Geolocation (Coordinates) Input

Okay, let’s be honest not every form needs geolocation input.

Most of the time, a name, email, and a few dropdowns do the job. But for certain use cases, being able to collect someone’s exact location (via coordinates) can be a game changer.

Sure, it’s a niche need but when you need it, you really need it.

Why Coordinates Can Be Super Handy

• Precision over guesswork
  No more “near the blue building” vibes users can drop a pin and be done.

• Great for map-based stuff
  Whether you’re plotting something on a map, calculating distances, or grouping locations, raw lat/lng makes it all possible.

• GPS is everywhere now
  Most phones can give their location instantly. Might as well make use of it when it makes sense.

• Works without a formal address
  Perfect for rural areas, pop-up events, temporary work sites, or nature spots where addresses just don’t exist.

When It Actually Makes Sense to Use

• Field reports (like for inspections, surveys, or research)

• Delivery/pickup/drop-off forms

• Business or event location submissions

• Apps that deal with maps, logistics, or travel

• Emergency or incident reporting

Basically, if a user is trying to tell you where something happened or where something is, coordinates are the most reliable way to get that info.

How It Could Look

• A map view (via MapLibre) where users can drop a pin

• A button to auto-detect location using device GPS

• Latitude & longitude fields for manual input or copy-paste

• Optional: show the selected location as a preview on the map

Final Thoughts

Sure, not every form needs geolocation. But for those that do, offering pinpoint accuracy and multiple input methods (paste or pick) gives users way more control and makes the data way more useful.

And with MapLibre, you keep things open, flexible, and free to scale.

Let me know if you want a quick prototype or component sketch, will be happy to help!