CSV Import Zip / Postal Codes formatting

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.

Map Not Showing

You activated the Store Locator Plus base plug-in and followed all the instructions but when you visit your locator page no map is there.

Here are some common reasons why the map will not appear:

Did you obtain a Google MAP API key?

As of June 22, 2016 Google requires all new domains, sites to obtain a key.  There are many options based on how often your locations are queried. There are instructions in the SLP documentation site , in the SLP User Interface under INFO.  See Getting Started Guide.  More recently, 2018, Google has introduced security measures requiring SSL certification (HTTPS)  for sites that may want the search to locate their customers location. (Location Sensor)