Using Google Maps for Marketing Local Expertise
Posted by Pat Kitano at 7/18/2007 10:25 PM 
Categories: Lead Generation, mashups, social networking, Cool Web Tools
Categories: Lead Generation, mashups, social networking, Cool Web Tools
Epiphany ! I immediately realized after posting the previous article on Bay Area Market Bifurcation that real estate professionals can use Google Maps to continually update their clients on the status of their local housing markets.
Click on the map above to link to my Google Map of the Bay Area Housing Market. I can easily update or add more commentary, add pins to show, say, recommended open houses for the week (and explain why I recommend them), and use appropriate Google Mapplets to create an ongoing personalized "mapsite" for my client base, reachable by a permanent link on my web/blogsite.
Finally, the map can be marketed online to attract traffic. I built this Bay Area Market map (in about an hour) to answer a question on Trulia Voices. I now notice Trulia Voices readers are clicking on the link to see the map.
Now, if only Google Maps will allow readers to add their own comments, update the map like a wiki or subscribe to map changes via an RSS feed... or allow users to embed their Google Maps directly into their web/blogsite. Anybody know other mapping tools (like Plazes) that have these kinds of Web 2.0 interactivity on a map?
UPDATE : Here's how I created this map very simply using Google MyMaps:
Here's how you create the Google Map within MyMaps:
- Sign into http://maps.google.com using your Google account (the same one used for Gmail, etc.)
- Click on the MyMaps tab
- Click "Create New Map"
- The drawing tools will appear on the map
- Create shapes, lines or place icons - then add descriptions, images and hyperlinked commentary to each object
- Find the URL to the Google Map via the "link to this page" link
Technorati Tags: google maps, real estate marketing, real estate technology, mapping, mashups
A work in progress... The San Francisco MLS. This might be a tad bit more helpful then what's on the MLS website when it's combined with other ideas like open houses etc. Cheers
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=105055123750665267404.0000011260a0fc22f8313≪=37.75811,-122.434859&spn=0.122687,0.32135&z=12&om=1
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Nice job on your map. Have you checked out Zillow's new Neighborhood boundaries? All the work is done for you. Just thought you might like to check it out:
http://www.zillow.com/labs/NeighborhoodBoundaries.htm
We will eventually be implementing the boundaries for our Hawaii map based search tool.
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That's the first good use of My Maps I've seen. Awesome!
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Thanks for a great idea. Just one more tech tip to work on. I wish I had more hours in the day!
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Patrick,
How did you create that map? I have been searching for a user friendly way to create a variety of maps very similar to that. The ones that I have created I have been able to embed into a blog page however since it is utilizing Google API maps...and I am not much of a programmer...I am having issues creating them quickly and getting necessary components like the side bar (I just don't know how).
Terrific map!!!
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Hi John, since you know how to embed Google Maps on your blog using the Google API, you're actually farther ahead than me. Here's how you create the Google Map within MyMaps:
- Sign into http://maps.google.com using your Google account (the same one used for Gmail, etc.)
- Click on the MyMaps tab
- Click "Create New Map"
- The drawing tools will appear on the map
- Create shapes, lines or place icons - then add descriptions, images and hyperlinked commentary to each object
- Find the URL to the Google Map via the "link to this page" link
I believe if you have a Google API, you can embed the Google MyMap into your web/blogsiteReply to this
Hey now this is COOL!
But I'm like Eric, I'm running out of hours in the day.
I'll keep track of this in my task list for future implementation.
Thanks for posting about it!
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Nice work. This is something I can sink my teeth into. I'll have to see if you can annotate the maps with images.
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Yes, images are easy to upload into Google Maps
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I'm really curious to know more information on how you managed to create it.
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Wow Pat! Great application. Perfect for me here in Miami Beach.
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Pat, as usual you have outdone yourself. Great use of the mapping. It will be good to see more of this kind of thing.
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Hi,
Awesome!Its a informative blog.Actually
i am looking information regarding google maps for marketing and i am glad to found your blog.I also saw your comment how to create the map.Really it is useful for me.Now i am going to create that map.Thanks for sharing the great information with us!
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Pretty cool stuff. Having the ability to add comments to the map would be a great interactive feature...
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Thanks for a very useful reference.
But how do you use custom markers in GMaps? Is it possible via the XML feed parameters?
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Google Maps allows you to customize markers, just click on the default marker and it will provide a menu of alternatives and the ability to upload your own market. Maps doesn't accept feeds yet, if it did, obviously one can for example display updated listings data on the map
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We are looking at doing this to show hotel rates as they change. Hopefully will have it good to go by New Years.
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Thanks for updating us with detailed instructions. And yes, if you have the API you can embed this directly into your website or blog.
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