β³ In a hurry? Hereβs your Google Sites Review snapshot: USD 0.0
Summary
Google Sites is a free website builder and hosting service offered by Google. It allows users to create and publish websites quickly and easily, without the need for coding or technical knowledge.
Overall
-
Ease of Use - 85%
85%
-
Features & Flexibility - 80%
80%
-
SEO & Mobility - 80%
80%
-
Help & Support - 80%
80%
-
Pricing - 100%
100%
Pros
- Free to use
- Minimalistic and user-friendly interface
- Features web hosting and domain
Cons
- No built-in eCommerce
- Lacking in SEO tools
- Minimal customization tools
Welcome to my Google Sites Reviews. I'm Stuart Kerr Spindlow, a digital marketing consultant with 20 years of experience. If youβre looking for an easy and straightforward way to create a website without the hassle of complex coding or design, Google Sites could be the perfect solution. Designed with simplicity in mind, Google Sites is an excellent choice for beginners and small teams. Let's dive into how Google Sites can help you build a functional and professional website quickly and easily.
Overview:
Google Sites is a web-based tool designed to help users create simple, professional-looking websites without any coding knowledge. Hereβs why Google Sites might be the right choice for your website needs:
- Ease of Use: Google Sites features a drag-and-drop interface, making it incredibly user-friendly. You can easily add text, images, and other content blocks with minimal effort.
- Integration with Google Workspace: Seamlessly integrates with other Google services like Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Calendar, enhancing collaboration and productivity.
- Template Variety: Offers a selection of templates that are easy to customize, allowing you to create a website that fits your style and purpose.
- Collaboration Features: Ideal for teams, Google Sites allows multiple users to collaborate in real-time, making it easy to work together on projects.
- Mobile-Friendly: Automatically adjusts to different screen sizes, ensuring your site looks good on both desktop and mobile devices.
- Cost-Effective: Free to use with a Google account, making it an excellent option for personal projects, small businesses, and educational purposes.
- Security and Reliability: Leverages Googleβs robust infrastructure, ensuring your site is secure and reliable.
Google Sites is a powerful yet simple tool for creating and managing websites. Whether youβre building a personal blog, a project site, or a business website, Google Sites offers the features you need to get started quickly. Ready to explore more? Dive into the full review to discover all the features and benefits of Google Sites.
Ease of Use:
Much like any Google apps you have used in the past, Google Sites is reasonably easy to use. According to Google Sites reviews, there isnβt any learning curve since the interface is designed to be straightforward. So, how to make a google site? You can quickly start a website in a few short minutes. If you have a Google account, youβll be able to use Google Sites completely free.
Integrate Google products like Google Drive, Calendar, Maps, Google Docs, Sheets, and more with a click of a button. Consistent with findings in many Google Sites reviews, there arenβt any technicalities or complicated design options that you need to learn before you publish your website.
Design and Customization:
In our Google sites reviews, it's important to tackle how well a builder allows you to customize and tweak. If you lack technical knowledge or coding abilities, Google Sites gives you the ability to create a website. Youβll also find their drag-and-drop editing a breeze to use. Press the β+β sign on the templates you like, and youβll be able to see a full one-page website.
All the customization options can be found on the right pane while the page itself is fully displayed in front of you. There are tons of widgets for you to choose from and embed to on your website.
Google Sites isnβt your traditional site builder since it offers cookie-cutter designs that are a tad generic-looking.
Therefore, if pitted against, say, Google Sites vs Squarespace, you'll probably find the former somewhat unexciting. There are pre-built templates for you to choose from that have limited customization. Unfortunately, even if you have the technical know-how, you wouldnβt be able to edit or add CSS or any interactivity.
Google Sites reviews suggest that some of the things that you could do are customize your texts, insert a table of contents, add sidebars, integrate Google tools, and add text boxes.
Features and Flexibility:
When considering Google Sites, Google website builder reviews on features are vital factors that you should take into account.
Google Sites Out-of-the-box:
With website builders, on the task of how to make a Google site, nothing is perfect. As various Google Sites reviews will inform you, it all boils down to its practicality for you. Google Sites does an excellent job of being a user-friendly site builder than anyone can use. How to make a Google site is absolutely something a novice can do. There arenβt technical options or coding involved. If you want a hassle-free process on website building, then how to make a Google site using this platform is your answer.
