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Building a Website on Google Sites for Churches or Nonprofits Libby Clarke, Stoneroller Cooperative

Google Sites is a free, accessible, and low-maintenance way to build a basic website—perfect for small churches, ministries, and mission-driven teams that don't have a tech budget or in-house expertise. This guide walks you through everything: deciding if it’s right for you, getting started, setting up your custom domain, and working around the platform’s limitations.

What Is Google Sites?
Google Sites is a drag-and-drop website builder from Google. It’s part of the Google Workspace suite and doesn’t require hosting, updates, or coding.

Key Features:

  • Free to use
  • Mobile-friendly
  • No hosting or updates needed
  • Integrates with Google Drive, Calendar, Maps, and Forms

Limitations (we provide some work-arounds below):

  • No blogging or e-commerce tools
  • Limited design flexibility
  • Minimal SEO tools
  • Not suitable for complex site needs
  • As with any free tool from a major tech company, there are ethical concerns around data privacy, content ownership, and long-term platform stability. Churches and nonprofits should be mindful that while Google Sites is free, the platform and its parent company may not always align with values of community transparency, open-source stewardship, or equitable digital practices.

Is Google Sites Right for You? Common Scenarios

This platform is ideal for:
  • Small churches with no tech staff or budget: You just need a homepage, service times, and contact info.
  • New ministries or mutual aid groups: You need to get a site live quickly and update it with forms, calendars, or event info.
  • Volunteers asked to build a website: You have no design background but want a reliable site.
  • Local nonprofit chapters: Your main org has a site, but you want your own landing page.
  • Retreats or seasonal campaigns: You need a short-term site that looks clean and professional.

Step-by-Step: From Sign-Up to Site Launch
Step 1: Create a Google Account
Step 2: Set Up Google Drive Folder
  • Visit https://drive.google.com
  • Create a folder called "Website Assets"
  • Add images, logos, Google Docs, forms, and calendar info here

Step 3: Create Your Google Site
  • Go to https://sites.google.com
  • Click "Blank" or choose a simple template
  • Start with core pages:
    • Home
    • About
    • Ministries or Programs
    • Worship Schedule or Events
    • Contact
  • Use drag-and-drop tools to insert text boxes, images, calendars, forms, and more
  • Click “Publish” when you're ready

Setting Up Basic SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Why It Matters:
SEO helps people find your site through Google searches. Even a simple Google Site can be findable if you:
  • Use descriptive page titles (e.g., "Worship at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Montclair")
  • Include your church name and city in headlines
  • Use Headings (especially Heading 2) to structure content
  • Add alt text to all images (right-click > Alt text)
  • Write in natural language using helpful keywords
  • Include address and contact info in the footer of every page

Connecting a Custom Domain
Steps to Use Your Own URL:
  1. Purchase a domain from a web host like Google Domains, Namecheap, or GoDaddy
  2. Open your Google Site and click Settings > Custom Domains > Start Setup
  3. Choose whether your domain is with Google or another provider
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to update your DNS settings
  5. Publish your site again

This allows you to use something like www.stlukesmontclair.org instead of the default Google Sites address.

Workarounds for Missing Features
Blogging or News Posts
Use Google Drive + Docs:
  • Create a public folder in Drive
  • Add blog posts as individual Google Docs
  • Embed the folder into a page on your site
  • Name files clearly by date (e.g., "2025-06-05 | Pentecost Reflection")

Donations
Use external platforms and embed links or buttons:

PayPal
Create an embed or link it
Easy to set up
Venmo
Link to your Venmo profile
Good for mobile users
Tithe.ly
Link or embed giving form
Designed for churches
Givelify
Link to your profile
Mobile-first, very simple
Vanco
Embed donation form
Integrates with Realm
Realm (ACS)
Link to giving portal
Combines management and giving

Events or Calendar
Use Google Calendar:
  • Create a public calendar
  • Add events in Google Calendar
  • In Google Sites: Insert > Calendar > Select your new calendar
  • Updates automatically with new events

Analytics
  • Create a GA4 property in https://analytics.google.com
  • Copy the Measurement ID (starts with "G-")
  • In Sites: Settings > Analytics > paste ID > Publish

Styling and Branding (With Free Tools)
Step 1: Upload a Banner or Logo
  • Click the header image > Change Image > Upload your banner or logo

Step 2: Choose a Theme and Color
  • Click the gear icon > Themes
  • Pick one and choose a color that matches your identity
  • Keep it consistent across the site

Step 3: Use Headings and Layouts
  • Insert text blocks and set headings properly (use Heading 2 for subheads)
  • Use layout sections from the Insert panel
  • Use white space and dividers to create breathing room

Creating a Logo or Banner with Free Tools
Canva (Free)
  • Visit https://www.canva.com
  • Choose "Custom Size" (e.g., 1200x400 for banners, 500x500 for logos)
  • Add church name, tagline, and a simple background or icon
  • Use clean fonts (Montserrat, Libre Baskerville, Lato)
  • Download as PNG or JPG

Adobe Express (Free)
Photopea (Free, Advanced)
Free Image Resources:
Final Notes
Google Sites isn’t a perfect platform, but for small teams with limited resources, it offers a powerful way to build a presence that’s clean, functional, and easy to maintain. With the right tools and planning, your church or nonprofit can create something beautiful, accessible, and welcoming online.

If you need any help, reach out! I can help you troubleshoot or you can bring Stoneroller on to build a custom solution!

Stoneroller is here to help!





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