To make a Google Site, go to sites.google.com, choose Blank or a template, name your site and add pages and content. Nothing is public until you click Publish, enter a web address and click Publish again. Use Share to make the site Public or Restricted.
Google Sites is the quickest way to put a simple website online if you already use Google. There's nothing to install and nothing to host. It suits a club page, a project hub, a portfolio or a small information site. It's not a full website builder, so it helps to know what you're getting. Here are the steps from blank page to published, and the settings people forget.
Create a site
- Go to Google Sites. Click Blank, or open the Template gallery and pick a template. You can also start from Drive by clicking New, then More, then Google Sites.
- At the top left, enter a name for the file and press Enter. This is the document name in Drive and only you see it.
- Click Enter site name and give the site its title. This is the one visitors see in the header.
Google points out a detail that surprises beginners: the site title only appears once your site has two or more pages. If your title seems to be missing, add a second page.
Document name, site title and page title
Sites has three separate names, and mixing them up causes confusion. The document name is for you, in Drive. The site title is the name visitors see in the header and the browser window bar. The page title is the heading of each page. Set all three on purpose.
Add and organise pages
- Click Pages on the right.
- At the bottom right, hover over Add and click New page.
- Enter the page name and click Done.
- Drag a page under another to turn it into a subpage.
Google allows up to five levels of subpages. In practice, two levels is plenty for a small site. Every extra level makes things harder for visitors to find.
Preview before you publish
Click Preview at the top to see the site the way visitors will see it, and use the layout options at the bottom right to check it at different screen sizes. Click Exit when you're done. It takes a minute and catches a lot of mistakes.
Publish your site
- Click Publish at the top.
- Under Web address, enter the name you want in your site's URL. Google won't allow terms that break its Acceptable Use Policy.
- Click Publish.
- Visit the address to make sure the site published correctly.
For a site made with the new Google Sites, the address takes the form sites.google.com/domain/sitename, with the site name you chose at the end. Any later change needs another click on Publish, because Sites saves your edits automatically but only shows visitors what you've published.
Choose who can see it
| Setting | What it means |
|---|---|
| Public | Anyone with the address can view the site |
| Restricted | Only people and groups you add can view it |
| Notify people | Sends an email to the people or groups you add |
Click Share at the top and use the dropdown next to Published site. Work and school accounts may see extra options.
Use your own domain
A web address like www.yourdomain.com looks more credible than a Google one. Google says you need a domain name that you own to do it, and if you use Sites with a work or school account you must have administrator access to set up a custom address. If you're weighing up website builders, my comparison of free website builders shows what else is out there.
Ask search engines to leave your site out
If the site is only meant for a small group, open Publish settings and choose Request public search engines to not display my site. Google is honest about its limits: this is a request and doesn't guarantee your site won't appear in search results. It's also only available if the site is set to Public on the web. If it must stay private, use Restricted.
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When Google Sites is the wrong tool
- You want a shop, blog or booking system built in.
- You need full control of design and search engine settings.
- You expect the site to grow into dozens of pages.
In those cases you'll be better served by a full builder or WordPress. My guide to Wix versus WordPress for a small business is a good place to compare them.
Keep a simple page structure
A tidy structure matters more than clever design. Start with a home page that says who you are and what the site is for, add the two or three pages visitors need, and link to them from the home page. Put contact details somewhere obvious. Visitors judge a simple site quickly, so make the first screen clear.
My verdict
Google Sites is excellent for a simple, quick site you control from Drive. Make at least two pages, preview, publish, then check your sharing setting. If you want it to look like a real business site, buy your own domain and decide early whether this is a stepping stone or the final home.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a Google Site?
Go to Google Sites, choose Blank or a template, name the site, add pages and content, then click Publish and enter a web address.
Is my Google Site public as soon as I create it?
No. Sites saves your changes automatically, but the site isn't public until you publish it.
How do I publish a Google Site?
Click Publish at the top, enter a web address under Web address and click Publish. Then visit the address to check it.
Can I use my own domain with Google Sites?
Yes, if you own a domain name. With a work or school account you need administrator access to create a custom web address.
Can I stop my Google Site appearing in search results?
You can request that search engines don't display it from Publish settings, but Google says it doesn't guarantee your site won't show up.
