How to Create Google Maps API Key
From this tutorial, you will learn how to embed Google Maps to the website page with the help of the Advanced Map widget of the JetElements plugin.
What is the API key?
API keys are the credentials that identify the project to which the application is making a call.
Google Maps API key is used to access Google Maps. Some applications or plugins using Google Maps require an individual token.
So if you need to use Google Maps on your site, you should go to the Google API Console and get your own key to embed a Google map.
Creating Google Map API key
Go to Google Maps Platform and click the “Get Started” button.
![Google Maps page](https://crocoblock.com/knowledge-base/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/google-maps-get-started.png)
If you previously haven’t created a billing account you will see this window. Click the “Create Billing Account” button.
![Billing account creation](https://crocoblock.com/knowledge-base/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/create-billing-account.png)
You will be redirected to Step 1 of 2 page of account registration. Choose your Google account, your Country and tick the Terms of Service checkbox. Afterward, hit the “Continue” button.
![Creating billing account](https://crocoblock.com/knowledge-base/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/googlemaps-step11.png)
The Step 2 of 2 page will be the billing page. Fill in all the required fields and don’t forget about the ZIP code.
![Creating billing account](https://crocoblock.com/knowledge-base/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/googlemaps-step12.png)
You will also have to put in your card or account data. Afterward, click the “Start My Free Trial” button. To check your card, you will be billed for 1 dollar but it is instantly given back after that.
![Creating billing account](https://crocoblock.com/knowledge-base/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/googlemaps-step13.png)
In the next window, tick the Maps checkbox and press the “Enable” button.
![Picking maps](https://crocoblock.com/knowledge-base/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/maps-pick-products.png)
You will be asked to answer two more questions about your business, so Google Maps can serve you better. Choose the industry you are working in and the section you want to create, and click the “Next” button.
![Additional questions](https://crocoblock.com/knowledge-base/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/additional-questions.png)
And here it is, your API key is generated. Copy it and click the “Done” button.
![Googlemaps API key](https://crocoblock.com/knowledge-base/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/api-key1.png)
Go to the APIs > Geocoding API menu tab.
![Googlemaps API key](https://crocoblock.com/knowledge-base/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/geocoding.png)
Click the “Enable” button and go to your website’s WP dashboard.
![Googlemaps API key](https://crocoblock.com/knowledge-base/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/geocoding-enable.png)
Adding an API key to Advanced Map JetElements widget
Log in to WordPress Dashboard and here access Crocoblock > JetPlugins Settings > JetElements Settings. Open the Integrations tab and here you can see the Google Maps section, where you should paste the recently created API key in the corresponding field.
![adding API key to dashboard](https://crocoblock.com/knowledge-base/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/map-settings.png)
Congrats! From now you can embed Google maps at your site using JetElements plugin!