There are multiple options for sharing your map with the world:
- Direct Concept3D URL (or redirect to Concept3D URL)
- Iframe Embed
- CNAME
- iOS/Android app embed as Web Modal
- Native iOS/Android app experience using the optional API
1. Direct Concept3D URL
All users are provided with a live, hosted webpage unique to their map. The URL structure looks like this: https://map.concept3d.com/?id=[mad_ID]. You are free to use this URL anywhere and everywhere. It is actually recommended, but not required to use our direct URL when embedding your site in another via iframe.
- Why?
- Simple, no setup work on your end
- Do not need any additional IT support on your end
- Why not?
- Does not match your branding via URL
- No direct control over SEO (we provide a description for search engines, but not additional features or functionality)
- Related Option: Redirect Concept3D URL
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- Do you want the simplicity of the Concept3D URL, but want an easily shareable URL for quick map access? With a little bit of help from your IT staff, you can put in a redirect.
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- A redirect is a way to send users and search engines to a different URL from the one they see and select. So you can easily share a link like “www.yourwebsite.com/map” but have it redirect to our hosted site, https://map.concept3d.com/?id=[map ID].
2. Iframe Embed
An inline frame (iframe) can be used to expend external websites/content (like the Concept3D hosted map) within page of an existing webpage (like your website). In this option, the Concept3D map URL (https://map.concept3d.com/?id=[map ID]) will be embedded in an iframe within your existing website.
- Why?
- You want to keep the map within existing website look & feel (header, footer, etc)
- More control over SEO
- No need to share an SSL certificate with us, or let us host one on your behalf (necessary for CNAME option below)
- You have an existing page of your website where the map lives embedded and you want to keep it consistent.
- Why not?
- If you would like the map share URLs to have the same base URL as the map, you will need to include some custom javascript that "transfers" the hash (the part of the URL unique to what you are sharing) from the browser to the iframe. We have examples of this. More information can be found in this help article.
- You cannot get a page created on your site to host the iframe code.
- Your website header does not create a great mobile experience.
- Your main website is not secure (does not use https requests)
- Your website is in Drupal (you may need to create a custom Drupal extension to embed your map within an iframe in Drupal)
3. CNAME:
A CNAME specifies an alias or nickname for a canonical name record in a domain name system (DNS) database. Which is really a fancy way of saying it is a URL that looks different from the map.concept3d.com URL, but acts the same!
- Why?
- Concept3D clients can create a custom name outside of the normal domains. For instance, instead of www.client.edu/maps you want maps.school.edu (and you cannot get the internal team to create a web server for you).
- Custom share URLs automatically work and still using our branding
- Your website is in Drupal (you may need to create a custom Drupal extension to embed your map within an iframe in Drupal. A CNAME can be a simpler option).
- It is included in all Concept3D Interactive Map Packages
- Why not?
- You do not want to let us host an SSL certificate on your behalf.
- Very minimal control over SEO (we can add a custom description to the map that will return in search results)