Updated: September 7, 2024
That old adage is truer than ever- it’s all about location… When it comes to the current tech ecosystem, location-based apps and services are par for the course, and for good reason. We have the technology to have our communities, towns, and neighborhoods at our fingertips and get acquainted with the world around us at the touch of a button. We like to watch where our drivers go if our laundry delivery service is on the way and which sushi place is less than a five-minute walk from us. Maps, especially interactive map tools, can elevate your service, community engagement, and data organization to the next level. So, how do you integrate maps into your organization without breaking the bank?
Whether you want to clarify your location, build a community, or track service, there’s an accessible tool out there for you. Some require development skills while others are plug-and-play systems, but all are available for free or with a free trial. Below, we’ve curated 5 fantastic map-building tools so you can get yourself on the map.
Mapme
Mapme is a mapping software that enables anyone to build smart and beautiful maps without coding. It allows you to turn on and off powerful features such as events, crowdsourcing, ratings, and reviews with a click of a button.Place data and media can easily be added through the editor, imported into maps, or synced with Google Sheets.
The platform is a great solution for businesses and organizations of all sizes. For example, municipalities can develop interactive city guides, universities can design comprehensive campus maps, and commercial real estate firms can showcase their property portfolios effectively.
Mapme showcases live map examples categorized by industry, use case, and feature.
Mapme’s best feature is its full Google Sheets integration which lets you add, edit, and delete your map data. No coding knowledge is required. Mapme offers a free trial. Build a map here.
Zeemaps
Another popular mapping tool is Zeemaps which lets you import data from Excel, CSV, and Google Sheets.
The nice thing about ZeeMaps is that once your data is on there, the maps are highly customizable, allowing you to choose from custom icons, color regions, multimedia, and more. You can also create custom fields without any development knowledge. Their three-tiered access feature – viewer, member, and admin makes this a great option for internal maps, presentations and group data analysis projects.
ZeeMaps offers free as well as paid versions of their mapping software. You can check out all the options here.
Google Maps API
Probably the best-known and the most often popular map tool for developers, the Google Maps API is the standard for online maps that are easily integrated across platforms. Google Maps’s API allows for street-level views along with Google Places integration, providing information and even reviews for locations in which your audience might be interested.
The maps are customizable by color, visibility levels, and even labels. This high level of customization requires some coding but as usual, Google provides detailed tutorials. For those who don’t want to take the time to sift through tutorials, there are mapping software options that work with the Google API and quickly help you customize. Check it out here.
Mapbox
Mapbox stands out as a dynamic map tool for spatial analysis on the fly, making it easy to integrate location into any mobile or online application. Their goal is to “change the way people move around cities and understand our planet.”
Their coolest feature? The tool offers a Smart Directions API, allowing you to integrate live directions into your app. For example, when a courier accepts a task, Smart Directions generates a route specifically for their mode of transportation. If you’re looking to be the next delivery or service-to-door app, this one’s for you.
It counts Pinterest, Evernote, and Foursquare among its users. Mapbox is a mapping tool for developers who can build on top of an API.
Mapbox provides up to 50,000 monthly free map loads.
Snazzy Maps
Snazzy Maps is a collection of custom map styles and templates for Google Maps. It’s a map making website specially geared for web designers who want to embed a map seamlessly into their design, without custom coding.
Snazzy Maps is a mapping tool that works with the Google Maps API and ensures that any maps you build look great on your site. This software offers a free version that includes some advertising on their website. There are some limitations with website embeds, but Snazzy Maps provides plugins for popular website-building platforms like WordPress.
Conclusion
We highlighted the pros and cons of five popular map builder tools. From the user-friendly Mapme and customizable Zeemaps to the widely used Google Maps API, the dynamic Mapbox for developers, and Snazzy Maps for aesthetically pleasing web designs, there’s a tool for every purpose. The map tool that will best fit your needs depends on your project and the technical resources available to you. All these platforms showcase many examples of interactive maps built with them on their websites. Check out those examples, it will help you determine the right tool for your project.
Should you use free mapping software?
If you’re building an interactive map for a business or an organization, you’ll likely need a service that is regularly updated and offers customer support. Free services often do not provide this level of support. However, if your mapping needs are for personal or family events, such as a wedding or vacation, using a free mapping tool can be practical and cost-effective. These free map tools often provide sufficient functionality for simple mapping needs and can be used at no cost.
