Google Sites Basics: Getting Started

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will:

1. Understand what Google Sites is and how it works
2. Know the main reasons people choose Google Sites for their projects
3. Recognise the key features and limitations of the platform

Introduction

Google Sites is Google's free website builder that helps you create simple websites without any coding knowledge. It connects seamlessly with other Google tools you might already use, making it a popular choice for personal projects, small businesses, and team collaboration.

This chapter covers the basics of what Google Sites can do, who it works best for, and what to expect when you start building. You'll learn about its strengths and limitations so you can decide if it's the right tool for your needs.

Lessons

Lesson 1: What is Google Sites?

Google Sites is a drag-and-drop website builder that's part of Google Workspace. You can create and publish websites using just your Google account, without writing any code.

Here's how it works:

Step 1: Sign in to Google Sites using your Google account
Step 2: Choose a template or start with a blank page
Step 3: Add content using the drag-and-drop editor
Step 4: Insert text, images, and other Google tools like Docs or Sheets
Step 5: Publish your site with a few clicks

The editor feels similar to Google Docs, so if you've used that before, you'll pick up Google Sites quickly. Everything saves automatically, and you can work on your site from any device.

Lesson 2: Why People Choose Google Sites

Google Sites works well for several types of websites:

Personal websites: Share your CV, portfolio, or hobby projects with a simple online presence.

Small business sites: Create a basic website with your contact details, services, and opening hours.

Team project hubs: Build internal sites where your team can access documents, updates, and resources in one place.

Event pages: Set up quick websites for weddings, community events, or club activities.

School projects: Teachers and students use it for class websites, project showcases, and resource sharing.

The main appeal is simplicity. You can have a working website in under an hour, and it connects easily with Google Drive, Gmail, and other Google tools you might already use.

Lesson 3: Understanding the Limitations

Google Sites keeps things simple, but that means fewer advanced features compared to other website builders.

Design limitations:

• Limited colour and font options
• Basic layout choices
• No custom CSS or advanced styling

Feature restrictions:

• No built-in online shop functionality
• Limited third-party app integration
• Basic SEO options

Working around the limitations:

Step 1: Test different themes and layouts to find the best fit for your content
Step 2: Use the embed feature to add HTML code from other tools
Step 3: Focus on clear, simple content rather than complex design elements

These limitations aren't necessarily bad. They keep the platform simple and prevent you from getting overwhelmed with too many options.

Practice

Create a simple test page in Google Sites to get familiar with the editor:

1. Go to sites.google.com and start a new site
2. Add a heading and some text
3. Insert an image from your computer or Google Drive
4. Embed a Google Doc or Sheet
5. Preview your page on desktop and mobile
6. Try changing the theme and layout

Notice what feels easy to do and where you run into limitations. This will help you understand what kinds of websites work best on Google Sites.

FAQs

Can I use my own domain name with Google Sites?
Yes, you can connect a custom domain to your Google Sites website. This gives you a professional web address instead of the default Google Sites URL.

Does Google Sites cost anything?
No, Google Sites is completely free to use. You only pay if you want to use a custom domain name, which you buy separately from a domain registrar.

Can I add other tools and widgets to my site?
Google Sites works best with other Google tools, but you can embed HTML code from some third-party services. The options are more limited than other website builders.

Will my site work on mobile phones?
Yes, Google Sites automatically creates mobile-friendly versions of your pages. However, you should always check how your site looks on different devices before publishing.

Can other people help me edit my site?
Yes, you can share editing access with other people, just like sharing a Google Doc. Multiple people can work on the same site.

Jargon Buster

Google Workspace: Google's collection of online tools including Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Sites.

Mobile responsive: A website that automatically adjusts to look good on phones, tablets, and computers.

Custom domain: Your own web address (like yourname.com) instead of the default Google Sites address.

Drag-and-drop editor: A way of building websites by clicking and dragging elements around the page, rather than writing code.

Embed: Adding content from other websites or tools into your Google Sites page.

Wrap-up

Google Sites is a straightforward tool for creating simple websites quickly. It works particularly well if you already use other Google tools and need something basic but professional-looking.

The platform's strength is its simplicity – you can have a working website in less than an hour. Its main limitation is the restricted design options, but for many projects, this isn't a problem.

In the next chapter, we'll walk through setting up your first Google Sites website step by step.

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