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How to Add an Interactive Map in WordPress

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Do you want to add an interactive map in WordPress?

Interactive maps can help visitors find your location and plan their journey. You can even use maps to highlight tourist attractions, points of interest, routes, and other interesting places that can improve the visitor experience.

In this article, we will show you how to easily add an interactive map in WordPress.

How to add an interactive map in WordPress

Why Add an Interactive Map in WordPress?

If you have a physical business such as a store or cafe, then an interactive map can help potential visitors find your location. This can get you more customers, sales, and even in-person appointments and bookings.

An example of a Google Map, embedded on a website

It can also improve the customer experience, since visitors can plan their journey without having to use a separate map app or website.

Depending on your website, an interactive map might even provide useful content. For example, if you have a fitness blog then you might show recommended running routes or hikes to your readers.

Similarly, if you have a family blog then you could highlight all the child-friendly attractions where your audience can take their families.

With that being said, let’s see how you can add an interactive map in WordPress. Simply use the quick links below to jump straight to the method you want to use.

Method 1. Add An Interactive Map Using a Page Builder (Easy)

The easiest way to add a simple interactive map in WordPress is by using Google Maps and the SeedProd plugin.

This advanced page builder plugin lets you create professionally-designed pages without having to write a single line of code.

It also comes with a ready-made Google Maps block that you can simply drag and drop onto your layout. Visitors can interact with your map using the zoom buttons, or they can drag to explore other areas.

The SeedProd page builder plugin

SeedProd makes it easy to design standalone pages that have a unique design, so this is also a great choice if you want to add an interactive map to a custom home page or landing page.

The first thing you need to do is install and activate SeedProd. For more details, see our step-by-step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Upon activation, you need to enter a license key.

Adding a license key to the SeedProd website

You can find this information under your account on the SeedProd website. After adding the license key, click on ‘Verify Key.’

With that done, go to SeedProd » Landing Pages and click on ‘Add New Landing Page.’

Creating a new landing page using SeedProd

SeedProd will now show all the templates you can use to create beautiful landing pages, sales pages, and more. To help you find the right template for your website, SeedProd’s templates are divided into categories such as maintenance mode, coming soon, webinar, and more.

To take a closer look at any design, simply hover your mouse over that template. Then, click on the magnifying glass icon.

Choosing a SeedProd template

This will open the template in a new tab.

When you find a design that you want to use on your WordPress website, simply click on ‘Choose This Template.’

SeedProd's professionally-designed templates

You can now type in a name for your landing page into the ‘Page Name’ field. This is just for your reference so you can use anything you want.

SeedProd will automatically create a ‘Page URL’ using the page name, but you can change this automatically-generated URL. For example, you may want to include some relevant keywords, as this can help search engines understand what the page is about. In this way, you can improve your WordPress SEO.

Creating an SEO-friendly URL using SeedProd

When you’re happy with the information you’ve typed in, click on ‘Save and Start Editing the Page.’ This will load the SeedProd page builder interface.

This simple drag-and-drop builder shows a live preview of the page on the right. On the left is a menu that shows the different blocks and sections that you can add to your WordPress blog or website.

A drag and drop page builder

SeedProd comes with over 90 ready-made blocks that can help you build a beautiful page design, fast. This includes advanced blocks such as pricing tables, countdown timers, and customer testimonials.

You can also use SeedProd blocks like spacers, columns, and dividers to structure the page. This can help visitors navigate the page and find the information they want.

When you find a block that you want to add to the page layout, simply drag and drop it onto the template. As you build your landing page, you can move these blocks around your layout by dragging and dropping them.

To add an interactive map, simply find the Google Maps block in the left-hand menu and drag it onto your layout.

SeedProd's ready-made Google Maps block

The Google Maps block will show a default location, but you’ll typically want to change this.

Simply click to select the Google Maps block and then click on the small gear icon that appears in the toolbar.

Customizing the SeedProd Google Map block

This opens the block’s settings in the left-hand menu.

Here, type a different address into the ‘Location’ field.

Adding an address to a SeedProd Google Maps block

The block will now update to show this address.

Visitors can zoom in and out of this location manually using the ‘+’ and ‘-’ buttons in the map’s right-hand corner. However, you can change the default zoom by dragging the ‘Zoom’ slider or typing an exact number into the text box.

