How To Geocode Business Address And Increase Search Engine Optimization Through Maps

| Saturday, August 28, 2010
By Drew Kesler

Thousands of businesses rely on maps to show and promote their business locations. You may have seen them while surfing local businesses on the Internet but have you ever wondered how these maps are created? Are they simply maps or do they serve a higher purpose? In this article find out how your simple business address can be geocoded to increase SEO.

Searching online for local businesses often brings you to these pages: "Locations" and "Contact Us."Both of them may or may not contain maps that show directions for customers. Some maps are simple, some are more dynamic and interactive. The latter is hyperlinked to free mapping softwares like Google Earth and Google Maps API for best viewing experience.

An interactive map is definitely way better than a static map don't you agree? While it is common notion that having interactive maps costs much, this theory should be debunked. Again there are free mapping services like Google Maps API which can transform your simple maps into dynamic tools that can help you market your business. Here are some tips so you can use this tool.

1. Sign up with Google Maps API to secure the API key you need to transport the map from your domain name.

2. Geocode your address. Wikipedia defines geocoding as "the process of finding associated geographic coordinates (often expressed as latitude and longitude) from other geographic data, such as street addresses, or zip codes (postal codes). With geographic coordinates the features can be mapped and entered into Geographic Information Systems, or the coordinates can be embedded into media such as digital photographs via geotagging." Basically you need to transform your business address into latitude and longitude coordinates either manually or with the use of software mapping tools. Manual geocoding requires GPS. You don't have to purchase a geocoder if you will only use it once. Again you can use free geocodes using Google Maps API although this may be a bit challenging for those who don't know programming.

3. After geocoding, double check the map to ensure that it is error free.

4. Finally don't forget to include your business information such as business name, address and contact numbers. These are needed for search engine optimization. The details you provide will be used to affiliate your website to business directories. Keywords are as you may know the backbone of SEO.

These are the basic steps you need to take in transforming your simple business maps to a dynamic and SEO friendly tool.

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GPS Unveiled

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By Catherine Watson

Are you a frequent traveler who loves to drive on your own? Are you game for exploring new areas of your city / town on your own? Then, you need a companion who can guide you on your way and help you reach the destination in safe and timely manner. Even if you are lost and do not know which way you have to go, this companion can put you back on the right track and prove to be a true friend. Hmm... curious to know who is this true companion? No... No... I am not talking about a human or a guide dog. It is a technological marvel, a device that uses GPS (Global Positioning System) to receive a signal and tell you your exact position on a map. The device is called as a GPS receiver.

Many times you get confused with the way the streets are numbered and one-way roads and can get lost the companion can help you and put you on the correct path. Curious to know who this companion is? It is not a guide dog or a human. It is a cutting-edge device known as the Global Positioning System Receiver or a GPS receiver. Your exact position on a street can be known using this smart device.

There are several uses of GPS ranging from civilian to military purposes. As described before, it can be used in a GPS receiver for navigation of roads or as a guide to a missile for precise striking of enemy positions. corba gps units are one of the famous brands of GPS units in the world. There is a misconception that these units are very slow. But, in fact, the satellite connection from the GPS unit to the server determines the connection speed. If the satellite system is not good, then, you will see delay in responses for your requests from the GPS unit.

Let me tell you about one of the interesting applications of a GPS system that I have come across. It is really fascinating and is a great invention. Imagine if your call is stolen and the car sends an SMS to you with the GPS coordinates of the location, where the car is currently present.

Have you ever heard of this cool feature about GPS receiver? You can place a GPS receiver in your car under the bonnet and couple it with a wireless device that can send an SMS on need basis. This SMS mechanism can be triggered when a car is stolen or you want to know the position of a car. Once you trigger the mechanism the wireless device will get the GPS co-ordinates from the receiver and send you an SMS with the coordinates. Are you thinking what these coordinates are used for? Let me tell you. These coordinates are all that you need to track the car. You can input these coordinates in Google maps to find the precise location of the car. Once you have the location of the car, you can retrieve it easily with the help of law enforcement agencies if it is stolen. Fascinating feature, is it not?

