Google Sites templates can give teachers a starting layout for a class website, student portfolio, school club, or event. Below are four free, copyable Google Sites starters with layout previews. I adapted Google’s built-in layouts with learning and planning prompts. Preview each design here, then use its template link to create your own editable copy. The page plans below offer ideas for customising your copy.
To make your copy: open a “Use this template” link below on a computer, sign in to Google, and select USE TEMPLATE. Your copy is saved in your Google account. Replace the sample text, images, links, and pages before publishing. Google Sites blocks live embedding on other websites, so the cards below show each layout at a glance. Open a full preview to browse the actual site; make changes in your own copy. A school-managed account may restrict external templates.
How to find and use a Google Sites template
Open Google Sites on a computer using the account that will own the site. Choose an available template or start with a blank site, then replace the sample content. Google’s site creation instructions explain the process. Gallery choices and sharing options may vary by account and school settings.
- Choose the main audience: students, families, club members, or event visitors.
- Write the three things that audience needs to find first.
- Create a small set of pages using one of the structures below.
- Replace every sample heading, image, button, and link.
- Preview the site on different screen sizes and check access before publishing.
1. Student portfolio: show work and explain progress
A portfolio should help a reader understand what the student learned. Start with a few carefully chosen examples instead of uploading every assignment. For each example, include the task, a piece of evidence, and the student’s explanation of what changed.
- Home: a short introduction and the learning focus for this portfolio.
- Selected work: three examples, each with a clear title and short explanation.
- Revisions: an early version beside a later version, with notes about feedback used.
- Reflection and next steps: one strength supported by evidence and one specific goal.
Copyable reflection prompt: “This example shows that I can ____. The evidence is ____. After feedback, I changed ____. My next step is ____.”
A student can use a name or identifier appropriate to the intended audience. Decide who should see the portfolio before adding photographs, personal information, or work involving other students.
2. Class website: make the next action easy to find
A class website works best when students can quickly answer three questions: What are we learning? What should I do next? Where are the resources? Keep the current week prominent and move older material into an archive.
- Home / This week: learning goal, current task, and the next deadline.
- Resources: materials grouped by unit, with descriptive links.
- How to get help: contact route, help times, and what to include in a question.
- Course information: routines, expectations, and frequently used documents.
Copyable weekly announcement: “This week we are learning ____. Start with ____. Submit ____ by ____. If you get stuck, try ____ or contact ____.”
Avoid copying the same assignment instructions into several places. Link to the authoritative assignment page so a later correction does not leave contradictory versions.
3. Club website: organise participation and projects
For a club, visitors usually need the next meeting, the club’s purpose, and a way to participate. Put those details above a long history of the organisation. A project archive can show what members have made without crowding the homepage.
- Home: what the club does and who can join.
- Meetings: date, time, location, and what to bring.
- Projects: a short description, current stage, and next task for each project.
- Join / Contact: the approved registration or contact route.
Copyable project update: “Our goal is ____. We have completed ____. At the next meeting we will ____. Members can prepare by ____.”
Assign responsibility for updates. One accurate meeting page is more useful than several abandoned calendars and announcement sections.
4. Event website: answer practical questions first
An event site should help visitors decide whether to attend and understand how to participate. Put the date, location, audience, and registration step near the top. Include time zones for online events.
- Event overview: purpose, audience, date, and registration.
- Schedule: session times, breaks, and any required preparation.
- Location / Joining: directions or the approved online joining process.
- Accessibility and questions: a contact route and practical information.
- After the event: slides or resources that you have permission to share.
Copyable event introduction: “Join us for ____ on ____ at ____. This event is for ____. You will ____. Register by ____ using ____.”
Check publishing and embedded-file access
A published site and an embedded document can have different access settings. Test the site and its important files using the access level of the intended reader. A link that works for the owner may still ask students or families to request permission. School administrators may restrict external publishing or sharing.
- Check navigation, buttons, and every resource link.
- Use descriptive link labels instead of repeated “click here” text.
- Add useful alternative text to informative images.
- Check headings, text size, contrast, and the mobile preview.
- Remove sample content and personal information that the audience does not need.
- Set a review date for announcements, contact details, and event information.
Frequently asked questions
Can I copy and edit these Google Sites templates? Yes. Each preview has a “Use this template” link. Sign in to Google and select USE TEMPLATE to create a copy. These are native Google Sites starters, not downloadable HTML files. The original templates remain unchanged when you edit your copy.
Which structure should I start with? Choose the audience’s main task: showing learning, finding class materials, joining a club, or attending an event. Start with that one purpose and add pages only when readers need them.
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