Intro to Google Sites

Tags site intranet

Overview

Google Sites is a user-friendly website builder that allows F&M faculty, staff, and students to create professional-looking internal or external project sites without needing to write code. This guide covers the essential steps for customizing your site’s layout, adding content, and organizing your navigation.

Before you get started

  • Ensure you are logged into your F&M Google account.
  • The site must be created via sites.google.com.
  • Google Sites is optimized for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.

How to

Once you have created your initial site, use the sidebar menu on the right and the hover-over tools to customize your digital workspace.

Customizing the Site Header

  1. Hover over the top section of the site and click on Your Page Title to change the text.
  2. Select the Header type option to change the banner size.
  3. Click Change image to upload your own image or select one from the Google gallery. Note: High-resolution horizontal images work best for site banners to avoid pixelation.

Adding and Structuring Content

  1. Use the Insert menu on the right-hand sidebar to add components like Text box, Images, Embed, or Drive files.
  2. To organize content quickly, select a predefined option under the Layouts section.
  3. For interactive elements, scroll down the Insert tab and select Button, Divider, YouTube, Map, or Charts. Note: You can drag and drop any element to rearrange its position on the page.

Managing Pages and Navigation

  1. Click on the Pages tab in the right-hand sidebar.
  2. Click the + (plus) button at the bottom of the pane to create a new page.
  3. To create a subpage, hover over an existing page name, click the three dots (More), and select Add subpage. Note: Adding pages here will automatically update your site's navigation menu.

Adjusting Themes and Styles

  1. Navigate to the Themes tab on the right-hand sidebar.
  2. Select a preset theme to change the overall font style and color palette.
  3. Use the Color circles or Font style dropdown to further customize the look to match F&M branding.

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Important Notes

 

  • Auto-Save: Google Sites saves your progress automatically, but changes are not live until you click the Publish button.
  • Accessibility: Always add "Alt Text" to your images to ensure your site is accessible to users with screen readers.
  • Permissions: Remember to check your "Share" settings to ensure your intended audience (F&M Only or Public) can view the site.
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