Changing the zoom level on a Google Map

After that, you may want to resize the block using the ‘Width’ and ‘Height’ sliders. The ‘Height’ is shown in pixels, but ‘Width’ is the total available percentage. For example, ‘100’ means the Google Maps block takes up 100% of the available width.

To change either of these values, simply drag the sliders or type a number into the text box. As you make changes, the Google Maps block will update automatically so you can try different settings to see what looks the best.

Changing the width and height of a Google Maps block

If you set the width to less than 100, then you may want to change the block’s alignment. For example, you might show the interactive map in the center of the page.

To make this change, simply click on the different buttons in the ‘Alignment’ section.

Changing the alignment of an interactive map

You can now continue working on the design by dragging new blocks onto the page layout and then making changes in the left-hand menu. For more information, please see our guide on how to create a landing page in WordPress.

When you’re happy with how the page is set up, click on the arrow next to the ‘Save’ button and then select ‘Publish.’

Now, if you visit your website you’ll see the interactive map in action.

Method 2. How to Add an Interactive Map Using Google My Maps (Fully Customizable)

If you want to add a Google Map with basic interactions, then SeedProd is a great choice.

However, if you need to provide more advanced interactions then we recommend using Google My Maps instead.

An interactive map, created using Google My Maps

This free online service allows you to customize a Google Map with unique markers, points of interest, driving directions, and more. You can then add it to your website using code, so you won’t need to install a separate WordPress plugin.

How to Create an Interactive Map Using Google My Maps

First, you need to visit the Google My Maps website and click on ‘Create a new map.’

The Google My Maps online service

You will now see the map editor.

Here, you can select a base map, add points of interest, layers, and more.

How to create an interactive map for a WordPress website

To help keep your work organized, it’s a good idea to give the layer a name.

To do this, click on the three dots next to ‘Untitled layer’ and then select ‘Rename this layer.’

Renaming a map layer

You can now type in the name you want to use. This is just for your reference so you can use anything you want.

With that done, click on ‘Save.’

Renaming an interactive map for WordPress

Next, you can change how the map looks by choosing one of the ready-made styles. To see the available options, click on the arrow next to ‘Base Map.’

You can then click on any of the thumbnails, to apply that style to the map.

Changing the interactive map style

Add Points of Interest to an Interactive Map

You may want to customize the map by adding points of interest. When a visitor clicks on any of these points, a popup will open showing the location’s name, plus a description, photos, and videos where available.

There are a few different ways to add points of interest, but the easiest is to type the address into the search bar and then click on the ‘Search’ icon.

Adding markers to an interactive map

Google My Maps will now zoom into the area.

Sometimes, the location may already be added as a point of interest, especially if the place is a big tourist attraction or famous building. If this is the case, then you can simply click the location and then select ‘Add to map.’

Adding places of an interest to an interactive map

If the point of interest already exists, then Google My Maps will automatically show some information about this location in a popup. However, you may want to customize this default information or add your own photos and videos.

To do this, click on the ‘Edit’ icon, which looks like a small pencil.

Adding places of interest to an online map

You can now type in the title and description you want to show to anyone who clicks on this place of interest.

When you’re happy with the information you’ve entered, click on ‘Save.’

How to create a custom interactive map for a WordPress website

Another option is to add your own images and videos to the popup.

For example, if you’re creating an interactive map for your restaurant website, then you might add photos of the venue’s exterior to help customers find it.

Adding images and videos to an interactive map

You might even use this popup to get more customers. For example, if you’re adding your photography studio as a point of interest, then you might upload your photography portfolio.

To add media, simply click on the small camera icon.

Customizing a place of interest on Google Maps

You can now choose an image or video in the popup that appears.

After making your selection, click on ‘Insert.’

Adding images and video to a place of interest in Google Maps

When you’re done, don’t forget to click on ‘Save’ to store your changes.

Sometimes you may want to show a location that hasn’t been added to Google Maps. This might be your own office, a brand-new tourist attraction, or the meeting point for your event or conference.

To add a marker, go ahead and click on the ‘Add a marker’ icon below the search bar.

Adding markers to a custom interactive map

You can now click on the exact spot where you want to create a marker.

This will open an empty popup where you can type in a title and description. You can also add images and videos by clicking on the small camera icon.

