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Creating a Google Maps API Key

Written by Clemency Farmer

A Google Maps API key is required for the following:

  • Store pickup map

  • Geographic search

  • Auto-address suggestions

  • Driving distance validation

  • Max distance validation

Google provides a free trial of 90 days, or until $300 USD of credit has been used. After the free trial, they provide $200 USD of free credit per month which is more than enough for most merchants.

Should you exceed their free limit, you will be charged for your usage. View their plans and pricing for more information.

Requirements

  • You need to have an active Google account.

Create a Google Maps API Key

If you have an existing Google Cloud account with open projects, follow the steps for Existing Google Cloud users.

New Google Cloud users

To create a Google Maps API key and add it to Zapiet - Pickup + Delivery, follow our video tutorial or the written steps.

  1. Visit the Google Maps Platform page and click Get started or Create an account.

  2. If needed, sign in to your Google Account.
    ​

  3. Continue to add business and billing details.

  4. Copy icon Copy the API key and check Enable all Google Maps API's for this project.

  5. Click Go to Google Maps Platform.
    ​

  6. Do not add a restriction. Click Maybe later.
    ​

  7. Some additional API's may need to be enabled before it can be used. Check the following API's have been enabled:
    ​

You can now add the API key you've copied to the Zapiet - Pickup + Delivery settings.

If you want to prevent scalpers from accessing your API, you can add a Storefront API key.

Existing Google Cloud users

  1. Visit the Google Maps Platform page and click Get started or Create an account.
    ​

  2. If needed, sign in to your Google Account.
    ​

  3. Click the open project name.
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  4. Click New project.
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  5. Add a project name and Billing account, and click Create. You can also add a location if needed.
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  6. When the project has been created, open the project.
    You may have to wait a moment for the project to be created.
    ​

  7. Click Keys & Credentials.
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  8. Copy icon Copy the API key and check Enable all Google Maps API's for this project.
    You can also enable budget alerts.
    ​

  9. Click Go to Google Maps Platform.
    ​

  10. Do not add a restriction. Click Maybe later.
    ​

  11. Some additional API's may need to be enabled before it can be used. Check the following API's have been enabled:
    ​

You can now add the API key you've copied to the Zapiet - Pickup + Delivery settings.

If you want to prevent scalpers from accessing your API, you can add a Storefront API key.

Storefront API key

The default API key can be found in your storefront. You can also add a second API key in your storefront settings, which can be restricted to prevent scrapers from using your API key.

  1. In your open Google Maps project, click Keys and Credentials.
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  2. Click + Create credentials, then API key.
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  3. Add a name, and select API restrictions.
    ​

  4. Only enable:

    • Maps JavaScript API

    • Places API

    • Geocoding APIs
      ​

  5. Under Application restrictions, click Websites.
    ​

  6. Add a website, and add your store URL with an asterisk at the end.

    For example: https://florist.zapiet.com/*
    ​

  7. Click Create.
    ​

  8. Copy the new API key, and add it to your pickup or delivery settings, making sure to only add it to the storefront field.

Your storefront API has now been added, and will prevent scalpers from using your API key. You can also add a quota for your API key. Take a look at the Google guide on Quotas and limits for more information.

Add the API key to Zapiet - Pickup + Delivery

The same API key can be used for Store pickup and Local delivery settings.

Add the API key to local delivery settings

  1. Click Settings, then Local delivery.
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  2. Select your delivery validation method.
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  3. Enter your Google Maps API key.
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  4. Click Validate.
    ​

  5. We recommend also adding a storefront API key.
    After adding this key, click Validate.
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  6. Click Save.
    ​

  7. If the API key shows as invalid, check you have copied the full API key correctly, with no blank spaces or missed characters.
    If you have copied it correctly, check the troubleshooting steps below.

After correctly saving the API key, check if your delivery validation method has been correctly set by following the articles below.

Add the API key to store pickup settings

  1. Click Settings, then Store pickup.
    ​

  2. Select the location filter settings you need.
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  3. Enter your Google Maps API key.
    ​

  4. Click Validate.
    ​

  5. We recommend also adding a storefront API key.
    After adding this key, click Validate.
    ​

  6. Click Save.
    ​

  7. If the API key shows as invalid, check you have copied the full API key correctly, with no blank spaces or missed characters.
    If you have copied it correctly, check the troubleshooting steps below.

Troubleshooting

You can check the validity of your Google Maps API key through the link below. Copy the link to your browser and replace the API_KEY with your Google Maps API key.

https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/distancematrix/json?origins=-33.8981784,150.9972858&destinations=-33.90022360,150.99509730&mode=driving&sensor=false&units=metric&key=API_KEY

Compare the error messages with the error messages below.

If your storefront API key has an error, check the below error messages.

Error message: "This API project is not authorized to use this API."

Error message: "This API project is not authorized to use this API."

This could mean that not all of the API's have been enabled, or that the API has been restricted, or both.

To check if the API's have been enabled:

  1. Click APIs and services.
    ​

  2. Check the following API's are enabled:

  3. If any are not enabled, click Enable.

Repeat until all 5 API's are enabled, then retest the API key.

If it is still showing an error, check if any restrictions have been placed on the API.

  1. Click Keys & Credentials.
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  2. Under Actions, click ⋮ and then click Edit API.
    ​

  3. Disable any restrictions.

  4. Click Save.

You can now test the API key again.

Error message: "The provided API key is invalid."

Error message: "The provided API key is invalid."

The API key added in Zapiet - Pickup + Delivery may be missing some characters, or a blank space may have been added.

  1. Click Keys & Credentials.
    ​

  2. Go to API keys and click Show key.

  3. Copy your API key.

Carefully re-enter your API key in Zapiet - Pickup + Delivery and test again.

Error message: "You must enable Billing on the Google Cloud Project at https://console.cloud.google.com/project/_/billing/enable ..."

Error message: "You must enable Billing on the Google Cloud Project at <a href="https://console.cloud.google.com/project/_/billing/enable" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://console.cloud.google.com/project/_/billing/enable</a> ..."

  1. Go to https://console.cloud.google.com/project/_/billing/enable and select the project with your Google Maps API.
    ​

  2. You may need to create a billing account.
    ​

  3. Or you may need to update your payment information.

Once this has been added or changed, test the API key again.

Error message: HTTP referrer restriction — Any domain can use this key

If your storefront API key has this error, you can add restrictions to the website.

  1. Click Keys & Credentials.
    ​

  2. Go to API keys and next to your storefront API key, click ⋮ then Edit key.
    ​

  3. Under Application restrictions, click Websites.
    ​

  4. Add your website URL, with an asterisk appended.
    For example: https://florist.zapiet.com/*

For more information on website restrictions, check the Google documentation on application restriction.

If you are struggling to resolve the issue, reach out to us at support@zapiet.com.

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