Google Maps is just one of Google’s portfolio of valuable but free to use applications. This short article explains how you can benefit from use of Google Maps and options for their implementation.
Did You Know?
Building on its dominance in the search market, Google provides a dazzling array of (largely free) online services from online word processing to video hosting via YouTube. One product that never ceases to amaze me is Google Maps. As a reformed surveyor and GIS type, I am impressed that Google (and the organization they bought!) was able to provide such comprehensive coverage and supporting data (maps, directions etc). The Satellite imagery even allows us to zoom into our own back yard, which is very useful when house hunting! But did you know that Google Maps can be set up and used in a number of different ways?
- Google Search Results
In its most simple incarnation, your business can appear in Google Maps which are now being presented as a prominent listing on the standard Google search results pages when visitors use geographical keywords in their search terms. - Location Maps
Google Maps can also be set up to appear on your own website which can allow visitors ‘see’ your location and to use the standard Google map functions like route planning and zoom. - Interactive Maps
In a more sophisticated application, Google Maps can be programmed to serve a wide range of purposes where there is a geographical element. For example searching on zip codes and zooming in or providing geographical markers and acting as navigation to further information.
What Is It For? Why Be Interested?
Each of these methods can aid your online presence, as follows:
- Being found online via search engines which direct the lion’s share of first time visitors
- Being located in the real world providing directions and location markers
- Engaging visitors and making information as accessible as possible (by location)
- Putting (your) location back into the ether - letting machines and humans know where you are
1. Google Search Results
In its simplest implementation Google Maps serves as an additional opportunity to be found via search results. This can happen automatically (Google Magic), but to make sure you are listed in Google’s index you can approach Google directly.
2. Location Maps
Taking the next step and using Google Maps within your site requires a little coding, but thankfully not too much! You can ‘Frame’ to a map using a couple of lines of code to get the map inserted onto your pages.
3. Interactive Maps
The more sophisticated use of Google Maps does involve a little data and programming. Google Maps has an API (Application Programming Interface) which can be used to inject data and modify its presentation. It can also be linked to Google Docs, which means that you can edit the mapping data via an online spreadsheet. Commonly this approach is used for store or outlet locators where interactions such as zip code search are valuable.
You can learn more about Google Maps by visiting the support center, or you can contact Web Wysdom and Systems Technology Group, two exceptional web design companies that have pioneered the usage of Google Maps in several applications they authored for several cities public transportation authorities.
Applicability
| BRANDING & AWARENESS | HIGH |
| COST REDUCTION | HIGH |
| SERVICE IMPROVEMENT | MEDIUM |
| CUSTOMER ACQUISITION | MEDIUM |
| CUSTOMER RETENTION | LOW |
| DRIVE REVENUES | MEDIUM |
