Turn Location Finder Frustration Into Foot Traffic

Location finders fail when they show results without helping users find the right one. Patients can't identify which doctor accepts their insurance. Shoppers don't know which store has their item in stock. Customers can't tell which dealer offers the specific service they need.

Pulse Wayfinding Agent detects location search struggles, asks what specifically they need, and surfaces filtering or guidance from your location data—turning generic results into relevant matches that drive visits.

Average result: 35-50% improvement in location selection from search results.

How It Works

Detect → Location search friction (repeated searches, map zooming without clicks, exit after viewing results, filters without selection)

Diagnose → Question identifies their specific requirement ("What are you looking for at this location?")

Intervene → Surface relevant filters or matches from your location database (specialty, services, inventory, hours, insurance)

The research process helps you organize location attributes, then surfaces the right filter when users show search frustration.

The Big 3 Friction Patterns

1. Service/Specialty/Inventory Mismatch

Results don't show which locations have what they need.

Signals: Multiple location clicks without selection, repeated map panning, exit after viewing several locations, back-button patterns

Question: "What specific service or item are you looking for?"

What we surface from your site:

• Service filters you have ("Filter by: [Service A] / [Service B] / [Service C]" for dealers, showrooms, stores)

• Specialty search for healthcare ("Find doctors by: [Specialty] / [Condition treated] / [Procedure offered]")

• Inventory availability you track ("Show stores with [product] in stock" or "Locations that carry [specific line]")

Expected lift: 40-55% improvement in finding relevant location

2. Insurance/Payment Acceptance Unclear (Healthcare/Services)

Can't identify which locations accept their insurance or payment.

Signals: Time on location results without clicks, viewing multiple provider profiles, exit after browsing locations, "insurance" searches

Question: "Need to check insurance acceptance?"

What we surface from your site:

• Insurance filter you maintain ("Filter by insurance: [Plan A] / [Plan B] / Medicare / Self-pay")

• Payment options by location ("This location accepts: [Payment types from your data]")

• Verification tool you offer ("Check coverage: [Insurance verification link]")

Expected lift: 45-60% reduction in insurance-related location abandonment

3. Distance vs. Capability Trade-off

Nearest location doesn't have what they need; locations with capabilities are far.

Signals: Sorting by distance then viewing details, comparing multiple locations, map zooming in/out repeatedly

Question: "Is location or specific services more important?"

What we surface from your site:

• Prioritization from your data ("Closest with [service they need]: [Location] - 15 miles" vs "Closest overall: [Location] - 3 miles but doesn't offer [service]")

• Trade-off clarity you can provide ("These 3 locations have [service]: [Location A - 8 miles] / [Location B - 12 miles] / [Location C - 20 miles]")

• Worth-the-drive guidance if you have it ("Most patients travel to [Location] for [specialty] - rated [X] stars")

Expected lift: 30-45% improvement in finding acceptable location match

Five More Location Finder Barriers

Hours/Availability Confusion
Can't find locations open when they need. We surface extended hours filters you maintain, weekend availability, or "open now" sorting from your data.

Accessibility Requirements
Need specific accommodations. We surface accessibility filters you track (wheelchair access, parking, language services) when user shows accessibility-related search patterns.

Experience Level / Expertise Unclear
Don't know which provider/location is most qualified. We surface experience indicators you provide (years in practice, specializations, certifications, ratings).

Contact/Directions Friction
Found location but can't figure out how to get there or contact. We surface one-tap directions, one-tap calling, or parking/transit info you maintain for each location.

Appointment Availability Unknown
Don't know if location has availability. We surface appointment scheduling you offer, waitlist options, or "accepting new patients" status you track.

How Interventions Are Built

The location matching process:

1. Organize location attributes - Services, specialties, inventory, insurance, hours, accessibility from your database

2. You create filters - Searchable, filterable fields for key user needs

3. We detect search frustration - Repeated searches, viewing without selecting, exit after browsing

4. Surface right filter - Service-specific, insurance-specific, or capability-focused based on detected need

Users get relevant results, not just nearest results.

What Makes This Different

Need-aware - Matches specific requirement (service, insurance, inventory) to location capabilities
Your data - Uses location attributes you already maintain in database
Guided filtering - Helps users discover the right filter for their need

Measurement

• Location selection rate - % who select location after intervention vs control

• Search refinement - Reduction in repeated searches needed

• Visit conversion - Do filtered results drive more actual visits/appointments

Generic "nearest location" results don't drive visits. Matches based on actual needs do.