How to Use HTML in Google Sites to Edit and Embed Codes

Being one of Google’s only two web publishing platforms, Google Sites is far ahead of the other solution, Blogger (also known as Google Blogspot), especially in landing page creation.

Although Blogger has more comprehensive customization abilities, such as editing theme code (and adding custom themes) and post & static pages, Google Sites is more visually friendly than Blogger concerning its drag-and-drop page builder. Learn more in Google Sites vs Blogger.

In our previous article on Google Sites widgets, you find a few essential add-ons for Google Sites to upgrade performance and add different functionalities. In this article, we will go deeper and find out how to use HTML in Google Sites.

Importance of HTML customization in Google Sites

Editing the HTML of any site is essential from a web design, performance, and conversion rate optimization (CRO) point of view, especially for Google Sites.

Why?

Because Google Sites does not allow you to edit theme and page source codes, it leaves us only one option — HTML in Google Sites.

With HTML customization in Google Sites, you can:

• Embed third-party widgets and content: Install unavailable content blocks on Google Sites such as a giveaway widget, social share & follow buttons, search engine box, shopping cart, table, or even add a blog to Google Sites.
• Customize fonts, colors, and styles: The existing page builder has limited customization features. However, with the Google Sites HTML box, you can add custom styles (CSS codes) and enhance the site’s look and feel.
• Add custom buttons and links: For example, you can add click-to-call links and buttons for payments, subscriptions to your YouTube and Twitch channels, and newsletter sign-ups.
• Incorporate custom scripts for enhanced functionality: For instance, you can use heatmaps for tracking purposes.

Getting Started with HTML in Google Sites

It is easy to use HTML in the Google Sites editor. Here’s how to do it:

Sign in to your Google Sites account. Click on the site you want to add HTML codes.

Find the “Insert” tab on the panel located on the right side. Click on the “Embed” box.

Now you will see two options:

1. By URL – Perfect for uploading HTML files to Google Sites or inserting dynamic web content such as news feeds, blogs, and video feed pages.
2. Embed Code – The best way to use HTML in Google Sites.

Embedding full pages in Google Sites

When you enter a URL you want to embed, Google Sites will present two options: 1.) Whole Page 2.) Preview.

Select the “Whole Page” option and click the “Insert” button to embed the entire page into Google Sites. Note that the embedding URL must allow iframe.

Custom HTML in Google Sites

The latter option involves adding the HTML code you want to embed in the Google Sites section. It can be the source code of a static web page or a web component supporting existing content on Google Sites.

Common Use Cases for HTML in Google Sites

Here are a few ways to use HTML in Google Sites:

A. Embedding third-party widgets and content

Third-party widgets allow you to extend existing functionalities and add new ones. Here are a few:

Integrate a blog to Google Sites

Google Sites does not have blogging functionality. However, you can use a third-party blog widget and embed it on your website.

Use the following live blog builder to create a blog for your website from here.

Add a contact form to Google Sites

The contact form is one of the essential widgets for any website. It lets visitors directly contact the website manager or business entity by filling out a form. Even though you can create a contact form using Google Forms in Google Sites, Google Forms is limited in certain features such as rates, automated custom replies, and more.

Use one of these Contact Form generators or the following widget builder to create your Contact form:

Get the embed code and copy and paste it into the “Embed Code” box on Google Sites HTML. You can use the “dots” to resize the widget’s dimensions.

Add reviews to Google Sites

You might want to try using reviews to improve conversion rates if you use Google Sites for affiliate marketing, eCommerce, selling a service, or showcasing a work portfolio.

Use the review aggregator below to create a reviews widget (Grid, Slider, Masonry, Carousel layouts) using platforms like Google, TrustPilot, AirBnB, Yelp, Amazon, Facebook, and G2.

Embed PDF in Google Sites

When you want to add a PDF to Google Sites, you can upload it to your Google Drive and insert those files using the “Docs” element in your Google Sites editor. However, how would you add a PDF gallery with download restrictions to your site?

That is why you should use one of these PDF viewers or the following widget builder:

Here’s how a PDF gallery will look like on Google Sites:

Embed Instagram feed on Google Sites

Google Sites does not have a native widget to embed Instagram Feed on your Google Site. For that, you will have to use a widget builder like below:

Once the Instagram feed widget’s code is embedded in the page editor, you can adjust its placement on the page and size.

