The range of jQuery plugins and libraries has extended to support every aspect of modern web development. Here today, we will be exploring the wide variety of jQuery Maps plugins. It is a specific set of libraries and plugins that focus on helping web admins, developers, and engineers to better integrate interactive and bold maps widgets to help with location related tasks; showing maps, business locations, and details, integrating world maps for interactivity, amongst other reasons that only you will be aware of. Knowing how to integrate Google Maps properly alone can bring so many different benefits to the experience of your website or application.
With platforms like Google Places in full swing now, businesses should focus on their maps widgets more than ever. They allow the establishment of context, interactivity, and general information about your business and what it entails. We will be covering nearly 20 unique jQuery maps plugins for helping you to create the best maps experience on your website, without the need to invest in hiring developers and designers to do the work for you.
Leaflet
We didn’t see many mobile-first mapping solutions on our list. Thus, we are more than happy to mention Leaflet. It is a JavaScript-built jQuery library for mobile-first interactive maps. The biggest names in technology also rely on Leaflet to provide its users with a flawless maps experience. There are tons of features and many of which are also extendable. And to top it off, it’s super lightweight; it comes in but a few dozen KB’s of size when fully compiled.
Polymaps
Polymaps is an excellent JavaScript library for creating maps that you can integrate into any project or application. Also, your creation will work flawlessly on all the modern devices and web browsers, thanks to Polymaps’s flexible nature. The plugin supports multi-zoom, quickly displaying cities and neighborhoods. Moreover, Polymaps uses SVG to display content, so you know all the details always appear with crystal clarity. You can play around with customization tweaks and make Polymaps follow your style precisely. Keep in mind, before you fully commit, you can also take a peek at several examples first and go from there. There is also the necessary documentation, which ensures smooth execution.
Mapael
jQuery Mapael is a fork of the ever-popular Raphael JavaScript library that supports displaying dynamic vector maps within your website projects. The essential feature of Mapael is that you can quickly build a country-clickable World map without relying on multiple libraries for the job. You can soon specify your own color choices for each country. You can also quickly gather around a group of cities by marking them with objects based on longitude and latitude. The documentation offers an extensive learning curve that is easy to master. Supports SVG. Is built with search engines with the mind. Thus, search robots will be able to index your dynamic maps without thinking twice about it.
DataMaps
We’re back to D3.js, a library we’ve already discussed. To give an interactive maps experience for displaying data, DataMaps is developed on top of D3. All of this is included in a single JavaScript file, ensuring a smooth data visualization experience. Different sorts of geolocation data may be used to display the data. With the plugin, you’ll be able to use SVG vector graphics on any device because they’re entirely supported by the D3 library, which also ensures security. It is strongly encouraged that you engage in the demo files and learn more about the plugin to understand its possibilities better.
Gmap3
Gmap3 is a jQuery library that has been around for a long time and allows web developers and designers to modify their Google Maps widgets completely. Gmap3 can help you with all of these tasks at once, whether you’re creating custom location events or adding custom text to locations.
jVector Map
To use only native browser technologies such as JavaScript, CSS, HTML, SVG, or VML, jVectorMap is a JavaScript-built solution for vector maps. It allows for complete server-side interactivity with the maps. You may also add events and interactive web behaviors to your maps by utilizing the rich API available.
Kartograph
Some businesses (such as bloggers, journalists, developers, and designers) choose to rely on a service that supplies its maps upon which we may create the sort of interactivity we require. In contrast, Google Maps and similar services have led the way for genuinely interactive map experiences. The Kartograph library, on the other hand, is divided into two parts, the first of which allows you to create SVG maps. In addition, these SVG maps may be built upon to make them interactive across all major browsers.
Planetary
When you can create globes instead of standard maps, why bother with traditional maps? Planetary.js makes it easy for designers and developers to create realistic Earth Globes. Using custom events, these interactions may be enhanced for more in-depth engagement between the user and globe.
Snazzy Maps
It’s a pity because Snazzy Maps doesn’t have many interactive elements. There isn’t anything else like it on our list, so it’s an excellent addition. Download bespoke Google Maps skins for your widgets from Snazzy Maps, and then put them on your existing Google Maps widgets, such as the ones you’ve yet to make with the assistance of several great jQuery map libraries available. It’s as simple as copying the JSON from any style page and pasting it into any Google Maps object’s map settings. Read the Google Maps API if you are using HTML and JavaScript to build your website. Google MapBuildr is a drag-and-and-drop tool that lets you customize your map to your liking.
Activ’Map Nearby Places
You may use Activ’Map Nearby Places to integrate interactive POI Google Maps into your project instead of creating your own. You may, of course, develop a final product that is perfectly tailored to your requirements thanks to the versatile and extensible customization features. With responsive and cross-browser compatibility, you can rest sure that the map will always run smoothly. Activ’Map Nearby Places plugin features include custom locations, color schemes, map design with Snazzy Map, geolocation, and automated results targeting. The tool’s ease of use ensures that everyone can quickly and easily use its full potential.
MapSVG
Using MapSVG, you can transform any SVG map into a fully interactive supercomputer. A vast number of features and settings are available to assist you in creating a custom static Google Maps experience, all without the need for third-party solutions.
Image Map Pro
You can create maps from your photographs with Image Map Pro. With the included web app, you can create, edit, and export picture maps rapidly. A step-by-step tutorial is included to help you get started. Widgets let you create, edit, and share your visual content in a variety of ways. There’s no limit to what you may say about the photographs you post with them.
jQuery Geo
With jQuery Geo, Applied Geographics’ open-source geospatial mapping project, you can get a simplified JavaScript API for most of your web mapping requirements. Whatever your map needs are, jQuery Geo can assist! It’s great for both beginners and expert GIS users.
Rockstar Map
Rockstar Map uses the jQuery plugin to show an interactive map with locations, navigation, and more. Easy to set up and use, it’s excellent for any Contacts page. Fullscreen mode, smooth animations, inertia, fluid width, touch gestures, and a stunning interface are just a few of the elements that make it stand out even against a busy graphic background in this program.
Jquery Location Picker Plugin
Google map search and selection are made easy with this add-on. In addition to picking a single point, you can choose a region by selecting a moment and then defining a radius. Javascript with callback support or any HTML input element may save and process the selection.
jHERE
There are various functions available in this API that might be beneficial for advanced projects and research. You may mark specific locations or create heatmaps based on your requirements at any given moment.
CSS-based Maps
Unfortunately, there is a different website for each continent, so don’t assume that just Europe is featured in the list. All files for each nation and continent are available for free download and modification in PhotoShop.
Maplace.Js
To incorporate Google Maps into your website, you may use Maplace.js to build markers and menus for the map’s locations rapidly. You must have jQuery and Google Maps API v3 on your page if you want to use them. With this plugin, you get all the functionality of the previous two plugins, plus a few more. It may be used on more complicated websites.
WhatsNearby
This is a Google Maps plugin that lists and displays nearby locations based on a user-specified position. Because it’s so easy to change the surrounding areas, so I’d say this is most suited for websites that provide local and company listings. However, the URL above will take you directly to GitHub, not the sample page from which the image was obtained.
ClassyMap
Using ClassyMaps, you can easily integrate Google Maps into your website using only HTML5 code. It’s easy to use and lets you define many location data, so you always have the most up-to-date information accessible.
Conclusion
Plugins come in an almost infinite number of varieties, and there are other more resources accessible for individuals in search of something unique and innovative.