In the past, advance webmasters use HTML and Java Scripts to create image maps. with the increasing popularity of Flash, today’s webmaster can take advantage of flash map software to easily create zoomable interactive world map, countries map and image maps of all types.
Image maps are used all over the web. because of the restriction of JPG and HTML, most image maps are strictly utilitarian, i.e. just several images, buttons or lines of text, each linked to a different page or URL. To create image maps, you would need to know how to use a graphic software, HTML coding, and also javascript knowledge.
With the popularity of Flash, more and more webmasters start to create interactive maps using flash — which comes with a lot more features, such as mouseover tool tips, text boxes, hints, dynamic displaying of routes, lines, clickable points, icons, landmarks, etc. Search the Internet for terms such as ‘flash map of bank failures‘, or ‘swine influenza occurs location map‘ and you will find many examples of interactive map created in flash.
Do not mislead by the term ‘interactive map‘. An interactive map does not need to be geographic maps. It can be any image with clickable areas with special pin-points. for example, you can create an office map, a stree map, an organization chart or even a calendar. And then add clickable points, different color areas and mouseover tooltips on the image, to make it easy and clear for visitors to find specific information using just a few clicks.
An interactive image map can greatly improve the navigation and functionality of your website. for example, you can create a local area map and embed into your website, so to make it easier for your customers to know where your headquarter and branch offices are located. You can indicate specific routes that customers should take in order to locate your place of business. You can also pin important landmarks on your interactive map for quick reference. The clickable flash map can serve as your virtual mapper — your customers will find information about your company and products much easier.
If you are selling real estate, then your website might have a property search function. once you finished your website, you can add an interactive map to serve as a search tool. for example, you can generate a map for the properties that are listed for sale by your company in different states or counties in the United States. All your visitors need to do is click on their desired state or county of your property map, and then see the list of properties as search results.
You can also use this interactive flash map with zooming functions to provide further details about the area, such as schools, parks, building, etc. these interactive functions can attract property buyers so you can generate more sales leads for your company.
If you need to provide information on your website related to different countries of the world, you can create a interactive world countries map use a map software. Use different color settings to differentiate continents, countries, or states. Users of your website will have an easier time identifying different areas in the world map with related information
Creating a zoomable interactive maps requires skills and programming efforts. even if you are a flash expert, you might not want to draw all the flash maps by hand, and then code all the actionscripts.
With available map softwares, you can use ready made map templates, or import common image files (such as JPG or GIF image) into the software, then add the elements, such as clickable dots, icons, mouseover tooltips, set different colors for countries, states and regions, etc. All it requires is few mouse clicks and you will find it fun to use.
Interactive map can be used for many purpose. Discover a world filled with possibilities and convert your old static image maps into interactive flash maps
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