Written by Knowing the location of your users can help boost the quality of your Web site and the speed of your service. In the past, users had to actively input their location and submit it to a site, either by typing it, using a long drop-down list, or clicking a map. Now, with the HTML5 Geolocation API, finding your users (with their permission) is easier than ever. Figure 1 shows a Web site using geolocation to determine the location of a user, represented in latitude and longitude. The numbers can easily be translated into something more understandable, such as the street name or city.
Figure 1 Showing a User’s Location with the Help of Geolocation
Imagine how useful your site could be if it provided online timetables for all public transportation in a particular city. Using geolocation, the site could recommend optimal travel routes to get people where they’re going as quickly as possible. Desktop users could get their start location sorted by proximity to their computer. Mobile users trying to get home after a night out could quickly find the closest bus stop within walking distance. These possibilities and more are just an API away.