Using a map service for my web pages

html map services

[cdgeorge]

I am creating a web site selling property in Spain and would like to know if there is a mapping service I could embed into the pages helping the potential customers locate the area where the villa is for sale?

[tedster]

You can accomplish this (a bit crudely) by using a map graphic and a client-side image map. At least that is the HTML way.

You can also accomplish this with Flash and get a bit more sophistication into the interface, irregular boundaries and such - but that's not just HTML.

It you're looking for a third-party service you can just purchase - I'd suggest a Google search. I saw a few potential results that might be worth checking out.

[cdgeorge]

Your first answer, about a client side image map on a map graphic - please elaborate, I don't fully understand.

[tedster]

Perhaps it's me who doesn't understand. I was envisioning a map where users would click on an area and get a list of properties available in that area.

But now I'm thinking you may want to show a precise map for each and every property you list, right on that property's page or possible linked from it.

To help us give good feedback, can yuou provide a bit more detail about your needs and what you envision?

[cdgeorge]

I guess I would like to adopt a service such as multimap into the site.. so when the name of a place is clicked such as 'Santa Maria', that area will show on the map.

And I could go with the idea of just presenting a map of the whole region of the Costa we are specialising in, then divide it up and allow segments of that area to be clicked - which in turn would list the relevant property from that selected area like you suggest. How could you simply do that though. If for example you clicked segment A on the map - how do I then list relevant property references 1,6,7,9,15 for example- by pulling them out of the list and presenting them on a separate page?

To be honest, I am up for ideas. I really have not decided exactly the best way to use a mapping service yet.

[tedster]

Check this out at W3Schools:

[w3schools.com...]

There's a working example, and toward the bottom a link to a demo page where you can try changing the code and see the results.

[cdgeorge]

That looks fine. There are quite a few image mapping tools out there, and with that tool and a map from, say for example Mulitmap, I should be able to formulate something. Thanks.