Before we start looking at any plugins, it’s good to review the way Google Maps work.
There are several components in the Google Maps API family, all of which can be found on the Google Maps API Family page.
When working with WordPress, we are mainly interested in two of these APIs:
Static maps are practically images with no functionality. Including a static map into your page is as simple as inserting something like the following into your html:
</pre> <img src="http://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/staticmap?center=Brooklyn+Bridge,New+York,NY&zoom=14&size=512x512&maptype=roadmap&markers=color:blue%7Clabel:S%7C40.702147,-74.015794&markers=color:green%7Clabel:G%7C40.711614,-74.012318&markers=color:red%7Clabel:C%7C40.718217,-73.998284&sensor=false" alt="Points of Interest in Lower Manhattan" border="0" /> <pre>
There are several parameters that can be changed in the code below, and you can find an explanation of these parameters here.
On the other hand, JavaScript-powered maps have all the functionality you can see when accessing the Google Maps webpage. The Google Maps Javascript API Version 3 is now the official Javascript API and you should therefore be wary of plugins that use V2 as this might mean they are no longer being maintained. With V2 you also have the added step of having to include an API key to be able to use Google Maps.
Now that we know how Google Maps work, let’s take a look at the best Google Maps plugins for WordPress:
MapPress
MapPress is by far the most popular Google Maps plugin for WordPress, being downloaded more than 150,000 times. It is probably the easiest way to create great-looking Google Maps and driving directions in your blog. The feature I like best from this plugin is the ability to drag and drop a marker onto the map. This is a great feature that is not found in any other plugins. There are loads of options you can set in its options panel.
MapPress also has a PRO version (paid plugin) which gives you extra features like:
- Marker icons: set different icons for each marker. More than 200 icons are included – or you use your own!
- Mashups: easily add a “mashup” overview map link to individual blog posts
- Widgets: easily add maps or mashups to your sidebar with MapPress widgets
- Custom fields: automatically create maps from addresses stored in custom fields
- Marker list: add a clickable table listing the markers on each map
- Remove link: remove the MapPress Pro link from the map
Although this is really a great plugin, I don’t like the fact that it inserts a ‘Powered by MapPress’ link at the bottom of your map.
5sec Google Maps
The author of this plugin describes it as follows: No setup. No code. No bulls**t. Just maps! [gmap]your address[/gmap]
We agree, it is really easy to use and a top choice if you just want to include a map with your address, no fancy stuff.
WP Google Maps
The easiest to use Map Plugin! Create custom Google Maps with high quality markers containing locations, descriptions, images and links. Add your customized Google map to your WordPress posts and/or pages quickly and easily with the supplied shortcode. No fuss. no iFrames and super easy to use!
Key Features
- WP Google Maps uses the latest Google Maps API (V3)
- Super easy to use, no coding required!
- Create as many map markers as you need by simply typing in the address.
- Edit your markers with the click of a button.
- Google Maps Streetview supported.
- Define your own width, height and zoom level for your Google Map.
- Create a map in less than a 30 seconds!
- WordPress 3.0 friendly.
- No advertising or links.
There is also the WP Google Maps Professional Edition which gives you even more features.
Pronamic Google Maps
This is a really excellent plugin that provides a clean interface within your pages, posts or custom post types, where you can insert the Title, Description, Latitude and Longitude of your point. Once you enter this information you also get a real-time preview of your map, very useful. You can then choose the level of zoom or positioning of the map using your mouse on the map preview, and this will be saved when you save your post/page.
One downside of this plugin is that you have to add some code to your theme’s files in order for it to work. The instructions can be found here. The reason for this extra step is that the developers of this plugin chose not to use shortcodes:
“This plugin does not work with the WordPress shortcode API. Although it’s an very powerful technique, it’s not always very user friendly. Not all users understand the shortcodes.”
So what you need to do to get this plugin to work is open your theme’s PHP file for displaying posts, or pages, and add the following code:
if(function_exists('pronamic_google_maps')) {
pronamic_google_maps(array(
'width' => 500 ,
'height' => 500
));
}
The parameters are thus chosen within the code above, you can specify the width and height of your map. I would actually prefer if these settings where selectable from the plugin’s options page, but again the developers chose not to put these options there in order not to pollute the WordPress database. I would tend to disagree as saving these settings in the database and using an options page would make the plugin more user friendly and it would also ensure that the plugin would work the same on any theme you choose. At present if you change theme the plugin won’t work, unless you enter the code above into each new theme you want to use.
