Best address locator?

[AlexBullen1]

Does anybody have an address locator they could share that works for geocoding simple tables of addresses in North American (USA) towns? I'm getting bogged down just trying to create a locator so I can geocode. Thanks, Alex

[JoeBorgione]

I guess you could use ArcGIS Oniline.  Seems like there is a university in Texas that has a similar service as well. What part of creating a locator is bogging you down?

edited after a millisecond google search:  Texas A&M Geocoder - Free online geocoding 

[AlexBullen1]

Getting bogged down at selecting the proper reference data to create the locator. I don't know what to choose to make it work and there's not a lot of guidance from ESRI.

I did create a locator using our address point layer and it works okay. It won't infer addresses that aren't in the layer already. Is this normal?

[JoeBorgione]

It won't infer addresses that aren't in the layer already. Is this normal?

Typically, yes.  This is normal behavior when using a point feature class as your reference data.  They like an exact match.

You might want to get some street centerline data as well, and use a composite where you look at the points first followed by the streets.  Typically streets are more forgiving; you won't get a 100% match but they will get you in the ballpark.

[AlexBullen1]

Thanks for the tips. I made another locator out of my centerline feature and then made a composite out of the two. Will proceed forward with this locator. 

[Anonymous User]

Hi Alex 

from above comments look like you are using composite address locator,

its works for you or still getting slowness issue in that.

In our environment we are using composite address locator which are mamade upsing point address data.
And its work fine and accurate for us

[AlexBullen1]

So far so good, thanks!

[JoeBorgione]

Let us know how it works out.

With respect to the original title (Best Address Locator)  I would say the best one is the one that works for you and gives you the desired results...