WP Location Finder: Map API Configuration

1. How to create map API?

1.1 Get Google Maps API key and API Services

Each time you use the Google Maps APIs, if you domain has been created after June 22 2016, you must include a key, to validate your request.
Get a key and enable API: https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/get-api-key

More information: https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/usage?hl=en

First, you should navigate to Google Cloud console, select a project, or create a new one. Then click on "+ Create credentials" button, select "API key"option.

Then follow the next step and click Create button to get a new API key. Save it for the next step.

Additionally, certain required API services need to be enabled. In the Google Console, go to APIs & Services and find them as shown below:

Maps JavaScript API
Geocoding API
Geolocation API
Places API
Directions API

1.2 How to create Google Map ID?

In order to create a map ID, please navigate to Maps management page. Click on Create map ID button.

Then on the Create new map ID page, do the following:

Name: input the map ID name.
Description: describe what the map ID is used for (Optional)
Map type: select JavaScript, and also choose a Raster (the default) or Vector map type.

Remember to click Save button to show your new map ID. Please keep it for the setting.

Note: A map ID is a unique identifier that represents Google Map styling and configuration settings that are stored in Google Cloud. Use the map ID "DEMO_MAP_ID" for testing purposes if you don't have a map ID .

1.3 How to create OpenStreetMap token?

Begin by visiting here to either register for a new account or sign into your existing one. This step is essential before you can generate any access tokens.

Once you've successfully signed in, look for the "Access Tokens" option in your user settings or account menu and select it. Within the Access Tokens area, locate and select the "Create Access Token" option to start the token generation process. All the token creation fields will be visible directly on the Access Tokens page. To create your token:

Enter a descriptive name in the "Label" field to help you identify this token later
Leave the two additional fields below empty (default settings are sufficient for most users)
Click the "Create" button to generate your new access token

Your new access token will be displayed once created. Make sure to copy this token and store it safely, as you'll use it in subsequent configuration steps.

2. Main settings section

Map provider

Navigate to Menu Location Finder > Settings > Main settings to configure your map provider preferences. You'll find two available map provider options: Google and OpenStreetMap.

If you choose Google Maps as your provider, you'll need to configure the following required fields with credentials from the previous setup steps:

Google Maps API Key: The Google Maps API key is mandatory. Please roll back to Step 1.1 if you do not know how to create a new API key
Map ID: A map ID is a unique identifier that represents Google Map styling and configuration settings that are stored in Google Cloud.
This is mandatory to have one, you can keep the default one (DEMO_MAP_ID) if you don't need it.
Map default zoom: Default zoom level on the map on first load (set auto zoom to 0)
Maps type: Roadmap, Satellite, Hybrid, Terrain.
Maps layer: KML, Traffic, Transit, Bicycling.

If you select OpenStreetMap as your provider, you'll need to enter the access token you obtained in Step 1.3:

Geocoding access token: The LocationIQ Access Token is required for address autocomplete functionality.
Map default zoom: Default zoom level on the map on first load (set auto zoom to 0)
Map type: Default, OpenStreetMap HOT, Carto Light, Carto Dark,...
Custom Tile Layer: Input your custom layer.

After configuring your map provider settings, you'll discover several customization features that work with both Google Maps and OpenStreetMap to enhance your map's functionality and user experience:

Display category filter
Display country filter
Display radius filter
Unit of distance: km/mi
Distance for radius search: Distance in the radius search tool
Display tag filter
Open location detail in new tab

map-detailed-settings

Map display

The locations you’ve created will be displayed on the map in the Settings section.

Color and marker image

You can adjust the color and default marker image here.

Single location

Add store fields: Add some specific fields to each location like store names and store opening hours

3. Shortcode generator

In order to generate a map shortcode, navigate to Menu Location Finder > Shortcode generator. You can set some options below from Type of view:

Location search: [wplf type_of_view="location_search" default_address="Paris, France" categories="16" tags="27" map_zoom="Auto"]
Map view only: [wplf type_of_view="map_view" default_address="Paris, France" categories="16" tags="27" map_zoom="Auto"]
Single location: [wplf id="578" map_zoom="Auto"]
Frontend submission form: [wplf_submission]
My locations (frontend): [wplf_my_locations items_per_page="8"]

Based on the view type you select, a preview will display showing how it will appear on the frontend. The generated shortcode will appear in the bottom left corner, which you can copy and insert anywhere on your page.

