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Google Sites lets you build a website without writing a single line of code. But is it truly free web hosting? Or is there a hidden catch? If you're looking to launch a simple site-maybe for your small business, school project, or personal portfolio-you might think Google Sites is the perfect answer. And yes, it’s free. But free doesn’t always mean simple, or even reliable. Let’s break down what you actually get when you use Google Sites as your hosting platform.
What Google Sites actually offers
Google Sites is a no-code website builder built into Google Workspace. You drag and drop elements like text boxes, images, videos, and buttons. It connects automatically to your Google account. You don’t pay anything to create or publish your site. That’s the headline. But here’s what’s behind it: you’re not renting server space like you would with traditional hosting providers. Instead, you’re using Google’s infrastructure as part of their ecosystem.
Your site lives on Google’s servers. You get HTTPS encryption by default. You get 100% uptime because Google’s infrastructure handles it. You don’t need to manage backups, updates, or security patches. That’s the upside. But the trade-off? You don’t own the hosting. You own the content, but Google owns the platform. If Google decides to change how Sites works-or shut it down-you lose your site. And yes, this has happened before with Google products.
What’s not included with Google Sites
Free doesn’t mean unlimited. Google Sites comes with serious limitations that most people overlook until it’s too late.
- No custom domain support for free users - You can only use a Google-provided URL like yoursite.google.com. If you want your own domain like yourbusiness.com, you need a Google Workspace paid plan. That’s $6 per user per month, and even then, the setup is clunky.
- No e-commerce - You can’t add a shopping cart, accept payments, or sell products. Google Blocks all third-party payment scripts. No Stripe, no PayPal buttons. If you want to make money from your site, you’re out of luck.
- No analytics beyond basic stats - You get page view counts in Google Sites, but you can’t install Google Analytics 4 or any other tracking tool. That means you can’t track where visitors come from, what they click, or how long they stay.
- No plugins or custom code - You can’t add JavaScript, CSS, or HTML snippets beyond what Google allows in the built-in embed box. That kills advanced features like chatbots, live forms, or custom animations.
- Slow loading on mobile - Sites built on Google Sites often load slowly on phones. Google doesn’t optimize for speed the way dedicated hosting platforms do. Pages with lots of images or embedded videos can take 5+ seconds to load.
Who should use Google Sites?
It’s not for everyone. But it’s perfect for a few specific cases.
- Teachers or students - Need a class webpage? Google Sites is easy, free, and works inside Google Classroom.
- Small nonprofits - Want to share mission statements, event calendars, and contact info? It’s enough.
- Event pages - Wedding websites, birthday parties, reunion pages. Simple, clean, and fast to set up.
- Temporary landing pages - Promoting a product? Running a campaign? Use it for 3 months, then delete it.
If you’re planning to grow your online presence, attract customers, or make money, Google Sites will hold you back. It’s a brochure, not a business platform.
What are the real alternatives?
There are better free options if you want more control.
| Platform | Free Plan | Custom Domain | Analytics | E-commerce | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Sites | Yes | No (unless paid) | Basic only | No | Slow on mobile |
| Wix | Yes | No | Yes | No | Medium |
| WordPress.com | Yes | No | Yes | No | Fast |
| GitHub Pages | Yes | Yes | Yes (with setup) | No | Very fast |
| Netlify | Yes | Yes | Yes (with setup) | Yes (via third-party) | Very fast |
GitHub Pages and Netlify are both free and let you use your own domain. They’re perfect if you’re okay with a little technical work. WordPress.com’s free plan is better than Google Sites for blogs and content-heavy sites. Wix is more visual and easier than coding, but still locks you into their branding unless you pay.
Why Google Sites feels free-but isn’t
Google doesn’t charge you money. But you pay in other ways.
You pay with control - you can’t fix what’s broken. You pay with growth - you can’t scale beyond a brochure. You pay with ownership - Google can change the rules anytime. And you pay with time - when you outgrow it, you’ll have to rebuild everything from scratch.
Think of Google Sites like renting a furnished apartment. Everything works. No bills. But you can’t paint the walls, install a new kitchen, or keep the place if the landlord decides to sell. If you’re just staying for a year, it’s fine. If you plan to live there forever? You’ll regret it.
What happens if Google shuts down Sites?
Google has killed products before. Google Reader. Google+. Google Hangouts. All had millions of users. All vanished overnight. Sites is still around in 2026, but it’s not a priority for Google. They’re pushing Workspace and AI tools. Sites is a side project.
There’s no warning. No migration tool. Your site just disappears. All your content stays in Google Drive, but your website? Gone. If you’re using it for anything important, you’re gambling.
Bottom line: Is Google Sites free web hosting?
Yes - but only if you’re okay with a free, limited, temporary website. It’s not hosting in the traditional sense. It’s a hosted service with no escape hatch.
If you need a quick, simple, no-fuss site for a short-term need - go for it. It’s the easiest way to get online. But if you want to build something that lasts, grows, or earns money - skip it. Pick a real hosting platform. Even the cheapest shared hosting plans cost less than $3 a month. You get your own domain, full control, and the ability to upgrade when you’re ready.
Google Sites is a starter tool. Not a long-term solution.
Can I use my own domain with Google Sites for free?
No. Google Sites only allows free users to use a subdomain like yoursite.google.com. To use a custom domain like yourbusiness.com, you must upgrade to a Google Workspace paid plan, which starts at $6 per user per month. Even then, the domain setup is not straightforward and lacks full flexibility.
Can I sell products on Google Sites?
No. Google Sites blocks all payment processing tools like Stripe, PayPal, or Square. You can’t add a shopping cart, product listings, or checkout buttons. It’s designed for information, not commerce. If you need to sell anything, use a platform like Shopify, WooCommerce, or even a free WordPress.com plan with e-commerce upgrades.
Is Google Sites faster than WordPress?
Not usually. Google Sites often loads slower on mobile devices because of bloated code and unoptimized images. WordPress, especially with caching plugins and a good host, loads much faster. Speed matters for user experience and search rankings. If performance is important, WordPress or static site builders like Netlify are better choices.
Can I add Google Analytics to Google Sites?
No. Google Sites doesn’t allow you to paste custom code like the Google Analytics tracking script. You only get basic page view counts inside the Sites editor. If you want real data - like where visitors come from, what pages they view, or how long they stay - you need to use a different platform that supports analytics integration.
What happens to my site if I stop using Google?
If you delete your Google account or stop using Google Workspace, your Google Sites page will be permanently deleted. There’s no export tool that saves your site as a working HTML file. You can download the content as a PDF or Word doc, but your website structure, links, and layout will be lost. You’d have to rebuild it from scratch on another platform.