Geocoding stopped working suddenly

Posted by cici in Base Plugin / Advanced, FAQ, for WordPress : WPSLP, General, Location Management, Power Add On, Troubleshooting

(This page has been updated to reflect the changes in Google Cloud Platform API changes)

Most likely reasons;

  • You moved your site or changed the domain name and did not change your Google Map API key or , as of JUNE 2018 Google API changes, did NOT ADD BILLING TO YOUR API KEY . See Getting Started
  • Check your Google Platform Usage reports
  • A self-imposed usage cap has been exceeded.
  • The provided method of payment is no longer valid (for example, a credit card has expired).
  • You have exceeded the QPS limits for a given API.
  • If you have the Power add-on and are using the import function , your csv file is incorrect, or your header rows are not accurate,  or they have wrong field names, the columns may be misaligned and the data field for an address could not import and/or does not geocode. Check your import message log.
  • Google does not recognize an address. See FAQ post

Google Server (Browser) Key for WPSLP

Posted by Lance Cleveland in FAQ, for WordPress : WPSLP, Server

Get  Google API Keys

This section pertains to the WordPress Store Locator Plus plug-in   which is the free base plugin for those WordPress administrators who are controlling the plugin and updates.  If you are a subscriber to  MySLP, our fully managed locator SaaS service, you can ignore this page, we’ve got that covered!

For the WPSLP plugin users these instructions are a general guideline. You will need to visit Google and read their User guide to obtain a new account or update your existing account and as of JUNE 2018 ADD A BILLING ACCOUNT!! See Pricing!!   Do not want to deal with giving Google credit cards, check out MYSLP, we do it for you.

Google Maps Javascript API Key.

You do not need to include any additional restrictions  but if you do  then you will also need a second unique key to add in the  field under the SLP/General settings called the Geocoding API key.   Updates to how Google APIS are deployed and the explanation can be found in Google Platform  When you create your project , obtain  your Maps Javascript API  .  The geocoding API is contained under the “Places” API.  The APIS you will need  are now contained under Maps, and Places.  Check to see that both boxes are enabled for your project. View the support documents under Google Product updates for more information as the Google documentation is updated and may supercede the instructions or screenshots contained in this document.  The APIS you need for WPSLP to work properly are the two in the screenshot below, referred to as Maps Javascript and geocoding (not to be confused with geolocation). The Geocoding API  converts addresses into geographic coordinates (geocoding), which you can use to place markers or position the map. This API also allows you to convert geographic coordinates into an address (reverse geocoding).

Step 1: Go To the Google Developer Site

Read More “Google Server (Browser) Key for WPSLP”

Location Limit URL control

Posted by cici in General, Premier / Enterprise, User Interface

Location Limit

The location limit feature is available exclusively to our Store Locator Plus Premier/Enterprise customers.

When the URL Control module is active you can enable location ID passing by turning on “Location Limit” under the General / User Interface tab.

When this is enabled you can pass in a limit for the number of locations to be returned when the map initially loads and when a search is performed by adding ?limit=<id> to the end of the page address where your locator map is deployed with the [slplus] shortcode.

Example: Client has 250  results to return by default but when the site via a URL link loaded they only wanted 5 to come back.

Location Limit functionality supersedes the initial default limit.

Store Locator Plus INFO Plug-in Environment

Posted by cici in for WordPress : WPSLP, INFO, Support, Uncategorized

Plug-in environment

We often have questions posted from users asking why something is or is not working. The information needed to be able to assist them properly and efficiently is shown under the SLP/INFO tab. It is called the Plugin environment.

 

Plugin environment example

What is meant by the  Plugin Environment.

The plugin environment shows the versions of Store Locator Plus, and any active SLP add-ons you have installed, as well as the WordPress version, php version, MYSQL , the domain name and other useful data specific to the WPSLP environment.

This information is required when posting in forums. You can also  find the latest release versions under your account Downloads List, and/or review the Versions under the Support tab on the WordPress Store Locator Plus  home site  to see if you have the most recent version of Store Locator Plus and the various add-on packs.

 

CSV Import Zip / Postal Codes formatting

Posted by Lance Cleveland in Experience / Professional, FAQ, Power / Power, Support

Note: IMPORT requires  Power add-on for the stand alone WPSLP plugin  or if you are using MYSLP SaaS, the  Professional level or higher plan. 

When creating a CSV import file make sure the zip / postal code column is properly formatted as text so you do not lose leading zeros.

The column header for postal/zip codes is zip or sl_zip.

In the United States many northeastern postal codes start with zero.   Many sheets, Microsoft Excel in particular, LOVE to leave off the leading zero if you enter a zip code as 03907 and save as CSV.

Invalid Postal Codes
Invalid Postal Codes

In Excel, and many other apps, you can force a field where you are typing in numbers to be text by starting your entry with an apostrophe (‘).  Type ‘03907 when entering the data NOT 03907.

A good test to see if this is happening to you,  open your CSV file in Google Sheets and see what it looks like.  Does it look like the sheet above missing a zero and right aligned?

Another indicator that this column is set to a numeric type and not an text type is the data is on the RIGHT SIDE of the cell.  Text is left-justified (like sl_state) and numbers are right-justified.

MySLP: Deploying On WordPress

Posted by Lance Cleveland in for Everything : MySLP

These instructions are for MySLP users only.  

MySLP is a monthly subscription service that allows you to deploy a locator map on ANY platform including WordPress.   It is a managed service where we handle the hosting of the locations, settings, and map software.   We keep the software updated so you don’t have to worry about it.

These instructions DO NOT APPLY to the stand alone, self managed WordPress plugin(s).

For our buy-it-and-own-it solution you will want to look at the WPSLP plugins instead of this page.

If you are NOT using My Store Locator Plus® you should think about it.

If you are using MySLP, read on…

You’ve already added your locations and generated your embed code per the instructions in our Getting Started post.  Now you are ready to deploy on your WordPress site.

Here we are going to deploy the script in a new page on our site.

Read More “MySLP: Deploying On WordPress”

MySLP : Deploying With Basic HTML

Posted by Lance Cleveland in for Everything : MySLP

My Store Locator Plus can be deployed on any website technology that can publish basic HTML pages.   The functionality of the service depends more on the browser technology used by your site visitors than your web stack.

The most basic deployment is a local HTML file that is opened by your web browser.   Your desktop or laptop and even some mobile devices will allow you to create a basic HTML file on your device.   You can then open this file using that device’s web browser.

Read More “MySLP : Deploying With Basic HTML”

Getting Started With MySLP

Posted by Lance Cleveland in for Everything : MySLP, Uncategorized

Login to your MySLP Account shown in our home page tab:
https://dashboard.storelocatorplus.com
Login 2016 08

Add A Location

The initial login should bring you to the Locations tab on the MySLP page.

Go to the Store Locator Plus side menu to begin adding Locations or (with Professional Plan or higher)  Import locations

Click the Add Location button to add a new location.

Read More “Getting Started With MySLP”