Getting Started

Go to Complete List of Resources - Getting Started for the links found on this page plus many additional links about each of the sub-topics.

Also see:

Google Accessibility (opens new site) at Help Desk: Accessibility -> Apps & Software -> Google

Direct link = sites.google.com/site/helpdeskaccessibility/apps/google

Get to Google Sites

If you already have a G-mail account (username@gmail.com), you already have a Google Account. You also have access to all the Google tools, including Google Sites.

To get a new Google Account, go to http://google.com

Once you log into your Google account, you can access all the Google tools, including Google Sites.

Quick Links:

Create Your Site

  • Click on the [Create] button.

  • Select a template for the layout of your page - or not (see discussion below)

  • Name your site (see discussion below)

    • While you type in a name, you will see that the URL as it is being created.

  • Type the code in the box at the bottom*

  • Hit the enter key on your keyboard

    • There is no separate button on the screen to tell it to create the page.

  • Remember may need to try different names if the one(s) you choose has been taken by someone else. Go back to the box with the code and click your enter key again.

* Did you know that little security code tool is called a CAPTCHA? It stands for Completely Automated Public Turing Test To Tell Computers and Humans Apart! For more information, go to:

CAPTCHA: Telling Humans and Computers Apart Automatically www.captcha.net/

Choose a Site Name

The URL for your Google Site's will normally be: http://sites.google.com/site/YOURSITENAME

When choosing your site name, you can only use letter and number characters: A-Z,a-z,0-9.

If the URL has already been taken by someone else, you will need to try another - sometimes multiple times - until you find a unique name.

You will be able to change the name of your site as it appears in your header at any time (through More-> Manage Site).

You may also toggle on or off Show site name at top of pages at any time (through More-> Manage Site).

Use a Template for the Layout of Your Site

Use the USC GLD Portfolio template

A template was created for the Graduation with Leadership Distinction project, USC GLD Portfolio, which is available to the public.

Choose [Browse More Themes] button.

You may be able to find USC GLD Portfolio in the category of Schools and Education, but it is quicker to search for it:

Select a Site Template window

After choosing the GLD template, you will want to customize the colors and fonts, the navigation, layout of pages, etc.

Create your site with a blank template

choose blank template

You'll have to add your own pages - see...

Edit Your Site

The remainder of this site gives information about how to edit your site by adding new pages and choosing ways to navigate among your pages. It also includes how to edit the design - or "look and feel" - of the site and how to add images, links, documents and many other items that will highlight your artifacts and simply add nice design elements to your portfolio.

  • Basic Editing Features of Google Sites [Mike Ravenek] (YouTube 26:47) www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdGWJsY5idE - long but thorough

Modify Your Site Information

Two important options

There are two things you will probably want to change before you start working on your new site: the name that appears in your header and the option to adjust for mobile devices.

Go to More [gear] --> Manage Site

To re-name your site, simply delete the Site Name and replace it with the title you want to appear on each page.

Scroll down to Mobile and check Automatically adjust site to mobile phones

Other options you may choose

Some of the other options you may want to consider when you are setting up your site can also be found on the Manage Site screen (More [gear] --> Manage Site):

Site Notice

In general, you will want to leave this blank.

The purpose is to tell the user something about your site when he or she first sees it. A box with the Site Notice will pop up as soon as the user comes to your site. (see example below) The user has to click on the [Ok, got it] button to continue - how annoying!

The situation when the site notice would come in handy is if there is something you need to alert users to before they use your site. Examples include if you have flashing lights or patterns on your page that may trigger a photosensitive seizure** or if your site requires the use of a specific helper application or other tool that the user should download before using your site.

This is the Site Notice that appears if you go to the link for a Google Site called "GLD Porfolios"!

Site Description

If you have multiple sites, especially if they have similar-sounding names, it is a good idea to write a brief site description. You will see this when you open your Google Sites page and see the list of sites you have created.

Landing Page

If you want a page other than the home page to be the first one people see, you can change it here.

Access Settings

See the information below about a simple way to share your site and other permission options.

** For additional information about photosensitive seizure disorders, go to

Photosensitivity and Seizures www.epilepsy.com/learn/triggers-seizures/photosensitivity-and-seizures

About Photosensitive Seizure Disorders trace.wisc.edu/peat/photosensitive.php

- Photosensitive Epilepsy Analysis Tool (PEAT) trace.wisc.edu/peat/

Share Your Site

Allow people to view your site (or not)

Controlling access to your Site [Google] support.google.com/sites/topic/1046513

Securing and Sharing Your Web in Google Sites [University of Delaware] (5:39) http://www.udel.edu/edtech/video/google/google-07-securing-and-sharing.html - earlier version

Share Your Site [Ingot] sites.google.com/site/sitetemplateinfo/tips/share-your-site

Add a collaborator to your site

How do I invite someone to view, collaborate or own my site and do they need a Google Mail Account? [Steegle] www.steegle.com/websites/google-sites-howtos/googlesites-frequentlyaskedquestionsfaq#TOC-How-do-I-invite-someone-to-view-collaborate-or-own-my-site-and-do-they-need-a-Google-Mail-Account-

Help Desk: Google Sites: https://sites.google.com/site/helpdesksites/

Getting Started: https://sites.google.com/site/helpdesksites/getting-started