To Use:
The Google Map plugin adds a “Add Map” icon to your visual editor. Once you’ve created your new map it is inserted into write Post / Page area as shortcode which looks like this: .
It also includes a Google Maps widget for displaying maps in your site’s sidebar as well as the ability to create mashups from your maps.
You’ll find detailed instructions for using this plugin by going to Settings > Google Maps plugin where you can also configure your preferred Google Maps defaults.
Configuring your default Google Maps options
1. Go to Settings > Google Maps plugin
2. Select your preferred Google Maps defaults from the options available.
3. Click Save Changes.
The default map type controls which type of Google Map is embedded. Changes to Default map type applies to newly created maps only; not previously created maps.
Default image size and limits controls the Panoramio images for your map location. This can be pretty nice for locations that don’t have Street View option in Google Maps.
You control whether a map does or doesn’t display the Panoramio images widget below the map using the Map Options in the Add Map window.
Adding a Google Map to a Post or Page
1. Click on the Add Map icon.
2. Add the address of the location you want to add and then click Add. This adds a place marker to your map and displays the location at the bottom of the map.
3. To add more location(s), just add the address(es) and then click Add.
4. Alternatively you can add a location(s) by zooming in on your map, click on Drop Marker to add a Marker to your Map and then drag/drop it to the desired location.
5. Next give your map a name.
6. Now zoom in on your place marker(s) so your readers have the best map view of your location.
7. Click on the Place Marker if you want to change the Title of location or Information about the location. You can also click on the Icon to change the Marker’s icon.
8. Next click Save changes to this map.
9. Finally click on Map Options, select your preferences , click OK to close the Map Options window and then click Insert this map. Select “Associate map with this post” if you want to be able to create mashups with your maps.
10. You should now see your map shortcode displayed and your Google map embedded in your Post or Page when published.
On load on the public facing pages, maps are always centered to the last existing marker location.
Adding your Google Map(s) to your sidebar
The Google Maps widget can be used to add an existing map, create a new map or add a mashup of maps to your site’s sidebar.
1. Go to Appearance > Widgets
2. Add the Google Maps Widget to the desired sidebar or widget area and configure the widget.
Creating mashups of your maps
Mashups can be easily created by either using Map Query shortcode (for posts) or by setting them up in Widget Options (for widgets).
You need to have selected “Associate map with this post” in the Map Options window when creating a map for that map to be displayed using Map Query tag shortcode.
The following shortcode can be used for the custom query in the Google Maps widget to create mashups:
– This shows all maps associated with any posts tagged with that tag on the site. For example, displays all maps associated with posts tagged New York.
The following shortcodes can be used in posts to create mashups:
- This shows all maps associated with any posts on the site.
– This shows all maps associated with posts currently on the site.
– This shows a random existing map. It always displays a single map.
– This shows all maps associated with any posts tagged with that tag on the site. For example, displays all maps associated with posts tagged New York.
