How to Create a Google Map with Multiple Locations (2025 Tutorial)
How to Create a Map with Multiple Locations for Free: The Technical Guide
Want to display multiple points on an interactive map without spending money? While Google Maps offers a powerful free tier, setting it up requires navigating technical hurdles. This guide will show you the official method to create a multi-location map for free using Google’s APIs.
The service itself is free for moderate usage, but the setup requires a Google Cloud account and basic coding knowledge.
Method: Using the Google Maps Platform Free Tier
Google offers a $200 monthly credit for its Maps Platform, which effectively makes it free for most small to medium websites. Here’s how to use it.
Step 1: Set Up Your Google Cloud Project and API Key
This is the most complex but essential step. You cannot proceed without a properly configured API key.
1. Go to the Google Cloud Console: Navigate to https://console.cloud.google.com/ .
- 2. Create a New Project: Click the project dropdown and select “New Project”. Name it something recognizable like “Free-Multi-Location-Map”.
- 3. Enable Billing: This is required but you won’t be charged until you exceed the $200 monthly credit. For typical map usage, you’ll likely never pay anything.
- 4. Enable the Required APIs: Go to “APIs & Services” > “Library”. Search for and enable these two essential APIs:
- Maps JavaScript API (displays the map)
- Geocoding API (converts addresses to coordinates)
- 5. Create and Secure Your API Key: Go to “APIs & Services” > “Credentials”. Create a new API key and immediately restrict it to “HTTP referrers” and limit it to only the “Maps JavaScript API” and “Geocoding API”.
Step 2: Build Your Free Multi-Location Map
Create an HTML file called `free-multi-location-map.html` and use this complete code template:
html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>Free Multi-Location Map</title>
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<!-- Load Google Maps API with your FREE key -->
<script async defer src="https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/js?key=YOUR_FREE_API_KEY&callback=initMap"></script>
<style>
#map {
height: 500px;
width: 100%;
border-radius: 10px;
margin: 20px 0;
}
.map-container {
max-width: 800px;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 20px;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div class="map-container">
<h1>Our Locations</h1>
<p>Visit us at any of our convenient locations across the city.</p>
<div id="map"></div>
</div>
<script>
function initMap() {
// Initialize the map
const map = new google.maps.Map(document.getElementById("map"), {
zoom: 8,
center: { lat: 40.7128, lng: -74.0060 }, // New York as default center
});
// Define your locations - add as many as you need!
const locations = [
{
name: "Downtown Store",
position: { lat: 40.7128, lng: -74.0060 },
address: "123 Main St, New York, NY"
},
{
name: "Brooklyn Branch",
position: { lat: 40.6782, lng: -73.9442 },
address: "456 Park Ave, Brooklyn, NY"
},
{
name: "Queens Outlet",
position: { lat: 40.7282, lng: -73.7942 },
address: "789 Broadway, Queens, NY"
}
];
const infowindow = new google.maps.InfoWindow();
const bounds = new google.maps.LatLngBounds();
// Add markers for each location
locations.forEach(location => {
const marker = new google.maps.Marker({
position: location.position,
map: map,
title: location.name
});
// Extend bounds to include each marker
bounds.extend(marker.getPosition());
// Add click event to show location details
marker.addListener('click', () => {
infowindow.setContent(`
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<h3 style="margin: 0 0 5px 0;">${location.name}</h3>
<p style="margin: 0; color: #666;">${location.address}</p>
<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=${location.position.lat},${location.position.lng}"
target="_blank"
style="color: #1a73e8; text-decoration: none;">
Get Directions
</a>
</div>
`);
infowindow.open(map, marker);
});
});
// Auto-zoom to show all markers
map.fitBounds(bounds);
}
// Handle API loading errors
window.gm_authFailure = function() {
alert("There was an error loading the map. Please check your API key.");
};
</script>
</body>
</html>
Code language: HTML, XML (xml)Replace `YOUR_FREE_API_KEY` with the restricted API key you created in Step 1.
Step 3: Deploy Your Free Map
- 1. Test Locally: Open your HTML file in a web browser. You should see your map with all locations marked.
- 2. Upload to Your Website:
- – For basic websites: Upload the HTML file to your web hosting
- – For WordPress: Use a “Custom HTML” block
- – For other platforms: Look for an “Embed Code” or “HTML” option
The Hidden Costs of the “Free” Method
While technically free financially, this approach comes with other significant costs:
- – Time Investment: Setting up the Google Cloud project and API key can take beginners over an hour
- – Technical Complexity: Requires understanding of API restrictions, billing accounts, and JavaScript
- – Security Risks: Improperly secured API keys can lead to unexpected charges
- – Maintenance Burden: Every location change requires editing code and re-uploading files
- – Limited Features: Advanced styling and clustering require extensive additional coding
A Truly Simple Free Alternative
What if you could create a professional multi-location map in under 5 minutes, with no technical setup whatsoever?
MapsFun.com offers a completely free plan that eliminates all these complexities:
- 1. No Account Required: Start creating immediately without any sign-up
- 2. Visual Editor: Click on the map to add points – no coordinates or coding needed
- 3. Zero Configuration: No API keys, no cloud console, no billing setup
- 4. Rich Customization: Choose from multiple map styles and marker designs
- 5. Instant Embedding: Copy and paste one simple line of code to any website
Why spend hours wrestling with technical setup when you can **create a beautiful, interactive multi-location map for free in just minutes at MapsFun.com?