This is a step-by-step guide on How to Create a website using Google sites. We have explained everything in a simple way with images. Read more to create your own website.
Google Sites is a free website builder by Google that helps people create and publish websites without needing coding skills. It’s part of Google Workspace, and anyone with a Google account can use it at no cost. With Google Sites, you can build a website for personal or business purposes using user-friendly tools and templates that simplify customization.
Google Sites offers both free and premium templates. These templates will help you personalize your website and design options to match your branding style. Google Sites is simple to use to create a mobile-friendly, easy-to-navigate website.
The goal of Google Sites is to let users quickly create engaging sites for teams or businesses. If you’re using Google Sites as part of Google Workspace, it’s included in the subscription, but if you’re using it with a regular Google account, there are no hosting fees. Writing content, editing, and adding images is straightforward, similar to using a tool like Google Docs.
If you want more control over the website, Google Sites offers more advanced options. Users can add custom code like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or Google Apps Script through the “embed from the web” feature, giving you flexibility if you want to add specific features to your site.
Steps to create a website using Google Sites:
Follow below steps to create a website using Google sites for your business, personal use or education purposes.
1. Open Google Sites website
To start building, you should visit the Google site’s home page. But you have to log into your Google Account before doing that. If you don’t have a Google Account, refer to the blog article to create one.
And then click template gallery like below image,
2.Click the Plus icon if you want to build from scratch.
There are some templates you can use to build a website & you can select a template from there. But if you feel like building from scratch, you can click the Plus icon/blank option.
3.Select a theme for your website
The 1st step is to select a theme for your website. You can find themes on the top right menu. Click the “Themes” button to see which options you have. You can select a template as you prefer.
Below are the themes created by Google,
If you don’t prefer any pre-made themes, you can create your own theme. Click the plus icon at the top right corner.
To create your own theme, 1st add a name, add a logo for your theme and a banner image.
You can either select Preset colors or create a custom color palette.
Then select fonts for Titles, headings and body text.
4.Give your website a catchy name
Now, you can give a name for your website. It can be your brand name or anything you prefer. You can add a name at the top left corner.
5.Edit layouts, text and images
Now you can add content, add text to your website. There are several site layout options you can select for your website. All of these are easy to edit with a drag and drop editor. You can also upload images from your device, Google Drive, or get them from Google browser.
6.Add elements
Now you can add other elements such as text box, collapsible groups, table of content, image carousels, buttons, social links, calendars, YouTube, Google services like Google Map, Google docs & more.
Click “Insert” & scroll down a bit & you will see several elements you can add to your website.
7.Add other pages to your site
To add a new web page, Click the Pages button on the top right bar & hover over the Plus icon. There is an option to create a New page & click it. The pages you add automatically appear on the navigation menu.
To add a subpage to a page you already created, click the three buttons in front of it & select Add sub-page option. Then enter a name for your sub-page & click done.
8.Preview & publish your website.
Once you complete every step, you can preview your website by clicking the Preview button on the top menu. Then you can see how your website looks on different devices like mobile devices and desktops.
If you are satisfied with the look & feel, you can click the Publish button to successfully create your own website.
How to Publish a Site on Google Sites?
Once your site is ready to go live, publishing is quick and straightforward:
Click Publish: In the editor, select the Publish button.
Choose a Web Address: By default, Google will give your site a URL with the Google Sites domain, such as https://sites.google.com/view/website-name. You can customize the URL ending by typing your preferred name in the Web address field.
Custom Domain: For a more personalized URL, click Manage in the Custom Domain section to connect a custom domain.
Control Access: If you want to restrict who can view the site, select Manage under Who Can View My Site to adjust visibility. You can even request that search engines don’t display your site by checking the option next to “Request public search engines not to display my site.”
Republish Updates: Every time you make changes, remember to click Publish again to ensure the latest version of your site goes live. Google Sites will show a preview of changes before you publish, so you can double-check your updates.
And that’s it! With these simple steps, you can create business websites or personal websites using Google Sites. You can edit your site anytime by logging into your Google account & accessing the Google site. Google Sites is very user friendly free website building tool.