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Information In Selecting The Best Vehicle GPS Systems

| Tuesday, August 24, 2010
By Tim Caroll

The global positioning system (GPS) is a bit of equipment that utilizes satellite technology to provide data for roadmaps and positioning anytime of the day. Quite a number of brand new cars come with GPS systems. Different GPS systems can be purchased online or even over-the-counter as well as installed or utilized as a portable device. Technological advancements help GPS systems to be made up-to-date continuously. The devices are getting lesser in size as they furthermore become more efficient and a lot more accurate. A GPS functions like a portable map that helps one know their precise location and also guides one in the best routes and nearby establishments.

Choosing to use a GPS automobile tracking system set up in someone's automobile will save one from the trouble of becoming lost and also inquiring for directions. To be guided in choosing the best GPS car tracking system, here are several guidelines to keep in mind.

Frequency of Use

In shopping for the very best car GPS systems, one should have determined or projected how frequently one is going to need it and also use it. If one won't need it frequently, it is strongly recommended to consider the cheap automotive GPS systems on the market. On the other hand, if one expects to use it frequently, it might be better to get automotive GPS units that are user-friendly.

Kind of Tracking Systems

You'll find 4 key types of GPS vehicle tracking systems that one can choose from, the vehicle navigation GPS system, the portable outdoors GPS unit, the marine GPS unit, and the PDA/GPS hybrid. In general, one could find the in-car GPS navigation system essentially the most useful when you want to know your actual location when you are driving without a map.

Automobile Positioning

In choosing auto GPS systems, you ought to consider the automobile's design. Most GPS devices have screens that display directions as well as routes on them. Generally, these monitors are placed on the dashboard or on an attachable pedestal from the dash. Some automobiles don't have the space and also capacity to hold GPS units and that can block important vents for air or make it uncomfortable for a person in the passenger seat.

Multi-Functions

Each and every client or buyer's very first priority in buying an item is its efficiency. In choosing an automotive GPS system, it would be better to have a GPS that has several functionalities. Many automotive GPS systems offer directions by an address back, an address typed in, a location selected on a map, and even by the nearest intersection.

Real-Time Tracking Updates

Another function to be considered in looking for a GPS vehicle tracking system is its ability to deliver a "real-time" wireless network that can help process information through visual representation. This is very helpful in verifying if a person is going the right way as well as making the correct turns.

Audio Instructions

One should also consider looking for a GPS vehicle tracking system which is capable of giving audio instructions while driving. A number of models merely provide visual location road directions that might not be useful when one is driving alone.

Price

When you have decided on the kind of GPS system and the features it has, your budget also needs to be considered. The differences in prices typically depend on the number of features the system provides, however there are more affordable models that have enough features for most users.

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Handheld Auto Navigation Systems

| Thursday, August 12, 2010
By Junior Vaughn

There exists several diverse kinds of auto navigation systems today. Among the many you will find those that come factory installed, those that are attached to the interior of your automobile through the use of suction cups, and still others that are handheld devices which can simply be installed by attaching a cord to your cars cigarette lighter.

It's a fact that as good as these devices are, they do not have the full functionality and ease of use that some other more expensive kinds of navigational devices have, but the truth also remains that they still have useful features.

I'm a bargain hunter by nature. There really is nothing I can do to change my thrifty (some might say cheap) nature. I love the nice things of life and love buying them but don't want to pay too much money for them. For this only I have resolved to seriously think about a number of the numerous handheld navigational tools for sale today

There are many reasons I find these devices attractive. Foremost, they are very suitable for lots of purposes. Not only are they useful when traveling by car (if you purchase the right software of course), they are also quite useful when taking your travels off road as well. You can use them for wheeling in the country, riding horses in wide open spaces, hiking in the hills and mountains, or when getting away by bike for the day.

My personal favorite use for these nifty tools however is on the water. I am very horrible when it comes to navigation; that is why a mapping handheld GPS is precisely the thing I need to help me stay on the right track and target. You might be different from me, but for me I always absolutely hate that feeling that tells me I am totally lost.

