Integration guide

Google Maps API Keys Setup

Configure and secure Google Maps Platform access for your SigmaCart Next.js and Laravel ecommerce platform. This guide creates separate keys for browser-based storefront features and server-side Laravel requests.

Browser KeyServer KeyDomain RestrictionsIP Restrictions

Never use an unrestricted API keyUse separate keys for the storefront and backend. Restrict the browser key by website referrer, restrict the server key by IP address and allow only the APIs each key needs.

Understand the two API keys

HTTP Key — Next.js storefrontUsed by browser-based maps and place search. Secure it with website restrictions for your approved domains.

IP Key — Laravel backendUsed by server-side geocoding, distance and related requests. Secure it with your hosting server's outbound public IP address.

Open Google Cloud Console

Open Google Cloud Console in your browser and sign in with your Google account. If required, complete your account and organization setup before continuing.
```
https://console.cloud.google.com
```
The address is displayed as plain text and is not a clickable link in this offline article.
Create a project

Use the project selector in Google Cloud Console to create a new project. Give it a clear name such as SigmaCart Store, select the correct organization or location if applicable, and switch to the new project.

Confirm the selected projectAPI enablement, credentials and billing are project-specific. Verify the project name in the top bar before making each configuration change.
Enable the required APIs

Open APIs & Services → Library and enable the APIs required by your SigmaCart configuration.

Maps JavaScript API
Displays interactive maps in the storefront.

Places API
Provides place search and address suggestions.

Geocoding API
Converts addresses into coordinates and coordinates into addresses.

Geolocation API
Estimates a device location when supported and configured.

Maps Static API
Generates static map images when required by the application.

Maps Elevation API
Provides elevation data when the related SigmaCart feature uses it.

Distance calculation API
Enable the distance or route-matrix service required by your installed SigmaCart version.

Enable only what you useGoogle Maps Platform products and API names may vary by project or release. Enable only the services required by your SigmaCart version to reduce risk and control usage.
Enable billing

Google Maps Platform requires an active billing account. Open the billing section, link a valid billing account to the current project and confirm that billing is active before creating credentials.
- Link billing to the correct Google Cloud project.
- Review the current pricing and free usage allowance.
- Create budget alerts and usage alerts to avoid unexpected charges.
- Set API quotas where appropriate for your expected traffic.
Create the HTTP Key

Open APIs & Services → Credentials, select Create credentials, and create an API key. Rename it to SigmaCart HTTP Key.

Set application restrictions

Select Websites or HTTP referrers, then add every approved storefront domain pattern:
```
https://my-domain.com/*
https://www.my-domain.com/*
```
Keep the trailing wildcardAdd /* after each approved domain so the key works across all storefront routes. Include both the root and www version only when both are used.

Set API restrictions

Select Restrict key and allow only the browser-side APIs used by the storefront, such as Maps JavaScript API and Places API. Save the changes.
Create the IP-restricted Key

Create a second API key and rename it to SigmaCart IP Key. Select IP addresses as its application restriction and add the backend server's outbound public IP address.

Find the correct server IP

Check the server or hosting control panel, or ask your hosting provider for the outbound public IP used by PHP and Laravel requests. A domain's DNS IP is not always the same as the server's outbound IP.

Restrict the permitted APIs

Under API restrictions, allow only the server-side services required by SigmaCart, such as Geocoding and distance calculation services. Save the key.

Resolve the common authorization error

Shared hosting may send outbound requests through an IP address different from the domain's DNS address. In that case, Google may return an authorization error similar to:

Geocoding failed because:
"This IP, site or mobile application is not authorized
to use this API key."

Note the IP address reported in the error, verify it with your hosting provider, and add the confirmed outbound IP to the SigmaCart IP Key restrictions. Do not remove key restrictions as a workaround.

Configure the keys in SigmaCart

After saving both credentials in Google Cloud Console, sign in to the SigmaCart administration panel and open:

Admin → Settings → Google Maps

Paste the browser-restricted key into the HTTP Key field.
Paste the server IP-restricted key into the IP Key field.
Save the Google Maps settings.
Clear the application cache if the previous key remains active.

Use each key in the correct fieldDo not place the IP-restricted key in frontend code. Do not expose unrestricted or server-only credentials through public Next.js environment variables.

Wait for activation

Google Cloud changes may not take effect immediately. Wait approximately 5–10 minutes after enabling APIs or changing restrictions, then test the affected SigmaCart feature again.

Verify the configuration

Open the storefront map and confirm that it loads without a watermark or authorization message.
Test place search or address autocomplete if enabled.
Test address geocoding from the Laravel backend.
Review Google Cloud metrics for successful requests and rejected traffic.
Confirm that requests from unapproved domains and IP addresses are rejected.

Google Maps setup completeSigmaCart can now use Google Maps services through separate, restricted credentials for the Next.js storefront and Laravel backend.

Reference addresses

These addresses are intentionally displayed as plain text so the standalone article contains no external clickable links:

Google Cloud Console:
https://console.cloud.google.com

Google Maps Platform:
https://cloud.google.com/maps-platform

Google Maps API Keys #