{"id":7058,"date":"2016-05-11T09:37:57","date_gmt":"2016-05-11T16:37:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.esri.com\/?p=7058"},"modified":"2026-05-26T08:46:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T15:46:28","slug":"the-role-of-web-maps","status":"publish","type":"insider","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/about\/newsroom\/insider\/the-role-of-web-maps","title":{"rendered":"The Role of Web Maps"},"content":{"rendered":"

Web maps are online maps created with ArcGIS that provide a way to work and interact with geographic content organized as layers. They are shared on the web and across smartphones and tablets. Each web map<\/a> contains a reference basemap along with a set of additional data layers, plus tools that work on these layers. The tools can do simple things like open a pop-up window when you click on the map, or more complex things, like perform a spatial analysis and tell you the relative proximity of healthy food options by neighborhood.
\nAt their heart, web maps are simple. Start with a basemap and mash it up with your own data layers. Then add additional tools that support what you want your users to do with your web map: tell stories; perform analytical studies; collect data in the field; or monitor and manage your operations.
\nVirtually anything you do with GIS can be shared using web maps. And they can go anywhere. Web maps work online and on any smartphone, and along with your supporting GIS work, are accessible anytime.
\n<\/p>\n

\"Interactive<\/a>
Web maps are how users work with and apply ArcGIS, and can be used anywhere\u2014in web browsers, on smartphones, and in desktop GIS applications. This web map asks a simple question: how many Americans live within a reasonable walking or driving distance to a supermarket or other sources of healthy food?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Web maps are how you deploy your Web GIS. A web map is easy to share with others. You simply provide a hyperlink to the web map you wish to share and embed it on websites or launch it using a wide range of GIS apps.
\nMake and Share a Web Map in Five Easy Steps<\/strong>
\nAnyone can make, share, and use web maps. Let\u2019s start by going through a short example. Suppose you want to make a map that allows you to explore the food, architecture, and design destinations for San Diego.
\n1. Select a basemap and zoom into your city of interest. We\u2019ll use the Light Gray Canvas basemap.
\n2. Add your data layers and specify how each will be symbolized and displayed. In this case, we\u2019ll add point layers for specific San Diego destinations, line layers for the trolley lines, and neighborhood polygons.<\/p>\n

\"Workflow<\/a>
It\u2019s easy to share the map you make. Simply share the hyperlink, embed it in a website, or share the configured app.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3. Create pop-ups that enable users to explore the clicked-on features.
\n4. Save your map, then document it with an eye-catching thumbnail, a good description, and a thoughtful name. Every map, especially a map that you will share, needs a good item description, thumbnail, and name.
\n5. Share your map by using it to configure a whole range of apps. Once you create your map, you can configure an app that will use your web map for delivery to your audience.
\nThis post is excerpted from <\/em>The ArcGIS Book: 10 Big Ideas about Applying Geography to Your World. The twin goals of this book are to open your eyes to what is now possible with Web GIS, and then spur you into action by putting the technology and deep data resources in your hands. The book is available through <\/em>Amazon.com<\/em><\/a> and other booksellers, and is also available at <\/em>www.TheArcGISBook.com<\/em><\/a> for free.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"sync_status":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"","transcript_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","castos_file_data":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[10862],"tags":[4381,157432,209252,279542,157412,165252,241,160632,168462],"class_list":["post-7058","insider","type-insider","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-esri","tag-apps","tag-arcgis","tag-arcgis-book","tag-basemap","tag-data","tag-geography","tag-gis","tag-maps","tag-web-maps"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat is Web Mapping? 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