It's indeed very frightening to feel lost and it gets even worse when there are children with you during such lost moments. Of course, only someone that has ever experienced the sick feeling of having to look into the eyes of your babies and feeling so lost and alone can really understand what I am trying to say here. There simply aren't adequate words to describe the deep down inside fear that can take hold in situations such as this if allowed.

Being proactive is the best action that can be taken. You have to absolutely avoid getting yourself in such dire situations when you get lost. But to be fair to you and everyone else, avoiding such situations is very difficult. Surely, having the right navigational tool with you at every time can really help in reducing the fear and even help to calm you when you have to travel to places that you are not familiar with.

Since we must occasionally stray from the world we know, love, and are familiar with it is great to know that there are devices to help us find our way in many situations. If you are looking for a great gift to give almost anyone on your Christmas list this year, a nice handheld GPS system with mapping capabilities is a great gift to give. But take this from me - you shouldn't wait until it's holiday time before giving such gifts to someone, especially if you care a lot for the safety of the person in question.

I strongly think that any person that boats, hikes, drives, rows, floats or bikes would find very good use for tools such as this, most especially those females that seem to enjoy such activities and enjoy them alone. It really does not matter what your exact needs are when it comes to auto navigation systems, there are obviously lots of systems that can be just right for you.

Take the time to study what is available and reconcile your needs with your budget in order to find the one that will work best for you. These handheld GPS systems that have ability to map really present a very affordable option as well as really awesome extra features, all of which help to make them much more attractive whether in or out of the car. Good luck to you in finding that exact and perfect auto navigation device that will work for you. It can be found out there everywhere.

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Top 5 Offered Consumer Rated Automotive GPS Systems

| Tuesday, August 3, 2010
By Ernest Jones

There are a hand full of brand names for automotive GPS systems today on the market, that are capable of being used in any vehicle. These units let any person in any kind of auto be able to find their way around. One such is the Garmin Nuvi 265WT that has a traffic receiver that its earlier models do not share.

This specific model offers a 4.3 inch touch screen and 480 x 272 pixels on a WQVGA TFT display as well as a white back light. The design is much thinner than others and fits inside a pant pocket or a purse with ease. This model offers the stock program City Navigator North America NT already loaded upon purchase.

This model also supports Bluetooth, so any person in the vehicle can pair it with their Bluetooth enabled cell phone to talk while operating. The full charged battery offers a life of around 4 hours, and it will even speak the names of streets. Stock includes complete maps of the United States and Canada.

Another GPS is the Motorola MotoNav TN765t. This unit is Bluetooth enabled as well and has an easy to understand and use interface so even someone who is not electronically inclined can use it. Offering address book sync, FM traffic reception and text to speech and a web site for updates, it is an awesome value for the money. The site is always available for updating the programming of the unit so the owner is always updated with maps and other navigation points such as new roads and construction.

One of the top selling units is the Tom Tom XL 340 S. It has a couple of new features that some of the older units do not offer. Staying beneath the median cost for automotive GPS systems, this unit has a web site that allows you to download fuel prices for your city, lane guidance options and you can even download and use user updated maps. With a 4.3 inch WXGA touch screen, there is more room to maneuver on the keyboard than ever before.

This Tom Tom is thicker and bigger than the older models because of the Easy Port included mounting device, but will be well worth the asking price due to all the perks. The site is always available and offers instant updates to the software, so road conditions are always available, even in bad weather.

The best Magellan is the RoadMate 1470, which has a color display touch screen and has a one touch menu that lets users look through the most common destinations that have been used. This screen will let you decide on fastest route, quickest time and others that are available such as avoiding toll roads. For the cost it is a great value, even though the cradle for mounting can sometimes cause the power cord problems.

Lastly, the Garmin Nuvi 205W is one of the oldest but best entry level GPS units that is still used today for options and pricing. A touch display screen with beginner interface options, the programming is easy to understand and use for anyone. Some of the options available are trip timing and routes, the Where Am I? option and entry of destinations. The fast programming without additional components and features that many will not ever use, this system has everything for a beginning user at a greatly discounted price.

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