HTML Coding & API with respect to Google Maps.
Hello Mr. Peterson,
As you can tell by the header of my blog, there is a google map of the Magic Kingdom at the top of my Blog. This was done as a test of Google's API for Google maps, in particular google maps embed APIs. APIs can do more than just allow for one to show a map of a location, for example our business, on a blog or website. APIs have all sorts of uses from a variety of different sources. There are Youtube APIs, Google search history APIs, and plenty of other APIs not developed by Google. Honestly, I see the need to dive deep into researching the topic to better improve our company's presence on the web.
Now as for specific Google Maps Embed API for a given location, its usefulness really depends on whether or not our hypothetical firm in question requires that we attract people to our location. Such places include stores, doctor's offices, lawyers offices, or any other place which requires a one to physically be there to take advantage of the service. While I believe that not many firms require blogs, I do believe that they do need some form of web presence like a website. The site itself can be as simple as only having an about page, a contacts page, careers page, and/or a way to order products/ services. For example, A sheet metal company might not need a full on website and blog combination, but they might want a website with a map showing where the manufacturing and pick up center is so that way one knows where they can pick up an order.
When it comes to ease of use it appears to be not that hard to set up. For google maps embed API ( and for other google maps APIs), one must only create a google account. Which if one is using google docs or gmail they should have one ready for use. Once they create the google account click on this link here: https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/embed/start and then select your location. Then click on looks good. Then please go to this link in a separate window or tab: https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/embed/ to get your API Key. Once you have that copy and paste it into the section where it says please enter your API key in the previous window or tab. Once that is done, take the code it gives you and then paste it into your website's HTML code editor.
During the setup process for the map at the top of the map you are seeing at the top of my blog, I ended up making a mistake which cost me about 1.5 hours of time as I tried to fix the issue. This issue was not selecting the correct API. I chose Google Maps Static rather than Google Maps Embed. I did not realize my mistake until I ran through all the possible mistakes I could have made. Now I like to believe that I am a tech savy person, and yet I did make a mistake. Thus I can assume that one who is not so tech savy might take way longer to fix an issue. Thereby I can imagine the training a person to use APIs can vary. I would I imagine the cost of training to be this simple formula: cost= level of computer skill + how good are they at following instructions.
In terms of hiring new people for adding API based HTML code to one's website or blog, I personally think anyone can follow the instructions provided. However if one is feeling doubtful about their staff's capabilities, then I would say you can bring on a coder or web developer. Now in terms of cost you can hire a web development intern, or bring on contract web developer for the project. Web development is not something that must be required full time by smaller businesses. There are even some firms, such as SquareSpace, which make making websites easy with a fairly easy to understand UI. The pricing for Square Space is as follows:
Thank you for considering my proposal regarding the use of APIs. As you can see I managed to get it working in my blog. I hope that we can adapt this technology for future use.
As you can tell by the header of my blog, there is a google map of the Magic Kingdom at the top of my Blog. This was done as a test of Google's API for Google maps, in particular google maps embed APIs. APIs can do more than just allow for one to show a map of a location, for example our business, on a blog or website. APIs have all sorts of uses from a variety of different sources. There are Youtube APIs, Google search history APIs, and plenty of other APIs not developed by Google. Honestly, I see the need to dive deep into researching the topic to better improve our company's presence on the web.
Now as for specific Google Maps Embed API for a given location, its usefulness really depends on whether or not our hypothetical firm in question requires that we attract people to our location. Such places include stores, doctor's offices, lawyers offices, or any other place which requires a one to physically be there to take advantage of the service. While I believe that not many firms require blogs, I do believe that they do need some form of web presence like a website. The site itself can be as simple as only having an about page, a contacts page, careers page, and/or a way to order products/ services. For example, A sheet metal company might not need a full on website and blog combination, but they might want a website with a map showing where the manufacturing and pick up center is so that way one knows where they can pick up an order.
When it comes to ease of use it appears to be not that hard to set up. For google maps embed API ( and for other google maps APIs), one must only create a google account. Which if one is using google docs or gmail they should have one ready for use. Once they create the google account click on this link here: https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/embed/start and then select your location. Then click on looks good. Then please go to this link in a separate window or tab: https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/embed/ to get your API Key. Once you have that copy and paste it into the section where it says please enter your API key in the previous window or tab. Once that is done, take the code it gives you and then paste it into your website's HTML code editor.
During the setup process for the map at the top of the map you are seeing at the top of my blog, I ended up making a mistake which cost me about 1.5 hours of time as I tried to fix the issue. This issue was not selecting the correct API. I chose Google Maps Static rather than Google Maps Embed. I did not realize my mistake until I ran through all the possible mistakes I could have made. Now I like to believe that I am a tech savy person, and yet I did make a mistake. Thus I can assume that one who is not so tech savy might take way longer to fix an issue. Thereby I can imagine the training a person to use APIs can vary. I would I imagine the cost of training to be this simple formula: cost= level of computer skill + how good are they at following instructions.
In terms of hiring new people for adding API based HTML code to one's website or blog, I personally think anyone can follow the instructions provided. However if one is feeling doubtful about their staff's capabilities, then I would say you can bring on a coder or web developer. Now in terms of cost you can hire a web development intern, or bring on contract web developer for the project. Web development is not something that must be required full time by smaller businesses. There are even some firms, such as SquareSpace, which make making websites easy with a fairly easy to understand UI. The pricing for Square Space is as follows:
| Squarespace Pricing Plans | Monthly Plan ($/month) | Annual Plan ($/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Personal | $16 | $12 |
| Business | $26 | $18 |
| Basic (eCommerce) | $30 | $26 |
| Advanced (eCommerce) | $46 | $40 |
Thank you for considering my proposal regarding the use of APIs. As you can see I managed to get it working in my blog. I hope that we can adapt this technology for future use.
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