VOL. III · CH. 3.30 · COMPONENT
Maps
Spatial data deserves a spatial interface — but only when location is actually the point.
1 min read · 135 words
3.30.1Definition & When to Use
A map component displays geographic data interactively — locations, routes, boundaries. Use when location is a primary dimension of the task (finding a nearby store); avoid when a simple address or list would answer the question just as well with far less overhead.
3.30.2Common Mistakes
- Loading a full interactive map for content that's really just a single static address.
- Poor performance from rendering too many markers at once without clustering.
3.30.3Best Practices
- Cluster markers at low zoom levels rather than rendering hundreds individually.
- Provide a list view alternative alongside the map for accessibility and simpler scanning.
ExampleReal estate platforms cluster nearby listing markers into a single numbered pin at city-wide zoom, expanding to individual pins only once zoomed in enough for them to be visually distinct.