How to Build a Website Using Google Sites Step by Step

Overview

How to build a website using Google Sites is a fast, no-code way to publish informational sites, landing pages, portfolios, and simple business sites. This guide walks beginners, entrepreneurs, and developers through planning, creating, designing, adding content, embedding media, publishing to a custom domain, and validating your site.

What you’ll learn and

why it matters:

you will learn how to set up a Google Site, organize pages, apply brand styling, embed forms and media, connect a custom domain, and run basic tests. Google Sites integrates with Google Drive and other Google services, so it reduces hosting and maintenance complexity for simple websites.

Prerequisites: a Google account, prepared text content and images, a brand logo (optional), and optional custom domain access.

Time estimate: plan 2 to 6 hours total depending on content and custom domain setup; each step includes a shorter time estimate so you can work in focused sessions.

Step 1:

Plan your site and prepare assets

Action to take: write a simple sitemap, list pages, and gather assets such as logos, hero images, contact details, and any documents to embed.

Why you’re doing it: a clear plan prevents rework and speeds up page building. For small business sites typical pages are Home, About, Services, Contact, and Blog or Resources.

Steps:

1. List primary goals for the site (lead capture, information, portfolio).
2. Create a sitemap with 5 or fewer top-level pages.
3. Write short page outlines and headlines.
4. Collect images (1200 px wide for hero images recommended) and export logos as PNG or SVG.
5. Create any Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, or Forms you want to embed and place them in a Google Drive folder.

Expected outcome: a one-page sitemap, content outlines for each page, and a folder with image and document assets ready to upload.

Common issues and fixes:

• Vague content: write 1-2 sentence page goals to focus creation.
• Low resolution images: replace with higher resolution or crop to recommended sizes.
• Missing permissions for embeds: set Google Drive items to at least “Anyone with the link can view”.

Time estimate: ⏱️ ~10 minutes

Step 2:

How to build a website using Google Sites - Create your site

Action to take: open Google Sites, start a new site, set the site name and basic settings.

Why you’re doing it: initializing a site provides the framework for adding pages, content blocks, and site settings like favicon and analytics.

Steps:

1. Go to sites.google.com or sites.google.com and click Create or +.
2. Choose a blank site or a template that closely matches your layout needs.
3. Enter a Site Name in the top left; this becomes the internal name and helps with SEO if used in titles.
4. Click Settings (gear icon) to set favicon, navigation style (top or side), and brand images.
5. Add a logo using Insert > Logo or drag a file from Drive.

Expected outcome: a new Google Site with a defined name, logo, and header area ready for pages and content insertion.

Common issues and fixes:

• No Create button: ensure you’re logged into the correct Google account, or check G Suite permissions.
• Templates don’t appear: clear browser cache or use an incognito window and reload sites.google.com.
• Logo looks pixelated: upload an SVG or higher resolution PNG.

Time estimate: ⏱️ ~10 minutes

Step 3:

Add and organize pages and navigation

Action to take: create pages for each sitemap item, nest pages (if needed), and set navigation.

Why you’re doing it: good navigation improves user experience and SEO. Group related pages and set clear labels.

Steps:

1. Click Pages in the right sidebar and then + to add a new page.
2. Name the page, set the page URL path, and click Done.
3. To nest pages, drag a page beneath another in the Pages list to create a submenu.
4. Configure navigation: Settings > Navigation > Top or Side. For top navigation keep it to 5 items or fewer.
5. Use menu labels that match search intent (for example, Use Services instead of What We Do).

Expected outcome: a structured navigation menu with pages created and ordering set for visitors.

Common issues and fixes:

• Page URLs not friendly: rename the page and edit the Page URL field.
• Too many menu items: combine or create a Resources page to hold secondary links.
• Page visibility: check page settings if a page is marked as Hidden from navigation.

Time estimate: ⏱️ ~10 minutes

Step 4:

Design and layout with themes and sections

Action to take: apply a theme, choose fonts and colors, and add sections with column layouts.

Why you’re doing it: visual consistency builds trust and keeps visitors focused on your message. Google Sites themes simplify styling across pages.

Steps:

1. Click Theme in the right sidebar and pick a theme that fits your brand.
2. Adjust font style and primary colors. Keep contrast high for accessibility.
3. On a page, click Insert > Section to add single or multi-column layouts.
4. Drag and drop text boxes, images, and button elements into each section.
5. Use spacing and separators to create visual hierarchy. Keep hero sections concise: headline, subhead, CTA.

Expected outcome: consistent typography and color palette applied across the site, with responsive sections that rearrange for mobile.

Common issues and fixes:

• Theme limits: if a theme doesn’t offer required fonts, use images for branded text or embed styled content.
• Layout looks odd on mobile: switch to Preview and adjust section stacking or font sizes.
• Image cropping: use the Background setting for full-bleed hero images, or upload images sized to recommended dimensions.

Time estimate: ⏱️ ~10 minutes

Step 5:

Add content and embed Google services

Action to take: insert text, images, buttons, Google Drive files, YouTube videos, and forms to make pages functional.

Why you’re doing it: embedded Google services keep content dynamic and allow real-time updates from Drive, Forms for lead capture, and Maps for locations.

