Google Sites Basics: Top Tips for Beginners

Learning Objectives

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

• Embed Google services into your Google Site to enhance functionality
• Optimise your site design within Google Sites' framework
• Set up Google Analytics to track visitor behaviour and improve your site

Introduction

Google Sites gives you a straightforward way to build professional websites without needing technical skills. This chapter covers the essential tips that will help you get the most from Google Sites.

You'll learn how to connect other Google services to your site, make design choices that work within the platform's constraints, and track how visitors use your site. These are the foundational skills that separate basic Google Sites from ones that actually work for their users.

Lessons

Lesson 1: Embedding Google Services

Google Sites works best when you connect it to other Google services. This turns your basic website into something more useful for your visitors.

Step 1: Open your Google Sites editor and navigate to the page where you want to add content.

Step 2: Click "Insert" in the toolbar at the top of the screen.

Step 3: Choose the Google service you want to embed – Drive, Calendar, YouTube, or others from the menu.

Step 4: Select the specific content you want to show and click "Insert".

Lesson 2: Working with Design Constraints

Google Sites has limited design options compared to other platforms, but you can still create something that looks professional.

Step 1: Go to the "Themes" section and pick a layout that suits your content type.

Step 2: Customise colours and fonts to match your brand. Stick to two or three colours maximum.

Step 3: Use the "Layouts" section to organise your content using the grid system.

Step 4: Test how your site looks on mobile by using the preview function.

Lesson 3: Setting Up Google Analytics

Google Analytics shows you how people actually use your site, which helps you improve it over time.

Step 1: Create a Google Analytics account if you don't have one already.

Step 2: Set up a new property for your website and copy the tracking ID.

Step 3: In your Google Sites editor, click "Settings" then "Analytics".

Step 4: Paste your tracking ID into the field and save.

Practice

Try these exercises to reinforce what you've learned:

1. Embed a Google Calendar showing your business hours or upcoming events
2. Add a YouTube video to your homepage and check how it displays on mobile
3. Set up Google Analytics and bookmark the dashboard for regular checking
4. Create a new page and experiment with different layout options

FAQs

How do I add new pages to my Google Site?
Click "Pages" in the right-hand menu, then click the "+" button to create a new page.

Why can't I edit the HTML or CSS directly?
Google Sites doesn't allow direct code editing to keep the platform stable and user-friendly. You work within the design tools provided.

How do I make my Google Site visible to the public?
Click "Publish" in the top right, then adjust the visibility settings to control who can see your site.

Can I password-protect individual pages?
No, Google Sites doesn't offer page-level password protection. You can only control access to the entire site through sharing settings.

Do I need to pay for Google Sites features?
No, Google Sites is free to use with any Google account, and all features are available without upgrading.

Jargon Buster

Embed – Adding content from another source (like a YouTube video or Google Doc) directly into your website page

Responsive design – A website design that automatically adjusts to look good on different screen sizes, from phones to desktop computers

Integrations – Connections between different software services that allow them to work together and share information

Tracking ID – A unique code that Google Analytics uses to identify your website and collect visitor data

Wrap-up

You now know the core techniques for making Google Sites work effectively. Focus on embedding relevant Google services, keeping your design clean and consistent, and using Analytics to understand your visitors.

The key with Google Sites is working with its limitations rather than against them. Simple, well-organised sites often perform better than complex ones anyway.

Next, practice these techniques on your own site and check your Analytics regularly to see what's working.

Ready to take your Google Sites skills further? Join Pixelhaze Academy for more advanced tutorials and expert guidance.