To integrate interactive maps, location searches, or address autocomplete features, your website needs to “talk” to Google Maps. This is done via an API Key.
Since this key is tied to your Google account and billing, we recommend that clients set this up personally to maintain full ownership of their data and security.
Phase 1: Create a Google Cloud Project
- Visit the Google Cloud Console (console.cloud.google.com).
- Log in with the Google account you’d like associated with your business.
- Click the Project Dropdown in the top-left header.
- Select New Project, name it (e.g., “Company Website”), and click Create.
Phase 2: Enable Billing
Google provides a $200 monthly credit for the Maps Platform. For the vast majority of small-to-medium websites, this means the service remains effectively free. However, Google requires a valid billing method on file to activate the API.
- Open the Navigation Menu (☰) in the top-left corner.
- Select Billing.
- Click Link a billing account (or Create Account) and follow the instructions to add a payment method.
Phase 3: Enable Required APIs
Your project needs permission to use specific Google Maps services.
- Navigate to Google Maps Platform > Solution Library.
- Search for and Enable the following three APIs: Maps JavaScript API, Places API, Geocoding API
Phase 4: Generate and Secure Your Key
- Go to Google Maps Platform > Credentials.
- Click + Create Credentials at the top of the screen and choose API Key.
- Your new API key will appear in a pop-up. Copy this key to send to your developer.
Phase 5: Restrict Your Key
To prevent unauthorized parties from using your key (and your $200 credit), you must restrict it:
- In the Credentials tab, click the pencil icon (Edit) next to your new key.
- Under Application restrictions, select Websites.
- Under Website restrictions, click Add and enter your domain using this format:
*[.yourdomain.com/](https://.yourdomain.com/)*
- Under API restrictions, select Restrict key and check the three APIs we enabled in Phase 3.
- Click Save.
What to do next?
Once you have generated and restricted your key, please share it with us via a secure channel (such as a password manager or an encrypted link). We will then finalize the integration on your website!