Google Maps made Simple (WPGMappity)
Another excellent Google Maps plugin which provides an extra button next to the upload media buttons, clicking on this button will open a GUI for creating your map. You can insert multiple markers on each map and choose what HTML is displayed in each marker’s bubble. The map is then inserted into the post/page using a shortcode. It also works with Custom Post Types.
This plugin has a unique feature in that it saves your maps in a map library so you can just access the library and re-use your maps across several posts or pages. Pretty neat plugin overall, surely one of the best available.
WP Geo
WP Geo is another popular plugin and like MapPress gives you the ability to drag and drop the marker on the map. It has a very clean interface and a good set of options. It also works with Custom Post Types.
Two downsides of the plugin are:
- It uses the V2 API, which requires a key (I expect this to be fixed in the next version).
- You cannot enter HTML into the marker’s info bubble.
Google Map v3 Shortcode
This plugin allows you to add a google map into your post/page using shortcodes. It is really straightforward to implement and just works perfectly. It doesn’t have any options panel but gives you all the features you’d expect, including custom markers and the ability to insert html for the marker’s bubble. It doesn’t have the drag and drop functionality offered by MapPress, so you will have to either enter the address of your location or else use coordinates.
Features:
- multiple maps on the same post
- set map sizeset zoom level
- set map typeset location by latitude/longitude
- set location by address
- add marker
- add custom image as map icon
- add KML via URL link
- show trafficsupport for Google My Maps
Implementation examples can be found here.
Google Map Shortcode
One of the most complete Google Maps plugins. If only it had the ability to drag and drop markers it would be really great. This new version of Google Map Shortcode – WordPress Plugin uses the JavaScript Maps API V3. The new editor button allows to include the google map and multiples point in your blog with a couple of clicks. A lot of markers come with the plugin but also, it’s possible to upload a custom icon to be used as a marker. Some features:
- Editor button added, to include the points into the maps easily.
- Custom markers can be uploaded.
- Open Google Map in new window – included to the info windows.
- Post ID include as shortcode parameter.
- Based on Google Maps Javascript API Version 3.
- Faster and more applicable to mobile devices.
- Maps available in multiple languages.
- API key not required.
- Multiples points in a single map.
- Multiples maps in a single page.
- Posts can be deploy in the maps using the category id.
- Custom html for the info windows.
- Maps can be inserted everywhere.
Something I don’t like in this plugin is the fact that it doesn’t display the address within the shortcode, so you end up having maps in your Edit screen but not knowing where they actually point to without opening a preview pane. Also there is no way to edit an existing map you inserted.
Simple Google Map
Simple Google Map uses a shortcode to display the map on your post or page. It has no interface for choosing your point on the map. You can also choose to use your own CSS for styling of the map through the options panel. The shortcode name is SGM and here are the options:
- lat [int] – the latitude of the marker and the center of the map.
- lng [int] – the longitude of the marker and the center of the map.
- zoom [int] – the zoom level (0-19).
- type [int] – the starting map type. possible values are only ROADMAP, SATELLITE, HYBRID, or TERRAIN and must be in uppercase
- directionsto [string] – the destination address for getting directions. obviously you want this to be the address of your latitude longitude coordinates.
- content – what goes inside the infoWindow (speech bubble) that appears when the marker is clicked.
Google Map Generator
This is a really straightforward plugin that uses a shortcode or link that opens in a new window.
Using this plugin you can embed google map inside the post or link google map with a link as a popup. example:
- embed google map
{gmap|address|width|height}, - popup google map
Link Label.
One disadvantage is that it has very limited parameters, for example you cannot set the zoom level. Only recommended if you are looking for some simple functionality.
RomeLuv Maps
The RomeLuv plugin (quite a memorable name) is a very interesting addition to the collection of Google Maps plugins available for WordPress. Maybe the best way to understand what it does is to visit www.romeluv.com which is a Rome destination guide. In the www.romeluv.com/map page you can see that all the posts are linked into a global map.
This plugin automatically places a Google Map inside every post where you need to: just write an address in a specific box which is automatically added in the post editing window. The map can be placed before (default) or after the content in your single post template. The cool bouncing marker will also show the address if clicked. It is easily stylable with CSS.
The only negative thing I found about this plugin is that it automatically inserts a small credit link to this page on your global map. I suggest that the plugin author makes this optional in line with WordPress official policy.
Comprehensive Google Map Plugin
One of our readers has pointed us in the direction of this plugin, which we had missed in our review. This is another amazing Google maps plugin, with a very clean interface, definitely one to check out before making your final decision.
