Do you want to offer autocomplete suggestions for address fields in WordPress? Autocompletion uses Google Maps API to suggest full addresses in real-time as users type.
According to Baymard Institute, address autocompletion can reduce checkout abandonment by 15%.
In this expert guide, I’ll teach you how to easily add autocomplete for address fields in WordPress forms.
Why Add Address Autocomplete in WordPress
As an experienced WordPress developer, I highly recommend adding address autocomplete functionality. Here are some of the main reasons why:
Fewer abandoned forms – Baymard Institute reports that address autocomplete decreases checkout abandonment by 15%. That could result in 15% more completed forms and sales for your business!
Better data quality – With autocomplete, users select validated addresses from Google Maps, reducing human error and typos. This leads to higher quality address data.
Improved user experience – Autocomplete is a small UX enhancement that makes your site feel smarter and more user-friendly. Users perceive sites with autocomplete as easier to use.
I add address autocompletion to most WordPress sites I work on due to these compelling benefits. All you need is a Google Maps API key and a plugin.
Step 1: Obtain a Google Maps API Key
Address autocompletion in WordPress works by tapping into the Google Maps API database of addresses. So first you need to signup for a free API key:
Here are the steps:
- Go to the Google Cloud Platform Console.
- Click the Navigation Menu > APIs & Services > Credentials
- Click +Create Credentials > API Key
- Copy this API key to use in Step 2.
Tip: Make sure to enable the Maps JavaScript API for this project.
Step 2: Install and Activate the Autocomplete Plugin
With an API key in hand, you now need a way to hook into the Google Maps API from WordPress. This is where the Autocomplete Google Address plugin comes in handy.
I‘ve used many autocomplete plugins over the years as a WordPress expert. In my experience, this plugin is fast, easy to configure, and reliable.
Here is an overview of the top autocomplete plugins for WordPress:
| Plugin | Setup Difficulty | Speed | Accuracy | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autocomplete Google Address | Easy | Fast | High | Good |
| WP Address Autocomplete | Moderate | Moderate | High | Limited |
| Really Simple Address Autocomplete | Hard | Slow | Medium | Little |
To install it:
- Download and install the Autocomplete Google Address plugin.
- Activate the plugin.
- Go to Settings > Autocomplete.
- Paste your Google Maps API key.
- Add ID of form fields to enable.
And you‘re all set! The plugin handles connecting to Google and fetching autocomplete suggestions.
Step 3: Try It Out on Your Forms
Now the exciting part – seeing address autocompletion in action on your WordPress site!
Here‘s how to test it:
- Go to a page with forms containing your configured address fields.
- Begin typing an address and you should see suggestions drop down.
- Select an autocomplete suggestion to populate the full address.
That‘s all there is to it! With these 3 simple steps you‘ve added address autocompletion to improve filling out forms.
I hope you found this guide useful. Let me know if you have any other WordPress questions!
Jamie – WP Expert
