Google Maps with customizable icons
Google Maps is getting close to becoming a usable mapping tool for broker websites. They've introduced customizable icons (hint: to add a customizable icon, one needs to click on the existing placemark icon).
Above is a screenshot of a map I created in about an hour showing a short list of Bay Area real estate bloggers by address (btw, this map can be embedded into a blog, but I did not because there's a bug - explained later). The utility is simple - to know more about a certain region of the Bay Area, just click on the blogger picture.
When clicking on the blogger's picture, the popup screen can contain widgets for contact, communication and data delivery - in my case, a Jaxtr phone call app, a Plugoo chat application and a feed subscription. There's an application bug - the script for the Plugoo application doesn't stay in the editor so I did not embed it into this blog. Here is a the link for the mapping application above.
These popup screens on Google Maps act like miniature websites and can provide links to a variety of applications to market the blogging agent.
Here's how Google can improve this mapping application even more:
Technorati Tags: google maps, mashups, broker website, icons, placemarks, plugoo, jaxtr, real estate marketing
Above is a screenshot of a map I created in about an hour showing a short list of Bay Area real estate bloggers by address (btw, this map can be embedded into a blog, but I did not because there's a bug - explained later). The utility is simple - to know more about a certain region of the Bay Area, just click on the blogger picture.
When clicking on the blogger's picture, the popup screen can contain widgets for contact, communication and data delivery - in my case, a Jaxtr phone call app, a Plugoo chat application and a feed subscription. There's an application bug - the script for the Plugoo application doesn't stay in the editor so I did not embed it into this blog. Here is a the link for the mapping application above.
These popup screens on Google Maps act like miniature websites and can provide links to a variety of applications to market the blogging agent.
Here's how Google can improve this mapping application even more:
- Google Maps does have a Mapplets directory that adds extra layers of data onto the map, but have developers start building SMALL widgets that will fit into the popup screen itself.
- Allow image uploading from the hard drive, now images can only be uploaded from an online image URL. I was able to "copy image location" of blogger pictures used in MyBlogLog profiles.
- Fix the bugs
- Figure out a way to upload large data files in .csv format like MLS listings
- Inman TV chat with Brad May, 2007 - discussing the broker website of the future with maps that display agent location, blog content and chat boxes
- Broker website of the future
- Google Maps for real estate marketing
- Embeddable Google Maps
- Two tips to get noticed on Google Maps and Yahoo! Local
Technorati Tags: google maps, mashups, broker website, icons, placemarks, plugoo, jaxtr, real estate marketing
Thanks for keeping us (me) up to date on Google's map upgrades. The delimited file upload is my #1 wish.
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For import options you could always use Google Earth Professional or Microsft Streets and Trips. They both accept CSV files.
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Thanks Niknik! This is intriguing... is Google Earth (3D) and Google Maps (2D) somehow compatible so they can share data? I spent a while trying to figure out if this is so.
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Great info...I can't wait to play with it!
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