Google Sites Reviews of Themes and Templates:
Whether it's the Classic Google Sites or the face-lifted New Google Sites, it will give users two design choices: Theme and Templates.
The classic themes that were once available with the Classic Google Sites are still available today. There are additional banners and themes for you to choose from. However, as Google sites reviews will point out, these themes are simple and basic, with solid-colored banners that reminisce of Googleβs website aesthetic. For aesthetic control, you can find Google Sites alternative builders like Weebly or Wix more useful.
Templates, on the other hand, are more of layout choices for the user. There are a few to choose from, and once youβve decided a pre-built site will populate your website. The pre-built templates include design, page layout, and content that you can edit.
If the purpose of your site is to disseminate information internally, then design options arenβt that big of a deal. The thumbs-down on design that Google Sites builder reviews point out shouldn't matter much. However, if you want to set up a brand, a website that can carry your aesthetic would be ideal. For this, you need to seek out Google sites alternatives.
Google Sites Reviews of 3rd Party Apps:
In many Google sites reviews, this criterion is where it scores low. Unfortunately, Google Sites does not support any 3rd party apps. So if youβre planning to use form builders, Custom logo Design, Visitor Analytics, or SEO apps, you wonβt have any luck with Google Sites.
Google Sites Reviews of Hosting and Domain:
Google Sites is free for use with a complete hosting service like the way your Google drive files are hosted by Google. To top it off, since it's part of GSuites, all your security is handled by Google, just like your email account.
Although your published website can be viewed from outside your team when it comes to your domain, there are no custom domain options. You get a sub-domain [sites.google.com/site/name]. However, if you want your custom domain, Google can help you purchase one through their domain host partners.
Google Sites Reviews of Backups and Migration:
If youβve already created your site using the Classic Google Sites in the past, you can easily migrate to the updated New Google Sites. During migration, all your files will be transferred to a new URL.
SEO and Mobility:
How to make a Google Site with SEO and eCommerce capabilities? Unfortunately, Google Sites does not have any eCommerce tools, nor can you use a 3rd party app for eCommerce.
Whether youβre using the Classic or the New Google Sites, you wonβt be able to edit the meta tags or meta descriptions. It is shocking how a site builder by Google doesnβt have any built-in SEO tools and features. There are rumours that Google favours ranking sites built with Google Sites; sadly, thereβs no way to prove this theory.
Youβd be happy to know that all published sites on Google Sites are mobile-ready with Google-like page speeds.
Support and Resources:
When considering Google Sites, Google website builder reviews on support and resources are vital factors that you must take into account.
Both the Classic and the New Google Sites are easy to use; should you run into any problems, Sites has a knowledge-based support page. Some articles can point you in the right direction and forums that have helpful replies. Unfortunately, there arenβt any live chat or phone support for Google Sites.
Pricing:
If you have a Google account, you are free to use Google Sites. Itβs 100% free unless you reach the set storage threshold. And if youβre thinking of using a custom domain name, you will incur charges based on Google Domain or their affiliate domain hosting partners.
Google Sites Alternatives:
In contrast, if you need a more intuitive and interactive website builder that boosts your creative mind, there are a few notable Google Sites alternatives. Here's a list of the best Google Sites alternatives to create a website;
This table compares low-cost website builders for users who want to launch a website on a tight budget. It highlights pricing, main limitations, best use cases, and practical tradeoffs so you can avoid choosing a cheap platform that becomes restrictive later.
