Last week's article, Building a Store Locator ASP.NET Application Using Google Maps API (Part 1), was the
first in a multi-part article series exploring how to add store locator-type functionality to your ASP.NET website using the free Google
Maps API. Part 1 started with an examination of the database used to power the store locator, which contains a single table named Stores with columns capturing
the store number, its address and its latitude and longitude coordinates.
Next, we looked at using Google Maps API's geocoding service to translate a user-entered address, such as
San Diego, CA or 92101 into its latitude and longitude coordinates. Knowing the coordinates of the address entered by the user, we then looked at writing a SQL
query to return those stores within (roughly) 15 miles of the user-entered address. These nearby stores were then displayed in a grid, listing the store number, the
distance from the address entered to each store, and the store's address.
While a list of nearby stores and their distances certainly qualifies as a store locator, most store locators also include a map showing the area searched, with markers
denoting the store locations. This article looks at how to use the Google Maps API, a sprinkle of JavaScript, and a pinch of server-side code to add such functionality to
our store locator. Read on to learn more!
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