Toolbar Icons - Quick Access Right in Google Sites
What Are Toolbar Icons?
When you open Google Sites with SitesBuddy installed, you'll see 4 new icons appear in the toolbar at the top of your page (right before the Settings gear icon). These icons give you instant access to SitesBuddy features, community help, and workspace controls without leaving Google Sites or hunting through menus.
Think of them as your quick-access shortcuts - everything you need is just one click away, integrated naturally into Google Sites as if they were always meant to be there.
What's included
SitesBuddy Icon (Smiley Face)
What It Does: Opens the SitesBuddy sidebar with all your tools, templates, checklists, and favoritesClick it when you:
Want to add a widget to your page
Need to browse templates
Want to check off items on a checklist
Need quick access to your starred favorites
This icon is right in your workspace where you're already working. No need to move your mouse all the way to the browser toolbar - just click the smiley face and the sidebar opens instantly.
Eye Icon
What It Does: Hides or shows Google Sites' native sidebar (the Insert/Pages/Themes panel on the right)Click it when you:
Need more screen space for your canvas
Want to focus on content without sidebar distractions
Working on a smaller screen and need every pixel
Switching between design work (hide it) and inserting elements (show it)
How It Works:
First click: Hides the native Google Sites sidebar, giving you maximum workspace
Second click: Brings the sidebar back when you need it
Why It's Useful:The native sidebar takes up valuable screen space. When you're designing layouts or writing content, you don't need it. When you need to add Google Sites elements or manage pages, click to bring it back.
Community Icon
What It Does: Opens the SitesBuddy Reddit community in a new tabClick it when you:
Need help solving a design problem
Want to share your latest creation
Looking for inspiration
Have a question about how something works
Want to request a new feature or report a bug
Google Sites Dark ModeΒ
What It Does: Opens the Chrome Web Store page for the companion "Google Sites Dark & Light Mode" extension
Click it when you:
Want to try dark themes for Google Sites
Interested in reducing eye strain during long editing sessions
What You Get:
Dark theme for Google Sites editor
Light theme options
Custom theme colors
Works seamlessly with SitesBuddy
Built by the same team (free extension)
Tips & Best Practices
Maximize Your Workspace
Hide the native sidebar when designing layouts, writing content, or working on smaller screens. Show it when you need to insert elements, manage pages, or adjust themes.Β
Get Unstuck Fast
Before spending 20 minutes searching Google, click the Community icon and ask your question. Someone has probably solved your exact problem and can reply within minutes.
Use the Smiley for Quick Access
Forget hunting for the extension icon in your browser toolbar (especially if you have 20+ extensions). Just click the smiley face in Google Sites - it's always in the same spot.
Try Dark Mode
If you see the moon icon, give Dark Mode a try. It's free, reduces eye strain, and many users love editing in dark themes. If you don't like it, just uninstall - no commitment.
Customize Your Setup
Some users hide the native sidebar permanently because they use SitesBuddy widgets exclusively. Others toggle it constantly based on their task. Find what works for your workflow!