Google have recently launched the Beta version of their mapping service, surely sending a ripple through the on-line mapping pond.
Many small businesses use one or other of the mapping service providers to provide location maps or route instructions on their websites for casual visitors. Up to now the choice has been to use a free link cluttered with garish advertising, or to pay an up-front fee and an annual licence for each map 'tile' embedded on the site.
The Google offering of course does carry the Google branding, and if you invoke the local search facility, there is an acknowledgement that business listings are provided by Yell.com, but these are very subdued compared with the garish flashing banners from MultiMap.
The connection with Yell provides an advantage if your business is listed in the Yellow Pages: By adding the business name as a search term to the URL, you end up with a customised map page, with your business (and only your business) clearly labelled with name, address, telephone and with links for travel instructions. (See Intercept Solution's map page for an example)
The Google map's ease of use, and especially the seamless panning and zooming, sets new standards in Internet mapping convenience. It will be interesting to see how much of an impact it makes when finally launched.
Epsom: 05 April 2005