By default, StoreRocket sorts locations by distance from the search. Closest first, farthest last. Location Types let you do two things on top of that:
Prioritize certain locations so they always appear at the top of results (e.g. Flagship stores above Standard ones).
Display a visible label on each result card showing the type name (e.g. "Flagship", "VIP", "Authorized Dealer").
You can use one, the other, or both. Turn off priority sorting and types become labels only. Turn off a type's label and it only affects the order.
Default sorting: distance first
Distance sorting is automatic and needs no configuration. Once a visitor searches, locations are sorted by distance. Before a search, when you show all locations, they are sorted by type order (if priority sorting is on) and then by name.
Location Types: the order of the list is the priority
Location Types let you sort your stores into tiers. The type at the top of your list is shown first in search results, then the second type, and so on. A common use case is a Flagship type at the top of the list.
Here's how it works:
Place in the list | Example type | Behavior |
1 | Flagship | Always appears at the top of search results |
2 | Authorized Dealer | Appears after all Flagship locations |
3 | Standard | Appears after the types above it |
Locations of the same type are still sorted by distance from the search. So if you have 5 Flagship locations, they'll be sorted by distance from the search, followed by the next type's locations sorted by distance, and so on.
To change the order, go to Location Types and drag a row by its handle. A new type goes to the bottom of the list.
Turning priority sorting on or off
Priority sorting is on for most projects. To change it:
Go to Location Types. Once you have two types, a Settings button appears at the top
Under Search results, choose one of two options:
[Your first type] first: shows the type at the top of the list first, then the others in list order
The closest first: ignores the list order and sorts only by distance
You can also change it at Store Locator > Customize under Search & filters > Results > Put priority locations first.
Displaying location type labels on results
Each Location Type can display as a small label on the location card in your widget (for example, "VIP" or "Flagship" next to the store name). This is controlled by two switches, and both need to be on for the label to appear:
Widget-level switch: in Store Locator > Customize, open Location details and turn on Location type under Show in the results list. This tells the widget to show the type label on search result cards. It is on by default.
Per-type switch: on your Location Types page, each type has a Badge in results switch. This lets you show the label for some types (e.g. "VIP") while hiding it for others (e.g. "Standard"). New types start with it off.
When both switches are on and a location has a type, the type name shows as a label on that location's search result card.
Examples of how teams use this:
Retail chain shows a "Flagship" label on hero stores and hides the label on regular branches
Beauty brand uses a "VIP" label for top-tier partner salons
Dealer network shows "Authorized" on certified dealers and nothing on general retailers
Need a second label on a location?
Each location has one location type. To show an extra label alongside it, for example "Affiliate" on a location that is already a "Gold Partner", use a search filter. Create a filter called Affiliate and assign it to those locations. Then go to Store Locator > Customize, open Location details, and turn on Search filters under Show in the results list. The filter name then shows on the location's result card, and visitors can also use it to filter the results. See How to Use Search Filters.
Creating Location Types
Go to your Location Types page
Select New location type
Give it a Name (like "Flagship", "Premium", or "Authorized Dealer")
Optionally turn on Badge in results to show the name as a label, or Default type to give it to every new location
Select Create type
You can create multiple types. For example, "Flagship Store" and "Authorized Dealer" could both be location types, with Flagship placed first in the list.
Assigning types to locations
Go to Locations
Open a location
Find the Type menu in the panel beside the form
Select the type you want
Select Save
Every location has a type. New locations get your Default type. To change the default, switch on Default type for another type.
Custom markers
Location types don't have map pins of their own. A marker belongs to each location. To give a chosen group of locations their own pin, pick the marker on each location, or update their Marker ID values in an export while preserving StoreRocket ID. Use on every location on Map Markers changes every existing location, not just one type. See Custom Map Markers.
Plan availability
Location Types are only available on the Business plan. If you're on Basic or Pro and don't see the option, you'll need to upgrade from your Billing page.
What about manual ordering?
StoreRocket doesn't support putting individual locations in a manual order. Sorting is by distance, with the order of your Location Types deciding which locations come first. If you need certain locations at the top, give them a type that sits at the top of your list.
Priority sorting applies across the results, rather than only inside a chosen radius. A rule such as priority within 10 km and distance-only sorting beyond that is not currently supported. Message us with the rule you need so support can record and assess the request.
Initial behavior can provide a starting location automatically, so the opening list may already use distance. Alphabetical order applies when no search point is being used. If one location seems out of order, check its assigned type and its exact saved name, including spaces at the beginning or end.
Troubleshooting
Location Types option not available
Check your plan. Location Types are only available on the Business plan (not Basic or Pro). Upgrade from your Billing page if needed.
Priority locations not appearing first
A couple of things to check:
Type assigned? Open the location and check its Type. Creating the type isn't enough. Each location needs it.
Type at the top of the list? Go to Location Types and check the order. The type at the top is shown first. Drag rows to change it.
Priority sorting on? Under Search results on the Location Types page, choose the option that starts with your first type. The closest first ignores the order.
Location type label not appearing on results
If you've turned on Badge in results for a location type but don't see it on your widget, check both switches:
Widget-level switch on? Go to Store Locator > Customize and make sure Location type is turned on under Show in the results list in Location details.
Per-type switch on? Go to Location Types and confirm the type's Badge in results switch is on.
Type assigned to the location? Open the location and confirm its Type is set.
Still not showing? Hard refresh your website (Ctrl+Shift+R or Cmd+Shift+R) to clear any cached widget version.
Custom marker not showing for a type
Location types can't carry a marker. Check that the marker is assigned to the location itself. See Custom Map Markers.
Questions? Message us on live chat.