Map postal codes


eSpatial lets you map data according to postal code


What is a postal code map?

Postal code maps allow you to analyze your data and create detailed sales territories. By mapping your data with postal code boundaries, you can easily compare sales performance from one territory to another — which may vary widely within the different postcode neighborhoods of a city — and conduct analysis for future marketing efforts.

With a free library of 400 boundary and demographic data sets available in our library, eSpatial mapping software makes it easy to create dynamic maps based on postal codes in the United Kingdom and Australia. We also offer maps based on the first three characters of any forward sortation area (FSA) in Canada — ranging from Toronto, Ontario to Vancouver, British Columbia, and everything in between.

How does a postal code map help?

Comparison analysis

Postal code maps are fantastic for comparing data based on the population demographics or other characteristics of the area. For example, you can visualize the concentration of men aged 35-50 within a given postcode, or look up the volume of sales within that same location. This is an ideal tool for your sales team to have at your disposal. You can determine exactly where your most promising leads and most lucrative customers are located, be they in major cities or more provincial areas.

The best way to conduct comparison analysis by postcode is with a regional heat map. Region-based heat maps represent data by coloring each area you wish to examine in a different shade. For example, the map pictured on your right shows total sales in each postal code. Turning this data into a regional heat map allows you to instantly see the suburban or urban areas that bring in the greatest revenues. Conversely, you will also be able to readily identify any postal code area that could use more marketing or sales development.

Postal code heat map in the UK
UK territory map based on postal code areas

Territory mapping

Territory mapping is useful when determining which sales rep will cover a certain geographic area. Just like its United States counterpart, the zip code, a postal code is among the smallest regions you can individually examine. This will make creating manageable territories for each sales rep easier.

If you map your leads within each postal code, you can focus on territory optimization based on that value, giving each sales team member a fair opportunity to be successful.

How to add postcodes to your map

1. Sign up for a free trial

eSpatial allows you to sign up for a seven-day free trial. This will give you access to all of our professional features so you can start creating dynamic maps right away. (All you need for the trial is to enter your business email and create a password; no payment information is required to begin.)

Once you've signed up, log in to eSpatial.

sign-up form

 

Click on Add from Library, and then make sure you're currently in the eSpatial Datastore tab.

Select add from library to find postal code datasets

Searching for "post" will bring up a variety of postal code data sets for Australia and the UK, including British postal areas, districts and sectors. A postcode area is the largest type of postal code boundary in the UK. Each one of them is then divided into multiple districts, which, in turn, are divided into sectors. Choose UK Postcode Sectors if you'd like to use the smallest available boundaries

If you're looking for Canadian postal regions, search "FSA."

Where to find postal code datasets in eSpatial

If you'd like to add your own data to the map, you should first ensure your file is in the correct format. eSpatial is compatible with the CSV, XLS and XLSX file types.

Once you've done that, click the Add Data button in the Control Panel on the left side of your screen. This will open a new menu screen. Click Upload new data, then select the file you'd like to upload from your device. Afterward, your map will appear, featuring all of the information from your sales data set.

Click upload new data to add your own data to a postal code map

Create a postal code map

You can't truly realize the value that eSpatial can bring to your sales team, in terms of detailed data visualization and optimization of your sales territories, without trying the solution hands-on