Important Google Maps Update for Older REW Websites
A message from Morgan Carey, Founder & CEO, Real Estate Webmasters
At Real Estate Webmasters, our job doesn't end when we launch your website. We continually invest in keeping your website secure, modern, and compatible with changes made by companies like Google, Microsoft, Apple, and others.
From time to time, those companies retire older technologies. When they do, software companies like Real Estate Webmasters must update our applications to maintain compatibility. This is a normal part of the software lifecycle, and one of the reasons we continue investing heavily in the Renaissance platform.
Google has announced one of those changes.
Beginning in August, Google will retire older functionality used by Google Maps. As a result, websites running on older versions of our platform will lose map drawing functionality and, in some cases, portions of their Google Maps integration unless they are updated.
The good news is that every affected customer has a path forward. The right solution depends on which version of the REW platform your website is currently using.
Customers Already on Renaissance + Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE)
If your website is already running on the latest version of Renaissance hosted on Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), you're in great shape.
We'll complete the required compatibility update for you at no charge.
Although the update still requires manual work from our engineering team, it's straightforward on the current platform and we'll handle it for you. In most cases, no action is required on your part.
Customers on Renaissance Using the Older Google Compute Engine (GCE)
If your website is running on Renaissance but is still hosted on Google's older Compute Engine (GCE) infrastructure, you have three options.
Option 1 – Upgrade to the Latest Version of Renaissance (Recommended)
This is the option we strongly recommend.
The latest version of Renaissance already includes the required Google Maps compatibility update and offers significantly more than just this one fix.
By upgrading you'll benefit from:
- Improved performance
- Better security
- Ongoing platform support
- Much easier future compatibility updates
- Access to our newest tools and innovations
- You'll gain access to all of the features, improvements, and performance enhancements we've added to Renaissance over the years.
For many customers, upgrading can be completed at no additional cost.
If your website includes significant custom development, some additional work may be required. If that's the case, your Account Manager will work with you to determine the most affordable upgrade path possible.
Customers who choose to renew their agreement can often reduce the upgrade cost substantially and, in many cases, bring it close to zero. A renewal is not required, but it often gives us additional flexibility to help.
Option 2 – Patch Your Existing Renaissance Website
If you prefer to remain on your current version of Renaissance, we can generally apply the required Google Maps compatibility update without performing a full platform upgrade.
Because these websites remain on Google's older GCE infrastructure, the work is considerably more manual and typically requires approximately 2–4 hours of billable programming time.
This addresses the immediate Google Maps issue, but it does not move your website onto our current platform. Future compatibility updates may continue to require manual work.
Option 3 – Do Nothing
You may choose not to make any changes.
If you do, once Google retires the older functionality in August, your map drawing tools and portions of your Google Maps integration will stop working.
Customers Running Websites Built Before Renaissance
If your website predates Renaissance, it's generally seven or more years old and is considered a legacy platform.
Unlike Renaissance websites, there is no simple compatibility patch available.
Updating these websites typically requires four or more hours of custom programming, depending on the complexity of the site.
However, the Google Maps change is only part of the story.
These websites also rely on older hosting environments, software frameworks, and versions of PHP that are gradually reaching the end of their supported lives.
Real Estate Webmasters does not control Google's technology roadmap. We don't decide when Google retires older infrastructure or stops supporting older software. We simply have to adapt when those changes occur.
At some point, these older environments will no longer be supported by Google. It isn't a question of if; it's simply a question of when.
Today, there are fewer than 40 customers remaining on non-Renaissance GCE platforms. These customers represent the very last generation of websites still operating on technology that predates Renaissance.
Rather than investing additional money into aging technology, we believe those resources are far better invested in moving to the latest Renaissance platform where you'll continue receiving new features, security improvements, performance enhancements, and ongoing support.
We currently have engineering resources available to help customers upgrade before these older technologies become a larger issue. We also have promotions available that may substantially reduce upgrade costs. While a renewal is not required, customers who choose to renew can often take advantage of even greater savings.
Why We're Recommending You Upgrade
This announcement isn't intended to create unnecessary concern or pressure.
Our goal is to help our customers make a planned decision before a technology change becomes an emergency.
Upgrading today means:
- Your website moves to a modern, actively supported platform.
- The required Google Maps update is already included.
- Future platform updates become significantly easier.
- You'll gain access to all of the features, improvements, and performance enhancements we've added to Renaissance over the years.
- Your website remains on infrastructure designed to evolve alongside Google's technology.
- You dramatically reduce the risk of future downtime caused by older hosting technology reaching end of life.
Waiting until the last minute often makes upgrades more stressful and, in some cases, more expensive—particularly for heavily customized websites. If Google retires another critical technology before an upgrade is completed, portions of a website could stop functioning until the work is finished.
We would much rather help you upgrade on your timeline than during an emergency.
Our Goal Is to Make This Easy
For most customers, the process requires very little of your time.
Our team performs the technical work, coordinates the migration, tests the website, and guides you through any decisions that need to be made. In many cases, your involvement is minimal.
If you've received a notice from us, we encourage you to contact your Account Manager and discuss the option that's best for your website.
Our recommendation is to upgrade to the latest version of Renaissance on Google Kubernetes Engine. It's the best long-term investment in your website, your business, and your future success.
Thank you for continuing to trust Real Estate Webmasters. We remain committed to helping our clients stay ahead of technology changes—not simply react to them after they occur.
Morgan Carey
Founder & CEO
Real Estate Webmasters