How to Put Multiple Locations on Google Maps

You have 50 store locations and need to show them on a map on your website. The first decision is which mapping method fits the way visitors need to use it.

Google My Maps lets viewers search the map's contents and show or hide layers, but It is built for sharing a map rather than running a locator on a commercial site.

This guide covers every method for mapping multiple locations, from free DIY options to professional store locators, with honest pros, cons, and pricing so you can pick the right approach for your situation.

Related: Google Maps API alternatives | Mapbox alternatives | Store locator examples

#Method 1: Google My Maps (Free, No Code)

Google My Maps is one starting point. It's free, requires no coding, and lets you create a custom map with pins that you can embed on any website.

#How to Create a Multi-Location Map

Step 1: Open Google My Maps

Go to google.com/maps/d and sign in with your Google account. Click "Create a new map."

Step 2: Name your map

Click "Untitled map" at the top left and give it a descriptive name (e.g., "Our Store Locations").

Step 3: Add locations

You have three options:

• Search bar. Type an address or business name in the search bar. When it appears on the map, click "Add to map" to pin it.
• Manual pin. Click the marker icon below the search bar, then click anywhere on the map to drop a pin. Add a name and description.
• Import a spreadsheet. Click "Import" in the layer panel and upload a CSV, XLSX, or Google Sheet with your addresses. Google will geocode them and drop pins automatically.

Step 4: Customize your pins

Click any pin to change its color, icon, or add photos and descriptions. You can group pins by category using the "Uniform style" dropdown, useful if you want to differentiate store types (flagship vs. outlet, for example).

Step 5: Make it public and get the embed code

Click the "Share" button, then change access to "Anyone with this link can view." Next, click the three-dot menu next to your map title and select "Embed on my site." Copy the iframe code and paste it into your website's HTML.

#Google My Maps Limitations

A dash means the capability is not part of that vendor's published plan list or product page. It is not a statement that the product cannot do it, and their sales or support team is the right place to confirm.

Best for: Personal projects, event maps, small blogs, or any situation where viewers do not need nearest-location search, data filters, or usage analytics.

Where StoreRocket differs: My Maps is free and carries Google's interface. StoreRocket carries yours, tells you what visitors searched for and where they found nothing, and starts at $25.

Not ideal for: Businesses with 10+ locations, anyone who needs visitors to find their nearest location, or any scenario where you want analytics on how the map is used.

#Cost

Free. No API key required.

#Method 2: Google Maps JavaScript API (Developer Required)

If Google My Maps is too limited, the next step up is the Google Maps JavaScript API. This gives you full control, custom markers, search functionality, info windows, clustering, and anything else you can code.

#How It Works

You'll need a Google Cloud Platform account and a Maps JavaScript API key. The basic implementation involves:

1. Create a Google Cloud project and enable the Maps JavaScript API
2. Get an API key from the Credentials page
3. Write the code. load the map, add markers from your data source, handle click events

Here's what a basic implementation looks like:

 1<div id="map" style="height: 500px; width: 100%;"></div>
 2<script>
 3function initMap() {
 4  const map = new google.maps.Map(document.getElementById('map'), {
 5    zoom: 4,
 6    center: { lat: 39.8283, lng: -98.5795 }
 7  });
 8
 9  const locations = [
10    { lat: 40.7128, lng: -74.0060, title: 'New York Store' },
11    { lat: 34.0522, lng: -118.2437, title: 'Los Angeles Store' },
12    { lat: 41.8781, lng: -87.6298, title: 'Chicago Store' }
13  ];
14
15  locations.forEach(location => {
16    new google.maps.Marker({
17      position: { lat: location.lat, lng: location.lng },
18      map: map,
19      title: location.title
20    });
21  });
22}
23</script>
24<script src="https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/js?key=YOUR_KEY&callback=initMap" async defer></script>

That gives you pins on a map. But for a real store locator, you also need:

• Geocoding (converting addresses to coordinates), separate API, separate cost
• Places Autocomplete (search-as-you-type), separate API, separate cost
• Distance Matrix (calculating nearest locations), separate API, separate cost
• Directions. separate API, separate cost
• Marker clustering (handling hundreds of pins), additional library
• Info windows with store details. custom code
• Mobile-responsive layout. custom CSS
• Filter functionality. custom JavaScript
• Location management. you need a backend/database

#Google Maps API Pricing (2026)

Google changed their billing model significantly. Here's what you're looking at:

Costs depend on the exact SKUs used. Dynamic Maps, Geocoding, Autocomplete Requests, and terminating Place Details calls are metered separately.

