Switching Map Provider

Last year Google caught many developers out with a huge increase in the fees charged for using their maps API. Many websites couldn't absorb the costs and switched map providers.

switch2osm is a great help if you want to make the switch to using OpenStreetMap for your interactive maps. However there are still costs involved with using OSM, particularly in serving the map tiles to your map. You can use a third party provider (like Mapbox) or create your own map tile server. Both options will involve costs but may work out a lot cheaper than using the Google Maps API.

When using a third party map provider, like Google or Mapbox, you will always be susceptible to sudden changes in the terms of service or increases in API charges. Switch Maps is a new mapping tool which provides you with a choice of mapping API and makes it very simple to switch between providers. The tool allows you to use either the Google Maps or Mapbox mapping platforms to create your interactive map. If you then want to switch maps between Google or Mapbox it is just a simple matter of changing the URL parameters of your map.

You don't need any coding skills to create an interactive map with Switch Maps. Switch Maps are simple to set up and use. All you need to create a Switch Map is a free Map Channels account.