Google Maps is my most often “go-to” mapping site. Including a map image on your web page or blog post is a great visual element to supplement your hyper-local content. Instead of posting a snapshot of the map, why not embed the map as an object. As such, your readers can dynamically pan and zoom to get more understanding. Furthermore, if you embed an actual map object, consider also that Google surely associates your map’s geo-location as evidence of your local page content.

What if you wanted to highlight multiple locations in your blog post? Let’s say you wanted to highlight the three different movie theater complexes closest to a neighborhood. Wouldn’t it be nice to show a map with the three placemarkers highlighting the locations? Consider also, how bounded areas are nice to illustrate a location. Perhaps, you are drawing a boundary line around a neighborhood or school district. Google lets you do all of this and you can also save your custom map and embed it in your blog or web page.

To save your custom maps, the first thing you will need to do is get a free Google account. At any of the google pages (such as the main search page, or maps page) in the upper right you will see the links that you need either to sign in by using your email address (if you already have an account) or to click that you want a new account and there are just a few questions and you will be on your way.

Once you are signed in to Google, you are ready to start creating custom maps that you can use on your web pages. The following video tutorial will show you how to do it (runtime: 20 minutes)

Customizing and Embedding Google Maps from Craig Daniels on Vimeo.

About the
Author
  is a Technology Manager residing in NYC who specializes in applied technologies in the fields of Architecture and Real Estate. Craig focuses on finding the best uses of tech as can be used to help a business be more successful. He is keen on always seeing the perspective and viewpoint of his audience and he tailors his teaching to be easily understood. He teaches by means of this blog, online courses and webinars, as well as one-on-one remote sessions with persons located throughout the country and beyond.

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Star Posted by Craig Daniels - Technology Instructor/Project Consultant on 05/12/2011 06:11 PM   Comments (89)   Search Engine Optimization in the Technology and Tools Channel   google, google maps, embedding, blog  
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89 Comments on Customizing and Embedding Google Maps

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

DEC
12
2011

Thanks Craig, very cool! 

 
6:15pm • #71
2 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Excellant info....thank you for sharing. I will keep referring to it until I understand thoroughly.

 
6:19pm • #72
700,329 Points 39 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Excellent post. I love using the feature in my market & subdivision posts. Great instructions.
7:00pm • #73
DEC
13
2011
242,524 Points Outside Blog Hit Router

Thanks for the great post!
1:28am • #74
222,237 Points 70 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

MONDAY DEC 12 2011 -
NEW LIFE TO THIS POST VIA A NEWSLETTER FEATURE (THANKS AR)

Jaro (@64) - glad to see you thanks for the bookmark

Pamelyn - I have that same problem thinking of all the things you can do with maps - glad you enjoyed

M.C. - very much appreciate the subscription, glad you liked! :)

Evelyn - I hope this helps you :)

Jayne - great to hear!

Tara - you are very welcome, nice to see you

Penny - I appreciate that, thanks

Mike - Video is good for that, replay as often as needed

Lyn - I'm happy to see you returned to this post (see #56, hehe) Isn't great that these things live on the web as long as we need them :)

Mike - you are very welcome, thanks for visiting
7:38pm • #75
MAY
17
2012
1,343,100 Points 71 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Craig - I have posted thinngs in html before without a problem but I am having one hell of a time with this. I tried in Chrome and figured it had to be a Chrome problem, so I went to IE and guess what, it isn't a Chrome problem...............I can't get it to save a specific size nor can I get the map to post.. I do get a little link at the bottom of a blank area with a link to click to get to the map, but no map..................did they change something since this was posted? 

I also have one heck of a time getting the link to do anything when I click on it...................what am I doing wrong???????????????????
2:59pm • #76
JUN
19
127,487 Points 1 Featured Post

Nice clear instructions - thanks.  When I look at all the things folks add to websites, I think this is one of the most useful.  When i do begin to "step things up" goole maps will be one of my first enhancements.
8:51am • #77
JUN
25
624,939 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Craig, thanks for the Google map tutorial, a very well spent 20 minutes!
8:00am • #78
JUL
24
589,040 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Hi Craig, This is great information as I love to embed maps but do not always like the a,b,c's that show up. I will do this tomorrow
10:24pm • #79
SEP
13
Outside Blog

My goodness, After we completed our Blogging Boot Camp w/ the incredible Bob Stewart, this appeared on my browser, not once, but 6 times, & I think it is meant to be the answer to my 3-4 year old ques., that I posted oon the ques. box, that has frustrated the heck out of me. Thank you, Bob Stewart, if you sent this to me, and thank you, ahead of time, Craig Daniels, for saving my life...I hope...ha/not!
10:23am • #80
OCT
01
408,277 Points 19 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I'm definitely bookmarking this. I've been wondering how to embed google maps. I see it done in other posts but it's one of the things I haven't been able to figure out. 
9:10am • #81
OCT
26
205,052 Points 6 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp

Aaagh. I watched the tutorial twice and when I edit my blog I see the embedded map. Once I hit publish, where the map should be is a large white area - but no map. Please help. What did I do wrong? 

 

http://activerain.com/blogsview/3493438/the-radiance-community-in-fife-wa-fife-homes-for-sale

 

Thank you for your time and help!
5:44pm • #82
OCT
27
222,237 Points 70 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Debi - I see that happen sometimes - the white blank spot where the google map or youtube embed is placed. Are you by chance using chrome (that's my favorite browser). I see it in chrome though sometimes when I post, I have to refresh once (shortcut f5 key) to get it to show up.

I just went to your post (nice map!) and saw it just fine.
I hope that helps your specific case. (that it just needs a refresh to solve)
5:09am • #83
OCT
31
624,939 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Craig-always nice to stop back for a refresher on how to post a map. Thanks. 
11:01am • #84
NOV
15
119,494 Points 3 Featured Posts

Thanks Craig!!! I really appreciate you doing this video!!! :) God Bless, Tyra
1:20pm • #85
APR
05
338,126 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I've been saying for forever that I was going to learn to do this but I never took the time, in the end. Hopefully, this time things will be different. It's such a great addition.
2:08pm • #86
417,528 Points 14 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Hi Craig, what a coincidence that I found this today via Rebecca's reblog, I just wrote a blog on mapping with google maps a few days ago with a different spin.

Thanks for the video and info!
9:50pm • #87
141,546 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Craig   As always you are a fantastic source of information.  Thanks for all you do.  I can't wait to try this.
10:21pm • #88
APR
09
415,426 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Craig, thank you for sharing for have seen this on many posts and wondered how they did this.  Great post and well deserved to be featured!!
10:19am • #89
APR
22
353,601 Points 19 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Craig-Almost two years later and this is still good information. I was not aware of the add-ons available for Google Maps. Thanks.
8:10pm • #90

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Craig Daniels - Technology Instructor/Project Consultant

Staten Island, NY

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craig's classroom blog is a place to come for short technology lessons - here on ActiveRain I focus on technologies for real estate professionals - please subscribe if you want to catch future posts! :)

 

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