With over 65% of the world’s population using the internet, businesses need to utilize various online platforms to enhance their brand awareness. Building a comprehensive and well-designed website is the first step toward carving out your unique space online. If you think building a website is a challenging task that will require coding knowledge, lots of investment, and a dedicated team, then you are sorely mistaken. With the rise of paid and free website builders, building your websites has become extremely easy and cost-effective. 

If you are on the hunt for an easy-to-use website builder, let us introduce you to Google Sites. Google powers this platform and enables you to build a website efficiently without any hassle and cost. In this blog, we will learn more about using Google Sites and all the features that make it an attractive choice. Are you eager to get started? Continue reading to learn more about this Google website builder! 

Understanding Google Sites

Google Sites is a basic website builder offered by Google. The platform offers numerous features that help you create simple sites to host your portfolio, blog, or even classroom learning materials. You can consider this Google website builder as a content management system (CMS) that enables you to create a website for free. 

Furthermore, the free plan also lets you customize your template with headers, footers, thèmes, templates, images, fonts, and menus. Google's framework provides numerous options, including adding a Google Maps or Calendar snippet, inserting links, and Drive files. 

Google Sites Pricing

The best part about using Google Sites is that it is free to build, host, and maintain any website created using a Google or Gmail account. However, the cost is rolled into the user license fee of all plans if you are using Google Sites in conjunction with Google Workspace. While most of the features are accessible to the free plan users, Google Workspace users can add their custom domain name to host the website. Hence, Google Sites price, in sync with the latter’s offerings, includes:

• Business Starter: $7.20 per user/month
• Business Standard: $14.40 per user/ month
• Business Plus: $21.60 per user/ month
• Cloud Identity Premium: $7.20 per user/ month

Building a Website on Google Sites

Building a website using the Google Sites website builder is a straightforward and quick process. The steps include: 

Step 1: Create a Site

• Go to Google Sites.
• Click on "New" > "More" > "Google Sites".
• Enter a document name for your site (this is for your reference in Google Drive).
• Click "Enter" or press "Enter" on your keyboard.

Step 2: Add a Site Title

• Click on "Enter site name" in the top left corner once your site opens in Google Sites,
• Enter the name/title you want for your site.
• Press "Enter" or "Return" to save the title.

Step 3: Add Pages

• To add pages to your site, click on "Pages" on the right side of the Google Sites interface. 
• Click on "Add New page" at the bottom right.
• Enter the name of your page and click "Done".

Step 4: Organize Pages

• You can organize pages by dragging them under another page to create subpages. This helps structure your site hierarchically.

Step 5. Customize Your Site

• Choose any appropriate theme and personalize it according to your needs. You can also create or upload the themes of your preference. 

• You can change the font size, style, and color. Insert your brand images to gain greater control over your audiovisual content. 

• You can add a link to a YouTube video, files from Google Docs or Sheets, or your location on the Maps. You can also hyperlink or add any files from Google’s infrastructure. 

Step 5: Publish Your Site

• Once you're done customizing, click "Publish" at the top right corner to make your site live once you have added content and organized your pages accordingly.

Limitations of Google Sites

Although Google Sites can prove to be an efficient website builder, it has its share of limitations, as highlighted below:

1. Limited Customization Options

Google Sites offers limited customization, regardless of the plan chosen. Numerous other website builders help you create different website styles with different functionalities and features. However, with Google Sites, you are always limited to only the most basic elements, which does not offer as robust options as other builders. 

2. Fewer Features or Functionalities

You may have noticed some of the most glaring omissions left out of Google website builder if you use other website builders. You cannot create a blog or build an eCommerce store on this platform. 

This makes Google Sites unusable for anything other than the most basic functions. It also cannot integrate with other eCommerce platforms. Hence, you do not have any option to transform a simple Google Site into an online store.

3. No SEO Options

Optimizing for search engines is not possible if you build your online store or blog using the Google website builder. It has super-limited tools to help your website become discoverable in search engines. The only option you have is to optimize the available on-page SEO elements, like the content, headings, and meta descriptions.

4. No Custom Domains With The Free Plan

Custom domains make it easier for you to find a business’s website and convey professionalism. However, you get a generic subdomain with Google Sites that cannot be customized according to your business profile with the free plan. The subdomain may suit a temporary website for an event or fundraiser but does not make for a good format for other relevant businesses, forcing you to purchase a Google Workspace plan if you want to add your custom domain name. 

5. Limited Support

You cannot chat with a support person if encounter any issues on Google Sites. Given the platform's simplicity, you may not likely encounter many technical problems. However, if any issue escalates, you can figure things out yourself.

Best Google Sites Alternatives for Your Business

Choosing a relevant website builder for your business deserves careful consideration. Consider your needs, like eCommerce features, design flexibility, or customer support, when making this decision. Here is a list of the best Google Sites alternatives that you may consider using to build a dynamic website. 

