Publishing a Google Site makes it live at a web address you choose. You can publish publicly, only to people in your organization, or to specific people, and every later change goes live when you publish again.
Quick Answer
In the Google Sites editor, click Publish, choose a web address, set who can view it, and click Publish. Click Publish again after future edits.
How to Publish a Google Site
- Open your site in the Google Sites editor.
- Click Publish in the top-right corner.
- Enter a web address (the last part of the URL).
- Next to Who can view my site, click Manage to choose public, your organization or specific people.
- Optionally check the box asking search engines not to show the site.
- Click Publish, then View published site to check it.
Publishing Options
| Option | Effect |
|---|---|
| Anyone | Public on the web |
| Your organization | Work or school accounts only |
| Specific people | Invite by email |
| Custom domain | Settings, Custom domains |
| Unpublish | Publish drop-down, Unpublish |
Troubleshooting
- Publish is greyed out: you need Editor access to the site.
- Visitors see an old version: click Publish again after editing.
- Search engines do not show it: new sites can take time to be indexed, and the no-search box must be clear.
- Adding a custom domain means editing DNS records at your domain host; see how DNS works. New to Google tools? Read how to use Google.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Google Sites free?
Yes, with a Google account.
Can I use my own domain?
Yes, under Settings, Custom domains, if you own the domain.
Can I password-protect a site?
Limit viewers to specific people instead.
How do I take a site down?
Use Unpublish from the Publish menu.
Summary
- Open the site editor.
- Click Publish.
- Choose a web address.
- Set who can view.
- Publish again after edits.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.