Whether doing a bulk import or adding locations by hand there are times when you will see a “location uncoded” or “cannot geocode” error message. This is always the result of an address that was sent to Google that cannot be processed in their address location system.
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)
Directory City/State/Country Filters
The directory feature of the Power add on allows you to quickly build a directory-style listing on your pages to show a list of cities, states, or countries where you have locations.
The [slp_directory] shortcode used to build this listing can be combined with a landing_page attribute to quickly refer your site visitors to an interactive map showing your locations in the selected city, state, or country.
How to Change The Find Button Text
The find button text is most easily changed via the WPSLP Experience add on. or the MYSLP Professional or Enterprise level plan
slp_directory List Of States
You can easily create lists of the cities, states, or countries where you have locations by using the slp_directory shortcode provided by the Power add-on. Premier Subscription members can install the Premier Plugin to further extend the functionality of the slp_directory shortcode.
Contact Fields when enabled
Additional Layout Shortcodes with Power Add-on
If you have the Power Add-on in addition to the Experience Add-on you have additional fields that can be displayed with the use of shortcodes and attributes.
Contact Fields
The Power Add-on has Contact Fields that can be associated with your locations for adding internal special ids for updates or to add filters. The contact fields will not automatically appear in your results on the front end.
Importing Large Lists into WP Store Locator Plus
Hints for the WordPress Store Locator Plus stand alone, self managed plugin with Power add-on. Import features available with the Power Add-on
Load Data
If checked , use the faster MySQL Load Data method of file processing. Only base plugin data can be loaded, see the approved field name list.
This feature uses the MySQL Load Data command and is much faster than WordPress / PHP CSV file parsing, with the typical Google Geocoding limitations on performance and record counts (if you are not supplying, filling in the latitude/longitude data fields). This feature will only import basic location data. It does not import extended data fields or category data. If you use this along with per-entered latitude and longitude values you can import 100,000 locations in less than 10 minutes on a basic web server. The column headers must be included in the file and must match the basic fields. You do NOT need to include all columns.
[slp_directory] List Mode
The Power add-on provides added functionality and features for large location lists, SEO management, and categorization of locations.
It also includes the ability to build simple text list directories of your locations via the [slp_directory] shortcode.
