How to Put Multiple Locations on Google Maps (2025 Step-by-Step)
How to Put Multiple Locations on Google Maps: The Complete Technical Guide
Need to display multiple locations on a Google Map for your website, business, or project? While Google My Maps offers a basic solution, creating a truly custom, embeddable multi-location map requires navigating Google’s complex ecosystem. This guide walks through the technically correct but cumbersome process step-by-step.
Method 1: Google My Maps (The “Simple” Built-in Tool)
Google’s own tool seems like the obvious solution, but it has significant limitations for web use.
- Step-by-Step Process:
- 1. Go to [Google My Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/d/)
- 2. Click “Create a New Map”
- 3. Use the search bar or marker tool to add locations
- 4. Customize markers with colors and icons (limited options)
- 5. Click “Share” and make map public
- 6. Click the three-dot menu → “Embed on my site”
- html
<!-- The embed code you'll get -->
<iframe
src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1YOUR_MAP_ID&ehbc=2E312F"
width="640"
height="480">
</iframe>
Code language: HTML, XML (xml)The Limitations You’ll Encounter:
- – Limited styling: Can’t match your website’s branding
- – Basic markers only: No custom HTML popups or advanced interactions
- – Clunky interface: Managing many locations becomes tedious
- – Embed restrictions: The iframe often breaks responsive designs
- – No API access: Can’t dynamically update from a database
Method 2: Google Maps JavaScript API (The “Proper” Developer Way)
For a professional, customizable solution, you need the Google Maps Platform. Here’s what that actually involves:
Step 1: Google Cloud Console Setup
- 1. Create a Google Cloud Project: [console.cloud.google.com](https://console.cloud.google.com/)
- 2. Enable Billing: Yes, even with free credits, you must add a payment method
- 3. Enable APIs: You need at least:
- – Maps JavaScript API
- – Geocoding API (to convert addresses to coordinates)
- 4. Create API Key: Go to Credentials → Create Credentials → API Key
- 5. Restrict the Key: Critical step! Restrict to:
- – HTTP referrers (your domain)
- – The specific APIs you enabled
Step 2: Build the Multi-Location Map Code
Create an HTML file with this complete implementation:
html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>Multi-Location Business Map</title>
<style>
#multi-location-map {
height: 600px;
width: 100%;
border-radius: 12px;
box-shadow: 0 4px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
}
.map-controls {
background: white;
padding: 15px;
border-radius: 8px;
margin-bottom: 20px;
box-shadow: 0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div class="map-controls">
<h3>Our Locations (4)</h3>
<button onclick="showAllLocations()">Show All</button>
<button onclick="zoomToLocation(0)">New York</button>
<button onclick="zoomToLocation(1)">London</button>
<button onclick="zoomToLocation(2)">Tokyo</button>
</div>
<div id="multi-location-map"></div>
<script>
// Your Google Maps API Key (REPLACE THIS!)
const API_KEY = 'YOUR_GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY_HERE';
// Multiple locations data
const locations = [
{
name: "New York Headquarters",
address: "123 Broadway, New York, NY 10007",
lat: 40.7128,
lng: -74.0060,
phone: "+1 (212) 555-1234",
hours: "Mon-Fri: 9AM-6PM"
},
{
name: "London Office",
address: "1 Regent Street, London SW1Y 4NR",
lat: 51.5074,
lng: -0.1278,
phone: "+44 20 7123 4567",
hours: "Mon-Fri: 8AM-7PM"
},
{
name: "Tokyo Branch",
address: "2-11-3 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061",
lat: 35.6729,
lng: 139.7694,
phone: "+81 3-1234-5678",
hours: "Mon-Sat: 10AM-8PM"
},
{
name: "Sydney Office",
address: "5 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000",
lat: -33.8679,
lng: 151.2073,
phone: "+61 2 1234 5678",
hours: "Mon-Fri: 8:30AM-5:30PM"
}
];
let map;
let markers = [];
let infoWindow;
function initMap() {
// Calculate center point of all locations
const center = calculateCenter(locations);
// Initialize the map
map = new google.maps.Map(document.getElementById('multi-location-map'), {
zoom: 10,
center: center,
styles: [
{
"featureType": "poi.business",
"elementType": "labels",
"stylers": [{"visibility": "off"}]
}
]
});
// Create info window
infoWindow = new google.maps.InfoWindow();
// Add markers for each location
locations.forEach((location, index) => {
const marker = new google.maps.Marker({
position: { lat: location.lat, lng: location.lng },
