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Embedding a map in WordPress is easy.
You’ll find six plugins below that can all handle this feature quite effectively.
But if you want even more advanced options, keep reading because these plugins have some impressive functionality.
Using the Google Maps WordPress plugins below, you’ll be able to create maps with custom markers, color schemes, even full store locators if you want.
You’ll find options for any feature you could want from a map.
Google Maps plugins
Only proven plugins with large download counts and high-ratings have been included in this list.
Every plugin below has a nice design, a great variety of customization features, and a few ways to display Google Maps on your website.
1. Google Maps
Plugin Description
This plugin is made by Elfsight, the same company behind some of the best social feed plugins on the web. They bring their combination of great design and robust functionality to the Google Maps plugin for great results.
With this plugin, you can easily embed a custom Google Map on any post or page of your site. Of course, you can create unlimited maps and even add multiple maps to a single page. You add the maps to your pages with either a shortcode, widget, or a block added for the Visual Composer plugin. Now let’s talk customization.
One of the best features in the Google Maps plugin is the variety of pre-made map marketers. You can choose from different colored pins, and some even include popular icons for places like airports, restaurants, and stores. You can also pick from a few pre-made color schemes for the map, or create your own color palette. This will give your map a really unique, branded look on your site.
This plugin also includes a few layout options, info card management, and more. Click the link below to see what else it can do.
2. Store Locator
Plugin Description
This plugin is different.
You can use one of the other plugins to create a map of any location you want. But what if you have a variety of locations to highlight? The Store Locator is perfect for creating this type of map.
With the Store Locator plugin, you can add a list of destinations to your map. There is a sidebar that lists all of your locations including their full address, phone number, business hours, and other info. When you hover your mouse over a location, the pin animates on the map, so you can quickly find it. Even better, each location has a “Direction” button that visitors can click to see in-map directions from their location to the store.
Store Locator also includes multiple themes and layouts, so you can customize your maps freely. There are custom fields too, so you can add custom info into each store listing beyond the default details like store hours and address.
3. MapSVG
Plugin Description
MapSVG is a WordPress map plugin and content manager. With it, you can create custom content and show it on a vector, image, or Google maps.
Use it to extend the Google Maps functionality with its powerful features. You can also combine vector maps with Google Maps and change the default Google Maps look by importing thousands of map styles from SnazzyMaps into this WordPress map plugin to create amazing maps for your visitors.
Take advantage of the extensive SnazzyMaps repository. Pick one of the several thousands of map styles and improve Google Maps to look better on your website.
Features that make MapSVG the best Google maps plugin:
- Easy to use customization options for Google Maps
- Interactive overlays
- Store locator functionality
- Google Maps features for sales reps and real estate agents
- Powerful editing tools to customize a map the way you want it to look and function
4. Maps Widget for Google Maps
Plugin Description
Want to add a simple map embed into your sidebar? This is the perfect plugin for your site.
The Maps Widget for Google Maps plugin is exactly what it sounds like: a plugin that adds a widget to your site for creating and embedding custom Google Maps. You can add the widget into your sidebar or any other widget area your theme provides. You might be surprised just how many customization options this plugin provides.
With this Google Maps plugin, you can set an exact size and width for the widget, choose a color scheme, select a zoom level, and even select a color for the pin. These options make it possible to create a map that is both recognizable as a Google Maps embed but also customized for your brand.
The developers of this plugin have also made a Gutenberg block version you might like. Instead of using a widget in a widget area, that plugin will allow you to insert a map block into the content area of any post or page.
5. WP Google Maps
Plugin Description
WP Google Maps is the most widely used plugin for adding Google Maps to WordPress with a massive 400,000 active installs. Based on these counts alone, you can be certain this plugin will work well for you.
This plugin has always used a shortcode system, but now has a Gutenberg block available too. You’ll use its map creation interface to define all the traits of your map, and then copy and paste the shortcode right into the post or page. There’s a simple widget included as well.
There’s not much you can’t do with this awesome and free WordPress map plugin. Basic features include:
- Unlimited maps
- Unlimited markers per map
- Responsive map embeds
- Custom size and zoom level
- 9 popular map themes
This plugin also has a premium version with additional functionality (if you can believe that). Some premium features include directions, marker listings, custom map styling, an advanced store locator, and visitor generated markers.
6. Advanced Google Maps
Plugin Description
After the last plugin, I bet I know what you’re thinking now…
This plugin is “advanced?” What about the last one?
Well believe it or not, the Advanced Google Maps plugin truly does have more functionality. Let’s just say, I don’t think you’re going to leave this post looking for any features you couldn’t find here. This plugin has all the basic features you’d want for creating and displaying Google Maps, so let’s dive into the advanced stuff.
First, multiple filters are allowed. This means you can add parameters like location categories and cities, and visitors can select them to narrow down the map to certain markers. Next, you can add blog posts as markers in your maps. This is awesome if you’re a travel blogger and want to drop pins based on your published stories.
Clicking on a marker shows an info card popup, and this too is customizable. You can also display multiple routes and detailed directions, draw custom shapes to overlay parts of the map, and create marker clusters to group nearby markers.
If you just want a simple and beautiful way to include a map on your site, you’ll do best with one of the first plugins listed here. However, if you want an extreme amount of control or you have a very specific need for your map, Advanced Google Maps may be the perfect plugin for your site.
Which Google Maps plugin is best?
The Google Maps plugin by Elfsight is likely the best pick for your site. It strikes a great balance between flexibility and ease-of-use, and packages it all with a beautiful design.
If you have a more specific need that plugin can’t meet, check out the other plugins in the collection. Many of them have extremely advanced features you’ll want to check out.
If this collection helped you find a good Google Maps plugin for your site, then make sure to share it with someone else before you go.
Thanks for reading!
