When I decided I wanted to write something about my favourite tools many applications popped in to my head from desktop applications to web based tools. I thought long and hard about what I actually wanted to write about and finally decided to write about Google Maps, a tool I use frequently to find directions and as of recent to view places I always wanted to visit using Google Street View. I have listed some of the features and uses I like best about Google Maps below:

Directions

Do you get lost easily? Google Maps allow you to get directions (driving or walking) between virtually any two points. Just search for your start destination and end destination (point of interests or physical address) then click the “Get Directions” button. Google then generates visual directions (shown with the blue line bellow Fig 1.1) and text directions (fig. 1.2) which shows you turn by turn directions.

If you do not like the directions Google Maps has generated for you or if you would prefer a different route, simply change the directions by moving the direction indicator to suit you by dragging it to a new point.

Fig 1.1

Fig 1.2

Street View

Ever wondered what it looks like at a destination or a point of interest before travelling there? Google Street View allows you to view a point easily by dragging the yellow man to the point you want to look at. Google will then place the Street View to the closest Street View position available to the point of interest you chose.

With Google Street View you can explore your surroundings in a 360 degree angle and move to another position within the canvas just by clicking on an available position. Street View is made possible by a series of stitched photos that have been taken by the Google Maps Vehicles and is only available in certain countries/regions.

Personalised Maps with Google My Maps

It’s never been easier to create personalized maps – log in to your Google account, create a map (public or unlisted) draw lines, add markers etc. Then personalize it even more by adding photographs, video (e.g. YouTube videos) or saving existing POI (Point of Interest) e.g. your favourite coffee shop. To learn more watch the Official Google My Maps video below.

Find Businesses

To find a listed business in a certain location is easy. Google allows businesses to add their business on Google Maps. Just enter a search phrase and hit enter to see a list of businesses in the immediate area. (Left hand side) You can then click on the business to view more information on the business e.g. telephone number(s).

Websites (Quick implementation)

Google Maps allow you too easily generate a map you can use on your own website. Just search for the point on the map you want to put on your website click link (as in the image below) select the HTML code to embed on your website (you can edit the canvas size of the map by editing the html width/height parameters) and paste it into your html code of your website. It will then display a canvas on your website of the location you chose to embed.

Google Maps API (for developers: Advanced implementation)

Google Maps has a wide array of Map API’s (application programming interfaces) you can use to implement advanced map functionality within your websites / applications.

The Maps API allows you to add your own overlay / multiple overlays which can contain your own data. For example you can create your own markers to show where you company’s branches are and display it on your website to help customers find you easily. You can also customize the map colours e.g. if you want to place focus on a certain element within a map you can highlight that element with a bright colour and give all the other elements darker colours. You can also give your markers custom icons (too make it more personal).

Google is well known for creating tools that are pretty useful and Google Maps isn’t any different. I found the Google Maps tool very advanced, easy to use and fast compared to other mapping tools/services out there. All that is left to say is – Give it a try.