Hi,
Thank you for the feedback.
1) You cannot build such maps with GEO my WP out of the box. You will need to either have a custom code or using the Global Maps add-on.
Using the add-on you will be able to build unlimited maps ( same way you create GEO my WP form ) and defined each map differently. You can choose the post type that will be displayed in the map. You can choose the taxonomies, you can exclude certain taxonomies and you can exclude certain terms of a taxonomy.
And so, you will be able to create one map which will display all posts. You could also create another map that will display posts of certain taxonomy/category and so on.
What you could also do is create different map for the different categories and use them in different pages. Then you could create either links ( as categories ) that will each link to its map page or you could create a drop-down menu with the different categories as options and using a simple javascript function link each option of the drop-down to its map page.
2) Display map and information of a certain location ( post ) you can simple use the short code [gmw_single_location] ( you can find detailed explanation in the admin dashboard -> GEO my WP -> Shortcodes.
However, GEO my WP at the moment does not support multiple locations per post. It is a wanted feature but I am still looking for a way to do it. It is pretty complex to create.
3) One ( of the many ) feature of the Premium Settings add-on is the custom map icons. It allows to have map icons per post types, per category or per post.
You will be able to set map Icon per each of your post types, per each of your taxonomies/categories and you could also set a map icon per each post you create.
4) I am not sure I understand. are you referring to the Current Location widget/shortcode?
5) When creating a map you can choose to either auto-zoom which means that the map will zoom to fit all the marker or you can choose a custom zoom level which zoom into the user’s current location when exist.
I hope you’ll find the above useful. Please let me know if you have any more questions.
BTW, are you posting the plugin review anywhere I could read it when ready?
Hello, I will add my comments below.
1) That is what we are looking for. I understand features are free, but polish and sparkles are extra. We want the polish and sparkles. Thank you.
2) I think I need to explain this more. We are creating a guide for a certain area and I need to display multiple locations for a business. Maybe I could do this by loading the map and using a tag? We will have businesses listed and the cat will be something like computer-shop, but if one of them is called “AA Computer Shop”, we need to be able to have one page for that computer shop where we display a map containing all their links.
I am sure we could figure out a way to do this if you wanted to work with us. Doing this for one post will be a nightmare. However, I think we could create 3 posts, one for each location with the first post being the main listing for that business. Then we simply redirect the other two posts to the first post and bang! 3 listings, 1 post, all clicks are redirected to the first post.
3) The idea here is that if a customer viewed the main map, it would display the icons for categories so they could clearly see what category they were from. If they then viewed the category it would instead show company logos so they can easily be identified.
4) From what I saw, your maps added a pin for the customers location. The issue here is that for PCs that location is usually 20-50 miles out, for cell phones it is pretty accurate. If the customer is using a PC, then their location is out by a lot and the map of the area we cover is much smaller and doenst make much sense.
5) Nice, we can zoom to fit the pins on the map. Is that setting in the free version.
Our review is located here: http://watwebdev.com/store-locator-plugins-for-wordpress/
Would love your feedback, feel free to contact us via the website.
Hi,
Thank you for the positive feedback on your blog.
1) I have been working on the next major update of GEO my WP and already added a new mashup map shortcode to it. It will be kind of a global map but simpler version of it. The shortcode will display a map with all locations ( or you can set a max limit ) based on the post types chosen.
I have decide to add the feature after reading your feedback and mainly because all directory plugins out there have this functionality out of the box.
2) I think you just gave me a great idea. I have been looking for a way to create multiple locations for a single post. But It will be complex to do so using a single post. But maybe instead of using tags as you suggested I will add a custom field or custom taxonomy ( or custom something ) that will allow the admin to connect additional posts as sub-locations for the main post.
So for example I create a post for my Business, say “GMW plugins” ,which will also serve as a main location. Then I will create another post which will serve as a sub-location of my business. In this post there will be a custom field as an input box which is when I’ll enter the post ID of the main location ( the first post we created ).
Then, using the custom field and a new function I will write, sub-locations will be displayed in the same page of the main location and possibly share the same map.
I need to dig into that but looks like a great solution :).
Until then, you could probably use tags to connect multiple location and with a custom SQL query ( which I could help you with ) you will be able to displayed these locations on the same page.
3) This will be a bit complex and will need custom modifications to the plugin.
I am not sure how to go about that at the moment. I will need to dig in the code to see how difficult or easy it will be.
4) Unfortunately I don’t see a solution for that. The plugin uses the browser to get the user’s current location I don’t have any control of the location returned and how accurate it is.
5)Yep, when editing a form under the “Map” tab there is the “Zoom Level” feature. You can set it to “Auto” which means that the map will fit all the marker into view. Or you could set a custom zoom level which will zoom into the marker that represent the user’s current location when exists.
Please, feel free to contact me directly at [email protected] for any questions, feedback or suggestions. I will be more that happy to work with you.
Thank you,
Eyal
Hello and thank you for your replies. We have been busy with new projects and I haven’t been able to check your last reply until now.
1) I would love to test that. Maybe we can also review your premium add-ons?
2) Great to hear I could help.
3) I think the easiest way is to have the pins/images assigned to the category and to the posts. When viewing more than one category, the category pins/images are used. When viewing one category, the post pins/images are used.
The issue at the moment is that if someone views all businesses, it can seem very confusing if they all have different or the same pins.
4) There is nothing you can do about the accuracy of the location data being provided. However, you could have an option to not check the users location and set where to center the map.
For my project, we have a small number of businesses within one area. If I load the map, it shows all pins, plus my pin, but as my pin is miles out, the map is huge and the businesses we list are a small group in one corner.
Another option could be added that would allow the user to load their location so that they can see where they are, but to be honest I do not think that is needed too much as google can provide directions to get to the location.
After all, my location does not mean I am in the area. I could be thousands of miles away researching which restaurant to take my family to.
I believe that there are two types of users you would have visiting a site using your plugin. These are users who are in the area and users who plan to visit the area. If the user plans to visit the area, you really do not need to show their location pin on the map.
That leads me to another thought. Maybe you could have an option such as “display users location on map only if they are within x miles/km of one pin on the map”.
5) If I am not mistaken, it shows the users location pin on the map when it loads. Please forgive me if I am wrong, I do not have time at the moment to go and check the test instal I made.
Off the top of my head, this item is effected by #4 mentioned above.
