Maybe you run a new startup with a new office and all you really need is to display very basic Google maps on a page of your site to show visitors where you’re located. Or perhaps you run a hardcore travel blog, and you want fully functional Google Maps plugins for WordPress with all the bells and whistles to let your readers know exactly where you are.
Either way, we’ve got you covered. In this post, we’ll explore six of the very best plugins to integrate Google Maps into your site. Whether it’s a free one-and-done solution that takes two minutes to set up or a full-blown premium system you can adjust to get everything you’ve ever wanted, there’s something here for everyone:
Visualmodo WordPress themes is fully compatible with this plugins.
WP Google Maps
WP Google Maps is the perfect map plugin to kick off our list: It’s one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful, free Google Maps plugins around. To create it, navigate to the location. Maps and click on ‘my first map’. Unfortunately, you’re limited to only a single location in the free version, so the ‘add new’ page isn’t relevant. The UI is very easy to deal with, using tabs so every part of the map creation is on a single concise screen.
WP General Settings: WordPress Google Maps Plugins
In the general settings, you’ll be able to determine the map’s height, width, responsiveness, zoom level, type (road map, satellite, terrain, or hybrid), and alignment. Then, once you’ve added the marker(s), you can create an unlimited number of polygons and polylines. The drawback is that the only marker icon you can use is Google’s standard pin.
You also have the option to add a store locator and three different types of layers (bicycle, traffic, and/or public transport). Once you’re done editing the map, insert the provided shortcode into a post or page, and you’re finished. Here’s what the output looks like (I added a single marker and a random polygon).
In the plugin settings, you can customize front-end user controls, as well as back-end options such as the Google Maps API used, jQuery troubleshooting, and the lowest WordPress user account level that has access to the plugin. Marker data can also be imported in bulk — either from your database or an XML file.
As I’ve already highlighted, the biggest disadvantage to the plugin is that you can only create a single map with the free version (the premium edition will set you back $19.99). That aside, the overall feature list is very appealing.
Features:
- Responsive
- Polygons
- Polylines
- User-friendly interface
- Customize front-end user control
- Four map types: normal, terrain, hybrid, satellite
Cons:
- Free version limited to one map
Google Maps Bank
Google Maps Bank is another highly functional map plugin. It has a ton of options and almost unlimited customization ability. The interface is also very organized and systematic. So, I even prefer it to the concise nature of WP Google Maps. Once you’ve installed and activated the plugin, you’ll navigate to Google Maps >> Create New Map in the sidebar to build your first map. The process is distilled into seven separate. In addition, easy-to-follow steps.
In step one, you’ll need to enter the map title and description and select the map type (same four options available). Step two is where you get to put in location information (exact geographic coordinates are possible), and steps three to five allow you to insert markers and polygons/polylines. Step six allows you to create layers, but that’s a premium option, so, you’ll just move along to step seven, where you have access to a few advanced settings to customize the likes of front-end user control.
Insert Options WordPress Google Maps Plugins
To insert a map into a post or page, go to the WYSIWYG post editor and click on the new ‘add Google Maps Bank shortcode’ button adjacent to the ‘add media’ button. The popup depicted below will come up — customize the settings as you see fit, then publish.
Here’s what the output will look like (I added a single marker).
Google Maps Bank is a versatile plugin, but there are a few drawbacks. The most significant is the fact that the lite version is capped at two locations, five markers, one polygon, and one polyline. So, if you’re looking to display more than just a couple of locations on your contact and/or about pages, you’ll have to either upgrade (pricing starts at £17) or look elsewhere.
Features:
- Lots of customization ability
- Very systematic organized UI
- Markers (max five) with custom-made icons
- Polygons (max one)
- Polylines (max one)
- Customize front-end user control
- Four types: normal, terrain, hybrid, satellite
- Multiple map languages
Cons:
- The Lite version limited to two maps
Simple Short Code
Simple Google Maps Short Code is the first plugin on this list that targets simplicity. The developer, Pippin Williamson, has stripped it of any extra bells and whistles. There’s no settings page or custom map post type. So, there’s only a single shortcode [pw_map address=”your address here”] that you insert into a post/page.
This is what the output looks like. Remember, there’s absolutely no customization offered.
This plugin definitely isn’t for everyone. If you want to add multiple markers/layers/polygons, or if you want to choose from a variety of types, move on. On the other hand, if all you’re looking to do is create a map on your website in a minute flat, this is perfect. Your search is finished.
Features:
- Very simple to use
- Create an unlimited number of maps
Cons:
- No extra features or customization ability
CP Google Maps
CP Google Maps is a powerful plugin with lots of functions. Although the UI is a little troublesome to deal with. The interface and creation process takes a different approach from the other plugins we’ve discussed so far. To start creating a map, you’ll need to go to your post editor (go to the post/page in which you plan to insert it). Below the WYSIWYG editor, you’ll see a new widget on your screen titled ‘associate an address to the post for Google Maps association’.
Keep scrolling down, until you see a map preview and provided text areas to insert address information. Once you’ve put in your address, hit the verify button and the geographic coordinates will be automatically filled in.
