The use of WMS/WMTS layers in a QGIS Cloud map project can significantly degrade the performance of the map display. I have already discussed how to counter this problem in an earlier post. One of the solutions is to load external WMS as background layers. The problem with this approach, however, is that only one WMS background layer can be loaded at a time. If further WMS layers are to be loaded into the map at the same time, this approach cannot be used. With a QGIS Cloud Pro subscription, however, it is still possible to use the WMS background layer approach and load WMS layers into the map at the same time. The secret is loading external web services.
Load data from external web services: WMS, WMTS, WFS
With QGIS Cloud Pro you can also load external WMS, WFS or WMTS layers into the map. Under Layers & Legend you will find the option Import Layer. This WMS example is used to illustrate how the import layer of the Import Layer function.
https://wms.qgiscloud.com/support/rivers/
Make sure that you connect the web service via https, as the QGIS Cloud Web Client also only communicates via https. After you have entered the URL to the WMS in the field, you can now click on the Connect button. All the layers offered by the service will then appear. In our case, only one WMS layer Rivers in Switzerland is offered.
After clicking on the layer in the list, it is added to the map.
The external WMS of Switzerland’s rivers is now superimposed on the OpenTopoMap as an additional background map.
To make this setting persistent for this map, you must save the page as a bookmark in your browser. Whenever you open this bookmark, the map will be reloaded with exactly this setting.
We are currently working on a complete overhaul of the technical basis of QGIS Cloud. The first version with many new features should be available from fall 2024. One innovation will be the generation of permalinks. The permalinks will make it easy to save and share the complicated link to the map.