Interactive Maps Bring Websites Alive

New easy-to-use software allows any website to be made more interactive and engaging for users or customers with the addition of interactive maps or diagrams. Interactive maps can be used to show geographic locations of sales offices, display photos on a floor plan, present location or site maps for real estate, or add diagrams or illustrations with more detailed explanations.

An interactive map can have "hotspots", which are locations on an image or map that you can move your mouse over or click to display more information about a location or to link to other web pages. For example, a map of a shopping mall can be brought to life with pop-ups that show a photo of the shop front, information about the products the store carries, phone number, website and more.

We've all seen world maps that ask us to click on a country, or country maps that ask us to click on a state for more information. But new generations of interactive mapping software offer more advanced features. In the old days you had to be a web programmer to make a map interactive. With new interactive mapping software they are easier than ever to create.

Interactive maps are great for guided tours of museums or college campuses, both on the web and in kiosks on location. They can be valuable in teaching students and learners of all ages about geographical locations, and encouraging exploration of countries, regions, communities and cities.

Other uses for interactive maps include diagrams of complex or technical machines that can show what each part does, physical or electrical characteristics, or other technical data geared toward the target audience. Some companies are using interactive diagrams to help customers find replacements parts - the user can mouse over the part on the diagram and find its part number, cost, whether it is in stock and can even click to purchase it.

People creating websites do not always think, "I need a map on my web page". But adding an interactive image or "map" to a web page can engage visitors and keep them longer on your site. Interactive maps can help people understand business products and services and make them easier to understand and more desirable.

Increasingly web designers, businesses, nonprofit organizations and others are turning to MapsAlive (www.mapsalive.com), which has recently released Version 3, with even more user-friendly features. In fact MapsAlive has a free trial version which lets you see how easy it is to use and how well it can work for you.

Interactive maps created with MapsAlive can be embedded directly in your web page much like a You Tube video or you can use the map as a standalone website with its own URL. Maps, images and other content can be updated at any time and changes will be visible on the web immediately.

The Mapsalive.com website offers you all kinds of information on Interactive Maps and how to use them for your website, business or organization. And the MapsAlive team is available to answer your questions and provide technical support to ensure your success and satisfaction.