Nov 28 2007
What Could Google’s New Collaborative Maps Do For You?
Google Has Two New Map Features: Terrain Maps and Collaborative Maps.
The terrain maps will certainly be of benefit to anyone who needs to present a topographic lay of the land, but the collaborative maps feature may prove to be an even more useful tool. The ability to create your own custom maps has been available from Google maps for a some time now, but these new collaboration features may result in greater benefits. Collaboration creates conversation. Invite your readers to share their favorite restaurants, places to hike, etc, and give anyone who stumbles on your map the right to add their favorites. And be sure to get specific with the map, as they do in the example in the Google announcement linked above. Or, you could decide to simply collaborate with others in your office to control the content and show off your local knowledge.
The map below was created to test the collaboration tools. I’ve shared collaboration rights with two cousins and an uncle, and they can invite others to collaborate as well. The map is embedded here and interactive, so click on the icons and see how it all works.
Grafton, WV: Places To See, Things To Do
If you have ideas about how to use these new collaboration features, don’t be shy. Share!
How did you get the icons, did you make them? Love that Golf man!
Keith… google provides the icons for you. They are selectable in their icon library when you’re making the map. I did the golf man too!
Wow! This is something that is really going to benefit many agent like me. I believe through the Terrain Maps and Collaborative Maps, our navigation problems will be zeroed. It really help us in reaching out to more people in less time. I think this is a gem of a tool from the google factory. You see I am an agent listed with the resortscape.com ( http://www.resortscape.com/default.aspx?ct=r&q=&utm_medium=linktous&utm_source=PT ) and this brings me even many foreigners interested in buying properties in my areas. It will not only make my work easier but will also give an opportunity to the client to have a one on one with area and the agent in a friendly way.
Reading back through older blog posts, just have to say a friend of mine in the military is moving back home after nearly a decade overseas. He’s happy to be an American homeowner, bought his new house sight unseen. One of the things his agent did to help him make his selection was a map like this, so he could see how the houses related to the town, and to help him learn his way around better before ever arriving.
It was even great for his friends to see when he shared his happy news about the new house with us! I’ll be using this idea myself. Thanks, Jeff!!