Maps Title And Description WordPress Google Maps Plugins
Once you’re done editing (don’t forget to put in the title and description), scroll down to the end of the widget and hit the ‘insert map tag’ button, which puts the map’s shortcode into your text editor.
This is what the output looks like.
To customize the plugin options, navigate to Settings >> CodePeople Map Post, where you’ll be able to adjust zoom, map width, alignment, type (road, satellite, terrain, and hybrid, as normal), language, and a couple of other settings. The disadvantage is that you can’t configure the settings individually for each map you create. So, the changes you make here will be applied across the board.
Features:
- Firstly, create an unlimited number of maps (custom icons included)
- Secondly, basic customization options
- Responsive
- Front-end user control
- Four map types: normal, terrain, hybrid, satellite
- Finally, create popups over markers
Cons:
- UI is not very easy to navigate
- Settings cannot be customized for each map
Maps Marker Pro
Maps Marker Pro is the only premium plugin we’ll be featuring on this list, and it’s actually pretty cool. Used by more than 62,000 WordPress sites, the plugin is also clearly one of the most popular solutions around. In the demo, you’ll be able to take an in-depth look at the UI and see how it compares with the free plugins on this list. It’s a formidable sight, and there’s definitely a bit of a learning curve.
You can toggle between a simplified and an advanced editor (as you can see in the notification popup above), but, to be honest, there’s not all that much of a difference between the two. The advanced editor basically just opens up a couple more settings, such as custom coordinates and WMS layers.
The basic steps are to create a marker (170-plus icons built-in), set the map dimensions, and assign a layer.
Data Options WordPress Google Maps Plugins
Moreover, a neat thing about Maps Marker Pro is that you have a ton of different data options: Not only can you display your location in all of the four Google Map types we’ve previously discussed, but you can also pull in location data from Bing, OpenStreetMap, and MapQuest. Niche sources, such as Open Cycle (especially for cyclists), Blue Marble Topography (true-color satellite views), and Transport (mass transit routes; the one depicted below) are also available.
As you can see above, the styling is also rather nice. It builds a lot of functionality into the front end, allowing users to get directions, export marker data, and select the type of location they want to view (from the choices listed above). Once you’re done creating the map, all that’s left to do is insert the assigned shortcode into a post, and publish. In conclusion, the list of features is pretty long, but the absence of polygon/polyline capabilities is a glaring hole.
MapsMarker Pro’s Pricing
Maps Marker Pro’s pricing starts with a personal plan, which costs €29 for support for one domain and a year of support and updates. The most expensive option is the professional plan, clocking in at €149 for 25-domain support and a year of updates. You can also choose three or five-year subscription plans at 10% and 15% discounts, respectively, that allow access to support and updates for more time.
Free Trial WordPress Google Maps Plugins
Finally, there’s also a 30-day free trial available, so you can test drive the plugin on your own site before committing. Furthermore, a free version of the plugin (Leaflet Maps Marker). which boasts a 4.8-star rating and 40,000-plus active installs. Moreover, available for download at WordPress.org.
Features:
- Firstly, front-end keyboard navigation
- Secondly, geolocation that keeps up with your travel (a great feature for travel bloggers)
- Multiple markers per layer and marker clustering
- Import/export marker data via CSV/XLS/XLSX/ODS
- 10-plus map types (Google, Bing, MapQuest, etc)
- Create popups over each marker
- Responsive
- 41 languages supported
- Google Adsense integration into maps
- Customize front-end user control
- Finally, marker animations
Cons:
- No polygon/polyline capabilities
Intergeo WordPress Google Maps Plugins
Intergeo Maps is an excellent free plugin from the CodeinWP team. It comes with a ton of useful features and very few limitations.
Firstly, the map creation process is quite different from any of the other plugins on this list. After installation, you’ll find a new page under your ‘media’ tab in the side menu. To create a map, you need to navigate to that Media >> Intergeo page, where you’ll hit the ‘add new’ button.
This will open up a popup where you’ll be customizing the settings to it. You have full control over all customizations: Positioning, zooming, front-end user control, styles (eight included with an option for custom styles), overlays (markers, polygons, polylines, etc), and much more.
You can also create routes and add directions to the map, as well as four layers: Traffic, bicycle, weather, and/or Panoramio photos. AdSense integration is even an option. Once you’ve finished configuring all these settings, hit the ‘go-to address’ button.
Address Info WordPress Google Maps Plugins
This will again create a popup where you can input the address info to it. Once that’s done, click the create map button.
Finally, you’ll then be presented with a shortcode for it, which you can input into a post/page in order to insert the map you’ve created. Here’s an example of such a location:
You can also create the location from your post editor with the same UI builder. In addition, the only difference in the process is that you’ll simply go through the ‘add media’ button above the post editor. Lastly, you can always take stock of your (unlimited) map library on the Media. Intergeo page.
Features:
- Firstly, great customizability
- Secondly, simple UI and easy creation process
- Unlimited location
- Markers (custom icons included)
- Polygons
- Polylines
- Circles
- Eight design styles
- Finally, satellite/roadmap/terrain map types
Cons:
- Nothing obvious!
