In the last few weeks I was contacted by a number of Templatic customers that had problems setting up their map. Even though most of the stuff is covered in GeoPlaces theme documentation guide it doesn’t hurt to link it all together in a quick and painless tutorial. So, let’s get started!
- We start by creating the categories we want to display on our map. To create a category simply go to wp-admin -> Posts -> Categories.
- Now that we covered that, let’s add a city! First we need the city coordinates. We can get them from the theme frontend. Go to your site and click on Add Listing. Enter the listing title and address and you should get longitude and latitude for your location.
- Now that we have the city coordinates we can finally add it! To add a city go to wp-admin -> Geo Places -> Manage City and click on Add City. The first field is self explanatory – just name your city. In the second two fields you need to enter the values you obtained earlier. Under “Map Scaling Factor” you can set how close or how far you want your map to display. Don’t leave it on 1 because your map will show to world and not your city. Set it around 14-15 (you’ll probably need to experiment with this a little). Under “Select Category” you choose categories you want to display on your map. We already created the categories – just select them here (select multiple categories by holding the CTRL button).
- If you go to your homepage now you’ll see that the Map still isn’t showing – don’t worry about that, we’re almost done! To display your map go to wp-admin -> Appearance -> Widgets. Put the PT >Google Map V3 – Home Page widget in the Front Top Banner Section. If you’re happy with the default size of the map just hit “Save”. When you open your homepage the map should be there. However, the categories we selected aren’t displaying as markers on the map, we’ll tackle that next.
- The reason why there are no markers is because we haven’t added any posts so far. As soon as you add your first post to one of the map categories – that category will display on the map. To add a new post simply go to wp-admin -> Posts -> Add New. Also, in order for everything to function properly please add location coordinates to your posts. You can obtain them the same way we obtained coordinates for our city. Also, avoid using special characters like $ or & in your map posts since they may cause problems with the map.
Note: Adding events works the same as adding posts. To create an events category go to Events -> Event Categories and for a new event go to Events -> Add New. While choosing categories for your city you will see both post categories and events categories (event categories will be on the bottom).
If there is something I missed that’s worth noting please let me know (in the comments below), I’ll update the guide right away.
my map markers aren’t showing up on the homepage unless i zoom in a little or check one of the boxes off, then on. Then they appear.
Any help?
While choosing categories for your city you will see both post categories and events categories (event categories will be on the bottom).
This doesn’t seem to be true.
there doesn’t seem to be a backend way of adding a listing and coordinates. So if the sample files have been deleted it’s doubly impossible.
Hi guys! Thank you for your responses!
@Damien
Hmmm, that is a little weird. What happens when you zoom in a little further under “Map Scaling Factor”? Do the markers display then?
@Paul
Are you using the latest version of the theme? 3.2.8? I tested it again, everything is displaying correctly. I also tried adding a new Event category, it’s also displaying.
If the problem persist after you downloaded the latest version, or, if you already have the latest version and it still doesn’t work please contact our support and we’ll help you out there.
PS: Please test it with a new event category. Sometimes the old dummy categories don’t show there, make sure you create a couple of your own and see if they show.
@John
You can add listings by creating posts. Posts are the backend equivalent of frontend listings. If by any chance you deleted your homepage menu and you don’t have the “Add Listing” button in it, just go to your custom menu and add a custom link to it:
URL: http://example.com/?ptype=post_listing
Name: Add Listing (or whatever you want)
If you’ll have problems with this I’m always available via Email -> http://scr.im/vedran.
Good luck!
Thank you for this useful post. Using it I was able to set the map on the front page. But, when pressing “add listing” no map is shown, yet in the theme demo here on Templatic I do see a small map.
How can I get the small map on “add listing” and “add event” to work?
After you enter the Google map API key that small map should work. Does the homepage map work? I mean does display post correctly?
Yes, the homepage map does word. It does not show the markers. Also on the detail page, the sidebar map works and shows the marker.
