There are a lot of Google Mapping module integrations for Joomla. Most, however, really only focus on putting a single location on a Google Map to show your location or some other address. You can put the module on your Joomla site, and potential customers can find their way to your location. Question is - what if you need multiple locations mapped at once? Or, what if you would like your Joomla site to feature a map with the Google Search Bar integrated in? That is where JMaps from CorFun comes in - the easiest and best Google Mapping integration for Joomla.

A new version of the JMaps Google Mapping Module has now been released that is compatible with Joomla 1.5, 1.6, and 1.7.

CorFun is pleased to announce the release of its JMaps Joomla mapping suite 3.0 – now featuring custom map markers by SOBI2 Category! The JMaps suite includes plugins for mapping SOBI2 entries (Categories and Search Results), Community Builder members (User List mapping and export), and stand-alone mapping for custom XML files and feeds.

This question comes up frequently and the answer is, "Yes." But not by itself of course. JMaps is a Joomla module and a system of plugins, so it needs to work with other applications. JMaps has been used by many businesses to offer searchable point of sale locators on their websites. Below is a list of the software they used to do it. 

JMaps, the premier mapping suite for Community Builder and SOBI2 and Google Maps, has just been upgraded with even more capabilities. The new features include:

• Full language capability - The JMaps module can now support translations of all mapping literals! Building a non-English language site in Joomla using SOBI2 or CB? Then JMaps is for you. The Google Mapping rendered can now be easily done in the language of your choice.
• Details template only in the shadowbox - JMaps has long had the ability to open the details from the map or the accompanying list in a shadowbox. But now, you can select to have only the SOBI2 details template load - not the full template of the Website! This enhancement means that a details view popup only shows the SOBI2 information, not a full page including menu bars and module positions. This is the cleanest, most effective display available for encouraging visitors to your SOBI2 site to browse as many listings as possible.
• Directions "To" and "From" (optional) - You can now offer site visitors the option of getting directions to or from the listing!
• Keep in View map scrolling - Have a long list of category or search results to show, then select the "Keep in View" option to have the map float down the page while the user browses the listings!
• Ability to have a star on featured items, even when the marker label isn't shown - Have a category map that you don't need the number labels on, but still want to "feature" some entries with a star? Now you can!
• Rank the importance of categoris to make sure that more important entries from premium categories always appear over the lower-ranked categories in SOBI2.

The new version of JMaps is already up and ready for download. To see the new features, visit our updated demo by clicking here.

To purchase the JMaps mapping suite (or one of its variations), please click here to visit the primary product page.

Community Builder is at the heart of many Joomla sites. Inside CB, sites often have information about birthdays, addresses, kids’ ages, hobbies, locations, and all kinds of other interesting information. For sites that are built around social or professional networking, or even sites for churches and other social groups, being able to find members with something in common in a geographic area can be a great thing.

Joomla is the most popular Content Management System on the Internet.  SOBI2 is the most popular (deservedly so) directory component for Joomla. Community Builder is the most popular profile/user management system for Joomla. Bundle all of these things together, and there is only one thing missing – really outstanding Google Mapping!

SOBI2 is a fantastic directory component for the Joomla CMS. Using the power of SOBI2, a developer (or even a motivated novice) can build a Website that organizes any kind of data from business listings, to recipes, to software downloads, to photo galleries, and even more. SOBI2 even has a neat plugin available that searches by 'radius' or specified proximity to a selected Postal Code/ZIP Code. Want to create a site that lets people find dental offices (or anything else!) within a user-specified radius of their homes? Then SOBI2 is your solution of choice, especially if you want the power of content management and ease of use that Joomla brings to the table.

Only one little problem, really. SOBI2 has a fantastic search capability that can return excellent results for a user based on location, keyword, etc. But that list will not appear on a map. The individual listings will appear on a map, but the list of search results itself won't. That is, unless you have the Google Mapping for SOBI2 Search Results plugin from CorFun!