HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF INTERACTIVE MAPS ON ZA PROPERTY PORTAL
ZA Property Portal provides visitors with access to a rich selection of high-quality, interactive South Africa maps ranging from countrywide to suburban street level. This article uses a question and answer format to explain how to get the most out of these maps. Some of the information in this article is aimed specifically at estate agents but much of it is also relevant to anybody visiting the ZA Property Portal website.
a. How are the maps created?
The maps are generated automatically in response to the regional search criteria (ie. provinces, towns and suburbs) selected by property searchers.
b. Where can the maps be viewed?
The maps can be viewed by clicking on a link displayed in a box to the right of a list of property search results, or by clicking on the map icon displayed with the detailed information about a specific property.
c. Why do I not see a map icon associated with certain properties?
If the person who lists the property (either via the ZAProp control panel or on another website from which ZA Property Portal draws data) does not specify the relevant regional criteria (e.g. provinces, towns and suburbs) in designated fields, no map icon will be associated with the property.
d. How can I ensure that a street map is displayed with a property I am advertising?
Log into your control panel, click on "Show listings" in the "Property Listings" section of the menu on the left hand side of the page, and click the "edit" icon on the relevant property. Then add a street name in the appropriate field. This will automatically generate a street map associated with your property on www.zapropertyportal.co.za. (Note: you can also use this method to specify that your property is on show).
e. In what respects are the maps interactive?
1) They are zoomable: you can use the slider control on the left of the map to get wider or closer views of the maps. When you zoom in, the map may appear blurred for a short while before it resolves into a sharp image in which you can see details such as street names.
2) They are scrollable: mouse over the map (a hand icon will appear), click and drag in any direction. This will scroll the map and reveal areas that were outside of the original map view.
3). They offer satellite views and hybrid views (combination of satellite and map) which are also zoomable and scrollable.
4) They may provide additional information such as links to other streets in the suburb. This can be useful, in instances when a street was misspelled when the property was listed.
5) They provide contact details of the agent whose property listing triggered the map display.
f. Are the maps printable?
Yes. Simply press the "print" button. For best results (ie. bigger maps) set your printer to print in landscape format.