How can I add a map with pinpoint for property, from postcode alone?

Hi all,

I'm looking for a way to get a contact form, whereby the user inputs their UK postcode (only), and google maps (or similar) goes to the location and allows the user to drag the pin to their property.

On the backend of the form via email, we are looking to get the exact pin location back to us, in order to research the exact property, best case would be a screenshot or image of the pin on the map.

Note, at this point, I've tried the geolocate app within the form builder, which is nearly there - but on moving the pin, the address field changes (which is probably Google's fault), confusing anyone who drops a pin on their property. Equally, it provides the long/lat coordinates of the pin, but putting these coords into Google maps or Google Earth, the pin drop is streets or at best, houses away from where the user submitted on the form.

I've been looking through miles of code in relation to the Google map/geolocate API, but haven't the foggiest where to begin.

Any help much appreciated!

I have looked at the options that we have at this time, and the closest one seems to be our Location_Coordinates widget, though it doesn't search by postcode alone. It needs an address to be entered.

I can see the issue that you are describing about the longitude and latitude being slightly off the mark that you have selected, but this seems to be due to Google Maps. They are using longitude/latitude that are fairly accurate, but they have limited it to a certain area blocks. It seems to be accurate within about 70-100 meters, but that is as accurate as we seem to be able to get with this.You may want to add a text field to your form informing the user to please ensure that they have entered their entire correct address, as the map doesn't return the exact location that they have pinned on the map.

I hope it helps.

Hi Boris,

Thank you for your message. Is there a way we can hide the address, long/lat fields and just show postcode? Feedback from others is indicating that if the pin move keeps changing the written information, the customer would get confused and likely not continue with the form, perhaps even searching for another company to use.

Another website: http://www.contact-solar.co.uk/quote/ seems to have their contact form nailed. Is this something we can do with JotForm, or would we need to implement this ourselves serverside?

Many thanks,

Dan

It seems that we do not have an option to hide the entries directly, but we can adjust the height of the Location Coordinates widget in such a way that everything under the Address line is hidden. It seems that 340 is enough height (if you are using Blue or Black theme in this widget) to show only the Address line, in which your customers can enter their post code.

If you are using the default/Legacy theme, you would need to use about 355 or less for height.

Here is a cloned version of your form with this widget added, and its height adjusted:

http://form.jotformpro.com/form/51954937787981

By entering a post code provided on the page you have linked above (W1 1XD), this is how the form would appear:

I hope this works better for your use case.

Hi Boris,

Thank you for looking onto that and providing a reasonable solution to the issue. That's a nice work around.

Does JotForm allow external users to create widgets? If so, I would happily give it a try to code a new solution to meet our needs and share with others - if I can get my head around the Google API for geocoding and maps! Alternatively, I may source some help with it!

Kudos on the support for the site though, nice to know you guys are always willing to help.

Many thanks,

Dan

For Dan - in the UK try reaching out to these guys for help with the Google API - http://www.mapchannels.com/ - they are pretty creative!!

Thanks kindly - I shall take a look!

Yes, Dan. Please take a look at our Developers website for more information on creating widgets.

http://developers.jotform.com/

Also, we have a separate forum where your questions shall be addressed by our developers. Hope this information helps. 

Thanks!!