Learn how to create and edit your own website for free using Google Sites. Keep in mind that you must have a Google account in order to use Google Sites.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Create your site
Step 1. Open Google Sites
Go to Google Sites in your Internet browser. The Google Sites page will open directly if you are already logged in to your Google account.
If you are not already logged in, enter your email address and password to log in before continuing
Step 2. Click New Google Sites
This is on the left of the page and will allow you to open the most recent version of Google Sites.
Step 3. Click New
This small red circle containing an icon ＋ white is at the bottom right of the page. The very first page of your new site will then open.
Step 4. Enter the title of your home page
Enter the title you want to use in the Title field of your page at the top of the page.
Step 5. Create the address of your Google Sites site
Click on the text field Enter the site name at the top left of the page, then enter the word or phrase you want to use for your site.
Your site name must be unique, and you may be prompted to choose a different site name that is not already in use later
Step 6. Upload a cover image
You can add an image to the top of your home page by hovering over the image at the top of the page, clicking Change image at the bottom of the latter, then To download from the drop-down menu, selecting a photo and clicking To open.
Step 7. Click PUBLISH
It's the purple button at the top right of the page.
Step 8. Choose PUBLISH when prompted
This will create your Google Sites site on the domain
https://sites.google.com/view/ nomdusite
.
Part 2 of 5: Open the editor
Step 1. Open your website
Go to
https://sites.google.com/view/ nomdusite
(replace site name with the address of your Google Sites site). The latter will then open.
Step 2. Click Edit
This little pencil icon is at the bottom right of the page. When you click on it, the Google Sites editor will open for you to edit your site.
Step 3. Take a look at your editing options
On the right of the page, you will see a column containing several options. It is subdivided into three main tabs listed below.
- INSERT: add a text field or a photo, embed documents or videos from other websites (or from Google Drive).
- PAGES: add a page to your site (for example: About).
- THEMES: add different themes to your site. Themes allow you to change the look and layout of your site.
Step 4. Don't forget to preview your changes
Whenever you make a significant change (for example, adding a text field) to your site, you can preview what it will look like on the version of your site already live by clicking the button Overview eye-shaped at the top of the page.
- It's best to preview changes before posting anything.
- When you preview a site, you can click different screen sizes at the bottom right of the page to see what it will look like on a computer, tablet, and phone screen (right to left).
Part 3 of 5: insert content
Step 1. Click the INSERT tab
It is located at the top right of the page. This tab opens by default when you open the editor.
Step 2. Insert a text field
Click on Text field at the top of the column.
Step 3. Add a separator
Click on the item Separator to add it below the text field.
Step 4. Move the elements
You can click and drag the separator up to place it above the text field. It is also possible to click and drag on the left corner of the text field to move it.
Step 5. Add an image
Click on Pictures at the top of the column, select the location of an image, then click the image you want to insert into your site. Click on To select. It will then be added to the center of the page. You can resize it and move it around the page.
You can also upload your photos to Google Drive and then select them from your Google Sites site
Step 6. Insert additional objects
Depending on what you want to add to your site, the procedure may vary. However, you can add the objects listed below to your website.
- Google Drive documents: click on Google drive in the right column, then select a file.
- Youtube / Google calendar / Google maps: click on one of these headers in the right column, then follow the on-screen instructions.
- Google docs: Click on one of the document types under the Google Docs heading in the right column, then follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 7. Complete your home page
Once you've added and placed the content you want on your home page, you can proceed.
Step 8. Publish your changes
Click on PUBLISH at the top right of the web page. This will not take you out of the editor, but your changes will be saved.
Part 4 of 5: Add a page
Step 1. Click on the PAGES tab
It's at the top of the right column in the editor. A list of the current pages on your site will open. The only one you should see is the Home page.
Step 2. Click the Add Page icon
It is represented by a small leaf and is located at the bottom right of the page. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 3. Enter the name of your page
Type the one you like. For example, if you are creating a downloads page, you can enter Downloads or a similar name.
Step 4. Click FINISH
This is at the bottom of the context menu and allows you to add the page to your site.
Step 5. Edit the page, if desired
Just like with your home page, you can insert elements, add files, and customize the position of the various objects on the page.
Step 6. Click PUBLISH when you are done
Your changes will then be saved and applied to the version of your site that is online.
Part 5 of 5: Apply a theme
Step 1. Click on the THEMES tab
It is at the very top of the column on the right of the page.
Step 2. Choose a theme
Click on the theme to preview. You will then see the theme of your website change in the main window.
Step 3. Select a color for the theme
Click on one of the colored circles below the theme name to preview the associated color.
Different themes use different color palettes
Step 4. Choose Font Style
This is the drop-down list that is under the colored circles under your theme name. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 5. Click on a font name
This will select it and apply it to your site preview.
Step 6. Click PUBLISH when you are done
Your changes will be saved and transmitted to the version of your website that is already online. At this point, you can choose to continue adding pages, inserting content, and changing the theme as you like.