Google Sites

200px A screenshot of a website made using Google Sites
Developer(s)	Google
Operating system	Operating System Independent (web-based application)
Type	Wiki
License	Creative Commons or Apache License
Website	sites.google.com

Google Sites is a structured wiki- and web page-creation tool offered by Google as part of the Google Apps Productivity suite. The goal of Google Sites is for anyone to be able to create a team-oriented site where multiple people can collaborate and share files.^[1]

History[link]

Google Sites started out as JotSpot, the name and sole product of a software company that offered enterprise social software. It was targeted mainly at small-sized and medium-sized businesses. The company was founded by Joe Kraus and Graham Spencer, co-founders of Excite.

In February 2006, JotSpot was named part of Business 2.0, "Next Net 25",^[2] and in May 2006, it was honored as one of InfoWorld's "15 Start-ups to Watch".^[3] In October 2006, JotSpot was acquired by Google.^[4] Google announced a prolonged data transition of webpages created using Google Page Creator (also known as "Google Pages") to Google Sites servers in 2007. On February 28, 2008, Google Sites was unveiled using the JotSpot technology.^[5] The service was free, but users needed a domain name, which Google offered for $10. However, as of May 21, 2008, Google Sites became available for free separately from Google Apps, and without the need for a domain.^[6]

Limitations[link]

• 100 MB of storage (for free account) and 25 GB of storage for Google Apps users^[7]
• Must use provided site themes and structure (limited customization is available for text and background colors, font-type, font size, no open use of CSS (cascading style sheets) or JavaScript. However, CSS and Javascript can be used within the confines of an embedded gadget.
• Limited e-store capabilities, can not add a custom shopping cart, have to use the Google i-store gadget to add a shopping cart or a Google Buy Now button.
• A site can also be displayed on a custom domain (e.g. www.example.com, wiki.example.com, support.example.com), but one must own the domain and have access to change the CNAME records.
• Limited use of HTML coding. CSS cannot be incorporated in the theme templates.
• No longer serves .html/.htm web pages, like Google Pages did. All static HTML web pages previously hosted on Google Pages can be migrated to Google Sites, but users later attempting to access them (as well as PDF or other migrated files) must download those files, in order to view.

See also[link]

• Google App Engine
• List of free web hosting services

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official Site
• www.googlesiteswebdesign.com: News, Tips, Tutorials, Resources
• www.steegle.com: Extensive FAQ and News
• sitesguide.pjrprojects.co.uk: Extensive HowTos and Help
• http://sites.google.com/site/mori79: Graphics and Gadgets Help
• www.siteshelp.com Google Sites Help, How to, SEO, Tips