Using Google Sites with Colby Account

This article provides essential, step-by-step instructions for utilizing Google Sites (a no-code web tool) to quickly create and publish professional websites. The article covers how to access Google Sites, build content, customize themes, and manage sharing and publishing permissions for portfolios and course sites.

Google Sites is a user-friendly tool for creating professional-looking websites without any coding knowledge. It’s perfect for building project portfolios, course sites, department homepages, and more. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to get your site up and running.

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1. Accessing Google Sites

There are two primary ways to access Google Sites with your Colby account.

Method 1: From your Colby Gmail or Google Drive

1. Sign into your Colby Gmail or Google Drive.

2. Click on the Google apps launcher (the nine dots icon) in the top-right corner.

3. Scroll down to find and select the Sites icon.

Method 2: Directly via a web browser

1. Go to https://sites.google.com in your web browser.

2. If you're not already signed in with your Colby credentials, make sure you use your Colby email address to log in.

 

2. Creating a New Website

You can either start from a blank site or use a pre-made template.

1. From the Google Sites homepage, click the “+” button to create a blank site or select a template from the top.

2. Give your website a title. This will appear in the top-left corner of your site.

 

3. Adding and Editing Content

The main tools for building your site are on the right-hand menu.

• Adding Pages: Go to the Pages tab and click the “+” button to add new pages or sub-pages.

• Inserting Content: Go to the Insert tab. You can add text boxes, images, and embed content from other sites. You can also insert files directly from Google Drive (like Docs, Sheets, and Slides) and choose from different layouts to organize your content.

• Editing: To edit any element on your site, simply click on it. You can drag and drop items to rearrange them on the page.

 

4. Customizing Your Site’s Appearance

The Themes tab lets you change the look of your site with just a few clicks.

1. Go to the Themes tab in the right-hand menu.

2. Choose a pre-designed theme (like Simple, Aristole, or Diplomat) that fits your style.

3. You can also customize the theme's colors and fonts to make it your own.

 

5. Sharing and Publishing Your Website

Once you're ready to share your site with the world, it's time to publish.

1. Click the Publish button in the top-right corner.

2. Choose a unique web address for your site.

3. Click “Manage” to set sharing permissions. You can make it visible to anyone, only people at Colby, or specific individuals.

4. Click Publish again to finalize.

 

FAQs & Troubleshooting

Why can't I publish my site?

• The web address you've chosen may already be in use. Try selecting a different one.

Can I collaborate with others on a site?

• Yes. Click the “Share with others” button (the person icon) at the top of the page to add collaborators and manage their permissions.

Can I embed content from other sources?

• Yes. You can embed content like Google Calendar, Maps, Forms, and more using the Embed option.

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Getting More Help

If you have questions that aren't answered here, you can find more help from these resources:

• Google's official help center

• Email us at teched@colby.edu