How to Add Google Maps in WordPress (The RIGHT Way)

There’s nothing more frustrating for potential customers than wanting to visit your business but being unable to figure out where you’re located. We’ve seen too many local businesses lose sales simply because their website didn’t make it easy for people to find them.

That’s why every local business website should include a properly embedded Google Map.

We have found that adding Google Maps can make a huge difference in how your visitors find your local business. It makes it so much easier for them to pinpoint your location, and that can really boost the overall user experience.

We’re going to show you the right way to add Google Maps to your WordPress site. This isn’t just about dropping in any old map. We’ll teach you how to do it properly so it loads fast, looks professional, and actually helps your business get found.

Why Add Google Maps in WordPress?

Did you know that Google Maps is the most popular navigational app on all platforms?

If you have an office or physical store address, then adding Google Maps to your WordPress website makes it easy for users to quickly locate your physical stores, restaurants, or retail outlets. This helps you attract more customers and generate more business.

Not only that, but embedding Google Maps can also improve your WordPress SEO. According to Google, 46% of all searches are local. Adding Google Maps to WordPress can boost your local SEO and improve your visibility in local searches.

Now there are two ways to embed Google Maps in WordPress, and we’ll show you both.

The benefit of the second method is that it follows all local SEO best practices, so if you use it, then Google will start to include your location on Google Maps. It will also display your business information like name, logo, address, phone, and open hours in local search results.

That being said, let’s see how you can add Google Maps to WordPress. Below are the quick links that you can use to go to the section you prefer:

How to Add Google Maps in WordPress Without a Plugin

If you just want to quickly embed Google Maps in a WordPress post or page, then you can use the default iFrame method.

Simply go to the Google Maps website and type in any street address in the search area.

Next, you need to click the Share icon, and it will show a popup with the option to either Send a location link or Embed a map.

You need to select the ‘Embed a map’ option.

After that, simply copy the HTML code for Google Maps, and then open the page where you want to embed the map.

Inside the block editor, you need to add a Custom HTML block.

Now you can simply paste the embed code you copied from Google Maps.

After that, you need to update or publish the page to preview the changes.

This method works for quickly embedding Google Maps, but it doesn’t give you maximum SEO benefits.

If you are a small business, restaurant, or online store with either a single or multiple physical locations, then we recommend using the next solution to maximize your Local SEO rankings because it uses proper open graph data to help you rank higher in Google.

How to Add Google Maps to WordPress With a Local SEO Plugin

The best way to add Google Maps and optimize your site for local SEO is by using All in One SEO (AIOSEO).

It’s the best SEO plugin for WordPress because it helps you get higher SEO rankings without editing code or hiring a developer. Over 3 million professionals use AIOSEO to improve their search engine rankings.

For this tutorial, we will be using the AIOSEO Pro version because it includes the Local SEO feature and other powerful optimization options. There is also a free version of AIOSEO that you can use to get started optimizing your site for search engines.

First, you’ll need to install and activate the AIOSEO plugin in WordPress. For more details, please see our tutorial on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Upon activation, the plugin will launch the setup wizard. You can click the ‘Let’s Get Started’ button to configure the plugin. If you need help, then please refer to our guide on how to properly set up All in One SEO in WordPress.

Next, you can head over to All in One SEO » Local SEO from your WordPress dashboard.

Then click the ‘Activate Local SEO’ button to get started configuring the local settings.

Once the Local SEO addon for WordPress is activated, you can add a single location or multiple locations in AIOSEO and display them on Google Maps. We’ll show you how to add both to your website.

Adding a Single Location

To add your locations, business information, open hours, and more, you first need to go to All in One SEO » Local SEO and open the ‘Locations’ tab.

If you have a single physical location, then keep the ‘Multiple Locations’ option set to No.

After that, scroll down to the ‘Maps’ section to pin your exact location.

Simply enter your address in the ‘Enter a query’ field, and Google Maps will show your location.

Once you’ve entered your location, don’t forget to click the ‘Save Changes’ button.

Adding Multiple Locations

If you have more than one physical location, then you’ll need to enable the ‘Multiple Locations’ setting in the ‘Location’ tab in Local SEO.

After that, a new Locations menu will appear in your WordPress admin panel.

Go ahead and navigate to Locations and then click the ‘Add New’ button.

Once you are in the WordPress editor, scroll down to the ‘Map’ section.

Here you can enter your address in the ‘Enter a query’ field.

After entering your location on the map and adding location information, go ahead and click the ‘Publish’ button.

You can now repeat this step and add as many locations as you want for your business.

Once you have finished adding your locations, you can go to the ‘Maps’ tab back in the All in One SEO » Local SEO menu.

Here you will have to enter a Google Maps API key.

Now, let’s see how to create an API key for Google Maps.

Creating a Google Maps API Key

To start, you’ll need to visit the Google Maps Platform website and click the ‘Get Started’ button.

After signing in with your Google account, you’ll need to set up a billing account.

Google Maps Platform has pay-as-you-go pricing, and they offer the first $300 of monthly usage for free for all users. For most websites, that will easily cover a simple map embed like the one we’re creating in this tutorial.

Don’t worry, they will not charge you any fees unless you manually upgrade to a paid account.

To get started, go ahead and click the ‘Create Billing Account’ button.

Next, you can select your country and choose what best describes your organization from the dropdown menu.

