Creating Locations

Overview

Locations and Location Pages are the basis of all the map based features found in Metro Publisher. This document will explain how create a new location and why it is important to input all the information properly.

Overview Video

For full screen viewing, click the expand icon in the video player.

Facebook Stream

The Facebook Stream of a business (if they have one) can be embedded right in the location page. This feature works only with Facebook Fan pages. Fan Pages are for businesses or organizations and for commercial use while Personal Profile pages are used for individuals. It's difficult to tell the difference when first you look at them, but to Facebook (specified in their terms of service) the two are very different.

You can identify a Personal Profile vs. a Page this way: Personal Profile pages give you the option to "Add Friend."  Pages give you the option to "Like" them only.

To read more about the differences go here: What's the difference between a Profile, Page and Group on Facebook?

Facebook edit options and stream on location page

1. Headline: Ad a headline if you would like one to appear above the Facebook stream
2. Facebook Page URL: Insert the web address of the business' Facebook Page.
3. Show Faces: This option allows the thumbnails of users who liked this business' Facebook page to appear at the bottom.

Title and URL

1. Title: This is the name of the business as well as the title that will appear at the top of the location page.
2. URL: By default, the URL will be the same as the location title but in all lower case with dashes separating the words. It is advisable to leave the auto-generated URLs as is, but they may be changed here if necessary.
   
   All location searches follow the same rule for URLs: yourdomainname.com/locations/location-title

Address Information

1. Street Number: This is the name of the business or location as well as the title that will appear at the top of the location page.
2. Street: By default, the URL will be the same as the section title but in all lower case with dashes separating the words. It is advisable to leave the auto-generated URLs as is, but they may be changed here if necessary.
3. Postal Code: Postal/zip code
4. Country: Country
5. State: State of Province
6. City: Type in the city or town name. After typing at least four characters, the search will return results for populated areas using that name. Choose the most appropriate city or town.
7. Longitude and Latitude: After putting in the complete address information, use the button to find the exact longitude and latitude for the new location. Google does not always return a perfectly accurate position. If required, drag the map or adjust the zoom level to fine tune the positioning.
   
   
   Sample of longitude and latitude field and map.
   
   
   

   NOTE: It is critical to put in the correct longitude and latitude for every location. If this information is not correct, your location will not appear on searches and location pages properly.

Description and Content

1. Description: This is a short description(150 characters or 1-2 sentences max) that appears on the map as a pop-up when the user clicks the map icons. This should be short and to the point.
   
   
   Sample of location pop-up with description and links to reviews and events
   
   
2. Content: Enter a longer version of the description here (500 characters or 1 paragraph max). This text will appear on the location page and is less constrained by space than the description field.
   
   
   Sample of location pop-up with description and links to reviews and events
   
   

State

1. State: Keep location in "Draft" mode until approved. Once a location is set to "Publish," the public location page will be live.

Additional Location Information

1. Price Index: Select from the pull-down the price index.
2. Phone: Enter area code and phone number.
3. Fax: Enter area code and fax number (if there is one).
4. Website Address: Enter complete URL for the website of this location (if there is one).
5. Location Thumb: Upload thumbnail image (if there is one).
6. Opening Hours: Enter in hours of operation.