These interactive Google maps can be enlarged, reduced and the location moved in real time like most Google interactive map formats.
Many of our destination and cruise port articles incorporate interactive maps using Google My Maps. After a number of inquiries it seemed people might like some information on how these maps work.
We’ve been creating and using Google My Maps (edited, saved and shared) for several years on The Intentional Travelers. We’ve also been updating old articles by converting old static maps to the dynamic Google My Maps. While this process does have some limitations it is still a great way to provide location context for places of interest in travel posts with the added advantage of allowing visitors to explore beyond the original location.
For an introduction to using Google My Maps start HERE.
One of the major limiting factors with Google My Maps is they cannot be used for real world navigation. While you can research an area for attractions, restaurants, shopping and more and save the map to share on a number of media and devices it will not display your current location or provide navigation directions.
Google has an incredible suite of apps and features for free, but most were created for a specific purpose like Google My Maps. This feature was specifically intended to add a map to a web site or listing to show the location of a specific address and it’s used all the time. No matter what you do with them they cannot however be used for showing your current location or for real-time navigation.
Another Google option for maps is to use google.com/maps for navigation and searching an area (stores, restaurants, directions) and save it to your google account to call up later or share the page address with others. But it doesn’t allow a lot of customization and will not readily display on a web site. Following is an example of that for restaurants near my home.
Like most things with the internet there are few perfect solutions but still a lot of opportunities to be explored.
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