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More Ideas for Localism Blogs: Embedding Google My Maps

By Angie Vandenbergh

Services for Real Estate Pros with Crye-Leike, Realtors

August 25, 2007 01:25 PM

I follow google's map api blog. I really like the 'my maps' feature and ever since that was released, I've followed their maps blog.

I learned something new today. They have added a new feature where you can easily embed maps right into your web pages or your blogs.

Go ahead....click on the map....drag it around...check it out. It's the real deal - as easy as copy and paste.

View Larger Map

The map above is one that I made that shows the location of splash parks in Collierville, TN. You could create maps for your area and embed them right in your blog....

Show all the parks
Map neighborhoods of new construction in certain price ranges
Libraries (I like to read :)
Best Driving Routes
Restaurants
10 Ideas for Localism Posts Using Google's "My Maps"

You can find the instructions on google's blog post - Don't feel like coding, embed a map.

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Karen Anne Stone

New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth Real Estate

Angie: Thank you so much for taking the time for that great answer. Lots of stuff to think about. Again, thank you so much for sharing. I appreciate it.

Karen Anne

Aug 27, 2007 02:19 AM

Dru Bloomfield

The Penrose Team - Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale AZ Real Estate

Here's the link to the Localism section that I've been developing for one of my local subdivisions.

http://localism.com/real-estate/AZ/Maricopa%20County/Scottsdale/Sandpiper

The link to the map is in the top posting, "Where is Sandpiper?"

The Google map that Localism supplied shows an incorrect position, so it made sense to include this info, with highlights added.

Aug 27, 2007 11:00 AM

Angie Vandenbergh

Crye-Leike, Realtors - Memphis, TN

A Crye-Leike Blogger

Dru - That's a great example! Thanks for sharing. (http://localism.com/article/184605/Sandpiper-Where-is-it) Especially when the mapping programs have incorrect locations....

Aug 27, 2007 12:02 PM

Gregory J Mullen

True Floridian Realty - Boca Raton, FL

Angie,

It seems as if your map is no longer here. I also embedded a google map into one of my blogs two days ago but today I noticed the picture was missing and only a link to a bigger map was in its place. Do you know what the cause is? I do not. I have been looking for answers on the web for hours now and I can not seem to find it.

Thank you.

Nov 11, 2007 11:28 AM

Jill Wente

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate | Gary Greene - Spring, TX

Realtor, CRS, MCNE, CHMS

Thanks Angie. I have previously tried to use Google Maps but it did not work. Your post has given me new hope and a desire to try again.

Nov 11, 2007 12:46 PM

Angie Vandenbergh

Crye-Leike, Realtors - Memphis, TN

A Crye-Leike Blogger

Hi Greg - Thanks for letting me know about that. I am not sure what happened to the map. I went back to my google maps account and got the embed code again. It looks like the code has changed... maybe they made changes to their site. However I do not like that. Makes me nervous if you make maps and you don't know that they will stay the same (ie have to go back and check them regularly.) Also I got the new code for my map, but it doesn't show up centered in the right spot anymore. I can't figure out why that has changed.

I am going to check back in a few days and see if it has fixed itself. I have noticed sometimes with things like this that if I wait a few days google ends up fixing it.

How long have your maps been broken? Have you tried contacting google support?

Nov 12, 2007 01:32 AM

Gregory J Mullen

True Floridian Realty - Boca Raton, FL

Thank you for your reply Angie.

Contacting Google support?

I am chuckling here. It seems either I am not that bright or that Google has made it impossible to notify them of anything. I looked all over for a way to call or email. I finally decided to send an email to the "testimonials" department.

I removed the map feature from my blog about a local park in Boca Raton. But I will try reinstalling it now. I just embedded a Picasa (new Google feature) slideshow in its place and it is malfunctioning. I hope Google gets the bugs worked out. They are really on the cutting edge.

If you want to see the slideshow embed, go to my blog at Spanish River Park.