Integrating Google Apps with Google Sites
One of the best features of Google Sites is how seamlessly it connects with other Google tools. By using the Insert side menu, you can quickly add elements like videos, maps, and documents to make your website more dynamic and useful.
- YouTube: You can embed YouTube videos directly into your website so visitors can watch without leaving your site.
- Calendar: Show your calendar in various views, like weekly or monthly, to keep visitors informed of your schedule or upcoming events.
- Map: Add an interactive Google Map to display specific locations, making it easy for visitors to find your business or event venue.
- Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Charts: Include any Google file, such as documents, presentations, spreadsheets, or charts. This feature lets users view these files directly on your site.
- Forms: Embed Google Forms for surveys, contact forms, or feedback collection. Visitors can fill out the form without navigating away from the page.
These integrations make Google Sites especially effective for teams, businesses, and personal projects where access to various resources is useful.
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Is Google Sites free to use?
Google Sites is not 100% free to use & here is why,
- Every website needs a domain & if you do not want the domain given by Google Sites, you have to purchase a domain.
- The storage limit per website is 100MB & once you surpass this storage, you have to pay for additional space.
Limitations in Google Sites:
Even though Google Sites is a great tool, there are some limitations you have to face.
- Google sites only have limited template selection & design elements when compared to other website builders. So, you are unable to build the exact website you want in Google sites. And you can’t add advanced elements like animations to your websites.
- Google Sites is not the best option to build websites like e-commerce sites & business websites.
- The limit of storage is 100MB which is clearly not sufficient & if you need more you have to buy storage.
- There is a limit to the number of users who can collaborate on Google sites.
- Google Sites is not the best option if you need to optimise your websites for search engines, as there are limited SEO elements & other SEO options.
- Integration with other Google Tools may not be better in Google Sites.
Overall, if you need more complex websites, Google Sites is not the best option.
What kind of websites can you make with Google Sites?
Google Sites works best for simple, informative websites rather than complex ones with features like online shopping or secure log-ins. Here are some of the types of websites you can easily create with Google Sites:
1. Blogs
Google Sites is a great option for creating a blog where you can share news, write articles, or post reviews. You don’t need advanced blogging software because Google Sites makes it easy to set up a blog that people can read and explore. You can even add images, videos, or links to other articles you’ve written.
2. Bio Sites
A bio site is a personal page that introduces who you are and what you do. This type of site is perfect for personal branding. You can add links to your social media profiles, include a short bio, and showcase your work. Google Sites lets you create a simple, clean bio page that’s easy to update whenever needed.
3. Portfolios
For freelancers, artists, or anyone who wants to showcase their work, Google Sites is an excellent choice for creating an online portfolio. You can easily display your projects, link to files, and add Google Drive documents or slides to give visitors a clear view of your work.
This type of website can help you attract new clients or job opportunities by letting people see what you do in a professional, organized way.
4. Self-Managed Websites
If you want to manage your website without hiring a web developer, Google Sites is a smart option. It’s simple to update, so you can add or change content on your own. This makes it perfect for small businesses, personal projects, or informational websites where you need control over updates.
What Google Sites Can’t Do?
Google Sites isn’t designed for more complex websites. For example, it doesn’t support features needed for e-commerce (like product listings and payment processing) or member-only areas (like private log-in sections). It also doesn’t support programming languages like PHP, so it can’t handle database-driven features or custom web apps.
But if you need a simple site to share information, display a portfolio, or promote your personal brand, Google Sites is a powerful, free, and user-friendly option that gets the job done.
Creating a website using Google Sites (A free website builder) for free may seem like a great idea, but it comes with several limitations that can hinder your online presence. That’s why we suggest considering a professional web design and development company to help you build your dream website!
At DigiFix, we are a Melbourne-based agency with years of experience in the industry, and we have helped numerous businesses to build the perfect website that aligns with their goals. We would be more than happy to assist you in creating a website that stands out from the crowd.
What’s more, we offer a free consultation to discuss your requirements and provide you with our expert advice. If you are wondering, “What are the best digital marketing agency near me?” , why not take advantage of this opportunity and get in touch with us today? Let us help you take your online presence to the next level!
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Hi, we are an Australian digital agency doing groundbreaking work to help a business like yours reach its full potential. My only question is will you qualify for our services?