Using the Map Features Provided by Google
Google is one of the biggest names on the internet. It dominates the search engine market, so it makes sense that it should provide an interactive and extremely useful maps facility to try and dominate that sector of online use as well.
When you go to the Google Maps home page you will see a map of the UK, which you can zoom in on by clicking your mouse on any point of the image and using the wheel to zoom in on that area.
This extremely versatile site allows you to do lots of things, including:
- Find a particular kind of business –for example you could search for fish and chip shops in a specific area
- You can get directions from area to area, street to street or postcode to postcode
- You can also search for a specific location, whether that is a town, city, road or street address
The map can also be viewed in three ways, giving you either the traditional map view, a satellite image of the area or an image of the terrain, showing any hills or mountains nearby.
Using the search facility
The search box at the top is reminiscent of searching the web with Google, and this one is just as user friendly.
You can simply type in your search term and the results come up almost instantly. The more specific you can be about where your location is the better. For example instead of just typing in the name of a building or street, you should also include the town or postcode to ensure you get the right result first time. You will however quite often get a list of results which you can view to select the one you were after, if it doesn’t happen to come up at the top.
You can also select one of the other two options, which are to:
- Search for a business
- Get directions from A to B (in this case there is a simple but effective button between the two which when you click it swaps the start point to become the end point and vice versa – very useful for getting you home again)
In short, searching simply couldn’t be easier. Whatever you want to search for and wherever in the world it may be, you will find it quickly and easily with Google Maps at your disposal.
How user friendly are the maps themselves?
The interactive maps are easy and intriguing to use. Perhaps the best feature is the ability to point your mouse at any point on the map, and click and hold down the left mouse key to enable you to drag the map in any direction you choose.
The maps are also clearly labelled with local stations, hospitals, parks and lakes. A roads are shown in green, while motorways appear in blue, making it easy to plan a route for yourself while avoiding certain roads if you wish.
One way systems are indicated in blue and you can zoom right in when in map mode to see every single road marked out. When you are viewing a map up close you will see light blue bus signs in squares. Click on one of these to see what buses service that route; you can even click on another link to see what time the next bus should arrive.
In short, the maps provided by Google are second to none. They are fully interactive, provide you with three ways to see the area you are looking for, and are straightforward to use.
Other useful features
Google Maps has an excellent feature to let you search for the businesses you need. Simply type in what kind of business you are looking for, enter the location you need and hit search to receive a map dotted with pointers – all marked with a different letter.
Each letter relates to the detailed results list on the left hand side, which features the name and full address of the business, a contact number and a link for more information. When you click on this link a new box appears over the map on the right hand side, giving you related web links which may be of interest. This is a useful tool which also allows you to leave a review of the business if you wish.
Even better is the option to select the business as either the starting point or destination of a journey. All you need to do then is type in the other point of reference and Google Maps will return a detailed step by step route for you to follow. It’s quick, easy and very user friendly.
The satellite images are also highly addictive, and are an excellent way to familiarise yourself with an area before you go there. As you zoom in you will see everything in remarkable detail, and the main road names are all included for ease of use. You will also find one way streets clearly marked with red arrows.
The crystal clear images become a little blurry when you get to fifty feet from the ground, but are no less fascinating for that. You can spend hours looking for all the places you know and love using this feature – including your own home.
Driving directions
To get your directions all you need to do is click on the ‘Get directions’ option underneath the search box. Fill in your start and end points and click on get directions to see the results.
You’ll see your map on the right hand side of the screen – clearly marked with a dark blue line to indicate your route, and markers A and B to indicate your start and finish points – and a set of directions on the left.
One of the most useful features of this part of Google Maps is that you can drag your start or finish point with your mouse and change it instantly, without having to get a whole new set of directions. Your list of directions will also be amended instantly to take into account the new information.
If you need help
For all its features, Google Maps is very easy to use. If you do need help however, you can take a tour via the home page which shows you through the basics. You can also click on the Help text link at the top right corner of the home page, which takes you into the help screen.
There are various areas you can ask for help on, and each one is divided into sub topics to help you maximise your understanding and use of the site still further.
In conclusion
It is hard to think of much more Google Maps could do to improve this service. It is clearly laid out, easy to use and very addictive. There aren’t many similar services that could claim that.
They do however ask you to help them improve when it comes to the help sections. After reading the answer to each commonly asked question, you can select whether you found the answer helpful or not.
If there is someone somewhere monitoring those answers – and it’s safe to assume there is – then Google Maps could defy logic and become even better in the future.