Search by location on mobile phone, biz directory

flyinghammers · 4th Jan 2012, 01:55 AM

I put together a mobile website that lists local businesses. I want to have a search "nearby" function.

For instance, say I have a list of twenty businesses across town. I want the user to be able to tap a search nearby button and the results to list each business in order of how close they are.

Any idea on how to accomplish this?

Nail Yener · 4th Jan 2012, 02:46 AM

I never did such a thing before but it sounds possible.

First, you will need to enter location details for each business (in latitude and longitudes) to your database. You can find that info on Google Maps, (right click on a location > what's here) it will display latitude and longitude details of that location.

Then, you will need a location detection script on your mobile site that will detect the location of the visitor. One example is: http://locationdetection.mobi/

Finally, you will need a search script that will take the visitor location data, calculate its distance to nearby businesses and display them on the mobile site based on their distance.

Sounds a bit complicated but doable.

4th Jan 2012, 01:55 AM	#1
flyinghammers John B Join Date: 2011 Posts: 145 Thanks: 49 Thanked 41 Times in 19 Posts	Search by location on mobile phone, biz directory Share on: I put together a mobile website that lists local businesses. I want to have a search "nearby" function. For instance, say I have a list of twenty businesses across town. I want the user to be able to tap a search nearby button and the results to list each business in order of how close they are. Any idea on how to accomplish this?

4th Jan 2012, 02:46 AM	#2
Nail Yener You reap what you sow. War Room Member Join Date: 2008 Location: Sometimes you don't. Posts: 1,078 Thanks: 196 Thanked 411 Times in 243 Posts	Re: Search by location on mobile phone, biz directory Share on: I never did such a thing before but it sounds possible. First, you will need to enter location details for each business (in latitude and longitudes) to your database. You can find that info on Google Maps, (right click on a location > what's here) it will display latitude and longitude details of that location. Then, you will need a location detection script on your mobile site that will detect the location of the visitor. One example is: http://locationdetection.mobi/ Finally, you will need a search script that will take the visitor location data, calculate its distance to nearby businesses and display them on the mobile site based on their distance. Sounds a bit complicated but doable.