Freelance WordPress developer Aurooba Ahmed released the Super List Block plugin earlier today. Essentially, it is like the core WordPress List block — just supercharged. It is her first publicly-released extension on WordPress.org.
The primary use case for the plugin is adding other blocks within the list items. However, its options allow users to take it further by supporting grid-based layouts.
WordPress does not currently allow end-users to nest other blocks into list items via the editor. It is rich text or nothing, and it can be an irritating part of the editing experience when you need this seemingly run-of-the-mill feature. It is an issue that makes you wonder why we moved on to FSE before smoothing out the content experience. HTML list item elements are, after all, containers for other content.
For me, at least, it is not something I often need. When I do, I code it via the Custom HTML block. That works if the list’s content is simple but not when you want to nest more complex elements like other blocks.
The Super List block turns its nested Super List Item blocks into containers for pretty much anything. One typical use case would be to add multiple paragraphs or other text-based blocks like headings as single list items.
Headings and multiple paragraphs under single list items.
However, the plugin does not limit users to text. They can stick whatever they want in, even nesting a Super List within a Super List Item block. Unfortunately, its indentation is zeroed out in that scenario, so its items do not appear nested.
The plugin’s claim to fame may be its grid feature. The closest things in WordPress are the Columns and Gallery blocks. However, Columns are limited to a single row, and Gallery only allows images.
This is also where the Super List block needs a little refinement. When selecting the horizontal (“grid”) orientation, a new box appears to allow users to set the maximum width of all sub-list items.
Four-by-four grid of quotes and images.
Wanting to create a four-by-four grid (two rows of two columns), I immediately selected 50%. It made the most sense. However, I did not get any columns. The value was too large and did not account for the gutter space between the items. I then lowered it until I hit a number that worked: 47%. I could have looked at the page’s source code and simply did the math, but it would be a guessing game for the average end-user.
A more intuitive interface would be to switch the max-width option to a column-number setting. Technically, this would limit the flexibility of the block in a few scenarios. However, it would cover the vast majority of cases where users just want a grid of equal-width columns that span the width of their container.
This assumes that the plugin does not eventually allow users to micro-manage each list item in grid mode. There is an open ticket in the plugin’s repository to add the option to individual Super List Item blocks.
Whatever future direction the plugin goes, an easy-to-use block for quickly setting up a grid of items will likely land in many developer and site-owner toolboxes.
Three features make this plugin simpler to use than many core WordPress or third-party blocks. The first is when the user has the Super List selected in the editor. Instead of only the “+” icon to nest another block, it appends the text label “Add Super List Item.”
Add new Super List Item button.
It is easy to get confused about where new blocks will be inserted after clicking the “+” editor icon. Super List Block’s text label makes it dead simple to understand. I would love to see WordPress and other third-party plugins take the same or a similar approach.
The other two nice-to-have features appear in the toolbar for the Super List Item block. The first is a “Settings” button for jumping back to the parent block. The second is a circular “+” icon for appending another item to the list.
Settings and append buttons in the toolbar.
Both options seemed to reduce misclicks when selecting blocks or buttons in the editor. However, I prefer WordPress’s approach to making some parent block settings available in the child block’s toolbar. Social Links is a prime example of this, allowing users to change justification and alignment without jumping back and forth.
Overall, I am impressed with Super List Block as a first release. I will be keeping my eye on it to see how it matures. It is well worth deploying on any site that requires its features now.
Paper documents were the original metaphor for the web. […]
The page you’re reading this on still mimics paper. We still call it a page or an HTML document. It follows the same typographic rules and conventions – black text on white backgrounds and a top-to-bottom / left-to-right heirarchical structure.
Over in the ShopTalk Discord, the idea of CSS custom properties named --ink and --paper came up the other day as abstractions for color and background-color and I kinda like it. There’s something more clear about the meanings of those terms to me.
But Maggie gets into some of the downsides of the paper-based metaphors, pointing out Ted Nelson’s critiques. This is interesting:
We treat the page as the smallest unit of linkable information, instead of the sentence or paragraph.
Will the main metaphor of the web as paper change in time? I’d say it’s highly likely. The interactivity and behavior we expect on the web today is a million miles different than we expected in the past and that’s going to keep happening. These updates accelerate the change. Perhaps someday the metaphors will have shifted to “alternate neighborhood,” “second brain,” or “dedicated assistant.”
