. Only your imagination and expertise can constrain how you may integrate geo search into your omnichannel strategy.
The better the experience you can deliver, the better understanding you have of your users’ preferred methods of shopping and what you can add to enhance their experience. Their interaction with your brand is strengthened and increased by providing location-based results.
Provide prompt, accurate findings in real-time
Real-time data is crucial for some business models, whether they include renting out bicycles and scooters, delivering food, picking up and returning rental cars, or anything else.
Businesses must be able to track valuable assets, and customers must have access to relevant and accurate geo data to determine where to find what they need.
Companies like car rental businesses frequently struggle to update and manage databases of vehicle location information. This entire procedure can be flawless with a geo search tool that is a component of a powerful search engine.
Customers and businesses may search with speed and agility that keeps processes operating smoothly, and data updated promptly.
Use Shopify store locator or built-in map
you can use a Shopify store locator app to help customers find the nearest store. Or, you can also use Shopify’s built-in map feature to make it easy for customers to find products and stores near them.
