Centering google maps on a placeholder - google-maps

Question

Does anyone know if its possible to center a embedded map on an actual placeholder? I mean so that that when the map loads and is centered you can actually see the landmark and the marker in the the map?
function initialize() {
var map_canvas = document.getElementById('map_canvas');
var map_options = {
center: new google.maps.LatLng(51.515727, -0.141388),
zoom: 16,
mapTypeId: google.maps.MapTypeId.ROADMAP
}
var map = new google.maps.Map(map_canvas, map_options)
}
This is my initialise function that inputs the coordinates of the shop I want to have directions to. However there is not placeholder (pin marker) over the shop. Am I able to do that?
Thanks!

Answer 1

You need to explicitly specify the marker and set its position. Following your example...
var map_canvas = document.getElementById('map_canvas');
var position = new google.maps.LatLng(51.515727, -0.141388);
var mapOptions = {
zoom: 16,
center: position,
mapTypeId: google.maps.MapTypeId.ROADMAP
};
var map = new google.maps.Map(map_canvas, map_options);
You have to then create the marker object...
var marker = new google.maps.Marker({
position: position,
map: map,
title: "ANYTHING YOU WANT"
});
That's all you need to do really, but notice that you can always change the center of the map at anytime...
map.setCenter(position);
For more info visit the Developer's Site API Reference

Answer 2

function initialize() {
var map_canvas = document.getElementById('map_canvas');
var map_options = {
center: new google.maps.LatLng(51.515727, -0.141388),
zoom: 16,
mapTypeId: google.maps.MapTypeId.ROADMAP
}
var map = new google.maps.Map(map_canvas, map_options);
var point = new google.maps.LatLng(51.515727, -0.141388);
var marker = new google.maps.Marker({
position:point,
map: map,
});
}