Are your Google Maps slow? Try Map Widget for Google Maps. You'll have a fast Google Maps widget with a thumbnail & lightbox map in minutes!
Tired of buggy & slow Google Maps plugins that take hours to setup? With Maps Widget for Google Maps you’ll have a perfect map with a thumbnail & lightbox in minutes! No nonsense Google maps – we know you’re in a hurry! Join 100,000+ happy Google maps users. If you’ve already switched to Gutenberg grab our free Google Maps Gutenberg Block plugin.
Maps Widget for Google Maps thumbnail uses the Google Maps Static Maps API. It loads the entire google map in only one request compared to 20+ requests it takes other Google maps plugins to load them. This ensures your site loads as fast as possible!
Custom google map size – map width & map height
Choose any google map type you prefer – road map, satellite map, terrain map, hybrid map, or custom map image to save money on API calls (PRO only)
Plenty of google map color schemes – default, blue, bright, gowalla, gray, gray #2, mapbox, midnight, neon, refreshed, paper, ultra light + any custom google map style you build in PRO
zoom level
pin type
pin color
pin size
pin label
custom map pin icon – any image can be used
1500+ map pins library in PRO
link type – lightbox map, custom URL, replace thumbnail map with interactive google map (PRO), immediately show interactive google map (PRO) or disable link
image format
google map language
hide widget title
text above google map
text below google map
Interactive Google map options
Interactive google maps loads in a lightbox or as an in-place replacement for the thumbnail Google map if your using Maps Widget for Google Maps PRO. It has all the standard interactive google map features users are accustomed too.
lightbox size – map width & map height (auto-adjusted on smaller screens) or fullscreen map in PRO
map mode – place + in PRO: directions, search, view & google street view
map type – road & satellite
map color scheme – 15 map styles & any custom google map style in PRO
pins clustering – PRO feature
map zoom level
lightbox skin – light, dark + 20 extra in PRO
lightbox features – close on overlay click, close on esc key, close button & show map title
map language
header text
footer text
Shortcode
by using the [gmw id=”#”] shortcode you can display the google map in any page, post, or custom post type (PRO feature)
Multiple Pins
full clustering and filtering support for pins on Google maps – demos available on site
you can add unlimited pins with custom markers and descriptions to thumbnail and interactive Google maps (PRO feature)
every map pin has the following options: show on the map thumbnail and/or interactive map, set custom map pin image, set on-click behavior: open custom description bubble, open URL in new/same tab or do nothing
PRO version of Maps Widget for Google Maps offers more than 50 extra features and options including multiple map pins support, map pin clustering, pins library, skins, export, import and widget cloning features, Google Analytics integration and premium, USA based support. Read more about the PRO version on the official Maps Widget for Google Maps site.
Showcase & What others say about Maps Widget for Google Maps
see a live example of Maps Widget for Google Maps showing off server locations around the world on Bitcatcha
Follow the usual routine to install Maps Widget for Google Maps
Open WordPress admin, go to Plugins, click Add New
Enter “Maps Widget for Google Maps” in search and hit Enter
Plugin will show up as the first on the list, click “Install Now”
Activate & go to Appearance – Widgets to configure Maps Widget for Google Maps
Or if needed, upload manually
Download the plugin.
Unzip it and upload to wp-content/plugin/
Open WordPress admin – Plugins and click “Activate” next to the Maps Widget for Google Maps plugin
Configure the Maps Widget for Google Maps under Appearance – Widgets
Screenshots
Simple & fast - you'll have a great google map working in under a minute
Thumbnail map is shown as a widget and since it's just one image it loads super-fast (1 request, about 20KB)
Larger map with all interactive features is available in the lightbox
Widget options - Thumbnail map
Widget options - Interactive map
Widget options - Shortcode
Thumbnail map - light color scheme
FAQ
Who is this plugin for?
For anyone who needs a map on their site in 5 seconds.
Google Map shows the wrong location
Write the address differently, or more precisely. Make sure you enter the street, town and country name. If necessary enter lat/lng coordinates instead of the address. Use the numeric notation, eg: “40.7127, 74.0059”
How to generate the API key
We understand that creating a Google Maps API key is frustrating but it takes less than a minute and it’s something Google requires. Follow wizard step #1 – login with any Gmail account, click next/confirm a few times with the default settings & copy the Google Maps API key you see on the screen; it’s the key you need. Then use wizard step #2, select the same “My Project” project from the list and that’s it. Save the key in Maps Widget for Google Maps settings. If you want to protect your API key by using the “Accept requests from these HTTP referrers (web sites)” option in Google Console make sure to add your domain in these two formats: *.mydomain.com/* and mydomain.com/* and wait a few minutes until Google makes the necessary changes. If that didn’t help read our detailed guide on how to create a Google Maps API key.
