How to Build a Website for Your Business with Google Sites
Having a strong online presence for your business is crucial. It allows potential customers to discover and learn more about your products or services.
Google has been offering a great feature where businesses could easily create a one-page website for free, pulling information from their Google business profile. They just announced, however, that they’re killing this feature as of March 1, 2024.
If you are a business owner who relied on this convenient solution and are wondering what to do next, don't sweat. In this video, we will explore two options for building a website for your business with Google Sites.
Option 1: Google Sites (Free)
Google Sites is a website creation tool that allows you to create a simple yet functional website for your business. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of professional website builders, it offers a user-friendly interface and free hosting. Here's how you can get started with Google Sites:
Visit Google Sites and create a new site.
Choose a template or start from scratch.
Style your site by adding your business name and selecting a theme.
Organize your content by adding sections as needed. Consider sections for reviews, general information, hours, contact, and address.
Enhance your site by uploading images, embedding a Google map, and creating call-to-action buttons.
Explore additional features like adding a gallery or an image carousel.
Configure domain settings to link it to your custom domain (optional).
Option 2: Carrd (Cheap)
If you are looking for more creative control and professional design options, consider using Carrd. Carrd is a website builder that specializes in one-page websites. While it offers a free tier, subscribing to their annual plan removes their branding and gives you access to more features - and it’s only $19/year! Here's how you can build a website for your business with Card:
Choose a starting point that suits your business.
Customize the template by replacing dummy content with your own.
Fine-tune the design by updating colors, fonts, and images.
Configure domain settings to link it to your custom domain.
Option 3: Squarespace (Complete)
I don’t discuss Squarespace in this video, because it’s a more full-featured website builder, but it really is my top recommendation for small businesses. If you’re ready to spread your wings beyond the barebones one-page website, there’s no better builder on the market. It has business features like:
A mobile info bar (which I show in the video at the 5 minute mark)
A built-in email marketing tool
Built-in scheduling and invoicing software
Side Quest: Register A Domain
If you don’t yet own a domain name for your business, there are two registrars I recommend:
Best pricing and customer service anywhere. The indie option.
Easy to use. They just bought Google Domains. You can create a Google Workspace email for yourself with just a few additional clicks. The corporate option.
Don’t Overthink It
Building a website for your business doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. With options like Google Sites and Carrd, you can create a simple yet professional-looking website for your business. While Google Sites is a free solution, Carrd offers more design flexibility and additional features at an affordable price.
Choose the option that fits your needs and budget, and take your online presence to the next level. Remember, a well-designed website can help your business attract more customers and stand out from the competition.
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