abhoelnavigation and make it a lot more easier to display country
or regional related information.
In the past, webmasters use HTML and Java Scripts to create
image maps. Which is difficult for most users and the
function is limited.
With the increasing popularity of Flash, today's webmaster
can take advantage of interactive map software to easily
create an interactive map, and fully maximize the
usefulness of clickable image maps, with mouseover
tooltips, hint boxes and many other features.
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 flash maps 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.
Do not mislead by the term 'interactive map'. An
interactive map can be any image with clickable areas with
special pin-points. For example, you can create a floor
plan, 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 use icons
or clickable dots to indicate import landmarks on your
interactive map. 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 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 such as
iMapBuilder. 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 interactive maps requires skills and programming
efforts. Even if you are a flash expert, you might not want
to draw all the maps by hand, and then code all the
actionscripts. A professional map building software such as
iMapBuilder can be a valuable assistant to make the task a
lot easier.
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!
----------------------------------------------------
Godfrey Ko, web developer and software author since 1996.
With website at http://www.faico.net/
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