I talked about maps before, and if you read that post, you need to read it again.   Or, at least be aware that the original link in that post to a custom map making site has been removed.  I just discovered that the company I referred to is no longer accepting new clients.  If you know of a great place to get custom web maps, please let me know!

Visual Aids Make Your Real Estate Website Unique!

This is a quick update on an extremely easy way to create your own interactive maps – no technical expertise required.  With an interactive map, you can identify points of interest for your site visitors, and direct them to another page on your site for more information.  You could use an interactive map to do things like:

• Display your target marketing area and direct visitors to MLS searches for particular neighborhoods
• Display a range of things to do in various parts of town and direct your visitors to more information on a page of your site, or direct them to the website for a particular venue.
• Allow visitors to select a neighborhood and follow a link to market information you have on your site
• And, the list is probably endless.

Take a look at an example of this type of interactive map and find out how to make one!

So Easy, Even a Caveman Could Do It

The map displayed below shows some “things to do” places in the Atlanta area.  Click on any of the pushpins and a text box will open with a live link to another web page.  In this instance, the links go to the web pages for the venues, but you could just as easily link to a page on your website.

This map was created at www.AardvarkMap.net.   It is a free service that  uses the Google mapping feature.  However, it adds the capability to provide a link in the title, and provides several types of access:

• I-Frame Imbedded Code – Just copy and paste a bit of code and you have the map automatically imbedded in an i-frame.  You don’t even have to know what an i-frame is!  This code was used to display the map above.
• Weblink – A link that you can use on your website to access the map.
• E-Mail Link – A link you can use in an e-mail.

Your maps are stored at the Aardvark Map site, so you can always go back to do updates.  And, you can send yourself or your webmaster an e-mail with information about how to access the map and the map code alternatives.

Visual aids are excellent ways to help your real estate website visitors get the information they need.  And, from a marketing perspective, it’s another way to make your website stand out from the crowd!