Why is my store locator's sorting feature not working, and how do I fix it?
If your store locator's sorting feature is not working (e.g., locations do not sort alphabetically A–Z or Z–A), this issue is likely caused by the Google Maps API key not having billing enabled. Billing is required for specific API functionalities, including sorting results.
Why does this happen?
The Google Maps API requires an active billing account linked to your API key for the sorting functionality to work. Without billing, the API may not process certain requests, resulting in functionality issues like incorrect or non-functioning sorting.
Steps to Fix the Issue
Follow these steps to enable billing for your Google Maps API key:
Access Google Cloud Console: - Log in to the Google Cloud Console using the account associated with your Google Maps API key.
Select the Correct Project: - Identify the project linked to your API key.
Enable Billing: - Navigate to the Billing section. - Click on "Link a Billing Account." - Create a new billing account if none exists, or select an existing one, then add valid payment details. Note: Google often provides free credits for new accounts that can offset initial costs.
Verify and Link Your API Key: - Go to APIs & Services → Credentials. - Open your API key settings and ensure it is linked to the project with billing enabled.
Test in the App: - Once billing is enabled, return to your app and check if the sorting feature is now operational. This should resolve the issue.
Additional Settings
After billing is enabled and sorting is functional, you can customize the sort order:
Go to Settings → Pickup Settings → Stores Sort By in your app.
Select your preferred order (A–Z or Z–A).
By configuring billing correctly, the sorting functionality will reliably process locations as expected.