Google has recently announced the release of the Google Search Console URL Inspection API, which is intended to help developers more easily access URL-level data pertaining to the websites that they manage. This programmatic access enables more granular analysis of data than is possible directly through the Search Console.
I think you will agree when I say: managing a WordPress website is no easy job. There are hundreds of tasks to complete at any given time, and things can quickly get out of hand if you run multiple sites. It’s a challenging task even for the best of us. But did you know that […]
Do you want to show Google Maps on your WordPress website?
If you’re running a local business, then displaying Google Maps on your site can help users easily find your location. It can also help improve your site’s search engine visibility so you can attract more website visitors.
In this article, we will show you how to add Google Maps in WordPress.
Why Add Google Maps in WordPress?
Did you know that Google Maps is the most popular navigational app on all platforms?
If you have an office or physical store address, then adding Google Maps to your WordPress website makes it easy for users to quickly locate your physical stores, restaurants, or retail outlets. This helps you attract more customers and generate more business.
Not only that, but embedding Google Maps can also improve your WordPress SEO. According to Google, 46% of all searches are local. Adding Google Maps to WordPress can boost your local SEO and improve your visibility in local searches.
Now there are two ways to embed Google maps in WordPress, and we will show you both of them.
The benefit of the second method is that it follows all local SEO best practices, so if you use it, then Google will start to include your location on Google Maps. It will also display your business information like name, logo, address, phone number, open hours, and more in local search results.
Below are the quick links that you can use to go to the section you prefer:
That being said, let’s see how you can add Google Maps to WordPress.
How to Add Google Maps in WordPress without Plugin
If you just want to quickly embed Google maps in a WordPress post or page, then you can use the default iFrame method.
Simply go to the Google Maps website and type in any street address in the search area.
Next, you need to click the Share icon and it will show a popup with the option to either Send a location link or Embed a map. You need to select the Embed a map option.
After that simply copy the HTML code for Google maps, and then open the page where you want to embed the map. Inside the block editor, you need to add a Custom HTML block.
Now you can simply paste the embed code you copied from Google maps, and then update or publish the page to preview the changes.
This method works for quickly embedding Google maps, but it doesn’t give you maximum SEO benefits.
If you’re a small business, restaurant, or online store with either a single or multiple physical location, then we recommend using the next solution to maximize your Local SEO rankings because it uses proper open graph data to help you rank higher in Google.
How to Add Google Maps to WordPress with Local SEO Plugin
The best way to add Google Maps and optimize your site for local SEO is by using All in One SEO (AIOSEO).
It’s the best SEO plugin for WordPress because it helps you get higher SEO rankings without editing code or hiring a developer. Over 3 million professionals use AIOSEO to improve their search engine rankings.
For this tutorial, we’ll be using the AIOSEO Pro version because it includes the Local SEO feature and other powerful optimization options. There is also a free version of AIOSEO that you can use to get started optimizing your site for search engines.
First, you’ll need to install and activate the AIOSEO plugin in WordPress. For more details, please see our tutorial on how to install a WordPress plugin.
Upon activation, the plugin will launch the setup wizard. You can click the ‘Let’s Get Started’ button to configure the plugin. If you need help, then please refer to our guide on how to properly set up All in One SEO in WordPress.
Next, you can head over to All in One SEO » Local SEO from your WordPress dashboard.
Then click the ‘Activate Local SEO’ button to get started configuring the local settings.
Once the Local SEO addon for WordPress is activated, you can add a single location or multiple locations in AIOSEO and display them on Google Maps. We’ll show you how to add both to your website.
Adding a Single Location
To add your locations, business information, open hours, and more, first you need to go to the ‘Location’ tab under All in One SEO » Local SEO.
If you have a single physical location, then keep the ‘Multiple Locations’ option set to No.
After that, scroll down to the ‘Maps’ section to pin your exact location.
Simply enter your address in the ‘Enter a query’ field and Google Maps will show your location.
Once you’ve entered your location, don’t forget to click the Save Changes button.
Adding Multiple Locations
If you have more than one physical location, then you’ll need to enable the ‘Multiple Locations’ setting under the ‘Location’ tab in Local SEO.
