Google Sites: what it is, what it's good for, and where it stops

4 min read

The basics

Google Sites is a free website builder made by Google. It's not a household name the way Squarespace or WordPress is — but for certain use cases, it's quietly one of the most practical options available.

You build pages visually, publish with one click, and Google handles everything underneath: servers, security certificates, uptime. There's nothing to install and nothing to maintain.

What you get for free

Hosting — Google's infrastructure, no monthly fee

SSL certificate — the padlock in the browser, handled automatically

Custom domain support — connect your own domain (e.g. yourclinic.ca) at no extra cost from Google

Google account security — the same login protection you already use for Gmail

Automatic updates — no plugins to patch, no platform versions to manage

Where it stops

Google Sites is deliberately limited. It won't do everything a full CMS can, and that's by design.

No SEO plugins — you can't install tools like Yoast or configure advanced meta structures

No blog or dynamic content — pages are static; there's no built-in publishing workflow

Limited design control — you work within Google's layout system, not a blank canvas

No e-commerce — not built for online selling or complex booking integrations

If your goal is to rank broadly in Google Search for competitive keywords, Google Sites will hold you back. But if your goal is to have a clean, credible online presence that patients can find — it does that job well, for free.

Who it actually works for

For a new or small independent clinic, the tradeoffs usually land in Google Sites' favour. You're not competing nationally for keywords. You're being found by patients in your area — most of whom will arrive through Google Maps or a direct name search, not through organic blog traffic. Your GBP does the heavy lifting. Your website just needs to be there, be credible, and answer basic questions.

Google Sites handles that well. And it does it without ongoing hosting costs, security headaches, or a platform you need to learn to maintain.