1. Neo

Neo is an email hosting platform that offers small and mid-sized businesses business email accounts and other features. You can also create your own business email without a domain. 

However, one of its most attractive features is the complimentary one-page website that it offers on all its plans. The platform also offers a simple drag-and-drop website builder with a rich collection of themes and templates that are completely customizable for building your website. Neo also has powerful email marketing solutions and powerful security features. 

Key Features: 

• Responsive Templates and Customization: Neo provides mobile-responsive templates that enable you to build your website from scratch quickly. 
• Social Media Handles: You can add your respective social media handles to boost your online presence with the website and forms. 
• Growth Suite: Neo offers a Growth Suite, in addition to just a free business email. Growth Suite includes several other necessary tools for any business to grow. It includes appointment booking, email campaign management, email signature design, and other relevant email templates. 
• Smart Write: Neo has an AI-powered email writer that can make it simple for your team to create high-quality, strategic emails. To use it, enter a prompt for business communication or email campaigns, select the tone and format, and then click on Generate. 

2. Wix

Wix is another efficient web builder platform that you can use instead of Google website builder. It enables you to convert your business ideas into stunning online experiences. Wix also provides a built-in design feature through its web and mobile versions that you can access with just a click. It caters to numerous users, right from solopreneurs to other creative start-ups.

Key Features: 

• Interactive Templates: Wix offers over 500+ designs for every industry through its customizable template library.
• Flexibility: The platform’s user-friendly editor enables you to add components using AI (Wix ADI) to your site using a drag-and-drop method without any coding requirements.
• Integration: Wix offers add-ons and other integrations through its app market to expand website functionality. 
• Marketing Tools: The platform's built-in AI SEO tools help you create browser-friendly websites to attract organic traffic.

3. Squarespace

Squarespace is an easy-to-use web builder that helps you create elegant websites using different templates. The platform enables you to register a domain, build your website, and launch email campaigns with email hosting offerings for a holistic solution.

Furthermore, Squarespace lets you choose from various industry-leading designer fonts, palettes, and website templates to create any type of website for any niche. This platform is one of the most perfect and flexible website makers for growing your brand. 

Key Features: 

• Templates: Squarespace templates are available in several designs and are customized for mobile and web use. These include numerous pre-designed templates in different styles suitable for all industries. You can modify all these templates quickly to match your brand's look. 
• Flexibility: As a user, you do not require any coding skills to make your site unique. You can easily customize the forms and pages of your websites with the drag-and-drop functionality and the built-in AI features. 
• Content Management: Squarespace is known for its powerful CMS that makes publishing and managing content efficient for all users. This CMS consists of a photo gallery,  blog, and video integration to present products efficiently.
• Marketing Tools: Squarespace has social media linking, SEO optimization tools, and email campaigns to increase traffic and visibility on the site.

Comparison Table

Now that we know all the Google Sites and a few of its alternatives let us compare them in the table below. Note that our rating is based on the platform’s features, usability, pricing, and user experience.

Final Thoughts

To grow your sales and revenue in the digital age, you must ensure that your business has a user-friendly website, which is a critical cornerstone of your online presence. The Google Sites builder proves to be an essential tool that complements your website and elevates your professional image. However, as we discussed in this guide, this platform powered by Google has its set of limitations. This Google website builder is ideal for those looking for an affordable and basic option with fewer features and personalization options. 

However, if you are looking for a more dynamic, feature-rich, yet simple option, Neo is the best choice. The platform’s one-page website enables you to create a website for free and offers several other advanced features. So, choose a Neo plan today and enhance your website and communication goals!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Does Google have any website builders?

Yes, Google does have a website builder called Google Sites. For the unversed, it is a no-code free site builder powered by the popular search engine with limited customization.

Q2. How can I create my own website on Google Sites?

You can create an official website for personal or business use with the help of Google Sites. All you need to do is log in to your Google account and go to the Google Sites sections. Next, select a template or start from scratch using the intuitive drag-and-drop interface. Google Sites easily integrates with other Google services like Drive and Docs. This makes embedding content and collaborating on your website in real-time is convenient.

Q3. Can we consider Google Sites to be an efficient website builder?

Google Sites is an excellent platform if you value usability more than features and customization. It is also perfect for beginners because it is intuitive and easy to use, even if you have no website experience. With this tool, you can have an official website set up within minutes. 

Q4. How many websites can be made with the help of Google Sites?

Google Sites enables users to create a significant number of websites, offering flexibility and ease of use. Users can design and publish websites for various purposes. The most common examples include personal blogs, portfolios, business pages, or educational projects. Individuals and organizations can also build an efficient online presence over time with a limit of around five sites per week.