Google Sites Sections and Dividers

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to:

1. Add and organise sections to structure your Google Sites pages
2. Insert dividers to break up content and improve readability
3. Customise section layouts and styles within Google Sites' options
4. Create well-structured pages that guide visitors through your content

Introduction

Long walls of text kill websites. Visitors scan pages in seconds, and if they can't quickly find what they're looking for, they leave.

Sections and dividers solve this problem. They break your content into digestible chunks, making your Google Sites pages easier to read and navigate. Think of sections as containers that hold your content, while dividers act as visual breaks between different topics.

This chapter shows you exactly how to use both features to create organised, professional-looking pages that keep visitors engaged.

Lessons

Adding Sections to Your Page

Sections are the foundation of good page structure in Google Sites. Each section can hold different types of content and use different layouts.

Step 1: Open your Google Sites project and navigate to the page you want to edit.

Step 2: Click the blue "+" button that appears when you hover near the bottom of any existing section.

Step 3: Select "Section" from the menu that appears.

Step 4: Choose your preferred layout from the options shown. You can pick from text-focused layouts, image layouts, or combinations of both.

Step 5: Click on the new section to start adding your content.

The layout you choose determines how content arranges within the section. Text layouts work well for paragraphs and lists, while image layouts suit galleries or hero sections.

Inserting and Using Dividers

Dividers create visual separation within sections, helping readers distinguish between different topics or ideas.

Step 1: Click inside the section where you want to add a divider.

Step 2: Click the "Insert" menu from the toolbar.

Step 3: Select "Divider" from the dropdown menu.

Step 4: The divider appears as a horizontal line. You can adjust its position by clicking and dragging it up or down within the section.

Dividers work best when they separate distinct pieces of information. Don't overuse them – too many dividers can make your page look cluttered rather than organised.

Customising Section Appearance

Google Sites offers limited but useful customisation options for sections.

Step 1: Click on any section to select it.

Step 2: Look for the customisation panel on the right side of the screen.

Step 3: Choose a background colour from the available options, or select "Image" to use a background image.

Step 4: Adjust the section height if needed using the height controls.

Step 5: Preview your changes before moving to the next section.

Keep customisation consistent across your site. If you use blue backgrounds for certain types of content, stick with that pattern throughout your pages.

Planning Your Page Structure

Before adding sections, plan your content hierarchy. This prevents you from constantly rearranging elements later.

Step 1: Write out your main topics in order.

Step 2: Group related information together – each group becomes a section.

Step 3: Identify where dividers would help break up longer sections.

Step 4: Choose appropriate layouts for each section based on your content type.

Most effective pages follow a simple pattern: introduction section, main content sections (usually 3-5), and a conclusion or next steps section.

Practice

Create a test page with the following structure:

1. Add a header section with a title and brief description
2. Create three content sections, each with different layouts
3. Insert dividers within at least two sections to separate subtopics
4. Apply different background colours to alternate sections
5. Preview your page and check that the flow makes sense

Pay attention to how the sections guide your eye down the page. If anything feels awkward or unclear, adjust the layout or add dividers where needed.

FAQs

How do I delete a section I no longer need?
Click on the section, then click the trash bin icon that appears in the section toolbar. The section and all its content will be removed.

Can I rearrange sections after creating them?
Yes. Hover over any section and click the six-dot handle that appears at the top. Drag the section to its new position and release.

What's the difference between sections and text boxes?
Sections are full-width containers that structure your entire page. Text boxes are smaller elements that sit within sections and hold specific pieces of content.

How many sections should I use on one page?
There's no hard limit, but 5-8 sections typically work well for most pages. More than that can feel overwhelming to visitors.

Can I copy a section to another page?
Not directly. You'll need to recreate the section on the new page, though you can copy and paste the content within it.

Jargon Buster

Sections – Full-width containers that organise content on your Google Sites page. Each section can have different layouts and backgrounds.

Dividers – Horizontal lines that separate content within sections, improving readability and visual structure.

Layout – The arrangement of text, images, and other elements within a section. Google Sites offers several preset layouts to choose from.

Section Height – How tall a section appears on the page. You can adjust this to create more or less white space around your content.

Wrap-up

Sections and dividers transform messy pages into organised, professional-looking websites. Use sections to group related content and choose layouts that match your content type. Add dividers sparingly to break up longer sections and guide readers through your information.

The key is consistency – establish patterns for how you use sections and stick to them across your site. This helps visitors understand your content structure and find information quickly.

Ready to make your pages more visually appealing? The next chapter covers adding and optimising images in Google Sites.

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