Creating a Google Maps API Key
What Does A Google Maps API Key Do?
The Google Maps API (Application Program Interface) powers your InCom website's maps so your website has the rich detail and information available on Google Maps. This creates interactive maps that add incredible value to your website, allowing visitors to explore neighborhoods, locate nearby amenities, draw custom boundaries to search within specific areas and much more. A functional Google Maps API Key is necessary to unlock all these features, enhancing the way users interact with your site.
How Do I Create A Google Maps API Key?
Video Tutorial
Step-By-Step Guide
1. Log in to Google Cloud
- Go to cloud.google.com and Sign in with your Google account.
- Once you've logged in, click on Console in the top right of the page
- If you are new to Google Cloud, you'll be asked to agree to their Terms of Service. Please check the box and click Agree and Continue.
2. Create a New Project
- At the top of the Console, click on "Select a project", then New Project.
- Enter a name for your project (e.g., "My Website Maps").
- Click "Create" to set up your new project.
- Once it's created, click "Select Project" in the top right corner.
3. Enable Google Maps APIs
- Using the navigation menu on the left, Go to the "APIs & Services" and click "Library."
- Select "Maps JavaScript API" and click Enable.
- If you don't have a billing account with Google, you'll be redirected to set one up. Otherwise, you may skip the next step.
4. Set Up Your Billing Account
IMPORTANT: A billing account is required to verify that you are not a robot. Google provides free usage of up to 10,000 searches per month, which is more than enough for most websites. On average, a website uses only 10-20% of this limit, keeping you well within the free tier. Exceeding this threshold would indicate very high traffic on your website.
- Ensure you have the correct country selected and click Agree and Continue.
- Follow the prompts to set up your billing profile. If you are using a personal Google account, please select "Individual" for the Account Type. Enter your name, billing address, and card information, then click Start Free.
- Next, you'll be presented with an optional survey. Click Skip for now. This will not impact your account negatively.
5. Configure the Key
Once your Billing Account is set up, your API Key should automatically be generated. It'll look something like this:
- Copy the key and keep it handy—you'll need to add it to the website shortly.
- Click Go to Google Maps Platform.
- Next, select "Websites" from the dropdown menu and enter your website address in this format: www.mywebsite.com
- Be sure not to add https:// before your domain, and do not add anything after the domain, such as a /
- Click Restrict Key. This feature limits the usage of the key to your website to improve security.
- Using the menu on the left, let's navigate to "APIs & Services".
- Check if all Maps APIs have automatically been enabled. If not, enable the following three:
- Maps Static API, Geocoding API, and Places API (New).
- Now let's get back to Billing and click Activate on the right hand side. This will activate the full account and ensure that your API Key continues to work past the first 91 days.
- On the same page, under "Create a Budget Alert", enter "1" and click Create. This ensures you'll receive an alert if you reach your free monthly usage limit.
6. Add the Key to Your Website
If your website is already live, log in to your Dashboard and you should be greeted with a popup asking you to enter the API key. Paste it and Save. If your website is not yet live, kindly email the API Key to support@incomrealestate.com and we will happily install it for you.
If you did not copy your key during the setup process, no worries, you can always find it in your Google Cloud Console. Simply navigate to APIs & Services > Credentials > Show Key
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an API Key, and why do I need one?
An API (Application Program Interface) is a system that allows two different applications to exchange information. For your InCom Account, this means Google Maps exchanging information with your Website. You create a key that will allow your website to use the power of Google Maps when visitors are searching for homes on your website. Visitors can map out Cities, Towns, and Neighborhoods based on areas mapped out by Google. Visitors can also show key amenities on the map search, such as the location of local shopping, schools, daycares, parks, and more.
Will I be billed for this?
In our experience users do not get charged for this service. Google allows a monthly allotment of free usage for every user. Our users typically use about half of less of the free usage allotment, and this allotment is reset every month.
Google does provide specifics on what exactly their free usage allotment permits which you can find here. This is a more technical explanation, and it can be summed up by saying you can have up to 10,000 map searches a month before getting charged.
Once I set it up, do I have to do anything to maintain the Google Maps API Key?
Yes, you will need to update your credit card if the card expires or if you cancel the card. Because Google Uses an credit card on file to verify your identity, once the credit card expires the API service will be cut off until a new expiry date or credit card is entered. You'll get a pop up message saying: This Map Search Is Not Working Properly. You can find our common troubleshooting tips here, usually all you need to do is update that credit card.
Can I use any email to create the Google API Key?
Corporate email accounts are often limited in the services that a user can access, which often means being unable to use Google Cloud services. We generally recommend using a Google account that is a personal account, such as a @gmail.com email address, that you know you'll continue having access to over time.
Related Articles
How to Restrict your Google API Key.
Why is Google Asking Me to Restrict My Google API Key? InCom uses Google Maps for many map functions on our websites, and you own an API key that allows your site to use the power of Google Maps on your website. Google recommends that you restrict ...Getting Started FAQs
FAQs These Frequently Asked Questions are helpful for our newer users. Logging In and Accessing Settings How do I log in? You log in from your home page, scroll down to the bottom of the page, and look for the user login button. Please type in your ...Updating Personal Information
Keeping your personal information up to date is important for maintaining a professional online presence. Here’s how you can update your name, title, mobile phone number and bio. How Do I Update My Bio and Other Personal Information? 1. Go to the ...Purchasing a Domain
Why do I need to buy a domain? A domain is like your website’s address on the internet—it’s the unique name people will type into their browsers to find your site. Just as a physical business needs a location, your website needs a domain to be ...