Argh! Maps on websites!
I have justed looked at the almost finalised design of a large web project I am involved in and all of a sudden a stylised map has been introduced as a means of navigation. In this particular site, the map probably works - except that I hate stylised maps on websites that are meaningless. You see so many website maps, say of where a hostel or hotel or even office is, that show the building on a map with a couple of streets around it - but they are completely meaningless. A traveller simply can not make head or toe of where the property is in relation to the city, public transport etc.
I believe that everyone should consider using something like the Google API if they are going to put a map on their website, unless of course your design can create a good looking map that is useable. Maps should be able to be zoomed, at least a relative perspective of the location.
This little rant is no less applicable to maps of countries. Say you have a couple of locations in Australia and a couple of locations in NZ. If you draw the stylised maps in scale a traveller will get the misbelief that Franz Josef and Queenstown are only a short hop - after all they are so close together on the map relative to Sydney and Brisbane (no regard for the bloody great mountains in between). Alternatively, if you don’t draw them in scale you get the reverse perception - Sydney to Cairns looks about the same distance as Wellington to Auckland.
It is not a case of under estimating the intelligence of the traveller - simply recognising that they have no comprehension of the sheer size of Australia (or in the case of local maps, the fact that Auckland is not some small flat city easily walked around) or winding and undulating nature of New Zealand roads. Maps on websites should reflect this vital travel information.
Tags: Google maps, Web design