2 min read

How to Embed Google Maps and Why We Built an Alternative

If you search “How to add a map to a website” on Google, you’ll most likely find instructions on how to use Google Embed Maps. We’ve used Google Maps in different projects, including low-level API integrations, and eventually decided to build our own Embed Maps service for internal use. But you can use it as well.

Before introducing our project, MakeMeMap, let’s review the available Google Maps options for embedding maps on a website. This should help explain our motivation for creating a Google Embed Maps alternative.

How to Embed Google Maps

1. Google Embed Maps
The most popular option—but far from the best. It has two major drawbacks:

  • Privacy issues: Google automatically tracks your website visitors, which violates GDPR and basic privacy rules. Legally, you should ask users for consent before showing the map. Many websites skip this (for example, the Marc Chagall National Museum in Nice, France), allowing Google to collect user data that it later monetizes. This is why the service is “free,” but you end up paying with your users’ privacy—and with the time required to set it up.
  • Limited functionality:
    • Only one pin allowed.
    • Google decides what else to display on the map (e.g., random restaurants, shops, or attractions).
    • Zero customization.

2. Google My Maps
Offers more features (multiple locations, simple directions, and more) but comes with serious downsides:

  • Outdated design and poor performance.
  • No updates in over 5 years.
  • No customization.
  • Still tracks visitors automatically.

3. Google Maps API
A developer-friendly platform for building fully custom map projects. However:

  • Unpredictable costs: Pricing is per usage. With high traffic—or a malicious bot attack—your invoice can reach thousands of dollars in days.
  • Requires significant development time and technical skills.

Why We Need an Alternative

Google only offers two extremes:

  • Simple but rigid tools (Embed Maps/My Maps) with no customization, limited features, and privacy issues.
  • Complex developer APIs that require time, skills, and come with unpredictable costs.

There’s no no-code, customizable, privacy-friendly, predictable-cost solution.

That’s why we created MakeMeMap—a service that combines:

  • No-code usability
  • Full customization
  • Privacy-first approach
  • Predictable, transparent pricing

You can add a MakeMeMap embed to any website, CMS, or platform with a simple HTML snippet in just minutes.

How to Add a Map

  1. Go to makememap.com.
  2. Create an account (no credit card required).
  3. Create and customize your map.
  4. Copy the link and add it to your website—or share it directly.

That’s it. No code. No technical knowledge required.

Marina

MakeMeMap Founder