Progress Map, Submit Locations - WordPress Plugin — is a comprehensive WordPress plugin designed for creating dynamic and interactive maps. It's the perfect solution for websites that need to display a large number of locations, such as real estate portals, travel blogs, store locators, or business directories. The plugin leverages Google Maps to provide a familiar and powerful interface for your visitors, allowing them to easily browse, search, and filter listings directly on the map.
A standout feature is the ability for users to submit their own locations through a customizable frontend form. This empowers you to build a community-driven directory with minimal effort. Each location can be detailed with custom fields, images, and descriptions, which are then displayed in an elegant infobox on the map. You can also visualize the progress of a project, journey, or campaign by connecting locations in a specific order, making it a versatile tool for a wide range of applications.
Why This Is Important
Are your visitors getting lost in boring text-based lists of locations or addresses? Standard lists have an engagement rate of less than 15%, causing users to leave your site quickly. Websites with interactive content, like maps, see a 40-50% increase in user session duration. Visual information is processed 60,000 times faster than text, and users retain 80% of what they see. This plugin transforms your data into an engaging visual experience, making it easier for users to find what they need, boosting interaction and improving your site's overall value.
Features
- Interactive Google Maps Integration: Display your locations on a familiar and feature-rich map interface.
- Frontend Location Submission: Allow users to add their own listings through a customizable submission form.
- Advanced Filtering & Searching: Let visitors easily search and filter locations by categories, custom fields, or radius.
- Customizable Map Markers: Use unique icons and colors for different location categories to improve visual organization.
- Detailed Location Infoboxes: Show detailed information, images, and links in stylish pop-up windows for each marker.
- Progress Visualization: Connect locations with lines to showcase a route, a journey's progress, or a multi-step project.
- Carousel & List Views: Display your locations in a responsive carousel or a simple list alongside the map for easy browsing.
- Custom Post Type Support: Seamlessly integrates with your existing custom post types for listings.
- Fully Responsive Design: Ensures your maps look great and function perfectly on all devices, from desktops to smartphones.
- WPML Compatibility: Easily create a multilingual location directory for a global audience.
Plan Comparison: Free vs. Pro Features
| Feature | Free Version | Pro Version (This Plugin) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Google Map Display | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Frontend Location Submission | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Advanced Ajax Filters | Limited | ✔️ |
| Custom Map Markers & Icons | 5 Icons | ✔️ (Unlimited) |
| Carousel & List Layouts | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Draw Progress Lines/Routes | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Monetization Options | ❌ | ✔️ |
How to install the plugin?
- Download the plugin archive using the button above.
- Navigate to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard.
- Click "Upload Plugin" at the top and select the downloaded ZIP file.
- Install, activate the plugin, and follow the quick setup wizard instructions.
FAQ
Do I need a Google Maps API key to use this plugin?
Yes, to display Google Maps on your site, you will need a valid Google Maps API key. The plugin includes documentation that guides you through the process of obtaining a free API key from the Google Cloud Platform Console. Google provides a free monthly credit that is sufficient for most small to medium-sized websites.
Can I customize the fields in the location submission form?
Absolutely. The plugin offers a powerful form builder that allows you to add, remove, and rearrange fields in the frontend submission form. You can create various field types, such as text inputs, dropdowns, checkboxes, and image uploads, to collect the exact information you need for each listing.
Is it possible to import multiple locations at once?
Yes, the plugin supports bulk importing of locations via a CSV file. This feature is extremely useful for migrating an existing directory or quickly populating your map with a large number of listings. The documentation provides a sample CSV template and instructions to ensure a smooth import process.
How does the "Progress Map" feature work?
The "Progress Map" functionality allows you to connect map markers with a polyline to visualize a path or sequence. You can define the order of the locations to create a route for a road trip, track the progress of a charity run, or display the different stages of a project across various locations. This is a unique feature that sets it apart from standard map listing plugins.
