How to Get Listed on Store Locators

If you’re a retailer, being listed on store locators is one of the most effective (and often overlooked) ways to increase visibility, drive foot traffic, and make sure customers can actually find you when they’re ready to buy.

Today’s shoppers rarely start with a specific store in mind, they start with a search like “smoke shop near me” or “where to buy candles locally.” Store locators help connect that intent to your storefront.

Here’s how to make sure your shop shows up where it matters most.

1. Reach Out to Brands You Already Carry

One of the easiest ways to increase visibility is by getting listed on the store locators of the brands you already stock.

Many manufacturers and wholesale brands maintain “Where to Buy” pages or product locator tools on their websites. If you’re already carrying their products, you should be included so customers searching for those brands can find your store.

Types of smoke shop and convenience retail brands to reach out to:

Smoke shop accessory brands (pipes, papers, grinders, rolling trays)
Vape and alternative retail product brands (hardware, accessories, chargers)
Incense, candles, and aromatherapy brands (sticks, cones, candles, essential oil blends)
Convenience store product distributors (impulse items, counter displays, seasonal products)
Snacks and drinks (chips, candy, soda, THC/CBD infused drinks)
Check all the brands you carry! The more places you can be listed, the better

What to do:

Contact your brand rep or distributor
Ask how retailer locations are submitted or updated
Provide your store name, address, phone number, and website
Confirm your listing is active and accurate across their store locator

Brands benefit when customers can easily find where to buy their products locally, but retailers often need to request inclusion.

2. Get Listed on Free Public Store Locators

Outside of brand websites, there are major platforms that act as universal store locators. These are often the first place customers look when searching for nearby smoke shops or specialty retailers.

The most important ones:

Google Maps
The most critical listing for any business. This is what powers “near me” searches, mobile map results, and voice assistants.
Yelp
Still heavily used for local discovery, reviews, and category-based searches.

Best practices for both:

Ensure your name, address, and phone number are consistent everywhere
Choose accurate categories (don’t overstuff keywords)
Upload photos of your storefront and products
Keep hours updated (holiday hours especially)
Respond to reviews when possible

These platforms often act as the first impression customers get of your store.

3. Add a Store Locator to Your Own Website

If you have multiple locations, your own website should feature a store locator too. Even a simple embedded map or a list of locations can significantly improve discoverability.

Why Store Locators Matter More Than Ever

Today’s customer journey is fast and intent-driven:

“I want this smoke shop product → Where is it near me → I’m buying today”

If your store doesn’t appear in that moment, the sale usually goes to the next closest option.

Store locators, whether on brand websites, Google Maps, Yelp, or your own site, create multiple entry points for customers to find you exactly when they’re ready to buy.

Final Takeaway

To maximize visibility:

Get listed on brand store locators for every product line you carry
Make sure your Google Maps and Yelp listings are fully optimized and up to date
Build your own store locator if you have multiple locations

The easier you make it for customers to find you, the more likely they are to walk through your doors already ready to buy.