What Google Sites is and how to start
Google Sites is a free tool that lets you build a website without writing code or paying for hosting. You create pages by dragging text, images, and other content into place. Google handles the storage and makes your site live on the internet automatically. You need a Google account to start — if you have Gmail, you already have one.
To begin, go to sites.google.com and click the "Create" button. Google will ask you to name your site and pick a template, or start blank. The template route is faster if you want a basic layout right away. Starting blank gives you more control but requires you to build the structure yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Google Sites is free and requires only a Google account; your site is published automatically without extra steps.
- You add content by dragging boxes onto the page — text, images, buttons, and embedded videos all work the same way.
- The toolbar at the top holds the publish button, sharing settings, and the option to see how your site looks on phones.
- You can change colors, fonts, and the overall layout from the theme menu without touching any code.
- Sharing your site means giving people the link, or inviting them as editors if you want them to help build it.
Adding and arranging content on your page
Once you are in the editor, you will see a blank page with a toolbar across the top. To add content, click the plus sign (+) on the left side. A menu appears with options: text box, image, video, button, table, and more. Click the type of content you want, then click or drag on the page to place it.
Each piece of content sits in its own box that you can move, resize, or delete. Click a text box to type or edit. Click an image box to upload a photo from your computer, search Google Images, or paste a link. You can stack boxes vertically, place them side by side, or arrange them however you want. Google Sites does not force a grid — you have freedom to position things.
To change how something looks, click it and use the formatting options that appear. Text boxes have buttons for bold, italic, font size, and color. Images have options to add captions, adjust size, and set how text wraps around them. Buttons let you link to another page, an external website, or trigger an email.
Changing the look of your site
The theme menu controls colors, fonts, and the overall appearance. Click the paint bucket icon in the toolbar to open it. You can pick a pre-made theme — Google provides several — or customize one. Change the background color, the header color, the font family, and the accent color that highlights buttons and links.
The layout menu (next to the paint bucket) lets you adjust the width of your page and whether the header sticks to the top as people scroll. You can also add a navigation bar that links to other pages on your site. Most changes take effect immediately, so you can see what you are doing as you work.
Creating multiple pages and navigation
A single-page site works for some projects, but most sites have multiple pages. To add a new page, click the plus sign next to "Pages" on the left sidebar. Name the page and choose whether it is a main page (appears in the navigation menu) or a sub-page (appears under another page in a dropdown).
Once you have multiple pages, add a navigation bar so visitors can move between them. Go to the layout menu and turn on "Navigation". Google automatically lists all your main pages. Visitors will see the navigation bar at the top of every page, and they can click to jump between sections.
You can also link to pages manually by selecting text, clicking the link icon, and choosing a page from your site. This gives you more control over which words become clickable.
Publishing and sharing your site
Your site is not live until you publish it. Click the "Publish" button in the top right corner. Google will give you a URL — something like "sites.google.com/view/yoursite". You can copy this link and send it to anyone. They do not need a Google account to view it.
If you want to let other people edit your site, click "Share" instead. Enter their email addresses and choose whether they can edit or only view. Editors can add content, change the layout, and publish changes. Viewers can only see the finished site.
You can also change who can view your site. By default, anyone with the link can see it. You can restrict it to people in your organization, or to specific people you invite. Click "Share" to adjust these settings.
Common tasks and what to do if something goes wrong
If you want to embed a video, click the plus sign and choose "Video". Paste the YouTube or Vimeo link. Google pulls in the video and makes it playable right on your page. You can resize it and position it like any other content.
To add a form that collects responses — for surveys, sign-ups, or feedback — click the plus sign and choose "Form". Google creates a form connected to a Google Sheet, so responses appear in a spreadsheet you can download or analyze. People fill it out without needing a Google account.
If you delete something by accident, use Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac) to undo. If your site looks broken on phones, click the phone icon in the toolbar to see how it appears on mobile. Google Sites automatically adjusts for smaller screens, but you can fine-tune the mobile view if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my own domain name instead of the Google Sites URL?
Yes, but it requires extra steps and usually costs money. You need to buy a domain from a registrar like Google Domains or GoDaddy, then connect it to your Google Site through the settings menu. Google's help center has instructions for this process, though it is more technical than the basic setup.
What if I want to password-protect my site?
Google Sites does not have a built-in password feature. Instead, restrict viewing to specific people by clicking "Share" and choosing "Restricted". Only people you invite can see it. If you need a password, you would have to use a different tool.
Can I move my Google Site to a different platform later?
Google Sites does not have an export feature that moves your entire site elsewhere. You can copy text and download images, but rebuilding on another platform takes manual work. If you think you might switch later, keep backups of your content as you build.
Does Google Sites work on phones and tablets?
Yes. You can edit your site on a phone or tablet using the same sites.google.com link, though the editor is easier on a larger screen. Visitors viewing your site on phones see a mobile-friendly version automatically. Use the phone icon in the toolbar to preview how it looks.
Is there a limit to how many pages or how much content I can add?
Google Sites does not publish a hard limit, but very large sites with hundreds of pages may slow down. For most projects — portfolios, small business sites, documentation — you will not hit a practical ceiling. If you are building something massive, test it as you go.