Get Comprehensive Google Map Plugin
Geo Mashup
This plugin lets you save location information with posts, pages, and other WordPress objects. These can then be presented on interactive Google maps in many ways.
Geo Mashup, like WordPress, has a simple interface for basic features, templates for control of output, and APIs for endless customization options. Some popular features are:
- Use Google Maps v2 or v3, or OpenStreetMap as a map provider.
- Global maps can present your posts in many ways They can show just one category or custom post type, for example Clicking on a post marker shows a customizable summary of the post or page in an info window
- Location can be saved for all post types (including pages) users, and comments
- Synchronize Geodata with the Geo location mobile client and other plugins
- Support for both standard WordPress shortcodes and template tags to add maps to your site.
- Reverse geocoding to fill in address information for locations
- GeoRSS automatically added to feeds
- Attach KML files to posts and pages
- Connect category markers with a colored line
If you need features that are aren’t listed here, check the documentation and the tag reference.
Conclusion
While MapPress retains its title as the most downloaded and most popular Google Maps plugin for WordPress, there are now a few excellent challengers. If you don’t want to pay for MapPress Pro and don’t want a ‘Powered by..’ link on your map consider using similar plugins such as ‘Pronamic Google Maps’ or ‘WP Geo’
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I’m new to the Google Map API – so please bear with me. I want to create a map where people can enter a location for something within the city that needs fixing. For example, they might mark a big pothole or a street light that doesn’t work.
There might be several ways to have that information sent in, so would I need a plugin like one of the above to pull this off or would it be a standalone coding job?
Thanks for the great review. I didn’t realize that there were this many choices for mapping plugins.
Very interesting idea Craig, I think it would be possible to use one of the above plugins, for example you could allow users to submit an address or coordinates and then use one of these plugins to plot the map using that data. The simplest way would be to enable users to send this data via a form, then you can add the point yourself. However for further automation you could let them directly add points on the map. This would require further customisation and I am not aware of any solution that can do this out of the box. You would somehow need to show the map administration part on the front end for users to select the points. It’s quite an interesting project and I’m sure it can be done given some thought.
Hi,
I’ve just published a free wordpress plugin enabling you to auto-embed google maps just writing an address on each post.
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/romeluv-google-maps-for-wordpress/
It can also display a global map with all the posts displayed as markers – pretty cool and easy. And free of course
I’d love you to consider adding it to the list as it very lightweight and easy to hack (only one file) yet takes care of geocoding & everything pretty straightforwardly!
Reply
Nice plugin, adding it to the list, I recommend you make the credit link optional though, in line with WordPress guidelines. Here’s an excerpt from a forum post by Mark Jaquith: “Our policy is that you make the user take an affirmative action (like checking a box/radio button) in order to enable a credits link.”
Thanks for pointing this out, I’ll consider it maybe in a forthcoming release. No biggie if my users comment / disable the link, I won’t be too angry
hi,
i want to know where the data of my map is loaded in mappress plugin.how can i show the location data as well as the google map in my post?Please give me advise.
sujon
Have you tried the WordPress forums, specifically support for mappress? The developer should help you out with this: http://wordpress.org/tags/mappress-google-maps-for-wordpress
Wow, great timing, thanks for posting this roundup.
I was just looking for a mapping plugin for one of our clients that would let us add custom markers – shebang – look no more.
Gracias.
Welcome, glad to be of help!
Very interesting and great timing. You forget to post the download link to the RomeLuv Maps plugin. After looking for it myself, I saw it was a V2 version… Too bad.
Thanks Pieter added the link now, seems compatible with WP 3, not sure where you found the WP2 version.
I ment the Google Maps V2 api, not the WP version
.
ah ok
Which one of these maps can contain multiple locations in 1 map added to a wp page? It seems like all only allow 1 location per map.
Hi Justin try WP GMappity it allows mulitple markers.
I have service providers that work within a certain mileage radius. I’m looking for a plugin that would match a clients address with the service provider. Is there one out there….someplace?
That’s interesting functionality, I haven’t seen any plugin which does that out of the box however. If you want this functionality and would consider hiring us for developing it feel free to contact us and we’ll look into the details.
Hi,
I find this blog extremely helpful for me, thanks Jean Galea and everyone here!!
I was just looking for a mapping plugin that would let us add custom markers on the map, can you help with suggestions!
Welcome, Pronamic’s plugin lets you use custom markers. From the changelog of version 2.1.2: Adjusted the Google Maps mashup JavaScripts, now each post can have it’s own custom marker icon
Hello Jean
Are you aware of any Google/Yahoo/Bing map plugins that do pin clustering? I have around 2000 locations.
