Post code API Lookup

Question

Hi

Has anyone had experience with the post code anywhere lookup API. The service appears to be a bargain - through experience - when something is too good to be true it often is.

I have reservations about the countries that are being offered, there seem to be some missing.

Has anyone had any good experiences with post code lookup API providers that could assist me in choosing a reliable and good source?

I should specify

The data I am after is for the whole of europe.

The issue with google seems to be the accuracy of the postcode and being able to return a matching address. Although its free...

Answer 1

It depends what country you are in for example UK postcodes are controlled by the postoffice and can be purchased in the form of a database. Other countries publish the postcode list.

As for an API depending on your requirement it may be possible using the google maps API as blogged about here.

Answer 2

If you're going to make less than 5,000 requests per day, the YAHOO Geocoding API might be suitable for you.

Though not made clear in that page, you can get accurate UK data by requesting URLs like

http://local.yahooapis.com/MapsService/V1/geocode?appid=YD-9G7bey8_JXxQP6rxl.fBFGgCdNjoDMACQA--&zip=N1%203DJ