Google removed the universal $200 monthly credit in March 2025, so usage must now be budgeted against each SKU's allowance and rates.

#Google Maps API Limitations

Best for: Companies with development teams who need a fully custom mapping experience and are willing to invest in building and maintaining it.

Not ideal for: Non-technical teams, businesses that need something working this week, or anyone who doesn't want to manage API billing and infrastructure.

#Method 3: Mapbox (Developer Alternative)

Mapbox is an alternative to Google Maps for developers who want control over map design or independence from Google's ecosystem.

#How It Works

Similar to the Google Maps API, you get a JavaScript library (Mapbox GL JS), an API key, and build your map with code. Mapbox publishes styling tools for its vector maps.

 1<div id="map" style="height: 500px; width: 100%;"></div>
 2<script src="https://api.mapbox.com/mapbox-gl-js/v3.0.0/mapbox-gl.js"></script>
 3<script>
 4mapboxgl.accessToken = 'YOUR_TOKEN';
 5const map = new mapboxgl.Map({
 6  container: 'map',
 7  style: 'mapbox://styles/mapbox/streets-v12',
 8  center: [-98.5795, 39.8283],
 9  zoom: 4
10});
11
12const locations = [
13  { lng: -74.0060, lat: 40.7128, title: 'New York Store' },
14  { lng: -118.2437, lat: 34.0522, title: 'Los Angeles Store' }
15];
16
17locations.forEach(loc => {
18  new mapboxgl.Marker()
19    .setLngLat([loc.lng, loc.lat])
20    .setPopup(new mapboxgl.Popup().setText(loc.title))
21    .addTo(map);
22});
23</script>

#Mapbox Pricing

Mapbox publishes product-specific pricing:

Published Mapbox and Google rates differ by product and volume, so compare the exact services your implementation calls. For a detailed breakdown, see Is Mapbox Free? Complete Pricing Guide.

#Mapbox Limitations

As with the Google Maps API, you build and maintain the surrounding store locator interface: the search bar, filter panel, location list, and mobile layout.

Best for: Developers who want maps with custom styling and can compare the exact products their implementation uses.

For a deeper comparison, see our Mapbox alternatives guide and Google Maps API alternatives guide.

#Method 4: Dedicated Store Locator (No Code, Built for Business)

A dedicated store locator is purpose-built software that handles everything: the map, the search, the filters, the analytics, the location management, and the embed code. You paste one line of code on your website and get a fully functional store locator.

#What You Get vs. DIY

A dash means the capability is not part of that vendor's published plan list or product page. It is not a statement that the product cannot do it, and their sales or support team is the right place to confirm.

#How It Works

Using StoreRocket as an example:

1. Import your locations. Upload a CSV, sync a Google Sheet, or add locations manually. Each location gets an address, phone, hours, categories, and custom fields.
2. Customize the look. Choose a theme, set your brand colors, pick marker styles, and configure which filters appear.
3. Embed on your website. Copy one line of JavaScript and paste it on any page. Works with Shopify, WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, Webflow, and any HTML site.
4. Monitor performance. See where customers search, which locations get the most interest, and how visitors interact with your map.

You connect your own map key and manage locations through the dashboard.

#When a Dedicated Store Locator Makes Sense

• You have 10+ locations and customers need to find the nearest one
• You want search and filters so visitors can narrow by services, products, or hours
• You need analytics to understand where demand exists
• You don't have a developer or don't want to spend dev time on maps
• Your locations change and you need easy updates without editing code
• You care about mobile experience. over 60% of "near me" searches happen on phones
• You plan to pair the locator with location pages for local search

#Cost Comparison (Realistic Monthly)

Google and Mapbox costs depend on traffic and selected SKUs, not the number of locations.

#The Decision Framework

#Use Google My Maps If:

• You have fewer than 10 locations
• Visitors do not need nearest-location search from an address or zip code
• You have zero budget
• It's a personal project, blog, or event map
• You don't need analytics or lead capture

#Use the Google Maps API or Mapbox If:

• You have a development team with JavaScript expertise
• You need a completely custom experience that no off-the-shelf tool provides
• Your map has unique functionality (real-time data, custom interactions, gaming)
• You're building a platform where the map is the core product

#Use a Dedicated Store Locator If:

• You're a business with physical locations customers need to find
• You want search, filters, directions, and analytics
• You don't have a developer (or don't want to waste developer time on maps)
• You prefer a managed setup to custom development
• You want to update locations without touching code
• You care about the mobile experience and SEO

Most businesses with multiple locations land in the third category. A dedicated store locator packages the map, search, filters, analytics, and location management into one service.

