A new application from Google has taken the idea of online mapping to a whole new dimension, promising to change the way that you and your customers learn the layout of your neighborhood.
Google Earth, which you can download for free, seamlessly combines high-resolution photographs (from space and/or aircraft) with maps of nearly ever square inch of the United States—as well as a good portion of the rest of the civilized world.
The result is far more than your ordinary two-dimensional online maps; In addition to photos of the mapped area, you see elevation information. This gives you a more realistic, 3-D perspective of any community you’re viewing.
If you’re not yet familiar with Google Earth, it’s time to get on board. Here’s a rundown of what the application can do and how it can become an integral part of your marketing plan.
Come Fly With Me!
Using Google Earth, you can fly into the Grand Canyon, soar above the blown-out crater of Mount St. Helens, or glide over downtown Manhattan. You can rotate or change the angle of your view and travel in any direction just by moving your mouse.
In essence, Google Earth gives you a set of “virtual eyes” that allow you to see the world in a way that even orbiting astronauts can’t do using a high-powered telescope. The tool brings a new perspective to planning trips, finding specific homes or buildings, pinpointing the location of local businesses, or exploring the world.
Just type an address into the “Fly To” field and watch in amazement as Google Earth flies to that location. It will then zoom into the exact address, marking the spot with an icon. The application lets you choose what type of icon you want to appear, and lets you create text, photos, and Web site links that pop up in a special window when you click the icon.
To see what it looks like when Google Earth flies to a destination, watch this Flash demonstration of the Grand Canyon. This is just the beginning of what Google Earth can do.
Peel Back the Layers
Perhaps the best way to think of Google Earth is as a rich mapping interface that lets you customize the information you can see for any particular area. For most metropolitan areas, Google Earth can plot out the location of all schools, school district boundaries, churches, restaurants, parks, and other places for the area you are viewing.
To make these locations appear on the map, all you must do is check the appropriate box in the “Layers” window. Google Earth comes pre-installed with more than 40 layers you can view on your maps.
For a better understanding, watch this Flash demonstration of the Layers options on Google Earth.