Google map thumbnail works but lightbox won’t open on click
You probably have Fancybox JS and CSS files included twice; once by the theme and second time by Maps Widget for Google Maps plugin. Remove one instance of files. If that’s not the case then you have a fatal JS error that’s preventing execution of other JS code. Hit F12 in Firefox or Chrome and have a look at the debug console. If there are any red lines – it’s a fatal error.
The Google map is not working!!! Arrrrrrrrr
Open a new thread in the support forums but please bear in mind that support is community based and we do this in our spare time.
How do I get Maps Widget for Google Maps Pro?
Simply visit gmapswidget.com and purchase the GMW PRO. Yearly and lifetime licenses are available.
I’ve installed the plugin, now what?
In WordPress admin open Appearance – Widgets and add a Maps Widget for Google Maps to a sidebar. And make sure you follow instructions on how to generate a Google Maps API key. Without it maps won’t work.
How do I put a Google map on my page/post?
In order to show your Google map in your page or post, simply copy the shortcode supplied and paste it into your page or post. This feature is available only in GMW PRO.
I want to use Google Maps but don’t have WordPress
Try Nifty Maps – a comprehensive Map Builder for any website
Changelog
4.26
2024/07/07
minor security fixes
WordPress 6.6 and PHP 8.2 compatibility check
4.25
2023/04/04
JavaScript is no longer accepted in the widget footer and header fields
4.24
2023/03/07
minor security fixes
4.23
2022/11/26
minor security fixes
4.22
2021/07/18
added notice for WP 5.8
4.21
2021/03/07
minor fixes
checked on WP 5.7
4.20
2021/01/29
modal map CSS fix
4.19
2020/10/09
minor fixes
added promo for WP 301 Redirects
4.18
2020/09/16
minor fixes
4.17
2019/08/03
removed all tracking functionality
4.16
2019/07/31
changed name from Google Maps Widget to Maps Widget for Google Maps
removed old trial code
4.15
2019/05/27
added Paper thumbnail color scheme
4.10
2019/02/19
added Gray #2 thumbnail color scheme
4.05
2019/01/08
added Blue thumbnail color scheme
4.02
2018/11/27
fixed vulnerability issue related to wp_redirect()
1,700,100 downloads
4.0
2018/09/18
added Gray thumbnail color scheme
added Hide Widget Title option
1,645,000 downloads
3.95
2018/07/12
yearly prices test; $19 -> $18.99
integrated GR popup in admin
removed /lang/ folder
added Neon color scheme
removed test API keys – all maps now need a valid API key
3.90
2018/05/29
added Midnight thumbnail map color scheme
new prices for lifetime license
we’re at 1,550,000 downloads
3.85
2018/05/03
added Bright thumbnail color scheme
3.83
2018/02/26
pushing strong on translations!
added Gowalla thumbnail color scheme
3.80
2018/02/07
translations are going great thanks to our helpful users!
