A plugin that inserts Google maps into other plugins hardly possesses worthy interests.

But what about a plugin that not only does this job exceptionally well but also brings a wealth of geolocation features to your WordPress installation and adds location context to your BuddyPress user activity?

The Google Maps Plugin updated by WPMU DEV does all this and more. Now it is important to bring him value by talking about him.

WPMU DEV's Google Maps plugin is more than a map

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There are, of course, plenty of plugins in the repository of WordPress Plugin which allow you to add a Google map to your WordPress post and pages, but the plugin Google Maps  WPMU DEV allows you to do a lot more.

Understanding Global Parameters

The plugin allows you to control how all your cards will be displayed.

settings

Control the default height, width, map type, zoom, whether for metric or imperial use.

Additional CSS can also be specified for the style of the cards that allow, for example, the details of the marker beneath the map to be hidden.

And if you need to change the settings for a given map, you can override the global settings by adding the local setting to the embedded shortcode in the post or page.

Build and insert

The standard way to insert a Google map into a post or page is amazingly easy with Google Maps.

By clicking on the new globe icon in the Visual editor a dialog box opens and allows you to create and configure a new map. Add as many map markers as you need by simply entering the address and clicking on the resulting marker to edit its title and description.

Map Options allow you to override many global settings, plus you can choose whether to associate the map with a post. Associating with a post allows the widget to automatically display the map while allowing the map not to appear in the post itself but only in the widget.

mapoptions

 

Map Options also allow you to configure the display of relevant images.

When you are satisfied with the card, click on insert this card this adds the shortcode to your post or page. You will also notice that none of the markers can be deleted on this page.

If you have already created a card then the dialog box will allow you to insert an existing card by clicking on the appropriate link.

Automatically build maps from custom fields

The ability to automatically insert a card based on the content of a custom field is a powerful and useful feature. The custom field is defined in the global parameters as well as the data which is a set of coordinates (Longitude and latitude) Or address.

custom_fields

Once set up, a map will be created for each post that has the custom field. Again, it is quite possible to simply associate the card with a post and then display the widget there rather than in the content of the post itself. The choice is yours.

This is very valuable for any registration on your blog which may include a location such as a business directory, event registration or sports equipment. Probably built on a custom post type, you just need to show the Google Maps plugin the custom field that contains the address and the maps will automatically be added to the post or sidebar entry.

A very flexible Widget

The plugin provides a very flexible widget for displaying maps in your sidebars.

If it is possible to "Code" the map to display, the real flexibility comes from the ability to display:

  • only cards related to the current post
  • the cards that are associated with any post
  • All cards
  • A random card
  • or cards associated with any post that has been tagged with a specific keyword

The map widget display can be customized to hide the list of markers and combine multiple maps into one map.

More than 20 modules to expand the list of features

 The Google Maps plugin has more 20 modules that can be activated as and when you need them, including:

  • BuddyPress Group Maps - allows BuddyPress groups to add location maps
  • Nearby Facebook Friends - displays a list of close friends of Facebook
  • Featured Image- experimental but uses descriptive posts as a map marker icon
  • Geotag My Activities - allows users to add a location to their updates on BuddyPress activity
  • Geotag My Posts - adds a location to your post, pages and custom post types
  • Where Am I? -Display a map to your visitors based on their current place of residence

More than just inserting pretty cards

Far from being just a way to insert a Google map into your WordPress post, the Google Maps plugin adds mapping and geolocation in order to deliver a stable of features that have a huge variety of potential uses.

Download it and start building your WordPress blog allowing geolocation of locations.

Do you know of a plugin other than the one written above which has the same characteristics? so do not hesitate to tell us about it in the comments section