Set up your Google Maps API key
StoreLo runs on your own Google Maps key, so Google’s free monthly usage belongs to you and there is no per-view markup. The setup is ten minutes of clicking, laid out below.
By Robin, who builds and runs StoreLo · Updated 2026-07-30
Why your own key?
Tools that bundle Google Maps for you pool one key across all their customers and price in the risk. With your own key you get Google’s free monthly usage for yourself (a normal locator page stays comfortably inside it), full control over restrictions, and no surprises if a provider’s pooled key hits its cap on the busiest shopping day of the year.
Create the key
- Go to console.cloud.google.com and create a project (any name).
- Open APIs & Services → Library and enable two APIs: Maps JavaScript API and Geocoding API.
- Open APIs & Services → Credentials → Create credentials → API key. Copy the key.
Google asks for a billing account with a card. That is required for Maps to work at all, but you also get a substantial amount of free usage every month. Set a budget alert in Billing if you want a guard rail; most locators never spend a cent.
Restrict the key (do not skip this)
An unrestricted key can be lifted from any website and abused on someone else’s bill. In the key settings:
- Application restrictions → Websites: add your own domains (https://yoursite.com/* and https://www.yoursite.com/*) plus https://storelowidget.com/* and https://dashboard.storelowidget.com/*, so the dashboard preview and the search heatmap can use the key too.
- API restrictions: limit the key to the two APIs you enabled.
Paste it into StoreLo
Dashboard → Settings, paste the key in the Google Maps key field, save. Open the preview and you should see your map. If the map renders on the preview but not on your own site, the missing referrer is your production domain, add it to the websites list and give Google a few minutes.