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Overview
Building a website usually requires some knowledge of the hypertext programming language, java and other obscure skills. Using Google Site makes it much easer for beginners and professional webmasters to set up a personal, family or organization website in just a few steps, and you will not need special software. If you can surf the Web and use a word processor, your site can be up and running in just a few hours. -
Register and Setup
Step 1
Get started by registering for an account at the Google Sites homepage (see Resources below). If you already have a Google email account, simply log in with your Gmail address and password. Click the "Create Site" button on the Welcome screen.
Step 2
Provide basic information about the site. Type your site's name, and Google will check its database to see if the name is available. If so, it will display your site's URL below the box that contains your site name. You will see something like http://sites.google.com/site/sitename. Write this down so that you can return later. Write a brief description of the site, if desired.
Step 3
Check the "Mature Content" box if your content is not suitable for a general audience. Select the radio button that makes your content public or the radio button that restricts it to only people that you choose.
Step 4
Choose a color scheme for your site from the ones that Google provides. Click "More Themes" to see over 20 additional themes. Once you choose your theme, review the choices that you made on this page. Then enter the captcha code to go to the next step.
Create Your Pages
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Step 1
Select "Create New Page" on the Google Sites toolbar. Give your page a name. It is a good idea to start your website by creating your homepage first. Many Web hosts expect this page to be named "Index," but Google does not require that you use that name. -
Step 2
Choose one of Google's predesigned templates for your page. The choices are "Webpage" (blank document), "File Cabinet" (uploads), "Dashboard" (gadgets), "Announcements" (blog) and "List" (tasks, reminders). -
Step 3
Put this page at the top level or under "Home" by clicking the radio button next to your preference. You can change this selection later, if desired. Click the "Create Page" button and Google will take to your first Web page. -
Step 4
Type text on the Web page template. Use the editing drop-down menus to change the layout of your page, insert HTML commands and add links. Insert graphics, videos or documents as desired, and save your changes. -
Step 5
Use the "Sitemap" link in the Navigation sidebar to see all of your pages. Select the page's link to review or edit the page content. Create additional pages by selecting "Create Page" from the toolbar. . -
Step 6
Select the "More Actions" drop-down menu to preview your pages. Revise your theme, layout of pages, colors and sharing options in the "Site Settings" drop-down menu
- Skill: Moderately Easy
- Tip: If you own a domain name, you can use it as the website's URL instead of the one that Google assigns to your site.
- Tip: Google Sites users get a maximum of 10 GB of storage for site content and uploaded files.