Once you’ve selected this information, click the checkbox for Terms of Service and then click the ‘Continue’ button.

On the next screen, you’ll need to enter your phone number for verification.

Once you’ve done that, click the ‘Send Code’ button.

After verifying the code, the next thing to do is enter your business name, payment method details, and billing address.

Once you’ve entered these details, click the ‘Start my Free Trial’ button.

Next, you’ll be asked a series of 4 questions about your organization and how you’ll use the Google Maps Platform.

Google Maps will ask about your primary goal for using the platform, which industry you’re in, select a use case, and your company size.

After answering these questions, go ahead and click the ‘Submit’ button.

You’ll now see a popup with your Google Maps API key.

You can copy and save this key in a text file for future use.

Now that you’ve created a Google Maps API key, you’ll need to head back to your WordPress dashboard to enter it in AIOSEO Local SEO settings.

Configuring Google Maps Settings in WordPress

You can now go back to All in One SEO » Local SEO from your WordPress dashboard and then navigate to the ‘Maps’ tab.

Go ahead and enter the Google Maps API Key in the ‘API Key’ field. You’ll see a preview of the map in AIOSEO as soon as you add the key.

Next, you can scroll down to edit the map settings.

AIOSEO lets you display Google Maps using a Gutenberg block, shortcode, widget, or PHP code. It also lets you choose different map styles and add a custom marker to your map.

Don’t forget to click the ‘Save Changes’ button when you are done.

Displaying Google Maps in WordPress

Next, you can add Google Maps to any WordPress post or page. To start, simply edit or add a new page on your website.

Once you are in the block editor, click the ‘+’ button at the top and add the AIOSEO Local – Map block anywhere on the page.

After that, your Google Map will be added to the page.

AIOSEO also lets you edit the map settings from the options on your right. For instance, you can show labels and icons, add a custom marker, and edit the map’s width and height.

If you have multiple locations, then you can select which location to highlight by choosing from the options given in the menu on your right.

Simply click on the ‘Location’ dropdown menu and select your preferred location to display on your website.

Once you are happy with your settings, go ahead and publish the page.

Now you can visit your website to see Google Maps in action.

You can also add Google Maps to your site’s widget section, like the sidebar or footer.

To start, head over to Appearance » Widgets from your WordPress admin panel. Next, click the ‘+’ button and add the ‘AIOSEO Local – Map’ widget block where you’d like to display your location.

After that, you can edit the widget settings.

For example, you could add a title, change the width and height of the map, choose which location to display if you have multiple locations, and edit the label.

That’s it!

Now when you update your website, you’ll see Google Maps in your widgets area.

Frequently Asked Questions About Google Maps

Here are some of the most common questions we get about adding Google Maps to WordPress sites. These should help clear up any confusion and give you the confidence to add maps to your own website.

1. Do I need a Google API key to embed Google Maps in WordPress?

Yes, Google requires an API key for most map embeds to work properly. While some basic embeds might work without one initially, you’ll likely run into issues or limitations. Getting an API key is free for most small to medium websites, and we’ll show you how to set it up in our guide.

2. Will adding Google Maps slow down my WordPress website?

Google Maps can impact your site speed if not implemented correctly. However, when you follow the proper methods we outline, the impact is minimal. Most modern themes and plugins handle map loading efficiently, and you can also use lazy loading to ensure maps only load when visitors scroll to that section.

3. Can I customize the appearance of my Google Map on WordPress?

Absolutely! You can customize colors, remove certain elements, add custom markers, and even create completely custom map styles. Many WordPress plugins offer built-in customization options, or you can use Google’s styling wizard to create a map that matches your brand.

4. Is it better to use a plugin or embed Google Maps directly?

For most WordPress users, we recommend using a dedicated maps plugin. Plugins offer more customization options, better performance optimization, and easier management. Direct embedding works, but plugins typically provide a more user-friendly experience and additional features like multiple locations and custom styling.

5. How much does it cost to use Google Maps on my WordPress site?

Google Maps is free for most small to medium websites. Google provides $200 in free monthly usage, which covers approximately 28,000 map loads or 40,000 directions requests. Most local business websites won’t exceed these limits, making it essentially free to use.

6. Can I add multiple business locations to one Google Map?

Yes, you can definitely add multiple locations to a single map. This is perfect for businesses with multiple branches or service areas. Most WordPress map plugins make it easy to add multiple markers, and you can customize each location with different information, colors, and icons.

Expert Guides on Using Maps in WordPress

Now that you know how to add Google Maps to your site, you may like to see some other guides related to maps and location in WordPress.

• How to Embed Bing Maps in WordPress (Step by Step)
• How to Add an Interactive Map in WordPress
• How to Embed a Google Map in Contact Forms (With Map Pin)
• Best Google Maps Plugins for WordPress (Most Are Free)
• How to Add Google Maps Store Locator in WordPress
• Best WordPress Store Locator Plugins to Boost Local SEO
• How to Add Multiple Locations Schema for Local Business in WordPress
• How to Add Autocomplete for Address Fields in WordPress
• Best WordPress Geolocation and GeoIP Plugins

We hope this article helped you learn how to add Google Maps to your WordPress site. You may also want to see our picks for the best Mapbox WordPress plugins for small businesses and learn how to add a Google Maps store locator in WordPress.

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