Adding A Static Google Map Image to your Website / Blog

You are on the right post if you want to learn how to add a map of some place in your blog or website without the hassle of heavy coding. In this post, I'll teach you how to add a Static Google Map Image to your website or blog.(yes even with the free blog accounts at blogger or wordpress)

This method involves using Google Maps version Static Maps API V2. Yes, the current version is V3 but if you do not need the bells and whistles of the latest Google Maps, this will suffice.

Also, we will not be using lat and lng coordinates. Instead, we will be entering address places or postal codes directly.

The Code

Well, its all in a link actually. To query the Google Map that you want, you will need to use the link format below :

http://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/staticmap?center=[place to center map at]&zoom=[zoom level]&size=[widthxheight]&maptype=[type of maps]&marker[size:(size)%7Ccolor:(red)%7C(place)]&sensor=[true or false]

Let us go through each parameter one by one

• Center - This gives you to place to center your map at
• Zoom - This gives the zoom level
• Size - This gives the zoom size (there is a maximum size for the free version, for Google Business Maps, you can scale to very high resolutions)
• Marker - Adds markers to the map, you can add more than one
• size
• colour
• place
• Sensor - Option to select whether your device has a location sensor

For the full list of parameters, you can visit http://code.google.com/apis/maps/documentation/staticmaps/ to check out their developers guide.

The link

http://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/staticmap?center=orchard+road,singapore&zoom=14&size=512x256&maptype=roadmap&markers=size:mid%7Ccolor:red%7Corchard+road,singapore&sensor=fals

Embedding the Google Map

<img src="http://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/staticmap?center=orchard+road,singapore&zoom=14&size=512x256&maptype=roadmap&markers=size:mid%7Ccolor:red%7Corchard+road,singapore&sensor=false" />

As you can see, we simply wrap Google Map link with an image html tag. This makes it very easy to add a Google Map to your blog or website as it can be used as an image source.

Socializing your Website

So you've gotten a new website but you realize that its not getting enough traffic. Well, that is to be expected for most cases, since the web is so huge with millions of other sites with shocking amounts of content(probably enough to cover the Earth if its in print). While content is king, I am sure that your website has something unique to offer. If that is the case, what you need to do is start Socializing your website.

No worries about your low visitor count as that will change with time provided you move your site in the right direction. Here are some steps you can take that will improve your website's traffic.

1. Get your Website Visible
   
   Given a decent website with content, what you need to do next is to get it visible to the web. This is where the power of Google comes in. Submit your website to the different Search Engines. Of course, Search Engine Optimization plays a big role (check out our article about Search Engine Optimization)
   
    
2. Set Up a Facebook Page  
   
   So you have a Facebook Account, imagine the possibilities of  having a Facebook Page for your website. The power of Social Media can be used to engage fans on Facebook. Attract new fans and keep them hooked on interesting updates and posts. (try out some Free Social Media Marketing Apps from Interactz Media to build up your Facebook Page with content)
   
   
3. Set up your Google+ Business Page  
   While Facebook may be king at the moment, Google+ has other cool features that some might dig. However, the important aspect is the power of Search Engine Optimization through Google's +1s especially since they are the biggest Search Engine.
   
   
4. Start Tweeting  
   Tweeting on Twitter will get you followers, reaching out to the Socially Engaged Audience. Tweeting is good for spreading news, especially if you want it to go viral. Another cool way of using Twitter is to hook your RSS channel up (Google's FeedBurner allows you to connect your RSS feeds to Twitter easily, and Facebook allows Twitter integration, so you save time on updating your various Social Media Outlets to update your subscribers everywhere)

While the above tips are good for Socializing your Website, having a solid website with interesting and unique content is still key to getting visitors.

Stay tuned to Timzstudio - Singapore Web Design & Development for more posts about Socializing your Website!