July 2010 All moved into our new digs. Whew, that was an exciting 2 months! Now unpacking boxes. Please be patient. Soon I'll get back to providing SEM advice.
DIY New Website Plan
DIY Search Engine Plan
DIY Website CheckUp
Google Street View Tips for Businesses
Go ahead, have a play. Google’s Street View is live and covering the streets of NZ. Betcha can’t keep from exclaming to anyone in yelling distance “Oh, my word, you gotta see this!”
Admittedly it seemed okay when I was researching my nephew’s street address in San Francisco to see how hilly it is. Will I be walking for exercise when I visit next May?
But when I typed in my own street address in New Zealand - little ol’ my street, in little ol’ my town, in little ol’ Northland. In a word, freekie.
Read through the Top 10 Tips for businesses and see if there’s something in it for you.
Two ways to have a go:
- open Google Maps . Go to any region and click on the little gold man. Move him down the street.
- Or, type in a street address and watch the picture come into focus.
I’ve been talking about embedding maps on your websites for years now. Now you can embed a Street View!
Yes this technology could be intrusive but it’s how we use it that will determine its overall merit. You be the judge.
Remember people reacted to the invention of the telephone. “Why would they want to use one of those?”
What do you think?
Other related posts
- Copy Writing Nightmare - September 15th, 2009
- Online Storage - September 15th, 2008
- Newsletter Readers Lose Attention - August 9th, 2008
- Affiliate Partners Can Make You Money - June 4th, 2008
- Pangea Day May 10 - May 15th, 2008
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December 10th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Seasons greetings Matt and Kath - hope you have a fun, happy Christmas/New Year break. What is your wish list for 2009!!
And back at you,
k
December 11th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Hey, Kath, it is kinda weird looking at your own street, and part of me is glad our house is tucked down a ROW and can’t be seen. But I’m SURE this would be a great addition to websites. For some time now I’ve had a Google Earth map on the Shopenzed.com website so customers can find their way out from Whangarei to Ngunguru, and that has been very worthwhile. (While they are on that map they can also look around the neighbourhood). As a result, tourists can confidently make their way here - another barrier removed. They don’t have to phone for directions, they can just turn up!
Lesley - sounds like you are enjoying the benefits of using Google Maps well. k
January 15th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Kia Ora Kath,
My only concern on this is of course from a security point of view and why I never have a location for my business.
Apart from that I have used google earth a bit; it is good as long as it is up to date.
The villa I was based in whilst in Baghdad still has photo from late 2004; I know that from what I can see on street. Since then much of it was blocked off.
That place is of course the extreme end but it is an issue that people will come across when using this technology to plan a trip.
Enjoy the New Year.
Ken ‘Dusty’ Duncan
Kath here: Thanks for your comments. I’m of two minds on Street View. I love the ease it offers at checking out the terrain around homes for sale I’m looking at but on the other hand I get a weak stomach thinking of the security issues compromised for low-lifers.
k