About Google Sites as a Free Site Builder Platform
About Google Sites as a Free Site Builder Platform
What is the Google Sites web building platform?
What is the Google Sites web building platform?
Quite simply, Google Sites is a free web building platform by Google. It is purposed for both public websites, company intranets and private portals. It is included within the Google Workspace business productivity suite of applications, but is also available through standalone Google or Gmail accounts. Users can collaborate simultaneously to build webpages to form a wiki.
How does Google Sites compare to other popular content management systems (CMS)?
How does Google Sites compare to other popular content management systems (CMS)?
We've created this handy table showing a comparison table of features in Google Sites, Wix, GoDaddy, Wordpress and Squarespace. We also review other free site builders and what limitations they have.
What does Google Sites cost? Are there any hosting fees?
What does Google Sites cost? Are there any hosting fees?
Google Sites are free to build, host, and maintain with a Google or Gmail account. There are no web hosting fees. If, however, you are using Google Sites in conjunction with Google Workspace, the cost is rolled into the user license fee of all plans.
How difficult is Google Sites to use?
How difficult is Google Sites to use?
There is no HTML or CSS coding required to work well with Google Sites. Writing, editing, and inserting images are all very easy tasks. It is similar to using a word processor like Google Docs. If you want, there are advanced options available for editing the code directly. You can embed HTML, CSS, JavaScript and deploy Apps Script using "embed from the web".
Can I use a custom domain (ex. a dot com)?
Can I use a custom domain (ex. a dot com)?
Yes. Connect a domain you already own or purchase one through a domain registrar. In your domain's DNS settings, you can handle the custom web address mapping and forward to your naked domain. Please note that, on average, domains cost about $15 per year. For technical support, you can assign us delegate access to manage your DNS records and ensure your website is live.
What kind of websites can you make with Google Sites?
What kind of websites can you make with Google Sites?
Informational websites are best-suited for Google Sites. Google Sites really excels at intranet applications because of the easy integration with apps like Google Drive, Google Calendar, etc. There is limited capability for shopping websites since Google Sites does not operate with PHP and other database-driven languages. There is currently no feature for a log-in, register, member's only type experience.
Can I make an ecommerce website with Google?
Can I make an ecommerce website with Google?
The lack of a proper CMS makes the prospect of managing a large ecommerce site on Google Sites impractical. However, templates have been made which utilize Pay Now buttons and simple storefronts.
Do I have to register for Google Workspace, Formerly called G Suite and Google Apps for Business?
Do I have to register for Google Workspace, Formerly called G Suite and Google Apps for Business?
We encourage clients to have or create a Google Workspace account for their Google Site. This Workspace domain provide greater security, stability, backup and live support options. We will transfer a design to that account and it's under your ownership.
How much storage space is there on Google Sites?
How much storage space is there on Google Sites?
Under Google Apps, Classic Google Sites has 10GB of storage space. That far exceeds most website's needs. On a free Google account, 100MB per site is available, which often is adequate for a small website.
Update: New Google Sites uses no storage space in Google Drive or Google Workspace.
Can Google Sites be used for dynamic or interactive websites?
Can Google Sites be used for dynamic or interactive websites?
Yes, we can create slideshows, RSS feeds, mouse-over buttons, facebook badges, twitter feeds, and much more. Please check out our intranet gadget gallery for some examples of our Google Sites plugins.
What coding languages can be used with Google Sites?
What coding languages can be used with Google Sites?
You can use HTML5, CSS3, Javascript, jQuery, Google Apps Script and other code through the use of custom Google Sites gadgets. These modules can host this code and display it directly on the page content. On the actual page content, only HTML and CSS can be used.
What SEO options are available?
What SEO options are available?
This is a common question. We all want to get to the top of Google or the search engine and be on page one. Although Classic Google Sites used to support entry of meta data like meta descriptions, New Google Sites has been simplified. It allows:
Site Title
Page Title
Heading Tags
Image Alt Tags
In addition, Google Analytics and Google Search Console (formerly Webmaster Tools) can track and make sure your website is in good SEO form. For more information on SEO, please see the videos of Matt Cutts, Google Webmaster Tools representative or read our complete SEO guide for New Google Sites.
Is Google Sites good for SEO?
Is Google Sites good for SEO?
There is nothing preventing Google Sites from performing well in search. We've provided some tips to help Google Sites users with SEO.
What can I connect with my Google Site?
What can I connect with my Google Site?
Google Sites connects with many Google products like Google Analytics, Google Webmaster Tools (Google Search Console), Google Plus (deprecated), Google Groups for Business & Google Currents (now Google Spaces), and other Google Apps for Workspace using Google Apps Script.
Where can I find free Google Sites templates?
Where can I find free Google Sites templates?
There are many talented designers of Google Sites, but we recommend our own templates marketplace. You can pay what you want for access to about 30 templates.
There are also premium themes available for a professional head start on your site.
How do I login to my Google Sites?
How do I login to my Google Sites?
There are multiple ways to sign in to Google Sites.
sites.google.com
drive.google.com
Google Workspace account app launcher
