Collecting data is an imperative component to managing your business, particularly when it comes to business expansion and development. Having the correct data can help you identify weak areas within your district, understand the current trending patterns, and provide insight into your existing customer data.
Knowing how to use this information to your best advantage starts with how the data is displayed. Trying to read the lead through a spreadsheet is time-consuming. It doesn’t offer a comprehensive view of all data. Even attempts of manually plotting these details are unachievable (especially when some companies will have millions of consumers globally.
Automating this data through mapping software is a simplified method of understanding your data while processing all customer information at the same time. It can help users through visualization, bringing a deeper understanding of raw information.
Creating Radius Maps to Understand Data
Radius maps take all information within a spreadsheet and convert them into a functional and focused map within a specified target. Users can specify the radius (or distance from a specific target, like a brick-and-mortar address) and display all results within that geographical location.
This visualization can provide insight into current trends, like specific optimized areas or neighborhoods. Google maps do not allow multiple data points (the current maximum is ten points within a map).
Additionally, it does not offer radius functionality. For businesses wanting to incorporate radius maps within Google maps, third-party companies offer complete integration. This means all datasets will be uploaded onto the map while maintaining the Google map functionality (including street view and satellite maps).
Building a Circle on Google Maps
As previously mentioned, Google Maps doesn’t allow radius map functionality without third-party software. Most third-party platforms allow for spreadsheet integration for uploading. As such, you’ll need to have your customer dataset available in a spreadsheet.
Once the consumer information has been updated, you’ll want to upload the data into the program. When you see the map, select a location on the map by choosing “add a radius.” Depending on the software, right-click the map to add this feature.
Alternatively, look for a “starting location” field and enter your point of reference there. To determine your points, set the distance to the required area.
For a generalized evaluation of your database, set the radius area further from your starting point. This radius setting will show all targeted accounts within that parameter. If you’re trying to review specific areas, lower the distance from the starting point for a localized consideration.
How Radius Maps Help Businesses Optimize Functionality
A drive time map for businesses looking to expand operations can determine the optimized routes for your company’s shipping, logistics, and delivery needs. Once a user has entered the plots within the mapping software, choosing the drive-time functionality will automatically produce updated routes. These routes enable drivers to spend more time delivering products and less time behind the wheel throughout the day.
For those looking to improve their customer experience, radius maps offer in-depth analysis of the current sales and service territories, along with an insight into new locations for further development. These areas might include new service buildings, additional delivery locations, and subsequent franchise locations.
These insights also include feedback about current marketing initiatives. Radius maps allow careful consideration of current advertising budgets and the influence they have on target locations. For businesses with dense client populations, increasing marketing budgets can prove highly effective over spread-out efforts.
Why Mapping Software Helps Businesses Succeed
While many businesses choose to collect customer information, few decide to interpret and understand the information within the spreadsheet. As a database, the contents become challenging to comprehend. For example, evaluating customer information as a spreadsheet might show fifty records within one zip code. A company may determine to hire a new sales representative for that area (predicting growth) yet miss the details of where those houses are located.
On the other hand, uploading the data onto a map can show a distinct visual of the customer account. After review, dividing the zip code into two specific areas (per drive time) makes more sense. By dividing the territory, sales agents can spend less time commuting between client locations, increasing their district’s ground time and improving client retention overall.
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