Maps are a great way for nonprofits to represent data. The following presentation provides and overview of Google Maps Engine, Batch Geo and several Wordpress Themes that are simple to use, free or cheap, and great options for any nonprofit wanting to use maps on their website.

1. MAPPING OPTIONS FOR NON PROFITS
ROBERT FISH
VERMONT COUNCIL ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT
VERMONT DIGITAL ECONOMY PROJECT
HTTP://WWW.VTRURAL.ORG

2. THINGS TO CONSIDER
• Integration with your current website (built with Joomla I believe) – do you want an extension
or to embed code from another site?
• Price – There are both free and rather expensive options. Monthly charges vs one-time
charge vs free.
• Ease of use – Some systems will allow you to create your map in a matter of minutes as long
as you have the address. Others require the actual longitude and latitude coordinates.
• Can you set what area the maps defaults to? In other words, you don’t want to have a map
where you are forced to view the entire world and then zoom in before you see your markers.
• Do you want to integrate Google Streetview of locations?
• Do you want the ability for people to post reviews?
• Do you want to also have an iphone app?

3. PRODUCTS EVALUATED
• STANDALONE OPTIONS
• Google Maps Engine Pro
• Batch Geo
• WORDPRESS OPTIONS
• WP Local Plus Plugin
• Vantage Wordpress Theme
• PREMIUM OPTION
• Wordpress Geotheme and Iphone App

4. GOOGLE MAPS ENGINE LITE/MAPS ENGINE PRO
Google Maps Engine Lite is Free, but you only have 3 layers. A layer
is a category of map locations. You also have less flexibility with
icons and colors
Maps Engine Pro costs $5
per user, per month — or $50
per user, per year. You can
cancel, but won’t be able to
edit maps
https://mapsengine.google.com/
• Easily create, share and embed maps in any website
• Automatically zooms to an area constrained by your data
points
• Select locations on the map or upload as a CSV file
spreadsheet
• Links with existing Google data about locations
• Easily add websites, descriptions, hours, etc

5. GOOGLE MAPS ENGINE LITE/MAPS ENGINE PRO
Used to create a map similar to what you are requesting by Wilmington
Works - http://www.wilmingtonworksvt.com/#!wilmington-vt-map/c1vop
They used the free
version. Functional, but
only 3 categories of
businesses and all the
same color.

6. GOOGLE MAPS ENGINE LITE/MAPS ENGINE PRO
Add locations via searching or clicking a point on the map
Click a layer on or off
Choose an icon

7. GOOGLE MAPS ENGINE LITE/MAPS ENGINE PRO
Embed the Map
in any website
You can also
import from
Excel – Save
as CSV
Change the basemap type
(topo, satellite, political, etc)

8. BATCH GEO
http://batchgeo.com/

9. BATCH GEO

10. OTHER OPTIONS: WORDPRESS
WP Local Plus is a
completely automated, turnkey WordPress plugin that
will allow you automatically
create content packed,
dynamic local business
directories complete with
dynamic business reviews,
business listings, coupon
offers and Google Maps
integration right from within
your WordPress blog.
http://www.wplocalplus.com/
$39 - $69 base cost

11. OTHER OPTIONS: WORDPRESS
VANTAGE
WORDPRESS
THEME - Vantage is
the most popular
business directory
theme for WordPress.
It’s powerful, robust,
and easy to use.
That’s not all —
Vantage is fully
responsive which
means it scales
perfectly on mobile
devices.
Cost $99 – in addition
to any wordpress
hosting and
development costs
http://www.appthemes.com/themes/vantage/

12. OTHER OPTIONS: WORDPRESS
$39 - $69 base cost
e Robust – Lots of Features and the ability to charge for listings etc.

13. WORDPRESS GEOTHEME AND IPHONE APP
http://www.geotheme.com/
•Note: Requires Apple iOS developer account (99$ Year)