Nov 12, 2007 02:50 AM

Angie Vandenbergh

Crye-Leike, Realtors - Memphis, TN

A Crye-Leike Blogger

Hi Greg - I usually dig for a contact link through the help section. I found this link to contact google about the maps... http://maps.google.com/support/bin/request.py you could try this out... Here's another link that drills down a little farther - http://maps.google.com/support/bin/request.py?contact_type=bug&submit=Continue

Nov 12, 2007 02:54 AM

Gregory J Mullen

True Floridian Realty - Boca Raton, FL

Angie,

Thanks for all the help. Did you have a chance to preview the Picasa Slideshow? I think Picasa can be a valuable tool for agents. I create private and public photo albums that can be used as promotional material.

Nov 12, 2007 06:49 AM

Angie Vandenbergh

Crye-Leike, Realtors - Memphis, TN

A Crye-Leike Blogger

Hi Greg - Yes, I did see the slideshow. Definitely a nice feature. I've been seeing more and more uses for slide shows. I've also used slide.com for them before too.

Nov 14, 2007 02:49 AM

Trent Cluley

Jasper, GA

I haven't added Google Maps to any of my Localism posts, but I do have one on the home page of my website and have started adding images of local points of interest to that map, to as a "value-add" for visitors to set me apart from other agent websites. I am planning on creating one for my "County Schools" page, and for each of my neighborhood pages . . . the possibilities are endless.

Didn't think about using it on AR / Localism however, great idea! . . .

Nov 15, 2007 02:42 PM

Angie Vandenbergh

Crye-Leike, Realtors - Memphis, TN

A Crye-Leike Blogger

Hi Trent - I went to your web site to take a look. That's a nice way to provide local area information. Just a small suggestion for you... Right now I see the map on the right hand side and it is fairly small. The only way I find to be able to see the images and locations is to actually click through to the map on google. If you have a spot you could include it in the main area of the page, then you could make it bigger. That way not everyone will necessarily leave your site to view the whole thing in google - they could stay on your site and see it all. Just a thought.

Nov 16, 2007 01:30 AM

Trent Cluley

Jasper, GA

Thanks Angie! I originally had the larger version on the main page, but it seemed to dominate too much, so I thought I would try it in one of my feature boxes for those that wanted to explore more.

I appreciate you taking the time to check it out and I think you're right, so will go with your suggestion, but perhaps just move it below the fold to make it less conspicuous? (I want cool stuff to keep visitors, but not as a distraction from key features, such as my search and CMA pages).

Everything is pretty much experimental right now . . .

Nov 16, 2007 02:03 PM

Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089

Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI

Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Angie, this is a great tip.

Mahalo plenty!

Nov 16, 2007 07:52 PM

Angie Vandenbergh

Crye-Leike, Realtors - Memphis, TN

A Crye-Leike Blogger

Hi Trent - Yes, I agree. That's a good idea to move it below your core actions that you want people to take... such as property search and cma. I think most people are looking for those anyway... When they scroll down the page they'll see the map where ever it is...

Nov 17, 2007 01:05 AM

Mandeep Bhathal

Kingsway Real Estate., Brokerage - Brampton, ON

Kingsway Real Estate., Brokerage

Yery good feature. Iwill be using it too.

Jan 24, 2008 03:23 AM

Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089

Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI

Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

I'm so glad this came around again... I needed this! Thanks again.

Jan 24, 2008 04:44 AM

Marzena Melby

Coldwell Banker Burnet Realty - Richfield, MN

Realtor, Twin Cities Minnesota Real Estate

Excellent tip, thanks for sharing it! As you said, this can make the Localism blogs a lot more attractive.

Jan 24, 2008 05:40 AM

Jo-Anne Smith

Oakville, ON

Angie, I used your posts on google maps in this past week's localism success and accountability group's subjects. A number of members learned how to embed google maps and wrote beautiful localism blogs...

Thank you!

Jan 26, 2008 07:51 AM

Konnie Mac McCarthy

MacNificent Properties, LLC - Cobb Island, MD

Broker/Owner - VA & MD "Time To Get A Move On!"

this is so cool...

Jan 26, 2008 09:41 AM