# Make a US sales or service territory map Official GBMaps guide for the classic map maker. VectorMaps has a different interface. Source: https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-workflow Updated: 2026-10-03 Start with a state or a small connected group. Give your sales teams, branches or service areas clear names, then make the map easy for someone else to read. The tool uses “colour” on its buttons; it means the same as “color”. The key is also called the legend. ![Kansas colored as one state in a combined Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri county map, with independent state controls](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/usa-state-example-20261003.jpg) In States mode, one click colored Kansas. Oklahoma and Missouri remain available for other territory colors. ## 1. Choose the right boundaries Use five-digit ZIPs for postal territories or counties for county-level planning. Choose the state in More Maps or use the appropriate Combine Multiple States button. You can experiment with the trial map before purchasing. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-workflow#usa-workflow--choose) ## 2. Build broad areas, then add detail Create your team names and colors. Use Colour: States to fill a state quickly, then return to ZIP codes or Counties to make local changes. The existing legend controls both levels. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-workflow#usa-workflow--color) ## 3. Put the legend in a useful order Simply drag an entry in the on-map legend to where it should appear. The other entries automatically rearrange. Use Key Settings for the layout and title. Keep names short and clear, such as Central team or West service area. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-workflow#usa-workflow--legend) ## 4. Keep the map easy to read Use Map details to show bold state boundaries and large state names, and finer ZIP/county boundaries. Add Cities names and dots for reference. Hide less useful small labels. Give the map a clear title and use Fit map when you need the overall view. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-workflow#usa-workflow--tidy) ## 5. Add your service reach if useful Radial Circles give approximate straight-line miles. Distance/Time uses roads to show driving time or driving distance and needs active access. Coverage coloring works with whole polygons, using their centers. It is not an exact list of addresses reached. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-workflow#usa-workflow--reach) ## 6. Save, download or show someone Save an editable copy with active access, then use the normal PDF, SVG or image download options. On Google provides a geographic preview. Share map makes a view-only link that lasts two hours; after expiry it shows information about the tool rather than your map. Sending from GBMaps requires sign-in. Do not share confidential information. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-workflow#usa-workflow--share) ## 7. Ask for a specific map change Try “Color Kansas blue and Oklahoma green”, “Make Johnson County, KS red”, or “Make the state borders thicker and the state names larger”. Include the state with a county name, because many counties share names. Read the proposed plan, then choose Make these changes. The assistant can open a chooser; you choose and load the states yourself. Undo this job restores an assistant edit. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-workflow#usa-workflow--assistant) ## Related guides - [USA 5-digit ZIP maps: choose a state](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-zip-maps) - [USA county maps: choose a state](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-county-maps) - [Color a whole state; style its border and name](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-state-levels) - [Circles and driving areas on US ZIP and county maps](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-coverage) - [Share an On Google map for two hours](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=google-temporary-share) - [Ask the map assistant](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=map-assistant)