A Useful Google Map Help Guide

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If you want simple, no-nonsense directions, then MapQuest might be the best site for you. The website is very user-friendly and easy to use. On the other hand, the maps Google create can be easy as well, but there are many options for tinkering and having fun as well. You can create your own one, browse other people's maps, change your driving direction route and take a virtual sightseeing tour in a faraway place, even Mars or the Moon! This is a map help guide for Google, showcasing a few of the hints, tips and tricks to making your mapping experience more enjoyable.

Many people are looking for map help to print or save their directions. The default print option is the step-by-step directions with a tiny one that is barely legible. For you map-mongers, you can get a larger full-size one by canceling out of the print dialog box (in Firefox), at which point a new window will pop up, allowing you to check a box that says "Show original map view."

The preview then changes to a full overview of street maps and driving directions, where you can modify the zoom level on your print window. When it comes to saving your directions, it may be surprising but you can't actually just save your driving directions map on the Google map site; you can save place-marks and maps but not the full shebang. Instead, you have to click on and copy the link to the map (on the top right corner of the map that says "Link to this page"). If you save that link as a bookmark or in a Word document, then you will be able to access the exact same set of directions for next time.

Perhaps you need map help customizing your own map on Google. Did you know that you can change the place-mark icon? This can be very helpful if you are creating a map of your city or a road trip one that features several different kinds of places. For instance, you can use a comedy/tragedy mask icon for theaters, a martini glass icon for bars, a bed icon for hotels or a burger and shake icon for eateries.

Once you drag and drop the basic icon and place it on the map, you can click on it and select "Edit" to change your place-mark. Here you can also change the title that appears on it, the description and the icon (by clicking on the upper right-hand picture of the icon). The My Maps feature is pretty straightforward, but you can share yours with others by selecting "copy link location," emailing your map or embedding the map to your website or blog (by clicking on the "link text" button, copying and pasting the embedded link.)

Travelers often need map help finding notable landmarks. You may not necessarily know the address of the Eiffel Tower, but you can zero in on the location by typing in "Eiffel Tower." Now say you are in the car driving but you have no idea where you are. You can turn your cell phone into a GPS device using Google Maps for Mobile right on your cell phone. (Check out the video for this on the Google Maps site). You may also want to explore the country of Japan to decide where you would like to visit, just by typing in "Japan." You can also search for zip codes, airport codes, latitudes and longitudes.

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Google Maps - A How to Guide

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AppId is over the quota

Satellite maps are a great resource to use when advertising a location, or to determine what the neighborhood and street of a location will look like. Is it an address you have never been to before? Do you want customers to know what the front of your building looks like? Is there nearby parking? This is the way to use Google Maps to your advantage.

The first step is to open a web browser and go to Google, then click on the link at the top of the page labeled Maps. Next, type either the name of a business or an address into the search bar at the top of the webpage. Be sure to include a city and state if possible, to help narrow your results. You can also type a business name and an address at the same time to find a business close to that location.

Once you have pulled up a map of a business, address, or place of interest you will have the options of reading and writing a review, learning more information about the location, getting directions, searching for a nearby location, zooming in, saving the location to My Maps, and sending the information. There will also be information such as the address, phone number, and website of the location you searched for.

Google Maps also allows users to view traffic, a simple map, a satellite map, and a terrain map. While viewing a satellite map, it's possible to view the map from a street view by dragging and dropping the little stick figure at the top of the zoom-in/zoom-out bar, or by clicking on a specific direction to see road at that stage of your trip. Feel free to drag the street view photo, as this will cause the photo to rotate so you can look down the street and behind you! It is also possible to move up and down the street to see what the neighborhood looks like, simply click on the arrows in the center of the photo (on the white line where the street name is provided). From the street view, you may also zoom-in by double clicking on the photo.

At the top right of your map you will always see three options: Print, Send, and Link. Print will allow you to print a basic map of the location you entered. Send will allow you to email or send to a phone, car, or GPS. You will be able to send to multiple destinations and include a personal message. Link will provide you with a link that can be used in an email or instant message, or with HTML that can be used for a website.

Using the Print, Send, and Link features as well as the zoom-in and street view features is a powerful tool for both marketing and your own personal use. Google Maps (http://maps.google.com) is an easy to use tool that is both free and useful.

Amanda Messick
Administrative Assistant
Zaran Sayre and Associates, Inc
http://www.zaran.com/