Creating own Google Map for Website?

buglawton

I have found a number of simple to use Publish-Your-Own Google Map sites, where you can create a map with your own markers, add images, links etc and then publish the map / create a link to it.

The ones I have seen so far are easy to use but are either subscription based or have adverts embedded. Or there is the option of reading all the tech stuff on the Google API pages and manually creating JavaScript to do it.

What I would like to know is: Are there any point and click tools out there to create and publish one's own Google maps without subscriptions or adverts (on one's own Linux web hosting)?

M4RKM

all i do is search the place i want on google maps, and then click the link item, at the top, and then you can customise map, and then use the iframe link bit, which you can paste into any webpage

buglawton

This would do for a simple map, however I need to create some Google Maps with a number of markers for locations I enter then have a description, thumbnail and link pop up when one clicks a marker - a sort of extremely basic 'mashup'.

A good example is http://www.freewheelers.org.uk/hospitals.shtml which MSE member cheesy.mike created, it seems by manually crafting the Javascript based on the Google Maps API. I am looking for a point-and-click method instead so that the less techy missus can update it easily on her own.

FreheitOverture

The way I am currently doing it is be creating a database of all of the locations I want pinpointed and creating a form so I can easily add more locations.

Then I extract the address and use the GEncode() function (sp?) and it converts it to longitude and latitude. Then you use that longitude and latitude to add a marker.

Will be simple to add more when its up and running

buglawton

In answer to own question I have now found this online tool: http://mapmaker.donkeymagic.co.uk/
With Donkeymagic Mapmaker I was able to generate Javascript for my map + markers and popup info using pure point and click + fill form, plonked the script into a test web page and it worked great. No 3rd party ads or subscriptions. Only catch is I need to register my own Google Maps API key to complete it properly.

If anyone can improve on the above for ease of use and saving/managing the results do add to this thread!

FreheitOverture

Don't think you will find an easier way than that. Nice and simple and a fantastic idea. Although you will have to alter the map every time you wish to add a new marker