Need a WordPress solution that does this http://e85prices.com/e85map.php
Not really sorry Dan, maybe someone else can point you in the right direction. Definitely let us know if you find a solution though!
Thanks Jean,
I just don’t understand how wordpress Map developers could be missing out on something so basic as Marker Manger /Clustering http://code.google.com/apis/maps/articles/toomanymarkers.html
I had the E85 Map done a few years ago using clustering.. pulls from mysql db and updates on the fly as new locations are listed.
Looks like I will hire it out for the wordpress site I am working out..
btw Jean off topic a bit but really enjoy your design work http://www.jeangalea.com/portfolio/
oh all praise for the design should go to kennethcachia.com, he’s the man behind the design, I was responsible for development.
As I understand each of the plugins needs the coordinates entered into a special box on the web interface, right? I have a special situation: the sender can only send emails (with the pluin Postie)! Can one of the plugins you described take the coordinates from the email?
You would have to do some custom coding to achieve that, as far as I know there aren’t any plugins that offer this feature yet.
Thanks for the very helpful survey. Have you looked at the “Comprehensive Google Maps Plugin”? It looks like it has almost everything you discuss as positive points in your reviews.
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/comprehensive-google-map-plugin/
Thanks!
Looks good Ram, will be adding it, thanks for your contribution.
There is a new WordPress plugin called MapNavigator. It organizes all your MapPress markers and displays them in an easy to navigate hierarchy. This plugin imports a Map Navigation file into your WordPress blog. The Map Navigation file defines one or more Continents, Countries, Regions, States and Cities. The plugin creates Posts that each contain a MapPress map or mashup that provide a linked navigation of the geography using your organization’s name, image file and icon in the Post’s Post, Excerpt and on the Map markers. The Map Navigation hierarchy can then be added to your themes header or provided as a link so that your organization can locate its members Posts or Pages by Geographical area. The plugin also provides an affiliate Register script that adds an Affiliate to your Map Navigation hierarchy along with their link and image when they join your organization. Any post can be added to the Map Navigation hierarchy using the Map Taxonomy tags and a Custom field used by the MapPress plugin.
Check it out:
http://mapclick.org
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/mapnavigator/
Great article – you may want to look at GeoMashup by cyberhobo as well. It’s got a bit of a learning curve, but does some nifty global maps. There’s even a radius search available on github that adds even more functionality. I’ve got the unmodified versions working on my site now with plans to modify this in the near future.
Hi Jean
Please have a look at http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-google-maps/ and let me know what you think. I developed it a few weeks ago and it’s starting to accumulate a high number of downloads. I would love it if you could add it to your post.
Kind regards,
Nick
Nice work Nick, definitely adding it to the list.
Does anyone know of a store/service locator plug-in which uses the API v3 from Google? Pretty much all of the WP plug-ins available with a zip code search functionality, currently, require an API Key – which Google no longer issues. This would be a great help. I wouldn’t mind paying for such a tool.
Hey Jean – great list, thanks for putting it together!
I’m looking for a plugin for my travel blog. I’d like to essentially have a map on every post that shows the location of the story – but ALSO has the locations and links to every other story I’ve done.
Do any of these apps allow you to essentially have a common database of markers but customise the map for each page to have the relevant marker as the focus? (Does that make sense?)
Cheers.
Not sure about this scenario, you’ll have to try them out and see whether they fit your purpose, as its been a while since I wrote this.
10x a lot man.. works like a charm with my custom posts!! love it – adds a lot of color to each review i create
thanks
Hi Jean,
I’m doing a website for a local restaurant. Could you recommend a plugin for WP, that would include a google map and reviews (ability to see past reviews and write new ones)? They want to be able to moderate reviews too.
Any ideas would be a MASSIVE help.
Thanks in advance.
Clare
Hey, nice list. We will soon release our first free plugin for google maps. We dubbed it Google Map It for DirectoryPress. Please check out our map functions for creating a google map mashup for directory websites in our live demo.
These plugins are all awesome, and we will at some stage attempt to make another free plugin, just for WordPress. Bookmarked for resource.
Hope you will also let me mention our first WordPress based map project, called Latitude Longitude Finder. Geocoders are geeks
hello jean, nice post. just wanna ask which one of these posts can let me add different maps per post. and can be seen on the sidebar. thanks in advance for the help. cheers!!!
I discover this plugin and i think you forgot it in this cool post !
http://codecanyon.net/item/google-maps-module-with-geolocation-wp-plugin/843881