After that, a new Locations menu will appear in your WordPress admin panel.
Go ahead and navigate to Locations and then click the ‘Add New’ button.
Once you’re in the WordPress editor, scroll down to the ‘Map’ section.
Here you can enter your address in the ‘Enter a query’ field.
After entering your location on the map and adding location information, go ahead and click the ‘Publish’ button.
You can now repeat this step and add as many locations as you want for your business.
Once you’re finished adding your locations, you can go to the ‘Maps’ tab back in the All in One SEO » Local SEO menu.
Here you will have to enter a Google Maps API key.
Now, let’s see how to create an API key for Google Maps.
Creating a Google Maps API Key
To start, you’ll need to visit the Google Maps Platform website and click the ‘Get Started’ button.
After signing in with your Google account, you’ll need to set up a billing account.
Google Maps Platform has pay-as-you-go pricing, and they offer the first $300 of monthly usage for free for all users. For most websites, that will easily cover a simple map embed like the one we’re creating in this tutorial.
Don’t worry, they will not charge you any fees unless you manually upgrade to a paid account.
To get started, go ahead and click the ‘Create Billing Account’ button.
Next, you can select your country and choose what best describes your organization from the dropdown menu.
Once you’ve selected this information, click the checkbox for Terms of Service and then click the ‘Continue’ button.
On the next screen, you’ll need to enter your phone number for verification and click the ‘Send Code’ button.
After verifying the code, the next thing to do is enter your business name, payment method details, and billing address.
Once you’ve entered these details, click the ‘Start my Free Trial’ button.
Next, you’ll be asked a series of 4 questions about your organization and how you’ll use the Google Maps Platform.
Google Maps will ask about your primary goal for using the platform, which industry you’re in, select a use case, and your company size.
After answering these questions, go ahead and click the ‘Submit’ button.
You’ll now see a popup with your Google Maps API key.
You can copy and save this key in a text file for future use.
Now that you’ve created a Google Maps API key, you’ll need to head back to your WordPress dashboard to enter it in AIOSEO Local SEO settings.
Configuring Google Maps Settings in WordPress
You can now go back to All in One SEO » Local SEO from your WordPress dashboard and then navigate to the ‘Maps’ tab.
Go ahead and enter the Google Maps API Key in the ‘API Key’ field. You’ll see a preview of the map in AIOSEO as soon as you add the key.
Next, you can scroll down to edit the map settings.
AIOSEO lets you display Google Maps using a Gutenberg block, shortcode, widget, or PHP code. It also lets you choose different map styles and add a custom marker to your map.
Don’t forget to click the ‘Save Changes’ button when you’re done.
Displaying Google Maps in WordPress
Next, you can add Google Maps to any WordPress post or page. To start, simply edit or add a new page on your website.
Once you’re in the block editor, click the ‘+’ button at the top and add the ‘AIOSEO Local – Map’ block anywhere on the page.
After that, your Google Map will be added to the page.
AIOSEO also lets you edit the map settings from the options on your right. For instance, you can show labels and icons, add a custom marker, and edit the map’s width and height.
If you have multiple locations, then you can select which location to highlight by choosing from the options given in the menu on your right.
Simply click on the ‘Location’ dropdown menu and select your preferred location to display on your website.
Once you’re satisfied with your settings, go ahead and publish the page.
Now you can visit your website to see Google Maps in action.
You can also add Google Maps to your site’s widget section, like the sidebar or footer.
To start, head over to Appearance » Widgets from your WordPress admin panel. Next, click the ‘+’ button and add the ‘AIOSEO Local – Map’ widget block where you’d like to display your location.
After that, you can edit the widget settings.
For example, you could add a title, change the width and height of the map, choose which location to display if you have multiple locations, and edit the label.
That’s it!
Now when you update your website you’ll see Google Maps in your widgets area.
We hope this article helped you learn how to add Google Maps to your WordPress site. You can also check out our guide on the best WordPress plugins for small business, and our expert pick of the best identity theft protection service for entrepreneurs.
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I think you will agree when I say: managing a WordPress website is no easy job. There are hundreds of tasks to complete at any given time, and things can quickly get out of hand if you run multiple sites. It’s a challenging task even for the best of us. But did you know that […]