Yet the small map on add listing and add events does not work.
Can you please send us your login information so we can take a better look? You can create a support ticket and send it there or you can send it to vedran@templatic.com.
Hello, i’ve got a problem with the event categories.
If I add a category to my events, and i want to list the events in that category, it doesn’t show anything.
Can u help me?
I have the same problem: posts do not show up in a categorie overview nor do events show up in eventcategories
I try looking first for the “Geo Places tab and i dont find it…
please help me
I am having the same problem as Lisa. The map works on the homepage but not on the Add Listing page. It tells me there is a problem with the API. Could you help me please?
Thanks
Hey guys! I’ve solved.
-First, test if your events have start AND end date defined (both)
-If doesn’t work, try with ugly permalinks ( /?p=xxxx)
-Always check if you’ve the last version of WP Core installed
Hey Sefo. Yes, its always best to set both the start and end date. Also, make sure you dont use any special characters in you listing title.
Im glad you resolved everything
same problem saw above…. the events categories in the creating/editig cities are missed…. which is the trick?
Hi Luca,
Do you have any events in those event categories?
Also, try to do what Sefo described:
-First, test if your events have start AND end date defined (both)
-If doesn’t work, try with ugly permalinks ( /?p=xxxx)
-Always check if you’ve the last version of WP Core installed
Thanks for the reply…
- yes eache event has start AND end date defined (both) and both the starting and the ending time (star 21:00 end 24:00…….. with the ” : “)
- / If doesn’t work, try with ugly permalinks ( /?p=xxxx)/ …… I’m a cookie…. what does it means?
- what is WP Core?
Thanks
L
Hi,
It means you need to go to wp-admin -> Settings -> Permalinks and set permalinks to the default setting.
By WP Core I guess the person was referring to the core wordpress options – not the theme-specific back-end. In your wp-admin, everything under GeoPlaces are theme-specific features and settings.
How do you get the small single map to show on a listing page? Do we have to move any widgets around or add something to a widget area like you do to get the main map to show?
For listing pages you have to use the listing map widget. For details pages (place and event details) use the detail map widget. If you continue having issues with this please create a ticket in helpdesk or a thread in the forums and we’ll help you out.
Hi,
I want location of the top default map to be the location of user by default. can you tell me how that can be done?
Hi
Please create a ticket in helpdesk or a thread in the forums. We can’t help you here
Thanks!
How does the place listing button behave? http://example.com/?ptype=post_listing
This url brings me back to my home page (I have modded this a lot). I know that submit_place.php is where the data comes from but what other files should I check?
I have the same problem. If you have solved this problem please help me.
Please make sure you have this enabled in the theme options: wp-admin -> GeoPlaces -> Design Settings -> Navigation Settings -> Allow users to list a Place – the checkbox has to be checked.
If you’ll need further help with this please create a ticket in Helpdesk or a thread in the forums – we can’t provide theme support here in the comments
Good luck!
Vedran
Hi Guys
Would u please help me:
“GEO PLACES MAP”
1-I have resized the map and its done but the default border of map has’nt changed and it size is as default.
How I can change it to map size?
2-Is there anyway to move the homepage map to the bottom of home page or to a new page?
Tnx
Hi there
Can you please create a thread in our forums, we’ll assist you there. Thanks!
Doesn’t work for me at all. I’ve followed the instructions to a tee. Broken.
Hi
This should work. Are you trying to do this in GeoPlaces v3 or v4? If you continue having issues with it please create a ticket in Helpdesk or a topic in the forums. We’ll do our best to resolve this.
If you add a new category eg. “Bikes” and then if a user adds a listing under “Bikes” you are not able to see it. The category url will be like http://www.mysite.com/bikes but nothing listed there. But if you go directly to url of listing, you will see the users listing. How can this issue be resolved?
Thanks
Fareed
Hi Fareed
You could have an issue with permalinks. Please create a thread in the forums and we’ll help you ASAP.
