Get a Google Maps Key

So your maps aren’t working? Chances are you need an API Key.

In the good old days, you could use Google Maps pretty much anywhere, anytime. That recently changed, and in order to show a Google Map on your site, you’re going to need to get an API Key. This can be a little daunting, so we’ve made a video explaining exactly how to do it.

Hello, everyone! My name is Jake from Dirigible Studio, and today I’ll guide you through the process of acquiring a Google Maps API key. This process can be a bit technical, as Google made changes in 2018 regarding how maps are displayed on websites. However, if you provide us with the necessary credentials or billing information, we can handle the account setup for you, making it the easiest and fastest option. If you prefer to maintain control and set everything up yourself, I’ll walk you through the process step by step.

1. Sign up for a Google Maps API account by visiting the Google Maps API website.
2. Click on “Get started for free” to create an account and set up billing information.
3. Access your console by logging into your Google Maps API account.
4. In the console, click on “New project” in the top left corner.
5. Provide a name for your project, such as “API Key Demo,” and create the project.
6. Go to the “APIs & Services” section in the console and select “Library.”
7. Enable the “Maps JavaScript API” by searching for it in the library and clicking on the “Enable” button.
8. Return to the library and enable the “Geocoding API” using the same process.
9. Navigate to the “Credentials” section in the console.
10. Create a new API key by clicking on the “Create credentials” button.
11. Give the API key a name, such as “Demo Key,” and click “Create.”
12. Once the API key is generated, copy it to your clipboard.
13. Restrict the API key by going to the “HTTP referrers” section and specifying the allowed website(s) or URL(s) that can use the key.
14. Save the API key and make sure to select the Maps JavaScript API and Geocoding API for the key’s restrictions.
15. Copy the API key to use it in your website’s installation or launchpad installation.
16. If you encounter any issues or see a different-looking Google Maps area, consider reaching out to us for assistance.
17. To resolve common issues, go to the general dashboard, access the billing section, and create a billing account for the project.
18. Enable billing for the project to ensure the maps display correctly.
19. Insert the copied API key into your website’s code or designated section to integrate Google Maps.
20. Test the functionality by entering an address or location to see the map display on your website.
21. If you have any questions or difficulties, feel free to contact us for further assistance.

I highly recommend letting us handle this process for you as it is much easier. The Google dashboard can be confusing and not very user-friendly. However, if you have any questions or run into any troubles, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Thank you very much!