Exploring Alternatives: Why Proxi Maps Offers More than Google My Maps

Proxi Maps has emerged as a formidable competitor in the web-based mapping sphere, alongside the well-known Google My Maps, which is a branch of Google Maps that allows users to add points to their own maps. 

While Google's suite of services has become ubiquitous for users, it's important to remember that just because Google is pervasive doesn't always mean it's the best option for everyone.

A Closer Comparison: Proxi Maps vs. Google My Maps

Fully Branded Maps

Proxi and Google My Maps offer customization options for creating personalized maps, but the difference in capabilities is clear.

Header Customization

Proxi allows users to choose header and title text colors, add a custom logo, and customize both a map title and sub-title, providing comprehensive branding options.

On the other hand, Google My Maps only allows users to include the photo associated with their Google account and add a custom title, limiting branding options.

Point Organization

One of the notable differences between Proxi Maps and Google My Maps is how points are organized on the map.

Proxi uses point categories to organize points and help map viewers navigate the map more efficiently. Users can select specific categories to filter the map and view relevant points, and map points can also be displayed in a list format for easy viewing and searching.

In contrast, Google My Maps uses a similar concept of ‘Layers’ to organize points, which can be filtered by opening a side panel on the map. However, the layers automatically appear in a list format, and there is no search functionality available in this view.

Colors and Icons

Proxi Maps offers extensive customization options for colors and icons, providing users with a wide range of choices to match their aesthetic preferences and brand. Users can choose from a color scale, eye dropper tool, or RGB code to find the perfect color, and they can also select from a vast catalog of icons or upload their own custom image.

On the other hand, Google My Maps provides limited customization functionality, with a small color palette of only 30 options and a limited choice of icons. This can significantly restrict brand alignment.

Base Map Options

Both Proxi Maps and Google My Maps offer in-house base map options, but Proxi Maps goes a step further by allowing users to directly upload custom code from Snazzy Maps for further personalization, providing more flexibility in base map customization.

Map Insights

Proxi Maps also provides valuable analytics for map admins, offering insights into map engagement and user behavior. The map dashboard provides information on the number of views each map receives, the number of clicks on individual points, and other map engagements such as button clicks to OpenTable and external links.

Additionally, Proxi Maps allows admins to enable "liking" points on the map, providing valuable feedback on the popularity of points. In contrast, Google My Maps only provides the total lifetime map views as analytics for map owners, limiting the insights available for map performance.

Collaboration Features

When it comes to collaboration, Proxi Maps excels with its intuitive and user-friendly interface.

Google My Maps lacks collaborative features, with a sharing interface that can be difficult to understand and use. Sharing editing functions within the map creation interface is not straightforward, as users need to save the map to their Google Drive before allowing editors. Furthermore, there is no easy way to differentiate edits made by different users, making moderation of additions to the map challenging for map owners.

In contrast, Proxi Maps was designed with collaboration in mind. Proxi mappers enjoy a seamless experience when it comes to sharing and working together on maps. The intuitive user interface (UI) of Proxi offers easy navigation and allows map creators to share maps publicly or privately via personalized links. Additionally, the "collaborate" button makes it effortless to crowdsource points from the community with just a simple click.

Here is a breakdown of the collaboration options offered by Proxi:

Crowdsourcing points for a single map:
- With the map link, anyone can add points to the map.
- Map Owners have the flexibility to adjust settings to approve map points before they appear on the map, if desired.‍

Joint editing of a single map:
- Invite Co-Owners and editors to collaborate on building a map.
- Co-Owners have access to all map settings and can add points.
Editors can adjust some map settings and add points as well.

Joint editing of multiple maps:
- Team Accounts allow for building, customizing, and collaborating on maps with a group of teammates.
- Maps can be collectively added to the Team Backpack and organized in folders for easy management.

For more detailed information on these collaboration options, please refer to our pricing page.

‍Map with AI

Proxi's latest innovation is our seamless integration with ChatGPT-4. Now, you can effortlessly create your map using AI. Just answer a few quick questions to provide Proxi with a prompt, and we'll map your points in just a matter of minutes.

Time to try out Proxi

Google Maps was an early pioneer in web-based mapping, building a wealth of information in its atlas. However, when it comes to user-created maps, Google My Maps falls short on various fronts. While it may be suitable for single-use and basic maps where aesthetics and sharing privileges are not a concern, it lacks the streamlined and user-friendly interface that many mappers seek. This is where other mapping sites like Proxi excel.

Proxi makes it easy to upload your Google My Map with a simple KML upload feature, allowing you to seamlessly transition your maps and take advantage of Proxi's advanced capabilities.