zip code google map locator API integration

[kiranoleti]

Hi all,

 

  I am new to PHP. I need to integrate Google map with my web site . My problem is entering the zip code of any location then it should locate the particular place in the google map.

 

Can anybody knows plz help me.....Thanks in advance...

 

 

thanks,

Kiran.

[discomatt]

This isn't easy, as most pre-built solutions are not free.

 

http://www.geonames.org/ has some great free resources, and the forum is usually quite helpful. Don't expect someone to hold your hand through this though... it's quite a bit of work and can be quite complex. If you're not up for this I really suggest going the freelance/paid solution way.

[Slip]

You'll need a database of post/zip codes (there are currently approx 2.4 million in the UK) with their corresponding longitude and latitude data. Using this info it is possible to then dynamically set the centre point for a googlemap element on your page.

 

The problem in the UK is that post code data is controlled by the Royal Mail and to obtain a copy of such data you would have to purchase a licence off them - expect anything from £1000 - £6000+ for the service - I'm not sure how zip codes are managed in the US? There are workarounds ofcourse and I can think of a legit way to do it - you could set up a script to query www.multimap.com with the post code of your choice then read the page for the longitude and latitude data. Then you'll have what you need to alter the googlemap element. This method though obviously has its drawbacks. For starters you are relying on multimap. If there is a problem with their server then you're stuck.

 

Be creative in your ways of achieving your result and you can overcome most obstacles.