Add calendar to Google Sites

Calendar widgets are extremely helpful in showcasing events to the public. These widgets also give you information about events, such as prices, location, and registration links.

To embed a calendar on your site, you have to use an event calendar widget creator like the one below:

Copy and paste the embed code in the HTML code box in Google Sites and adjust the width and height to accommodate the content.

Add Cookie consent bar

Cookie consent widgets aren’t an option but a necessity in this day and age to comply with numerous laws and regulations such as GDPR and CCPA.

To add a cookie consent bar to your site, you have to use a widget generator:

Copy and paste the code into every page of your Google Sites.

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Here are more widget ideas for Google Sites:

1. Age Verification — Gate content for underage visitors.
2. Social media contest tools — Add a refer-a-friend or giveaway widget to your site.
3. Pricing table — If your pricing has different tiers and payment options, use a pricing table widget to demonstrate differences visually appealingly.
4. Announcement bar — Display notifications and promos on your site as a horizontal sticky bar.
5. Popup box — Collect leads and promote offers using website popups.
6. HTML Table — Insert a responsive table into Google Sites.

Find a detailed list of Google Sites widgets from here.

B. Customizing appearance

Another way to use HTML in Google Sites is by using custom CSS and JavaScript to change fonts, colors, transitions, and styles.

Use <style> and <script> tags to include CSS and JS codes, respectively. The following is an instance of adding flip cards to Google Sites.

Also, you can use custom CSS and JS to change the look and feel of existing elements and content.

C. Adding custom buttons and links

One drawback of the Google Sites editor’s Buttons element is that it lacks customizing options. For example, you cannot add different styles of icons and change the size. For that, you can use custom HTML in Google Sites.

Add button codes with styles to the HTML box in Google Sites. Ensure the CSS codes are above the HTML element and between style tags.

The button will smoothly show up on your editor.

Furthermore, you can alter styles for exiting buttons using JavaScript.

D. Incorporating custom scripts

This includes tracking scripts, remarketing pixels, ad insertion codes, custom scripts for accessibility, dark mode, and country-restriction functionalities.

For instance, if you use Google Sites for lead generation, you can place retargeting pixels on the opt-in page and conversion pixels on the Thank you page.

5 Tips and Best Practices

When utilizing HTML in Google Sites, it’s crucial to follow best practices to seamlessly integrate custom elements and maintain a professional and responsive website. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Ensure mobile responsiveness — Opt for responsive HTML and CSS frameworks and regularly test your Google Site on different devices using a service such as BrowserStack or your web browser developer console.
2. Test HTML code in Google Sites — Make small, incremental changes to your HTML code, regularly checking the preview to identify and fix issues early. Before publishing your Google Site, always use the preview option to visualize how your HTML customizations will appear to visitors. Test your Google Site on various web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.) to ensure your HTML customizations work seamlessly across different platforms.
3. Optimize for improved performance — Optimize images using a service such as ShortPixel before using them in Google Sites HTML codes to maintain fast loading times and limit the use of external resources and scripts to reduce the number of requests, enhancing the loading speed of your Google Site. Furthermore, use a CDN (Content Delivery Network) to deliver static content from the closest server to the web user.
4. Update and maintain HTML content regularly — Stay informed about Google Sites updates, back up your HTML code (in case of accidental changes or need to revert to a previous version), and create documentation for your HTML customizations, including the purpose of each element and any dependencies. This can be valuable for future updates or collaborations.
5. Prioritize security — Avoid unsafe embeds (when using third-party services, use reputable ones only), and if your Google Site allows user-generated content, sanitize and validate input to prevent cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.

FAQs

Related: How to use Google Sites: Beginner’s Guide

Before you go

In conclusion, harnessing the power of HTML in Google Sites opens up a world of possibilities for customization and advanced features. Incorporating HTML into Google Sites is not just about building a website; it’s about crafting a dynamic and engaging online presence.

Always split test widgets, content, and even placements within a page to find the optimal combination for your campaigns. Check these top Google Sites examples for selected websites and their highlights. Also, check out these Google Sites competitors if you want an optional solution with greater customization with and without HTML.