Hello. I accidentally deleted the google api code from the dashboard and now, in the google site, is not avalable the option to generate code. What can i do?
Hi
You can download the GPv4 beta and start using that theme. GPv4 is using Google Maps API v3 that doesn’t require an API key to function. You can download the beta here:
http://templatic.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=85&t=6259
I do not speak English very well because I am Brazilian but I’ll try. Help me I’m having the same problem above. Can not find an API key seems that google took this role. I read a lot of things on the site Templatic and sensed that the new version (V4) API does not need to work. I installed but did not work or an image on both the bottom of the ads and events. It was only one page at a bank with the letters.
WHAT I do, install V4 solve a problem with the map and take another with the images. Or insist on V3 and try to find the API key?
THANK YOU
Hi Thiago
Please make sure you are using the latest version of GeoPlaces v3. The latest version is using Google Maps v3 and doesn’t need the API key to work.
I am using the version that you have provided when I made the purchase. If there is a newer version I do not know if you send me the link ara. I’m using version 3.3.1. Panel of wordpress has the option:
Geo Place Settings >> Design >> Google Map >> Setting Setting Map – Google Map API Key-ABQIAAAAE4DbZwlvGB0uP0Klp1-GZRRcaiTLAfEj3CvwzOs7Na3ouzBSIhTbgGaRptviXjch08i00vpvjQ9h2w
The option requires an API key.
What to do?
If you find it easier to send e-mail my username and password for my site.
I really need your help.
Thank you for your attention
Hi Thiago
Please remove the code from that field. Your map should start working when you remove the code.
Verdran Hello, help me please.
My site is stopped because I do not know GEOPLACE set up and nobody’s support.
I need to know how to make the map appear on the home page
thank you
Hi Thiago
Make sure you’re running the latest version of the theme (3.3.1). If you are, go to wp-admin -> GeoPlaces -> Design Settings -> Google Map Settings and remove the API key entered there. Your map should now work. If you don’t have the latest version go to the member area and download it.
The version was already installed, I downloaded again and still does not work.
I deleted the API key and the map will not appear on the home page.
I do not know if the theme is not working properly. http://guiataboao.com.br/
You have my permission to set this part.
Is there anything else I should do?
Thiago, please create a ticket in our Helpdesk and leave your wp-admin info. We’ll try to fix this as soon as possible.
Thanks Vedran.
Leave my wp-admin login and password in the helpdesk.
Again, thanks for the help.
That’s why I always buy the themes you.
Not a problem Thiago, we’re always happy to help.
Hi all – I ma having issues with trying to set things up -
http://www.beverleyeastyorkshire.co.uk/hu17/placecategory/hotels/
I can get content into the system and get the maps BUT it will NOT allow me to add a new city, despite the systems saying ‘New City Added’ it the drop down and also the list of cities are blank :(
Any ideas?
Hi Paul
Please create a ticket in our Helpdesk, we’ll try to assist you there.
Thanks!
Vedran
What would be the url for view all events and view all places. I don’t know the url to put into the widget in the sidebar.
It’s the link that you see in the address bar when viewing that category. If you’re using Post Name permalinks it would be something like:
http://example.com/eventcategory/name_of_the_category
View All button should just be a link to that particular category (or one of the categories).
Hello
I am french, so sorry for my bad english,
I have the sam problem than Lisa and Leana, when pressing “add listing” no map is shown !
Can you help me ?
And, there is any translate file in french for geoplaces v4 ?
Thank you !
Hi there
The above procedure is for GeoPlaces v3, the tutorial doesn’t apply to GeoPlaces v4. No, GeoPlaces v4 doesn’t come with a french .po file, you must translate the English file yourself. Check out this tutorial in order to learn how to do that
http://templatic.com/theme-support/tips-n-tutorials/how-to-localize-templatics-wordpress-themes
Good luck!