Steps:

1. Use Insert > Text box for headlines and body copy. Keep paragraphs short and scannable.
2. Insert images with Insert > Image or drag directly from Google Drive.
3. Use Insert > Embed to paste a URL or HTML snippet for external widgets.
4. Embed a Google Form by selecting Insert > Drive > choose your form.
5. Add buttons with Insert > Button and set the link to internal pages or external URLs.

Example embed code for a Google Form or external content:

<iframe src="docs.google.com width="640" height="800" frameborder="0">Loading...</iframe>

Expected outcome: interactive pages with forms, videos, and Drive documents embedded and updating automatically as the source changes.

Common issues and fixes:

• Embedded items show permission error: change Google Drive item sharing to Anyone with the link can view.
• Iframe size is too large or small: edit width and height attributes or use responsive container options.
• External scripts blocked: Google Sites does not allow custom JavaScript; use embed widgets that provide iframe-based embeds.

Time estimate: ⏱️ ~10 minutes

Step 6:

Configure domain, SEO, and publish

com URL, set sharing, and publish.

Why you’re doing it: publishing makes your site public, and connecting a custom domain builds brand trust and improves discoverability.

Steps:

1. Click Publish in the top right and choose a web address. The default is sites.google.com/view/yoursitename.
2. To use a custom domain click Manage > Custom domains and follow prompts. If using Google Domains, Google will verify automatically. 3. If using a third-party registrar, create these DNS records:

• Add a CNAME for www pointing to ghs.googlehosted.com
• Optionally add A records for apex domain to Google IPs: 216.239.32.21, 216.239.34.21, 216.239.36.21, 216.239.38.21

Example DNS A records:

216.239.32.21
216.239.34.21
216.239.36.21
216.239.38.21

4. Set Search settings: Site settings > Look and feel > add page titles and meta descriptions for key pages.
5. Add Analytics ID in Settings > Analytics to track traffic.

Expected outcome: a published site reachable at your chosen URL with SSL enabled and basic analytics tracking.

Common issues and fixes:

• Domain DNS propagation delay: wait up to 48 hours and check with dig or whois tools.
• SSL not active: ensure DNS is configured correctly; Google Sites enables HTTPS automatically after verification.
• Analytics not collecting: verify Measurement ID is entered correctly and wait 24 hours.

Time estimate: ⏱️ ~10 minutes

Testing and Validation

How to verify it works with checklist:

1. Open the published site on desktop and mobile and confirm layout and navigation function.
2. Test all links and buttons, verify forms submit and responses appear in the linked Google Form or email.
3. Check embedded Drive items and videos load without permission errors.
4. Confirm custom domain resolves and site loads with HTTPS in a browser.
5. Use Google Search Console and Analytics to verify indexing and traffic tracking.

Run these checks in a browser and on a mobile device. Fix permission or DNS issues and re-test until all items pass.

Common Mistakes

1. Missing sharing permissions: embeds from Drive or Forms often fail because the owner didn’t enable link sharing. Solution: set to Anyone with link can view.

2. Overcrowded navigation: too many menu items confuse visitors. Solution: combine secondary pages under a Resources or Blog parent page.

3. Expecting custom JavaScript: Google Sites restricts custom scripts for security, so third-party widgets must use iframe embeds. Solution: host advanced interactions on a separate domain or use a platform that allows scripts.

4. Poor image sizing: large images slow loading and small images appear pixelated. Solution: optimize images for web (compress to 100-200 KB and use appropriate dimensions).

FAQ

Can I Use My Own Domain with Google Sites?

Yes. You can map a custom domain via Google Domains or a third-party registrar by updating DNS records. com and optional A records for apex domains.

Can I Add Custom HTML or JavaScript?

Google Sites does not allow arbitrary JavaScript or server-side code. You can embed external widgets that provide iframe code, and you can embed HTML snippets where iframe is supported.

Is Google Sites Good for SEO?

Google Sites provides basic SEO features like custom page titles and descriptions and generates clean URLs. For advanced SEO control you may prefer a platform with full meta tag control and server-side rendering.

How Much Does Google Sites Cost?

Google Sites is free for personal Google accounts and included with Google Workspace subscriptions. Custom domain registration and premium Google Workspace features may incur additional costs.

How Do I Track Visitors and Analytics?

Use Settings > Analytics to add your Google Analytics Measurement ID or use Google Search Console for indexing checks. Allow 24 to 48 hours for data to appear.

Can I Migrate My Google Site Later?

You can recreate content on other platforms by exporting Drive assets and copying text. There is no automated full export that includes layouts and pages, so plan content portability if migration is important.

Next Steps

After publishing, monitor performance with Google Analytics and Search Console, update content regularly, and optimize key pages for keywords relevant to your audience. Consider adding structured content like FAQ blocks, publishing blog posts or news, and improving page speed by compressing images. If you need more customization later, evaluate moving to a CMS or hosting platform that supports custom code and advanced SEO features.

Further Reading

• Create a Website on Google Step-by-Step Guide
• Create a Website Sitemap Complete Guide
• How to Make a Website Visible on Google Search
• Make a Website Https Step by Step

Sources & Citations

• https://sites.google.com/new - https://sites.google.com/new
• https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/EXAMPLE_FORM_ID/viewform?embedded=true" - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/EXAMPLE_FORM_ID/viewform?embedded=true"