#Common Questions

#Can I add more than 10 locations on Google Maps?

Google Maps directions supports up to nine stops, including the final destination. Google My Maps supports up to 2,000 features per layer, 10 layers, and 10,000 total lines, shapes, or places. Viewers can search map contents and show or hide layers, but it carries Google's interface rather than yours.

#Is the Google Maps API free?

Each SKU has its own free monthly allowance. Dynamic Maps and Geocoding, for example, each include 10,000 monthly billable events before tiered charges apply. Your paid cost depends on the exact SKUs and usage. Google replaced the universal $200 monthly credit in March 2025.

#What's the cheapest way to show 100+ locations on a map?

Google My Maps is free and supports map-content search, but it is built for sharing a map rather than running a commercial locator. A dedicated store locator avoids the development and maintenance cost of building those features on the Maps API.

#Can I embed a Google My Maps on Shopify/WordPress/Squarespace?

Yes. Google My Maps generates an iframe embed code that works on any platform that allows custom HTML. Viewers can search map contents and show or hide layers; it carries Google's interface rather than yours. For Shopify specifically, see our Shopify store locator guide. For WordPress, see our WordPress store locator guide.

#Do I need an API key for Google My Maps?

No. Google My Maps is a free tool that doesn't require an API key. You only need an API key if you're using the Google Maps JavaScript API, Geocoding API, or other programmatic Google Maps services.

#How do I let visitors search by zip code on my map?

Google My Maps lets viewers search the map's contents, but It is built for sharing a map rather than running a locator on a commercial site. For that workflow, use either the Google Maps JavaScript API with Places Autocomplete or a dedicated store locator.

#What about Mapbox, is it better than Google Maps?

Mapbox publishes extensive styling tools, but neither provider is universally cheaper across every product and volume. Both require developer effort, so compare the exact maps, search, geocoding, and routing services your implementation uses. See our full Mapbox alternatives comparison.

#Can I track how many people use my store locator?

It is a sharing tool rather than a reporting one. The Google Maps API gives you event tracking if you build it. A dedicated store locator like StoreRocket includes built-in analytics: a search heatmap showing where customers look, the searches that found nothing nearby, and a click total per location, all without additional setup.

#Frequently Asked Questions

#What is the location limit on Google Maps?

Google My Maps supports up to 2,000 features per layer, 10 layers, and 10,000 total lines, shapes, or places. Google Maps directions supports up to nine stops, including the final destination. The Maps JavaScript API has no published hard pin limit; performance depends on the implementation and clustering strategy.

#Is Google My Maps free to use?

Yes, Google My Maps is completely free and does not require an API key. Viewers can search map contents and show or hide layers; it carries Google's interface rather than yours. The Google Maps JavaScript API offers more functionality but requires a Google Cloud account and charges per API request after the free tier.

#Can I embed a map with multiple locations on my website?

Yes. Google My Maps generates an iframe embed code you can paste into any website. For a more professional solution, dedicated store locators provide a JavaScript embed that includes search, filters, directions, and analytics in addition to the map pins.

#What is the best way to manage 100+ locations on a map?

For 100 or more locations, a dedicated store locator is one option. It includes a management dashboard, CSV and Google Sheets import, automatic geocoding, and a search interface so visitors can find the nearest location.

#Do I need a Google Maps API key to show multiple locations?

Google My Maps does not require an API key. A custom map built with the Google Maps JavaScript API does. On a paid StoreRocket project, you connect your own Google Maps or Mapbox key and that provider bills its usage directly; StoreRocket covers geocoding when locations are imported.

#Getting Started

If you're reading this, you probably have multiple locations that customers need to find. Here is a practical path:

1. Try Google My Maps first if you just need a visual and map-content search.
2. Use a store locator if you need nearest-location search, data filters, or analytics.
3. Only build on the API if you have truly unique requirements that no existing tool handles.

Need a managed store locator? StoreRocket gives you search, filters, custom branding, and analytics. Bring your own map key, import your locations, customize the design, and paste the embed code. Start your free 7-day trial and see how your locations look on a store locator.