Every one of us is well aware about the Google Maps. It is a handy tool to get out of the jungle and find the place where you have to reach. It helps you to get the directions and make you reach to the desired place. If you are running a business and wish your customer reach out to you easily then adding a Google Map to your website is a great option. It will help your customers to find the location of your office through Google Maps easily. If you have your business site on WordPress then Google Maps Widget plugin can come handy to you.
What is Google Maps Widget Plugin?
Just like any other Google Map plugin, this tool also helps its users to add Google Maps to their website. Though the plugin is very similar to most of its competitors, but the extraordinary features of this plugin makes it stand out differently. The plugin is available in both Pro and free version. You can use its pro version as 14-days free trial and then decide whether to opt for it or not. More than 100000 users are using this awesome plugin on their WP website. Will next be you? Let us discuss more on its features and use.
Top Notch Features of Google Maps Widget Plugin
This plugin has several built-in features to impress its users. It is faster than most of the plugins and easy to use too. Let us explore some of the most exaggerating features of this plugin.
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It supports multiple thumbnail images formats including gif, jpg, and png.
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It has multiple pins and the custom pins bubbles.
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There are over 1500 pins for you irrespective of the type of map you are creating.
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It has hidden sidebar widget to create and handle the shortcodes easily.
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It supports 4 interactive and thumbnail type map modes.
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It offers multiple thumbnail map colors.
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You can customize the map easily and control the pins on the thumbnail and interactive maps.
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It has got the full screen lightbox to support the interactive maps.
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The shortcode support lets you to add the map anywhere on the site.
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You can easily import and export the widget settings and tools
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It also lets you to customize the CSS and JS for faster loading.
Step by Step Guide to use Google Maps Widget Plugin
Once you have installed Google Maps Widget plugin from the WP repository, all you have to do is get its free trail pro version. This will help you test its more features.
Once you have activated the pro version, you can check its license that will be valid for 14 days.
Get your API Key
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Go to the plugin and get your Google Maps API key. You can create the API key from the Google Developer Console easily.
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Go to ‘Settings’, where you will find the option to enter the API key you have just received.
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After you have entered the API key, you must click on ‘Test API Key’. If everything goes fine, you will see the following screen.
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Press ‘Ok’.
Track with Google Analytics
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You are allowed to track the number of views on the Google Maps you have created. Only thing you have to do is check the box as shown in the image below.
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Once you have checked this box, you should press ‘Save Settings’ option.
Adding Map
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Go to ‘Appearance’ section and then select ‘Widget’ option.
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You can find the Google Maps Widget from here and then all you have to do is to drag and drop it to your site’s widget area.
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After this, you will be asked to enter several details like Map Address, map size, pin color, pin label, image type, and several other details.
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Now click on ‘Save’ option.
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Now the Google Map has been successfully added to your website. It will be displayed as thumbnail on the widget area.
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You can click on the map to expand the map area.
Pros
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The plugin don’t affect on the site speed.
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The map loads faster the other maps.
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Easy to use and install.
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Analytics can be integrated with the map.
Con
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You still require API from Google Console to use the maps on your site.
Final Words
Google Maps Widget plugin is one of the best Google Map plugins that you can install on your WP website to let your customers know about the office location. This will help you to make your customers reach at your location easily.