Rocket Maps lets you build searchable, responsive maps (Google Maps, Mapbox, MapLibre) with custom markers, clustering, a listings directory and front-end submission. This page covers setup, shortcodes, map engines, search, listings, import/export and translation.
Getting started
- Activate Rocket Maps in Plugins.
- Open the Rocket Maps settings page and choose your map engine (Google Maps, Mapbox or MapLibre).
- Enter the API key / token for that engine (see Map engines & API keys below).
- Create a map under the Maps menu, then add markers / listings.
- Place the map on any page or post with the
[webmap]shortcode (its ID is shown in the Maps list).
Shortcodes
Rocket Maps renders everything through shortcodes you can drop into any page, post or block. A full directory layout combines three of them side by side:
[webmap-listings] [webmap id="123"] [webmap-search][webmap]
Renders a map by its ID (shown in the Maps list).
[webmap id="123"][webmap-search]
A search form bound to the map on the same page — filter by category, location, custom fields, address + radius and draw-area. The optional redirect attribute sends results to another page.
[webmap-search]
[webmap-search redirect="https://example.com/results/"][webmap-listings]
A listings panel synced with the map: hovering a card highlights its marker and vice-versa, with pagination and ordering.
[webmap-listings][webmap-dashboard]
A front-end dashboard where logged-in users manage their own listings (edit, renew, view status).
[webmap-dashboard][webmap-submit]
A front-end form for visitors/users to submit a new listing, with optional moderation, expiration and renewal.
[webmap-submit][rmaps_engine_switcher]
Buttons that let visitors switch the active map engine (handy on demo pages). Optional label; pass label="" to hide it.
[rmaps_engine_switcher]
[rmaps_engine_switcher label="Map engine:"]Map engines & API keys
Pick one engine in the settings and enter its key. Keys are stored on your own site and are sent only to the map provider you choose.
- Google Maps — create a Maps JavaScript API key in the Google Cloud Console and paste it into the settings.
- Mapbox — create an access token at mapbox.com and paste it in.
- MapLibre + MapTiler — MapLibre is the open engine; supply a MapTiler key for the map tiles.
Markers, categories & clustering
- Each listing places a marker; choose a Font Awesome icon or a custom image per listing or per category.
- Markers automatically fold into colour-coded clusters as you zoom out, so large datasets stay fast.
- Categories, locations and tags organise listings and power the search filters.
Search
Configure search fields under Search Forms, then place [webmap-search]. Visitors can filter by:
- Category, location and tags
- Custom content fields (text, select, checkboxes, price, hours …)
- Address + radius (move the centre and re-search)
- Free-hand draw area polygon
- "Open now" (opening-hours field)
Listings & front-end submission
[webmap-submit]renders the submission form; new listings can require moderation before going live.- Listings support expiration dates with renewal; expired listings are hidden automatically.
[webmap-dashboard]lets users manage their own listings from the front end.
Import & export (CSV)
Use the CSV tool in the admin to bulk-import or export listings — marker coordinates, categories, custom fields and images (by URL or in a zip).
Translation
Rocket Maps is translation-ready: the text domain is rmaps and the template is languages/rmaps.pot. It works with WPML and Loco Translate.
License & updates
Enter your purchase code on the settings page to enable one-click updates and to check your support status. The plugin keeps working without it; only auto-updates require a valid code.
Support & full documentation
Full guides and support are available at salephpscripts.com.