Post Published on December 21, 2012.
Last Updated on April 28, 2016 by davemackey.

I want to create a custom map for our church. I want to highlight various places – such as other churches, apartment complexes, and non-profit organizations. How do I go about doing this? This is the question I set out with and here are the results of my research…

If you have additions, revisions, etc. please feel free to leave them in the comments or shoot me an email using the contact form. This resource will be evolving with time.

Major Map Players

• Google Maps – Probably the best known and most widely utilized.
• Bing Maps – Offers the ability to customize maps for all users, has advanced API integration available as well – free in some instances, pay in others.
• Yahoo! Maps – Uses Nokia Maps.
• Nokia Maps – Formerly known as Ovi, now Here. Powers Yahoo! Maps. Offers a Map Builder.
• OpenStreetMap
• MapQuest Tools.

Other Map Players

• MapFab
• MapTiler
• Animaps
• Mapbiquity
• Targetmap
• ikiMap
• Wayfaring
• Umapper
• GmapGIS
• ScribleMaps
• MapFaire – Defunct.
• iMapBuilder.
• ZeeMaps.
• MapFling.
• MapBox.
• Sketchmap.
• MapBuilder.
• AardvarkMap.
• Quik Maps – Allows for doodling over the top of Google Maps.
• StepMap.
• Polymaps.

Google Maps Mashups

• This section will include services that build on top of Google Maps and lack enough significant functionality to be considered a separate option from Google Maps itself.

Bibliography:

• MapFab: Easily Create Your Own Custom Map. Mashable. 6/14/12.
• ikiMap: Create Your Own Custom Maps Easily & Flexibly. Mashable. 7/1/12.
• Wayfaring: Create & Share Custom Maps Online. Mashable. 10/2/09.
• Targetmap: Easily Create Free Customized Maps & Share. Mashable. 11/5/10.
• UMapper: Create and Share Route Maps with Friends. Mashable. 8/11/08.
• GmapGIS: Draw on Google Maps & Share. Mashable. 6/16/12.
• ScribleMaps: Mark & Drawn On Maps Online. Mashable. 5/4/09.
• Animaps: Create Animated Maps Online & Share. Mashable. 7/9/11.
• Mapbiquity: Creating Maps with Your Data Made Simple. Mashable. 12/26/10.
• MapTiler: Create an Overlay of Virtual Maps & Publish Them Online. Mashable. 4/2/12.