Hello

 

I was just wondering what people's favourite maps are for putting into a website? and if they had any examples of sites which use a map.

 

I am creating my first voluntary website for a charity and am not sure whether to put in a simple image map for location page or a google map? Does anyone know if google maps are very difficult?

 

Any ideas much appreciated

Thanks!

Hi Kanger

 

Google maps is great. I have used it for a number of charity sites.

 

Is is very easy to setup. It is basically just an iframe.

 

In my opinion the advantage of google maps is that the user can manipulate the location (eg move sideways, zoom around or change the look of the map [map|sat|ter|earth].

 

A downside of google maps is that by it's nature it is not accessible (this applies to all maps). I would suggest (since it is a charity site) that you also add some address details to the page for screen readers to pick up.

 

Paul

Well a verified Google map has excellent SEO benefits for local search.

However, if you use the Google maps API, you can do a LOT more with the map, but you have to really learn a lot more to use the API.

It depends if its really important for people to find the charity using the map, or if the map is just a nice little "extra" you are adding.

Hi Kanger

 

there is a bit of a learning curve if you want to add Google Maps to your site, particularly an interactive one which Paul has suggested. You will need to register for a Google Maps API key then amend the javascript in the sample files they provide so that your map is centred on the correct location.

 

Paul is right in that it can provide a very useful interactive map, and using the API you can add your own placement holders, photos, routes and shaded areas. See http://www.thefairwayshotel.co.uk/map.php for a simple example.

 

An easier answer is to create your own map in a graphics program and save it as a JPG, PNG or GIF file and drop that into the page. You can add ALT text which describes the location and even turn it into a link to a live mapping site such as multimap.

 

Don't copy and paste an Ordnance Survey map into your site as you will be in danger of infringing their copyright.

 

I hope this helps, good luck

Graham

I normally just use the google maps embed code to place the map into my website. Can you recommend any other examples of sites using the actual google maps api apart from google?

Here's one I did that uses the API - www.1001days.co.uk

Thanks guys. Interesting points. As it's not vital feature of the site I will save google maps for a later project! and just use an image and link for now!

 

Thanks