Geocoding is the process of turning a physical address into a location on a map. Using data sets to build customized maps is a powerful way to visualize addresses.
Google Maps has long offered an API that allows developers to create custom maps for their own websites. The Maps API, currently on version 3, requires development abilities beyond those of the average auctioneer. Fortunately, there is an easy way for anyone to take a spreadsheet full of addresses and plot them on a map.
Enter: Batchgeo. By providing what is essentially a front-end to the Google Maps API, this free service allows anyone to upload or copy and paste data and receive a customized Google Map. This map can be printed, shared, emailed, embedded on any website or downloaded to Google Earth. By mapping the appropriate columns from your uploaded spreadsheet, you can make each pin show additional information, such as the specific address or the sales, when clicked.
Be careful. With great power comes great responsibility, and it’s really easy to violate your own privacy policy and terms by plotting data that should be kept confidential. When used with the appropriate resolution, and for the appropriate applications, this tool can be an auctioneer’s best friend. Want to plot the addresses of all the auctions you’ve done in the last year? Batchgeo makes it easy.
Geocoding is a very powerful method of representing information. Batchgeo is one of many available services that just happens to be free. Have you found better luck with other geocoding services? Let us know in the comments.
By brandonhowe 18 March 2010 - 8:01 am
I have used this a couple of times and found it to be a great tool. In fact, I am using it in Google Earth right now to build a specific database for marketing purposes. By using the location data in conjunction with some concentric circles based on mileages from another location, I can get very targeted data.
By Scott Musser 2 April 2010 - 10:05 am
Awesome Aaron! Just what we'e been looking for.
By Garage Sale Rover 9 May 2010 - 4:27 am
My newly launched Garage Sale Rover app uses batchgeo. We geocode and maintain 40,000 plus craigslist garage sales and map them on a free Android app.
By Garage Sale Rover 9 May 2010 - 9:27 am
My newly launched Garage Sale Rover app uses batchgeo. We geocode and maintain 40,000 plus craigslist garage sales and map them on a free Android app.
By Anonymous 16 September 2011 - 8:39 am
Does the Spanish government fudge the books to make growth look better? Who really knows, all I can say is that tourism this year to the area was extremely high, local residents on the ground were commenting on how it’s the busiest they’ve seen it for years. Is this just wishful thinking or were there many more tourists here? If my occasional visits to the Arenal in Javea are anything to go by, it was crazy in August.
By Jason Stevens 12 July 2013 - 4:12 pm
Another great new mapping service with filtering is easymapmaker.com
You can map your data, search, filter, group, and do all kinds of other great things for many devices. It’s really fast and easy.