Hubspot Guide: How to Create a Website with Google Sites

This Hubspot-style tutorial walks you step by step through building a website with Google Sites, from opening your first draft to publishing a polished site for visitors.

Google Sites is a free, beginner-friendly website builder included with Google Workspace and personal Google accounts. You can use it to launch simple websites, intranets, project hubs, event pages, and documentation portals without writing any code.

What You Need Before You Start

Before you follow this Google Sites walkthrough, make sure you have:

• A Google account (Gmail, Google Workspace, or school account)
• Access to a desktop browser like Chrome, Edge, or Firefox
• Basic content prepared: page titles, short copy, and any key images or logos

Once these are ready, you can move directly into creating your first site.

How to Open Google Sites

To begin your build, you need to open the Google Sites editor.

1. Sign in to your Google account.

2. Go to sites.google.com.

3. On the start screen, click the “Blank” tile to start from scratch, or choose one of the available templates.

Templates are useful if you want a structure that resembles a Hubspot landing page or simple marketing site without designing from zero.

Google Sites Interface Overview

The editor is divided into a few important areas:

• Top bar: Site name, undo/redo controls, preview, settings, and publish button.
• Right sidebar: Three tabs labeled Insert, Pages, and Themes.
• Canvas: The main preview area where you drag, drop, and edit content.

Think of the canvas as your working draft, similar to how you would design a landing page in a Hubspot environment.

Step-by-Step: Build Your First Google Site

1. Set Your Site Name and Page Title

1. At the top left, click “Untitled Site” and type your site name. This name appears in the browser tab.

2. In the main header area, click the large title text and enter your page title, such as “Welcome” or your business name.

Use a clear, descriptive title to make it easy for visitors and search engines to understand your page.

2. Customize the Header Layout

1. Click the header area, then use the toolbar to choose a layout: Cover, Large banner, Banner, or Title only.

2. Click Change image to upload a custom image or select one from Google’s library.

3. Use the Alignment and Header type controls to refine the look.

If you are mirroring a Hubspot-style branded experience, choose a consistent header type for all key pages.

3. Add Content Sections with the Insert Panel

The Insert tab in the right sidebar is where you add and structure content:

• Text box: Add headings, paragraphs, bullet lists, and links.
• Images: Upload from your computer, Google Drive, or search the web.
• Content blocks: Use pre-built layouts that combine images and text.
• Embed: Add external content like forms, videos, and calendars.

To add a section:

1. Click Insert > choose Text box or a content layout.

2. Edit the placeholder text and images directly on the canvas.

3. Use drag handles to rearrange or resize elements.

Use short sections, bullets, and clear headings for readability, just as you would in a Hubspot blog layout.

4. Create and Organize Pages

Multiple pages help you structure your site around different topics, services, or audiences.

1. Click the Pages tab in the right sidebar.

2. Click the + New page icon at the bottom.

3. Enter a page name, such as “About,” “Services,” or “Contact”.

4. Click Done to create the page.

To nest pages and create drop-down menus:

1. In the Pages panel, click and drag a page under another page until you see the indent.

2. Release to make it a subpage.

This simple hierarchy lets you mimic the navigation structures common in Hubspot-built sites, without complex menu settings.

5. Choose and Edit a Theme

The Themes tab controls the overall look of your site.

1. Click Themes in the right sidebar.

2. Select a theme that matches your brand tone.

3. Adjust available options such as primary color, font style, and accent color.

While themes are simpler than full Hubspot design systems, they help you stay visually consistent across every page.

6. Add Navigation and Footer Content

Google Sites handles top navigation automatically based on your pages list, but you can still refine the experience:

• Navigation position: Choose top or side navigation from the settings menu.
• Logo: Click the header area and upload a logo to display beside the site name.
• Footer: Scroll to the bottom of a page, click in the footer area, and add text such as copyright, links, or contact details.

Use the footer for key links, mirroring how many marketing teams configure global elements in Hubspot to keep navigation consistent.

How to Preview and Test Your Site

Before you publish, preview the site on different device sizes.

1. Click the Preview icon (the eye) in the top bar.

2. Use the device icons (phone, tablet, desktop) at the bottom to switch views.

3. Click through your pages to confirm navigation, links, and embeds work correctly.

Close the preview when you are ready to finalize your content.

How to Publish Your Google Site

Publishing makes your site publicly accessible or accessible to people in your organization.

1. Click the Publish button in the top bar.

2. Enter a web address (URL) that becomes part of the sites.google.com domain.

3. Choose visibility options: public on the web, or restricted to specific users or your domain.

4. Click Publish again to confirm.

You can share the live URL with visitors, embed pages in other tools, or connect the site to broader digital campaigns in tools similar to Hubspot.

Basic Optimization Best Practices

To make your Google Site easier to use and to support basic search visibility, follow these guidelines:

• Use descriptive page titles: Each page should clearly describe its topic.
• Write clear headings: Break content into short sections using headings and bullet lists.
• Compress images: Upload smaller file sizes to improve loading speed.
• Use alt text: When adding images, include short descriptions for accessibility.
• Keep navigation simple: Limit top-level items so visitors can quickly find what they need.

These practices mirror lightweight versions of the optimization work often done in platforms like Hubspot, without needing advanced technical skills.

Where to Learn More About Google Sites

You can deepen your skills with more in-depth guidance and examples. For a reference walkthrough and additional screenshots, see the original tutorial at this Google Sites guide.

If you are also planning broader digital marketing or CRM integration alongside your Google Sites presence, you can review consulting resources from partners such as Consultevo for strategy, measurement, and automation ideas.

Next Steps After Building Your Site

Once your first version is online, consider these next actions:

• Collect feedback from a few trusted users or teammates.
• Refine your navigation labels and calls to action.
• Add essential pages like FAQs, support, or resources.
• Set a schedule for updating content so information stays fresh.

By combining the simple publishing workflow of Google Sites with a structured, Hubspot-inspired approach to content, you can maintain a clean, effective web presence that is easy to update over time.

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