OpenStreetMap (OSM) is a collaborative mapping project that relies on volunteer contributions to build free, editable geographic data. A new tutorial aims to lower the barrier for first-time contributors by walking them through adding website tags to nearby businesses in under 15 minutes.
According to the guide, website tags are a strategic starting point for OSM editing. Once a location has an official website URL attached, it becomes easier to populate other useful information—such as phone numbers, opening hours, and email addresses—since most businesses publish this information on their sites.
The process begins with creating a free OSM account and downloading JOSM (Java OSM Editor), a desktop application roughly 365 MB in size. While simpler web-based editors exist, JOSM’s plugin system streamlines the task for new contributors.
Users then download OSM data for a small area they know well—ideally a few city blocks—and apply a filter to show only shops and amenities lacking website tags. The tutorial recommends using the WebsiteWizard plugin, which integrates a search function allowing contributors to look up official websites using DuckDuckGo. The guide emphasizes finding official sites only, avoiding social media profiles, review platforms, and business aggregators.
After identifying and copying an official website URL into the plugin, the contributor uploads their changeset back to OSM with a brief description and data source attribution. OSM then verifies the contribution before integrating it into its database, from which dozens of free mapping services draw data.
The tutorial notes that one contributor added 66 website tags to shops in Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood through a single editing session. It also suggests that contributors could extend their work by adding phone numbers or other data fields, or by recruiting others to help. According to the guide, the United States alone has over 1 million shops, indicating substantial room for expansion.
Key facts
- Website tags help unlock other business information, such as phone numbers and opening hours, according to the tutorial
- JOSM is a desktop editor roughly 365 MB in size that offers plugins to streamline OSM contributions
- The guide recommends starting with a small area, such as a few city blocks, and filtering for shops and amenities without website tags
- Contributors are advised to use only official business websites, not social media or review sites
- One contributor added 66 website tags to a single Seattle neighborhood in one session, the tutorial notes