Integrating Google My Maps

Creating a Map and Adding Properties

Head over to Google My Maps. Click Get Started
Click Create New Map. You'll then be presented with a new map.
Click the title to change the title of the map as this will appear when you embed it onto your site
You can also add a description. Once this is done, click Save
You can then begin adding layers to your map. We recommend using layers as there is a limit to how many destinations can be featured per layer. Plus, it's also an easy way to group properties in a similar area. You can choose to group properties by town, county, state; whatever suits your real estate investment business the best. In this example, we've chosen to group the layers by county.
Start by clicking on the Untitled layer and renaming it the same way you renamed the title of the map.
You can then add a new layer by clicking the Add Layer button and renaming it as above.
Next, you can begin to add your properties. Ensure that you have the appropriate layer selected. You'll see a blue bar to the left of the active layer. Search the address of the property in the search bar, you can then click on the address as it pops up.
Alternatively, you can just zoom in to the appropriate part of the map and drop a pin at the location of the address. You do this by clicking the add marker button under the search bar.
Then, you can name the property and add a link in the description. Click Save to save your changes
Next, you may want to add an outline, so your potential leads can see the boundaries of the property. To do this click the draw a line button under the search bar and select Add line or shape
Now you can draw out the boundary
Once the shape is complete, it'll prompt you to name the area. In the example here, we just called it Property 1 Parcel Outline. Click Save

Customizing Your Markers

You can now customize your markers on your map to match the brand of your site.

Click the marker, then select the color tab and choose your preferred color.
You can also change the marker. If your preferred icon is not in the Popular Icons section you can click More Icons to find something you like.
Changes will save automatically.

Changing the Base Map

Google My Maps also comes with the ability to change your base map.

Click Base map to reveal your options and select your preferred base. In this example, we have chosen Terrain

Setting the Default View

Depending on the scale of your business, your map will need to be scaled accordingly. For example, if you only sell properties in a certain county, you may want to zoom in on that particular county. However, if your business is nationwide, you may want to show a map of the whole country.

To set your default view, zoom your map to the scale you prefer
Next, click the three vertical dots next to the title of your map
Click on Set default view
Changes will save automatically and this is how your map will appear on your website.

Editing the Privacy Settings of Your Map

Before you embed your map to your website, you'll need to ensure you change the privacy settings so that people can see it.

Click the Share button
Next, under Who has access click on Change...
Select On - Public on the web. Click Save

Embedding the Map on Your Site

Once your map is public, you'll then be able to share it on your website.

Click on the three vertical dots next to the title of your map
Click Embed on my site
Copy the embed code and click OK
Next, head over to Pages → All Pages on your WordPress Dashboard
Find the page which you want to display your map on, hover over it and select Edit with Elementor
The Elementor Panel will open up. In the search box search for the HTML widget, then drag and drop the widget to your preferred area on the webpage.
Then, simply paste the code into the HTML Code box that will appear in the Elementor Panel and your map should pop up.

Getting a "Server Error (403 error)"?

If you're updating your maps through Elementor and are getting a "Server Error (403 error)" message there are a few things you'll need to do to resolve this issue.

Typically, this issue has to do with either your host or conflicting third party plugins. Here's an article specifically about this: https://docs.elementor.com/article/185-the-update-button-does-not-work

Make sure to turn off all plugins that did not come with the installation of your REI Conversion or that you installed yourself. Make sure any firewall plugins are also disabled.

If you try to save in Elementor, and you get no Error message, this means that the plugin is conflicting with the map embed. You can either remove the plugin or turn it back on after it's been embedded through Elementor.

If this error still continues you will need to speak with your server host.