How to Create a Google Sites Course Page

Online Courses Are Becoming Popular!

In today's digital age, online courses have become increasingly popular for both educators and learners. If you’re on a budget and you’re seeking an effective way to create a short course, Google Sites might be an answer for you.  You can use Google Sites to create a single page site as a course page or create a full website with a navigational menu representing each module or section of the course along with other informational pages.

With platforms like Google Sites, designing and hosting your own course page has never been easier. Whether you're a teacher looking to share resources with your students or an entrepreneur aiming to deliver valuable content to your audience.

Creating Your Google Sites Course Page

To begin creating your course page, the first step is to decide on your course layout.  You’ll have to plan this free hand using a blank sheet of paper and sketching out how you think you’ll want your course page to look.  You might have to go through a few layout ideas before you decide on the one that’s right for you.

Next, you’ll login to your google site and create the layout using the Google Edit Features including: Text Box, Content Blocks, Insert Image and any of the advance features under the content blocks section.

Your layout should mimic what you sketched out on your sheet of paper.  The goal is to create a simple and effective user-friendly layout using just one Google Sites Page or a course page that might be part of a larger website.

Effective Uses of A Google Sites Course Page

A course page can be used as:

• Free content or resource page

• Lead Generation offer page

• Instructions page

• A single course site page

Adding Content and Resources

With the basic structure of your page in place, it's time to start adding content and resources to make your course page informative and engaging. Google Sites offers a range of features to help you create dynamic and interactive content, including text boxes, images, videos, and embedded documents. You can use these tools to introduce yourself to your course participants, provide an outline of the course syllabus, and share reading materials, videos, and other resources.

To add content to your site, simply click on the "Insert" menu and select the type of content you'd like to add. For example, you can insert a text box to write a welcome message or a video to introduce the course topics. You can also embed Google Drive files, such as slideshows or documents, directly into your site to make it easy for students to access course materials.

Customizing the Layout and Design

Once you've added content to your course page, you can further customize the layout and design to enhance the visual appeal and usability of your site. Google Sites allows you to rearrange page elements, adjust spacing and alignment, and add decorative elements like banners and buttons. You can also customize the navigation menu to make it easy for visitors to find their way around your site.

To customize the layout and design of your site, click on the "Edit" button and then select "Themes, Colors, and Fonts" from the toolbar. Here, you can choose from a variety of pre-designed themes or create your own custom theme using the available options. You can also adjust the color scheme and fonts to match your branding or personal style.

Publishing and Sharing Your Course Page

Once you've finished designing your course page, it's time to publish it and share it with your audience. Google Sites makes it easy to publish your site with just a few clicks, and you can choose whether to make it public or restrict access to specific users. You can also customize the URL of your site to make it easy to remember and share with others.

To publish your course page, click on the "Publish" button in the top right corner of the editing interface. You'll be prompted to choose a publishing option and customize the visibility settings for your site. Once you've made your selections, click "Publish" to make your course page live on the web. You can then share the URL of your site with your students or audience members via email, social media, or other channels.

Creating a course page using Google Sites is a straightforward process that allows you to share your knowledge and expertise with others in a dynamic and engaging format. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can design a professional-looking course page that provides valuable resources and information to your students or audience members. Whether you're teaching a class, hosting a workshop, or sharing your skills online, Google Sites offers the tools you need to create an effective and compelling course page.

About the Writer

Trina Newby is an entrepreneur,  business consultant, and host of Successful Woman Radio.  She has been using Google Sites for more than 10 years and has become quite the expert in showing small business owners and organizations how to design Google Sites and create user-friendly and effective layouts.  Her company, Simple Easy Web specializes in designing Google Sites only and services hundreds of clients throughout the United States and Abroad.