Google Map Services and using Store Locator Plus

WordPress Store Locator Plus plug-in

How do you know if you need to obtain a Google Maps API key?

As of June 11, 2018(update: Google has extended this date to July 6)  all sites using Google map  to geolocate will need a key and a billing account. If you do not have one your map will no longer work.   If you are using any of the WordPress Locator plugins, that most likely means you. If your site worked before without one, those days are history.

Google API changes in service

MySLP Managed Locator Service

This store locator service is a subscription and is managed by the Store Locator Plus team. What does that mean? Besides being able to use it on virtually any platform, it also means you do not need to worry about SLP updates nor  will you have the hassle of logging into the Google developers console to obtain a key with a Google billing account. You subscribe to our service and pay a monthly fee (subscription) depending on the plan you need. You will not see a “surprise” charge on your credit card in the event you go over the limit.

Switching between WP Store locator to MySLP just became easier!!

Contact us to learn how to sign up for the  New “Lock and Load” your Locations from WPSLP as part of your transition process  to MySLP.  Available with  the SLP 4.9.16 release. MySLP plans start for a low  monthly fee.

 

 

 

Google API Key Changes Coming June 11 2018

Store Locator Plus for WordPress requires the user of the plug-in to obtain their own Google Map API key as described in our Getting Started Guide.  

Google has revamped its Google Maps API developer platform. With the changes to the way Google is handling the API keys, this may be a good time to rethink the overall management of your location services.  The MySLP SaaS platform takes care of all that for you.  You only need  to  embed the JavaScript code that MySLP provides when you sign up.

Location position and accuracy

Have you ever checked the accuracy of your location marker compared to where it appears on the widely used google maps application?  If you do,  you may notice that the latitude and longitude and position of your marker is not exactly the same as where it appears in the Google Map.

The exact location marker on your map may be slightly off by a few feet or meters from the actual location shown in the Google Maps App. Both are using Geocoding  (the process of converting addresses into geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude), which you can use to place markers on a map, or position the map, so why the difference?