4. Location categories

To manage location categories please navigate to Menu Location Finder > Location Categories. From this section, you can effortlessly manage your location categories - add, edit, or remove them as needed!

5. Location tags

To manage location tags please navigate to Menu Location Finder > Location Tags. From this section, you can effortlessly manage your location tags - add, edit, or remove them as needed!

6. Import/Export locations

Import locations

To get started with importing your locations, head over to Menu Location Finder > Settings > Import section. Choose your CSV or KML file from the appropriate field based on your existing data format.

Need a template? Simply click the Download sample CSV file link to get our sample file and see the proper format. You can also check the "Update existing locations if matched, or add new locations that do not exist" option if you want to update your current data while adding new entries.

Export locations

When you're ready to export your existing locations, navigate to the Export section. From there, just click either the "Export to CSV" or "Export to KML" button depending on which format you need.

Synchronization

To set up automatic CSV synchronization, navigate to Settings and then Import/Export > Synchronization tab, to select your CSV file from the Media Library. Enable the "Enable automatic synchronization" option and specify your preferred update frequency in the "Sync interval (minutes)" field.

The system will automatically import data at your chosen intervals, updating existing locations when matches are found and creating new entries for additional data.

7. Access control

To manage location permissions (create, edit, delete, publish) for each user role, navigate to Settings > Access Control.

WP Location Finder: Installation

1. Install

In order to install our plugin, you should use standard WordPress installer or unzip and put all the folder in /wp-content/plugin.

Then click on activate plugin, to see WP Location Finder menu appear on the WordPress left menu.

WP Location Finder is accessible from a dedicated left menu.

From now on, please make sure to log in to your JoomUnited account before using the plugin.

2. Update the plugin

In order to update the WP Location Finder, you can use the WordPress default updater. You can also remove and install the new version from a .zip file downloaded on www.joomunited.com. In any case, you won’t lose any content because everything is stored in the database.

Be sure to always have the latest version to avoid security and stability problems.

To update the paid version, you need to login to your JoomUnited account. If you have not logged in yet, simply click on the 'Connect your Joomunited account to update' or 'JoomUnited Login' link text.

Enter your JoomUnited account login and password. After a successful login, the 'update now' link text will appear where you can click to update a new version.

Then finally, you can update all the JoomUnited commercial plugins from the WordPress standard updated.

WP Location Finder: Search and Locations setup

Create a location
- Store fields
- Preview location

Create a location

To create a new location, navigate to Location Finder > All Locations. Click on "Add new location" button.

After that, the Add New Location page will appear, with the 2 main panel, left is the details field and the right is the map. Below are fields you can input or select value.

Location name: input address name.
URL: will be generated after publish.
Location description:
Location search: Please type an address in the search field in order to get a value for latitude and longitude.

Alternatively, use the manual input address section below the map - click the arrow to expand all fields.

Sroll down to get more detailed options for the location.

Feature image: choose represent image for the location.
Image gallery: upload images for the location.
Marker image: select in Icon set or upload your own icon.

Location contact URL
Location override URL
Tags: input location tag.
Location SEO title
Location SEO meta description

Then, you can select a/multi category for the location.

Next, in the Publish section, you can set these fields:

Status: choose one in 3 status: Draft, Pending review, Published
Visibility: Public, Password protected, Private
Publication time: Immediately, Scheduled publication
Shortcode: use it to publish anywhere on your site.

Store fields

To use this feature for displaying opening hours for customers, you'll first need to enable the option in the settings. Once that's done, you'll be able to see the Store fields section when creating a new location.

Preview location

To see a preview of your location on the front end, simply go to the Publish section and click the "Preview" button.