An example of an interactive Google Map

When you’re happy with how the popup is set up, click on the ‘Save’ button.

To create more points of interest, simply follow the same process described above.

Add Travel Directions to an Interactive Map

You may also want to add some directions, which will be shown as a blue line on the map.

Adding driving directions to an interactive map

This can be useful if you want to help attendees find your event or a venue such as your bar or pub. If you run a travel blog, then you might even recommend some sightseeing routes to your readers.

There are a few different ways to add directions, but the easiest method is to click on the ‘Add directions’ icon below the search bar.

Adding directions to a Google Map

This adds a new section to the left of the screen, where you can type in the starting and ending address you want to use.

By default, Google Maps will show driving directions, but you can switch to walking or cycling directions instead. Simply click on the text that shows ‘Driving’ by default and then select the Cycling or Walking icon.

Adding cycling and walking directions to an interactive map

Another option is to draw a line on the map. This is useful if you want to show a very particular route between two or more locations, rather than the quickest route.

To do this, click on the ‘Draw a line’ icon beneath the search bar. You can now choose whether you want to add a driving, walking, or cycling route.

Adding a line to your Google Maps

After that, click on the starting point and draw a line by moving your mouse along the route you want to take.

When you reach the destination, simply click to place a marker at that spot. At this point, you can stop drawing or continue moving the mouse to add more markers to the route.

How to Publish an Interactive Map in WordPress

When you’re happy with how the map is set up, you can add it to your website using an embed iFrame code.

To start, you’ll need to make the map public by clicking on the ‘Share’ button. This opens a popup where you can type in a map title and an optional description.

How to share a Google Map

When you’re happy with the information you’ve entered, click on ‘OK.’

Next, you’ll want to enable the ‘Anyone with this link can view’ toggle. The other settings are optional, so you can decide whether to let people search for the map, or show your name and profile picture.

When you’re happy with the configuration, click on ‘Share on Drive.’

Making a Google Map public

In the next popup, open the dropdown menu underneath ‘General Access’ and select ‘Anyone with the link.’

Since we don’t want other people to edit the map, click on the ‘Viewer/Editor’ dropdown and select ‘Viewer.’ Finally, click on ‘Done.’

Sharing an interactive Google Map

After that, click on the three-dotted icon in the left-hand menu.

Then, choose ‘Embed on my site.’

How to get an embed code for Google Maps

Google Maps will now show an embed code that allows you to add the map to your online store, blog, or website.

You can go ahead and copy this iframe code.

Getting an iFrame code for Google Maps

You’re now ready to paste the code into your site. In your WordPress dashboard, head over to the post or page where you want to add an interactive map.

Then, click on the ‘+’ button and start typing ‘HTML’ to find the custom HTML block. When the right block appears, click to add it to the page or post.

How to add a Custom HTML block to WordPress

You can now paste the Google Map code into the Custom HTML block.

When you’re ready to go live, click on either the Update or Publish button.

Adding an interactive Google Map to a WordPress website

Now, if you visit your website you’ll see the interactive map live.

We hope this tutorial helped you learn how to add an interactive map in WordPress. You may also want to learn how to increase your blog traffic or check out our list of the best contact form plugins.

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Editorial Staff

Editorial Staff at WPBeginner is a team of WordPress experts led by Syed Balkhi with over 16 years of experience in WordPress, Web Hosting, eCommerce, SEO, and Marketing. Started in 2009, WPBeginner is now the largest free WordPress resource site in the industry and is often referred to as the Wikipedia for WordPress.

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Reader Interactions

5 CommentsLeave a Reply

  1. Syed Balkhi says

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  2. Stewart M says

    Is it possible to embed a link for a google my maps in a button on a page of my blog?

    “Click Here” to follow my route or places I visit

  3. Lisa Green says

    Thank you for giving wide information about updating maps and for also information about it. Map are generally used in now days for making your way better. Your blog contains all those facts who needs to update your maps. Keep sharing more information about updating maps.

  4. Elle says

    Thanks for a very good article about embedding maps. I will use it in a few days to add interactive maps to my website. A few questions, though. Is there a cost to use this plugin, Maps Maker Pro? can it be used to create itineraries by foot and bike or just driving? how can I ensure once I publish the maps no one else will add my maps to their websites? how can I copyright my maps?

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