For me sharing on Google Maps started when I was frustrated with the inaccurate information and wanted to fix it bad so that others can find accurate information. Since then my irritability has transitioned into a passion for helping local businesses get on Google Maps and simultaneously helping them claim the business via Google Business and working through it. I realised while actively using Google Maps that a lot of the critical information like Hospital phone numbers or accessibility information or operating hours on Google Maps are inaccurate and have started working on fixing it since.
In December 2018 I was in the town of Ajrakhpur (famous for it’s natural dye block printing and the years of heritage in that art that the place offers) & Bhujodi (famous for hand weaved materials and products) in pursuit of achieving a better documented data and empowering local artisans. My aim was to visit, learn and understand their situation with respect to markets opening up for direct trade with their customers. There are several NGOs in the region that are helping the artisans earn a fair living through up-skilling, further education relevant to their craft & opening up direct trade routes with the larger domestic and international market that they were not exposed to before.
During my visit I added to the cause of NGOs and helped a few local artisans add their shops on Google Maps, claim their businesses & help promote their process of manufacturing through photos and videos on google maps. I also educated them on how to use google maps to add value to their businesses and promote their craft. I also spent a lot of time updating a lot of incorrect information shared on their google map listings and enhanced it with accurate and relevant information.
If you’re aware of a location where helping local business owners is dearly needed please give me a nudge and I’ll be happy to visit there next and help out. I am also planning to further develop resources for tourists who visit these places and help them discover this place with relative ease and direction. I welcome ideas on what other things I could do to help these artisans or local craftsmen & women with. I am also looking for direction on how I should bring these stories & work forward, currently I was only aware of the local guides connect program and share thing here.
Following are some of my photos from the trip along with a bit of description: https://photos.app.goo.gl/FC7J6A3Gwke3s3Ss9
p.s I aim to do this more often from 2019.