problems with API keys continue due to users who refuse to create their own keys 🙁
3.75
2017/12/25
continuing with translation efforts
added Mapbox thumbnail color scheme
plugin name changed to test for better search position
lower agency price from 08/01/2017
3.70
2017/12/05
Russian translation is at 100%
continuing with translation efforts
fixed a few small JS bugs
3.65
2017/11/17
updates for WP 4.9
continuing with translation
3.60
2017/09/04
minor improvements
new pricing table
3.58
2017/07/11
fixed bug on width & height
3.55
2017/05/08
minor bug fixes
trial is no longer available from the plugin
3.50
2017/02/17
minor bug fixes
lower PRO prices
3.49
2017/01/16
minor bug fixes
3.47
2017/01/03
minor bug fixes
API improvements
3.45
2016/10/24
new prices, trial 14 days
welcome pointer added
minor bug fixes
3.40
2016/08/21
minor bug fixes
changes in prices for PRO
3.39
2016/07/10
fix for “over quota limit” error some users were getting
3.38
2016/06/23
just a few bug fixes
3.36
2016/05/11
minor bug fixes
3.35
2016/04/30
bug fixes
new static map color scheme
big cleanup – plugin footprint reduced by half
3.30
2016/04/14
bug fixes
WP v4.5 updates
3.25
2016/03/24
even more new map pins
bug fixes
7 days trial can now be activated within the plugin
3.20
2016/03/10
new map pins
bug fixes
3.15
2016/03/07
widgets can now be cloned
minor fixes
3.10
2016/02/23
security enhancements
3.05
2016/02/19
few minor bug fixes
added google maps API key tester
3.04
2016/02/17
added more detailed instructions on how to generate the API key
few minor bug fixes
3.0
2016/02/16
huge upgrade – numerous functions added
switched to new Google Maps API
2.92
2016/01/14
we made it to 100 thousand active installations 😉
minor bug fixes
2.90
2015/12/14
added option for donating
checked WP v4.4 compatibility
2.85
2015/12/02
enhancements in PHP
2.80
2015/11/18
fixed a big bug in JS (widget admin UI init)
2.75
2015/10/26
minor JS tweaks and bug fixes
2.70
2015/10/12
fixed a nasty bug with shortcode rendering (thanks Hey You!)
JS and CSS fixes for widget UI in the theme customizer
2.66
2015/10/05
minor bug fixes
we’ll be soon removing all PO files from the plugin since the strings were merged into the official WP translate project
2.60
2015/08/31
added data validation on input fields
minor CSS tweaks
2.51
2015/07/27
updated PHP4 style class constructor to PHP5 one
lowered cron for tracking to once every 14 days
did some prep work for the upcoming 4.3 version of WP
2.45
2015/06/15
fixed a bug on notice dismiss action
added Russian translation – thanks Ivanka!
2.40
2015/05/25
few small bugs fixed
admin JS completely rebuilt
fixed PO file
we broke 90,000 installations 😉
2.35
2015/04/27
few small bugs fixed
WP v4.2 compatibility checked
remove_query_arg() security issue fixed
we broke 500,000 downloads 😉
2.30
2015/03/02
JS rewrites
few small bugs fixed
2.25
2015/02/23
a few visual enhancements
new screenshots
shortcode name availability is checked before registering it
visual builder compatibility fix
2.20
2015/02/16
added shortcode support
2.15
2015/02/09
fixed a plugin_deactivate bug nobody noticed for 2 years 🙁
all JS texts are now loaded via wp_localize_script()
2.10
2015/02/02
auto-adjust map size on smaller screens – thanks bruzm!
marked each widget with core version for future updates
2.06
2015/01/26
language file updated
preparing for JS rewrite
2.05
2015/01/19
code rewriting
minor bug fixes
2.01
2015/01/13
somehow one JS file got renamed 🙁
2.0
2015/01/13
lots of rewrites
additional features can now be activated by subscribing to our newsletter
1.95
2014/12/19
minor WP v4.1 updates
1.93
2014/12/03
we can no longer offer discounts for our Envato products in GMW
so no changes to the plugin, just some messages edited
added option for thumbnail map to link to a custom URL which disables the lightbox; you can link to a lightbox, a custom link or remove the link all together
1.10
2013/11/18
added option for thumbnail map to use the new look/color scheme
1.05
2013/11/04
added Chinese traditional translation; thanks Wyeoh
1.0
2013/10/28
WP 3.7 compatibility check
added Chinese simplified translation; thanks Wyeoh
0.95
2013/10/21
added French translation; thanks Karimba
0.90
2013/10/14
added German translation; thanks Karimba
we reached 100k downloads 😉
0.86
2013/10/07
fixed a few strict standards errors; thanks Jay!
0.85
2013/10/03
added Croatian translation; thank you Gordan
0.80
2013/09/28
minor translation fixes
added Spanish translation; thank you Jesus!
0.75
2013/09/24
map language is autodetected based on user’s browser language (HTTP_ACCEPT_LANGUAGE header)
added Swedish translation; thank you Sofia!
German and Croatian translations will be up next
0.71
2013/09/17
few more preparations for translation
Swedish translation coming in a few days
0.70
2013/09/05
prepared everything for translation, POT file is available and all strings are wrapped in __()
protocols should now match http/https for both thumbnail and ligtbox map