Google Maps update

Starting this very week, Google has changed the terms & conditions for the use of their excellent Google Maps service. This affects practically all of our clientes, as they at minimum use it for their contact page. Our real estate clients are especially affected as it is normally used on the property detail page, so resolving this issue is of utmost importance to them.

The issue is that, until now, the service was completely free, but this has now changed and Google will start to charge for the service. Google will only make a charge when the website goes over a generous limit, so for the vast majority of website, the service will still be free. To unlock the service, now Google asks that the client has a Google account with the Google Maps service (API) enabled, and a credit card associated with it. Once enabled, Google will provide an API key, which we need to re-enable the map service on each website.

To achieve this, you will need to need to follow these steps:

1. Click on the following link:
   https://cloud.google.com/maps-platform/?hl=en
2. Click on the blue “Get started” button.
3. Check the “Maps” and “Places” checkboxes
4. Follow the instructions: create a project, create an invoicing account, and include your credit card details.
5. You will be provided an alphanumeric API key to connect with the services
6. Send us the API key so we can update the website.

Google’s prices are:
The first 28,000 impressions are free, and after this, the price is 7$ per 1,000 impressions. Also, Google provides a 200$ per month credit, so a website would have to have massive usage before anything is charged to the account.

If you have any queries please contact Daniel at: daniel@creativos.be