Google v What3words
- Chris Jones
- Apr 30
- 3 min read
Why what3words is better than Google Maps for Events in Oxfordshire
When organising events in Oxfordshire, especially those held in rural or sprawling outdoor locations, precise and simple location communication is crucial for organisers /clients and staff.
While Google Maps is well-known for navigation and finding points of interest, what3words offers unique advantages that make it superior for event management and attendee experience in such contexts.
1. Precision in Location Identification
Google Maps typically drops a pin at the centre of a building or area based on a street address, which may not be precise enough for events where exact spots matter-such as specific entrances, stages, or vendor stalls. What3words divides the world into 3m x 3m squares, each identified by a unique combination of three words. This allows event organisers and attendees to pinpoint exact locations like a particular tent, food court, or first aid station with unparalleled accuracy.
2. Ease of Communication and Memorability
Coordinates or long numeric GPS data can be hard to remember or communicate, especially over radio or phone. what3words uses simple, memorable three-word addresses that are easier to recall and share quickly, reducing confusion among teams, vendors, and visitors. This is particularly helpful for coordinating large teams and emergency services during events.
3. Overcoming Lack of Formal Addresses and Poor Mobile Coverage
Many event sites in Oxfordshire, such as #StonorPark #BlenheimPalace the #BigFeastival, #Wilderness , #CornburyFestival , #Truckfestival and the #TowerseyFestival are held in rural fields, lack formal addressing systems and often suffer from patchy mobile data coverage.
What3words addresses work offline once downloaded, enabling navigation and location sharing without the need for constant internet access. This is a critical advantage over Google Maps in remote or temporary event locations.
4. Enhancing Event Setup and Visitor Experience
Event organisers use what3words to mark key locations on site maps, which can be shared with suppliers, performers, and vendors to streamline setup and logistics.
For visitors, what3words helps find amenities like toilets, water points, emergency exits, point of contact and parking with ease, improving overall event navigation and satisfaction.
5. Improving Safety and Emergency Response
Emergency services in the UK widely use what3words to locate 999 callers quickly and accurately. At events, security and medical teams can be directed to the exact 3m square where an incident occurs, speeding up response times and potentially saving lives. Festivals as mentioned above have successfully integrated what3words for this purpose.
Summary
Feature | what3words | Google Maps |
Location Precision | Exact 3m x 3m square with unique 3-word address | Pin often at building centre or approximate location |
Ease of Communication | Simple, memorable three words | Numeric coordinates or street addresses |
Works Offline | Yes, after downloading the app | Requires internet connection |
Suitable for Non-addressed Areas | Yes, ideal for rural or temporary event sites | Limited in areas without formal addresses |
Emergency Response | Widely used by UK emergency services | Less precise for pinpointing exact spots |
Enhances Visitor Experience | Helps find specific amenities and meeting points | General navigation only |
For events in Oxfordshire, where either clients have discreet private addresses or venues that span large outdoor areas with limited formal addresses and variable mobile coverage, what3words offers a practical, precise, and user-friendly solution that outperforms Google Maps in event planning, safety, and attendee navigation.
Organisers looking to simplify logistics, improve safety, and enhance visitor experience should consider integrating what3words into their event planning / marketing and on the day operations.
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