First, remove formatting from all pasted text, then use the mini-menu to format. Removing formatting first will help ensure a clean and consistent look to your website. You will be able to use the "Themes" tool to adjust look and feel all at once later.
Use "Normal text" and "Heading" styles to make your pages more accessible to screen-readers and to ANYONE reading your website. Break up long paragraphs. Shorter paragraphs are easier to read on a screen, especially when there may be other things competing for your readers' attention.
You should also use shorter, more direct sentences when writing for the web. The Hemingway Editor (HE) is a great resource for improving readability. Just copy your text onto the HE page and make changes. The Editor changes your Readability Score as you go. Even if your readers have PhD's, it's good to aim for Grade 9 (or maybe 12) when writing for the web.
On this page, we use both the "Heading" style and also the "Subheading" style. In HTML/CSS, they're called H1 and H2. This page also very intentionally includes short sentences and short paragraphs to improve readability.
Add alt-text to every image. Alt-text allows persons who use screen-readers to more fully experience their visit to your website. Alt-text also helps search engines better understand the content of your webpage.
A purely decorative image does not require alt-text. Here in Google Sites, you should use the alt-text menu to check the "decorative image" box. That way, the screen-reader can tell you haven't just forgotten.
Alt-text is different from image captions. Captions are visible to both the "naked" eye as well as screen-readers. Alt-text is usually only visible to screen-readers. Alt-text should describe the image (Two paths diverge in a thick stand of young trees). A caption might describe the image, but often adds more information or interpretation (My favorite place to sit and think).
If you use a photo or drawing that includes words (like "Poetry Room" on the home page of this site), be sure the alt-text includes the words in the photo.
There is a separate page devoted to tracking down the source of images offered to you via Sites' Google Image Search.
Each time you want to update your site, you will Publish it.
The site is only available to you, unless you "Share with Others."
"People with Access" refers to individuals who can edit, or simply view, the site.
"General Access" refers to whole categories of people who can view the site.
Discoverability is a library word that has to do with how people find your site. You can allow search engines to find the site or you can prevent search engines from listing it in their results, even if it's public to the world.
Need help? Email scholarspace@umich.edu