Google Site Settings

Official Google Help:  Google Site Help (All)

Official Google Help:  Creating Page in Google Sites

Setting Up Google Sites

Go to the "Home" page for your Google Site.

Page Geography

These are the buttons and links you will use the most often:

a)  The blue links  at the top of the window connect you to your other Google Tools.

Since we are in the Google Sites, please note that the "My Sites" link to the right of your Gmail address will display a list on a single page ALL of the Google Sites for which you are signed up.

b)  Underneath the blue links at the top of the window and to the right of the blue text stating "Google Sites" are four buttons entitled:

• "+Create new page"
• "Edit page"
• "More actions"
• "Site settings"

c) Along the left side of the screen is the "Sidebar".

     Note:  the location and size of the sidebar may be changed by clicking the "Edit sidebar" link.

     (See: "Site Settings">"Appearance">"Site Elements">"Sidebar" below)

d) Underneath your main page content is a space entitled "Attachments" where uploaded documents may be linked.

e) Underneath the "attachments" is a space entitled "Comments" where people may express themselves.

I suggest that you delete undesired comments BEFORE making the site available to "Everyone in the world".

+ Create New Page (Button)

1)  When creating a new page, you will have a choice between the following templates:

• Web Page - The most generic; and therefore, the most creative freedom.
• Dashboard - Think Multimedia! Insert various Google Gadgets or movies/presentations/slideshows, etc.
• Announcements - Post Blog-like notifications for your readers.
• File Cabinet - Link to multiple documents or websites.
• Lists - Use pre-built templates for various types of lists, or create your own format.

2) After selecting a template, you will then need to give your page a name.

3) If you wish for your new page to be connected to the homepage, select the button "put page under home".

    If you wish for your new page to be it's own entity, select the button "put page at the top level".

    Note:  If you wish for your new page to be a "sub-page" of a page you've already created, click the

     "Choose a different location" link. (See "Show links to sub-pages" in the "More Actions" section below)

4) Click the "Create page" button in order to publish your page.

Edit Page (Button)

The symbols for editing are the same as any word processing program.  In other words, if you can use Microsoft Word, you can make a web page!

a)  Across the top of the editing window are the following:

• "Save" Button - Use to publish your content.
  • BIG Tip #1:  Get in the habit of saving every 5 minutes.
  • BIG Tip #2:  Remember to highlight all your text and then Edit>Copy before saving.  (Do this in case the internet connection dropped while you were creating content)
• "Cancel" Button - Use when you wish to close the page without publishing content.
• "Insert" Drop down menu - Use to add multimedia & links.
  • Top Section:  Insert image, link, table of contents, horizonatal line
  • Middle Section:  Insert Google Content (Calendar, Google Docs, Picasa Photos, Video)
  • Bottom Section:  Insert Google Gadgets (Sometimes Fun/Sometimes Helpful Tools)
• "Format" drop-down menu - Use to add headings
• "Table" drop-down menu - Use to insert a table or add/delete rows/columns within a table.
• "Layout" drop-down menu - Use to create a one or two column page.

b) Underneath the row described above are the following:

• "Undo"/"Redo"
• Font Style drop-down menu
• Font Size drop-down menu
• Font Effects - Bold, Italics, Underline, Color, Highlight
• "Link" to "Existing page" within the Google Site, or to a "Web address" outside the Site.
  • Tech Tip:  To help keep your audience organized, check the box "Open this link in a new window".
• Numbered List/Bulleted List/Increase Indent/Decrease Indent/Align Left/Align Center/Align Right
• Remove Formatting/Edit HTML Source
  • Tech Tip:  Although "Removing Format" is sometimes helpful, the casual user will NOT need to "Edit the HTML Source".

More Actions (Drop-down menu)

• "Subscribe to page changes" - Get notification when the page is edited.
• "Page Settings" - Decide how you wish each page to be made available to the public:
  • "Show this in 'Navigation' in the sidebar - Makes a permanent link in the sidebar.
  • "Show page title" - Places the title at the top of the page.
  • "Show links to sub-pages" - Places the links to sub-pages in an obvious location below the main content area.
  • "Allow attachments" - Provides a separate section for downloads.
  • "Allow comments" - Provides a separate section for visitors to share comments.
  • "Page URL" - Determines the word that will appear after the name of your Google Site in the URL address.                           
    • Example:  http://sites.google.com/site/Hurricanes/causes
  • "Print" - Creates a hard copy.
  • "Move" - Changes the location of the page within the Site hieararchy.
  • "Delete" - Removes the page from the Site.
    • Note:  If you have set the page to "Show this 'Navigation' in the sidebar", deleting the page WILL NOT remove the link from the sidebar.  You will need to recover the page and de-select the box so that it DOES NOT "Show in the sidebar".
  • "Preview page as viewer" - Demonstrates what someone other than an "owner" or "collaborator" will see when visiting the page.
  • "Subscribe to site Changes" - Get notification when ANY PAGE in the Site is edited.
  • "Sitemap" - Demonstrates the organizational structure (hierarchy) of the entire Site.

Site Settings (Drop-down menu)

• "Share this site"

• "Change appearance"

• "Other Stuff"

Note:  Selecting ANY of the preceeding from the drop down menu will open a page with a menu containing the following headings:

• Sharing
  • Invite people as "co-owners" (Full permission to change settings), "collaborators" (Editors), or "viewers" (Read-only)
  • Simply add their email addresses in the field, and click the "Invite these people" button.
    • Note:  Once the Site is edited and proofread (including all comments), it may be opened to "Anyone in the world" through the "Advanced permissions" on this page.
  • A summary of "owners", "collaborators", and "viewers" may be seen on the right side of this page.
• Appearance
  • "Site Elements"
    • "Change site layout" button allows the owner(s) to control:
      • "Site width"
      • "Header Height"
      • "Sidebar Width", an
      • "Sidebar location".
    • "Header" allows the owner to change the header logo (image)
    • "Sidebar" allows the owner to add/rearrange the "sidebar items" (including a countdown!)
    • Tech Tip:  Notice the "Preview" button in the top right of the window.  This allows the owner to see what the Site will look like with the proposed modifications.
  • "Colors and Fonts"
    • Each color of the Site may modified.
  • "Themes"
    • The Site's theme may be quickly changed.
  • BIG Tip:  Remember to click the "Save changes" button in the top right of the window before navigating away from the page.
• Web Address
  • If one owned a web address, she may nestle the Google Site within their domain.
    • Most people will NOT do this, and simply allow Google to host it for FREE!
• Other Stuff
  • "Site Name" - The owner may change the name.
    • The owner may also check the box which places the overarching site name at the top of each page within the site.
  • "Description" - The PURPOSE of the site should be identified in this field.
    • The owner already described the Site during the creation steps;  however, this field will allow for addition/modification of purpose.
  • "Mature Content" - Educational Sites should NOT contain mature content!
  • "Landing Page" - The page where visitors first arrive may be modified by clicking the "change" link.
  • "Statistics" - Google Analytics may be enabled for the Site if the owner wishes to learn the characteristics of those who visit the site. 
    • Note:  This is a potentially fascinating and worthwhile addition!
  • "Google Webmaster Tools verification" - Helps the page get recognized by Google's search engines. 
    • Note:  This is probably more than a typical educator needs to spend time on.
  • "Language for site emails" - English is set by default, but may be changed through the drop-down menu.
  • ONCE AGAIN:  Remember to click the "Save changes" button in the top right of the window before navigating away from the page.

Congratulations! You are now ready to edit your Google Site, so Go Get 'Em!