Migrating your Website to Google Sites: A step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Assess the current website

Before starting the migration process, thoroughly analyse the existing website to understand its structure, content, and any special features. Take note of the pages, multimedia elements, custom scripts, and any third-party integrations. Understand the content and assess how it meets its owners SEO criteria.

I use the following tools to analyse website structure and information architecture:

Create a new Google Site to act as the 'container' for your new website.

Map out the structure of your Google Site based on the analysis of the Information Architecture of the existing website. Create pages, subpages, and navigation to match the original site's organisation. NB - use the SEO analysis to understand if the site plan and structure is optimal for SEO and content recognition.

I use the following tools to help map and plan the website Information Architecture:

Typically this is the bulk of the effort of migrating a website and absolutely imperative that as you move the content, it is optimised for search, readability, performance and structure. The steps are below summarises the process but these are the critical elements to get right, and probably worth employing a specialist to help.

Text and Images:

• Copy and paste textual content from the original site to the corresponding pages on Google Sites. Take into account changes in the site plan and information architecture (i.e., content may be relocated)

• Upload images and other multimedia content to the Google Site, ensuring images are optimised for legibility and performance.

Documents and Files:

• Upload any documents or files to Google Drive.

• Embed or link to these documents within the Google Site

Styling and Formatting:

• Create the colour palette to use on the new Google Sites, retaining brand representation and avoiding cognitive dissonance

• Adjust formatting as needed to match the original website's style.

• Customise fonts, colors, and styles using the Google Sites editor. Ensure the fonts match teh brand purpose and the font hiearchy is sensible and legible.

I use the following tools in content migration:

The non-functional elements of migration are where most people come unstuck. Steps from this point onwards are where Google Sites experience can make the difference between a few hours work, and a few days. Google Sites is not complicated in this respect but it does help to know what you're doing and experience can help here. Contact me if you need help with Google Sites.

• Access the site settings by clicking on the gear icon.

• Set visibility options (public, private, or shared within the organisation).

• Configure permissions for collaborators.

I use the following resources to help with Google Sites settings:

Preview the Google Site and test all links, multimedia elements, and functionality. Debug any issues that arise during the migration process.

I use the following tools to test migrated websites:

If the website has regular visitors, inform them about the migration. Provide any necessary instructions and update social media profiles to reflect the new site. I typically advise clients to use their social media channels to let their audience, customers and visitors know.

You might want to consider the following:

After the migration is complete, monitor the Google Site's performance, address any user feedback, and optimise as needed.