| Platform | Price / Basic Plan + CTA | Best For | Key Features | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| π₯ Hostinger Website Builder | Paid from $2.99/mo+ promo pricing; renews higher | Check Pricing | Best cheap full website builder | AI builder, hosting, SSL, templates, free domain on longer plans, ecommerce options | Hostinger Review |
| 2. Carrd | Free / Pro from $9/year+ | Check Pricing | Cheapest one-page builder | Responsive one-page sites, simple editor, low annual pricing, custom domains on higher Pro plans | Carrd Review |
| 3. WordPress.com | Free / Paid from $4/mo+ | Check Pricing | Cheap blogs and content sites | Free plan, blogging tools, themes, custom domain on paid plans, scalable upgrade path | WordPress.com Review |
| 4. Webnode | Free / Paid from around $4.50/mo+ | Check Pricing | Cheap multilingual websites | AI builder, free plan, multilingual features, simple editor, hosting included | Webnode Review |
| 5. Google Sites | Free | Visit Site | Free basic websites | No-cost site builder, Google Drive integration, simple publishing, no design complexity | Google Sites Review |
| 6. IONOS Website Builder | Intro from $1/mo+; renews higher | Check Pricing | Cheap business websites | AI setup, domain/SSL options, email options, business templates, multilingual-friendly tools | IONOS Website Builder Review |
| 7. Webador | Free / Paid from around $8/mo+ | Check Pricing | Beginner budget websites | Free plan, simple builder, free domain on paid annual plans, basic store features | Review Coming Soon |
| 8. SITE123 | Free / Paid from $10.80/mo+ annually | Check Pricing | Guided cheap setup | Free plan, hosting included, simple editor, multilingual support, custom domain on paid plans | SITE123 Review |
| 9. Jimdo | Free / Paid from around $11/mo+ | Check Pricing | Simple AI-assisted sites | AI setup, mobile-ready templates, contact forms, domain connection on paid plans | Jimdo Review |
| 10. Weebly | Free / Paid from around $13/mo+ | Check Pricing | Basic free websites | Free plan, simple drag-and-drop editor, SSL, Square ecosystem, ecommerce options | Weebly Review |
| 11. Strikingly | Free / Paid plans | Check Pricing | Cheap one-page websites | Mobile-friendly one-page sites, quick setup, simple templates, basic store features | Strikingly Review |
| 12. GoDaddy Website Builder | Free trial / Paid from around $9.99/mo+ | Check Pricing | Fast cheap business sites | AI setup, domain tools, SSL, email marketing, appointments, social tools | GoDaddy Website Builder Review |
| 13. Zoho Sites | Free / Paid plans | Check Pricing | Zoho ecosystem users | Website builder, templates, forms, hosting, Zoho app integrations | Review Coming Soon |
| 14. Bluehost Website Builder | Paid from around $3.99/mo+ promo pricing | Check Pricing | Cheap WordPress beginners | AI WordPress setup, hosting, templates, domain options, beginner-friendly onboarding | Review Coming Soon |
| 15. HostGator Website Builder | Paid hosting plans from around $3.75/mo+ promo pricing | Check Pricing | Budget hosting + builder | Simple site tools, hosting bundle, SSL options, domain options, beginner setup | HostGator Website Builder Review |
| 16. Wix | Free / Paid from around $17/mo+ | Check Pricing | Best cheap-ish all-rounder | Free plan, drag-and-drop editor, AI tools, templates, apps, ecommerce on higher plans | Wix Review |
| 17. Pixpa | Free trial / Paid from $5/mo+ | Check Pricing | Cheap portfolio websites | Portfolio templates, client galleries, ecommerce, image selling, free domain on higher plans | Pixpa Review |
| 18. Dorik | Free / Paid plans | Check Pricing | Lightweight no-code sites | No-code builder, AI tools, custom domains on paid plans, CMS options | Review Coming Soon |
| 19. Web.com | Intro pricing / Renews higher | Check Pricing | Legacy low-entry SMB sites | Website builder, templates, domain services, hosting, business tools | Web.com Review |
| 20. Squarespace | Free trial / Paid from $16/mo+ | Check Pricing | Cheap premium design option | Polished templates, blogging, portfolios, ecommerce, scheduling, marketing tools | Squarespace Review |
Conclusion and Recommendation to our Google Sites Reviews:
What is it best used for?
As many Google website builder reviews will have you know, this platform is targeted towards small business and up and coming starters. Google Sites does an excellent job of producing professional-looking and incisive websites.
What is it not best used for?
Its lack of design options, SEO & eCommerce tools are no surprise because Google Sites has always been marketed as a tool for internal collaboration.
Google Sites Reviews Final Word:
Nonetheless, Google Sites delivers on its promise to give you well-designed websites in a few short minutes. If you lack technical knowledge or time to spend on nitpicking every detail of your site, Google Sites might be the thing for you. The lets remember it is free so there is no harm to try.
Thatβs all for now:
Grateful to you for reading our Google Sites Reviews! Donβt forget to keep an eye out for our ever-growing blog of review and comparison articles of eCommerce platforms, SEO software, screen capture tools, webinar and conferencing software, education platforms, website builders, and more such as;





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