map: map,
title: location.name,
animation: google.maps.Animation.DROP,
icon: {
url: `https://maps.google.com/mapfiles/ms/icons/blue-dot.png`,
scaledSize: new google.maps.Size(40, 40)
}
});
markers.push(marker);
// Add click listener
marker.addListener('click', () => {
const content = `
<div style="padding: 15px; min-width: 250px;">
<h3 style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; color: #1a73e8;">${location.name}</h3>
<p style="margin: 0 0 8px 0; color: #5f6368;">
<strong>📌 Address:</strong><br>
${location.address}
</p>
<p style="margin: 0 0 8px 0; color: #5f6368;">
<strong>📞 Phone:</strong> ${location.phone}
</p>
<p style="margin: 0; color: #5f6368;">
<strong>🕒 Hours:</strong> ${location.hours}
</p>
</div>
`;
infoWindow.setContent(content);
infoWindow.open(map, marker);
// Center map on clicked marker
map.panTo(marker.getPosition());
map.setZoom(14);
});
});
// Fit bounds to show all markers
fitMapBounds();
}
function calculateCenter(locations) {
let totalLat = 0;
let totalLng = 0;
locations.forEach(location => {
totalLat += location.lat;
totalLng += location.lng;
});
return {
lat: totalLat / locations.length,
lng: totalLng / locations.length
};
}
function fitMapBounds() {
const bounds = new google.maps.LatLngBounds();
markers.forEach(marker => {
bounds.extend(marker.getPosition());
});
map.fitBounds(bounds);
}
function showAllLocations() {
fitMapBounds();
infoWindow.close();
}
function zoomToLocation(index) {
if (markers[index]) {
map.panTo(markers[index].getPosition());
map.setZoom(14);
google.maps.event.trigger(markers[index], 'click');
}
}
// Load the Google Maps API
function loadGoogleMaps() {
const script = document.createElement('script');
script.src = `https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/js?key=${API_KEY}&callback=initMap`;
script.async = true;
document.head.appendChild(script);
}
// Initialize when page loads
window.onload = loadGoogleMaps;
</script>
</body>
</html>
Code language: HTML, XML (xml)Step 3: Customize and Embed
- 1. Replace `YOUR_GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY_HERE` with your actual API key
- 2. Update the `locations` array with your actual addresses and coordinates
- 3. Host the HTML file on your server
- 4. Embed using an iframe on your website:
html
<iframe
src="https://yourdomain.com/multi-location-map.html"
width="100%"
height="650"
frameborder="0"
style="border: 1px solid #e0e0e0; border-radius: 12px;"
allowfullscreen>
</iframe>Code language: HTML, XML (xml)The Hidden Complexities Nobody Tells You About
Problem 1: Geocoding Addresses
Your addresses need latitude/longitude coordinates. You must:
- – Manually geocode each address using a separate tool
- – Or implement batch geocoding with additional API calls ($5 per 1000 requests)
Problem 2: API Key Management
- – Keys can be stolen if not properly restricted
- – Unexpected usage can lead to surprise bills (even with $200 credit)
- – Need to monitor usage in Google Cloud Console
Problem 3: Performance Issues
- – Each marker adds load time
- – No built-in clustering for many locations
- – Mobile optimization requires additional code
Problem 4: Maintenance Burden
- – Changing a location requires editing code
- – Adding new locations means manual coordinate lookup
- – No visual editor for non-technical users
The Four-Step Hassle Chain
- 1. Address Collection → Manual coordinate conversion
- 2. Google Cloud Setup → API keys, billing, restrictions
- 3. Custom Coding → HTML, CSS, JavaScript debugging
- 4. Hosting & Embedding → Server setup, iframe implementation
Each step requires technical expertise and introduces potential errors.
The Modern Solution: MapsFun.com
What if you could create beautiful, interactive multi-location maps without touching code, API keys, or complex settings?
MapsFun.com is built specifically for this challenge:
- 1. Visual Map Editor: Add unlimited locations by clicking on the map or importing spreadsheets
- 2. Automatic Geocoding: Just paste addresses—no manual coordinate lookup needed
- 3. Professional Templates: Start with beautifully designed map styles that match your brand
- 4. Smart Features: Automatic clustering, optimized loading, mobile-responsive design
- 5. Easy Embedding: One-click embed code for any website or CMS
Stop wrestling with Google Cloud Console and custom JavaScript. Create stunning multi-location maps in minutes, not hours. With MapsFun.com, you get professional results without the technical headache—focus on your business, not map debugging.