subject: Getting The Most Out Of Google Maps [print this page] Google Maps has officially transformed into the standard online mapping application for everything from obtaining directions to a hair and finding gourmet cuisine to observing lunar landscapes. Are you using Google Maps Seo to its fullest potential? If youre unsure of what fullest potential entails in this context, dear reader, keep reading for some simple but useful tips on how to maximize all your online mapping needs. Some basics of Google Maps seem obvious or in-your-face, but others are a little harder to discover on your own.
Firstly, when querying Google Maps, be as specific as possible. You will acquire your desired results if you play by the rules, so clearly articulate what you want to map. If you happen to be searching for gas stations a convenient query while using the mobile version simply enter gas. According to your current view city, state, zip code, or other local modifiers you will witness all kinds of gas stations populate the map in the same region. After you select a certain location, you can obtain step-by-step directions, search nearby related businesses, save the query for accessing at a later date, or even edit that location either by reporting it as objectionable, moving it, or by claiming it as your business.
Remember to move the small human icon directly onto the map; this enables the photo-realistic street view (if photos are available for that area). Choose More to see pictures of the neighborhood, or even Wikipedia articles related to your query.
There are several convenient keyboard shortcuts one can implement in altering a Google Maps view. Use your arrow keys to shift the viewpoint: up arrow, down arrow, right arrow, left arrow representing North, South, East, and West, respectively.
To shift your view more quickly, utilize the page-up and page-down keys to jump North and South, respectively. The home key will jump West and the end key navigates you further East.
Similarly, the + key zooms in and the key zooms out. Additionally, you can zoom in or out using a mouse or, for you Mac users, the two-finger touch (with up and down movement) on a Mac. Not too hard to understand, right?
A more advanced trick involving Google Maps involves mapping an exact intersection. If you want to map a particular intersection of named roads (as opposed to a numbered, grid system), all you need to enter is STREET1 at STREET2, city, state for that intersections map.
There is an assortment of extensions for the Firefox browser you can plug in to streamline your mapping experience, which can be very useful. In my opinion, Ubiquity is my preferred add-on for mapping shortcuts. You can choose an address from any page, launch the Ubiquity command screen, qualify your search with map, alter the map to your preferences, and place it in an email!
These are just a few of the many tricks available with Google Maps, so stay tuned for more! If you are interested in putting your business on the map literally, metaphorically and digitally give us a call at 877-264-5798 today!
