Many website owners around the globe utilize the Google Maps widget on their contact pages as a helpful device to show maps with locations vital to their potential and current customers. If you have a standard widget by Google or a different plugin with Google Maps API by side developers implemented, there is a chance that Google Maps will not work correctly on your site. Let’s take a look at the problem, and how to fix it.
Why Google Maps are not Working on your Website
Starting now and into the foreseeable future, to show Google Maps on your site you have to obtain a Google Maps API key. This is a sort of token, interfacing your widget and Google Maps API. Google Maps made edits to its policy and started upholding the utilization of API keys, starting June 11, 2018. Keyless usage will result in a flawed user-experience, commonly showing an error message.
Google Maps has changed their price-system and now require billing information to be connected to all API keys, regardless if charges will apply. In the new pricing system, developers receive a stipend of $200 of free usage per month. Google predicts that most websites will have monthly usage amounts low enough to stay in the free price point. Reaping the benefits of Local SEO is still possible with little to no expenses. Google has made setting up an API key a difficult process for most users. Their interface is made for developers. Therefore, many users have trouble correctly creating a key. We will show you how to do this.
How to Create a Google Maps API Key
- Navigate to the Google Maps Platform welcome page and select, “Get Started.”
- Check the boxes for Maps, Routes, and Places, then click “continue.”
- After logging into your Google account, click “Create a new project,” and enter any name. Provide the platform with your billing information, then enable your APIs.
- Select the API Console link in order to restrict your key’s usage to just your site. In the Application restrictions section, check the circle for “HTTP referrers (websites),” and add two separate entries below with your domain name.
- First add “yourwebsitename.com/*” and then separately add “*.yourwebsitename.com/*” in order to fully ensure that your map features load properly on all of your website URLs.
- Next, click save and copy the API key that is displayed.
- On WordPress, navigate to Settings > Church Content > Locations, and paste the key into the Google Maps API Key field, and click “Save Changes.”
You’re done! Google Maps should work on your website when they key becomes active—usually it takes about 5 minutes.
Other Methods to Fix Google Maps
If you are uncomfortable with this level of web development, there are other options. You may simply download a third-party widget. For example, the Elfsight Google Maps Widget can help solve the “page didn’t Google Maps correctly” error, and many others.
Another recommended course of action is to enlist the help of a digital marketing consulting firm that offers web development services. SunCity Advising specializes in both web design, and using Google Maps to maximize returns from Local SEO. If you have any questions regarding fixing Google Maps on your website, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Ivan Reed, CEO
Ivan Reed is the CEO of SunCity Advising. His client portfolio includes successful partnerships with startups, small businesses, medium-sized firms & large corporations. SunCity Advising specializes in developing high performing websites, including services in SEO, paid media advertising, social media, email marketing and other digital marketing solutions.
