How I use Google Maps to find and help small businesses

I have been using Google Maps for over ten years now to find hidden gems. And, when I find one, I don’t stop myself from sharing it with fellow Google map users. Google maps have made my travel and food excursions more serendipitous than ever. I use Google maps for three things:

  1. Look for information: Whenever I am visiting a new place, I always look for authentic local experiences by searching for others’ experiences. I read reviews, scroll through images and see how local businesses are responding. I often reach out to those businesses for specific queries. For example, I recently did Via Francigena Trek in Italy that is a sustainable tourism initiative to help the small scall home-run businesses. I stayed at homestays and hostels, ate local foods and wines. I got the information through Google maps only.
  2. Plan my trip: I always plan my trip looking at the best routes available on google maps. Sometimes I change routes depending on the traffic. I always download offline maps, If I am travelling to no network zones.
  3. Share information: After finishing my excursions, I share my experiences on google maps and I even embed my Google maps in all my blog posts too. https://www.travelseewrite.com/via-francigena-toscana-walking-the-1200-year-old-pilgrim-path-to-rome/

Since I am majorly into exploring untold stories from offbeat places, Google Maps have really helped me bring the small scale businesses to the forefront. I extensively use a nearby feature of Google maps to not only find new places but to connect with fellow travellers and locals too. I have been on many local events, thanks to Google map. Like I was Zagreb last year and while searching aimlessly I got to know there’s a fantastic event happening at a nearby hostel, which was absolutely free. And, rest is history as they say.

I could travel solo for four months in Europe last year on budget, thanks to Google map.

I now want to use to help businesses that are working for climate change and employing sustainable tourism practises.