If you're in field sales or manage a team that lives on the road, you already know your time is your most valuable asset. You want to spend it on leads that are likely to buy — not spinning your wheels with dead ends. That's where custom map filters in Badgermaps come in handy. This guide walks you through how to use map filters to zero in on your highest value leads and avoid common time-wasting traps.
Fair warning: filters can be powerful, but they're not magic. This isn't about “unlocking hidden revenue with a click.” It's about using some practical tools to make your day less chaotic and your results a bit more predictable.
Why bother with custom map filters?
Before diving in, let's be clear: filters are only as good as your data. If your CRM is a mess, filters won't save you. But if you have decent info on your accounts — things like deal size, industry, or last interaction — you can turn the cluttered map into a useful hit list.
Map filters help you: - Spot your whales. Instantly see which accounts are worth a detour. - Skip the noise. Hide small or low-priority leads. - Plan smarter routes. Spend less time driving, more time selling.
If you’re still exporting spreadsheets or squinting at pins on a map, it’s time to get organized.
Step 1: Know your “high value lead” criteria
First, you need to define what a high value lead actually means for your business. Don’t skip this step — vague filters give you vague results. Here are a few common factors:
- Potential deal size (e.g. revenue, order volume)
- Industry or vertical
- Current pipeline stage
- Last contact date
- Lead source (are referrals better than cold inbound?)
- Geography or territory
Pro tip: If you’re not sure, ask your team: “Which leads do you get excited about? Which ones are a waste of time?” The answers usually cut through the noise.
Step 2: Make sure your data is in Badgermaps
This part trips people up. Badgermaps only knows what you give it. If your lead info lives in your head or an ancient Excel file, filters won’t help. Get your data in order:
- Import from your CRM: Sync with Salesforce, HubSpot, etc. (If your CRM is custom or clunky, you might need to export to CSV first.)
- Clean up your columns: Make sure fields like “Deal Size,” “Status,” or “Priority” are actually filled in. Blank fields = invisible on filter.
Don’t overthink it. If you only have 2–3 columns that matter, start there. You can always add more later.
Step 3: Get familiar with Badgermaps’ filter basics
Once your accounts are in, open up Badgermaps and check out the filters panel (usually on the left side). Here’s what you can do:
- Filter by any field: Anything in your data can be filtered — as long as it’s a column in your spreadsheet or CRM.
- Stack filters: Want only “Enterprise” accounts with $10k+ in potential? You can combine as many filters as you want.
- Save filters: If you use the same criteria often, save it as a preset. Saves you from clicking through menus every week.
Heads up: The UI isn’t fancy. It’s functional, but don’t expect AI-powered suggestions. You do the thinking; Badgermaps does the filtering.
Step 4: Build your first custom filter
Here’s the real meat. Let’s say you want to find all leads in your territory with a potential deal size above $20,000, who haven’t been contacted in the last 30 days.
- Open the Filters panel.
- Usually, there’s a “Filter” or “Customize Map” button on the sidebar.
- Choose your first field.
- For deal size, pick the “Deal Size” or similar field.
- Set your condition (e.g., “greater than $20,000”).
- Add additional filters.
- Click “Add Filter.”
- Choose “Last Contacted” or “Last Activity.”
- Set it to “more than 30 days ago.”
- Apply the filter.
- Your map updates instantly. Only the leads that match all your criteria should show up.
- Save your filter setup (optional, but smart).
- Give it a name like “High Value – Stale” so you can reuse it.
What works: - Filtering by dollar value or status is fast and obvious. - Combining filters (deal size + geography) narrows things quickly. - Saved filters save real time.
What doesn’t: - Relying on vague fields (“Notes” or “Misc”) — Badgermaps can’t read your mind. - Filtering by fields that aren’t consistently filled in (e.g., half your accounts missing “Industry”). - Hoping filters will fix bad data.
Step 5: Visual tweaks that actually help
A filtered map is good. A filtered map with clear visual cues is better. Here’s how to make your filtered list pop:
- Color coding: Assign colors to your high value leads (e.g., gold for $50k+, blue for $10k–$50k).
- Pin icons: Use different shapes or icons if your version of Badgermaps supports it.
- Labels: Show key info right on the map pins, like company name or deal size.
This isn’t just for looks. It lets you spot patterns at a glance, like “wow, all my best leads are clustered in one part of town.”
Step 6: Use filters to plan smarter routes
Once you’ve filtered for your best leads, you’re only halfway done — now you need to actually visit them.
- Select all filtered leads: Most Badgermaps views let you “select all” on your filtered list.
- Add them to your route: Plot your day (or week) around these accounts, not just whoever’s nearby.
- Optimize your path: Let Badgermaps find the most efficient route, so you spend less time stuck in traffic.
What to ignore: Don’t obsess over visiting every filtered account in one day. Focus on quality over quantity. Sometimes, three high value meetings beat ten low-value stops.
Step 7: Review and adjust — filters aren’t set-and-forget
Here’s the reality: your definition of “high value” will shift. Maybe you start caring more about industry, or last order date, or something else entirely.
- Check your filter results monthly: Are you hitting the right accounts? Or missing some gems?
- Tweak your criteria: Don’t be afraid to add or drop filters as you learn.
- Talk to your team: If everyone’s filtering differently, compare notes and steal what works.
Filters are a tool, not a strategy. Don’t expect them to do your thinking for you.
Pro tips and common pitfalls
Do: - Keep filter criteria simple. Too many rules = too few results. - Name your saved filters clearly. “Big Deals Q2” is better than “Filter 1.” - Audit your account data every couple months.
Don’t: - Assume filters will fix bad or missing data. - Overcomplicate it. If you’re spending more time filtering than selling, you’re missing the point. - Forget to update filters as your priorities change.
Wrapping up: Keep it simple, keep it moving
Custom map filters in Badgermaps are about working smarter, not harder. Start with one or two simple filters, see what pops up, and adjust as you go. Don’t worry about getting it perfect on day one — real-world sales is always a moving target. Let the filters do the heavy lifting, so you can spend more time closing deals and less time chasing ghosts.