Groundspeak Portal

We have a large list of category ideas but don't want to create them all ourselves (and can not) so thought we would share them with everyone so they are out there. They are mainly commercial and from a British perspective so some terms may not be familiar to you all; if they're not just google them or ask us. If anyone does choose to create a category based on our ideas please keep it open to include us British, preferably worldwide. We have kept our ideas general rather than to specific chains for each idea as that would be even more category proposals and much more restrictive on the worldwide theme.

Here we go:
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Equestrian Facilities

Pet Grooming Parlours

Beauty Salons/Facilites

Hairdressers/Barbers

Healthcare Facilities (not hospitals or pharmacies)

Alternative Therapy Centers

Pond/Water Feature Suppliers

Electrical Suppliers

Barbecue Facilities (like free ones in Australia)

Photographic Suppliers

Kennels and Catteries

Automobile Test Centers/Garages

Automobile Dealers - New

Automobile Dealers - Used

Wedding Locations/Suppliers

Builders’ Merchants

Cake Decorators

Automobile Hire Companies

Hand Car Washing Facilities

Caravan/Trailor Facilites (Storage, Shops and Mobile Home Parks)

Upholstery Facilites (Repairers and Shops etc)

Flooring, Ceiling and Walling Shops – carpets, tiles etc

Children’s Activity Centers – not amusement parks nor education based

Jewellers

Clothes Shops

I.T. Centers (Sales and Repairs)

Garden Building Suppliers

Counsellors and Pschotherapy Centers

Curtain and Blind Facilities

Dental Care and Facilities

Private Investigators

Printing and Copying Facilities

Disability and Mobility Facilities

Home Improvement Facilities (DIY Shops etc)

Driving Schools

Dry Cleaners

Employment and Recruitment Agencies

Costume, Party and Joke Shops

Florists

Flying Schools

Flying Locations – not airports but places for Kite Flying, Kite Surfing, Parascending etc

Funeral Directors

Greeting Card and Gift Shops

Sports Shops

Health Clubs and Gymnasiums

Hospices

Care Homes

Solicitors

Insurance Companies

Key Cutting Shops

Household Goods Shops – includes kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms etc

Language Schools

Launderettes

Tool Repair Locations

Property Agents – includes Estate and Letting Agents

Marinas and Boat Moorings

Office and Stationery Shops

Opticians

Video, Recording Studios and Sound Equipment Facilities

Watersports Locations (includes learning to surf etc)

Craft and Sewing Shops

Shoe Shops and Repairers

Supermarkets

Taxi Services – locations but good for rating taxis

Public Toilets/W.C.s - no indoor pictures - rating

Toy Shops

Travel Agents and Holiday Companies

Glazing and Window Facilities

Cricket Grounds

Karting Tracks

Over to you guys.

I think a bunch of these already exist on poifriend.com

All I can say is that I hope about 90% of those on your list never make it as categories.  Do we need every commercial establishment as a waymark?  

Yup, looks like the Yellow Pages to me.

globetrotters.us:

I think a bunch of these already exist on poifriend.com

 
Also at http://www.poi-factory.com/

Hi Dragontree and welcome to the waymarking forurms.  Your list is quite impressive and those that have posted about other Points of Interest websites are on the right track - much of the list would not fall under waymarking. Those POI websites are better served for the phone book/yellow pages of listings. Some of your ideas may already be incorporated into existing categories. You may want to take a look at Self Serve Pet Wash, Quilting Shops, Self Serve Car Wash, for some of the ideas you've already mentioned. I know the Independent Artist Supply Store category includes photography equipment. And the Racetracks category also includes go-karts.

I think there was once talk about Independent Toy Shops, Scrapbooking stores, Recording Studios, Magician Shops, Kennels....so some of those might be feasible down the line.

Maybe narrow down the list to what you are passionate about and see if others have similar interest in a topic that is educational/interesting/worth visiting.

Good Luck!

BruceS:

All I can say is that I hope about 90% of those on your list never make it as categories.  Do we need every commercial establishment as a waymark?  

Okay, obviously I'm generally okay with commercial categories, but I'm with BruceS on this!

I could probably double the size of your list, but what's the point? 

So, let's ask, "What makes a good commercial category?"  (That's an oxymoron to some, I know).

In general there has to be some real focal point of interest.  Eating places seem to be ever popular.  But, in general specialty shops of some kind have more interest than say a category for all supermakets, although we have several national/international chains represented.  And, a specialty like Quilt Shops may have more interest than Plumbing Supplies.

Also, the prevalence test needs to be kept in mind, so something as ubiquitous and common as banks would not hold much interest, or Real Estate Offices.  Magic Supply stores may be interesting, but may lack enough prevalence to be viable.

Here is something that I think can be helpful.  I ask, "Can an interesting description be written about most waymarks in this category?"  Or, is it "Here it is. One photo. Coordinates. Maybe an address?"  In general, if one can't say something meaningful about a waymark, then maybe it isn't worth waymarking.  Of course, that may depend one what one's interests are, but it may be a useful approach.

Ultimately, the peer review process is intended to weed out "unworthy" categories.  I'd sure like to know what percentage of new categories are approved on the first go around.

Don't stop thinking about new category ideas, though.  Out of the ferment, a gem may be found.

While I am typically pretty supportive of business based categories, many of those suggested are mundane and infrequently of usefulness.

Fun, educational and novelty strike me as foundations of an enjoyable category. If those cannot be met then as a secondary goal is that it meets an immediate and impulsive need, like many of our 'food based' categories.

But I do admit to being involved in several categories that are on par with your list... and being honest, they don't mean very much to me.

BQ

I dis-like commercial categories especially those of specific chains. I try to get them, both for numbers and to fill out the grid. However, I believe most anything that can be found doing a simple search on a GPS doesn't need a waymark. Waymarking is for finding those things that aren't pre-loaded into your GPS. The categories like Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives or 1000 Places to See Before You Die that are commercial places but are special because of a show or something are an exception.

But, that's just IMHO (or 1.5 cents worth).

Fatcat

 

 

fatcat161:

However, I believe most anything that can be found doing a simple search on a GPS doesn't need a waymark. Waymarking is for finding those things that aren't pre-loaded into your GPS.

I would agree with that if not for the fact that the information pre-loaded on a GPS is static, unlike our dynamic listings. Also the information in our listings is often far more involved. New locations open, some close... how accurate is that pre-loaded set these days?

Hours of operation. Drive-Thru yes/no. Admission Prices. etc. We get much better info, and I happen to like that over the Garmin set of POIs.

BQ

the blue quasar:

New locations open, some close... how accurate is that pre-loaded set these days?

Hours of operation. Drive-Thru yes/no. BQ

I recall being nearly empty in a remote area and I let Tom Tom route me to a closed gas station...