Google sites provides two options when you create a new site:

• Design everything page by page.
• Select a template as a basic starting point for the entire site.

When you use a template, you create a site with a predefined structure: custom page layouts, links for navigating to each page, theme, and more. Some templates provide text-based guidance on each page, giving the user ideas about the type of content that should be added. You will still be able to customize the site, add additional pages, remove pages, add text, etc., but the basic structure is in place to help facilitate the site’s construction.

In Google Apps, you have access to public templates or templates created just for University users. Public templates are categorized as: Featured, Business collaboration, Activities & events, Schools & education, Clubs & organizations, Personal & family, and Government & non-profits. University templates are listed under the udel.edu domain. Click any of the categories to see the public templates or udel.edu for University templates.

Instructions for selecting a University template

Log in to Google Apps and click Sites at the top. Select Create new site –> Browse the gallery for more.

You will see a box with a number of different templates. The list should default to the University templates (udel.edu is highlighted in the list). Scroll down until you see either a specific template for your discipline (e.g. UD Early Childhood Education Mastery Portfolio) or select Sample Presentation Portfolio. Click the template name and you will see an option to Preview the template. Select this link if you want to see what the template looks like.

• If you preview the template, it should open in a new window or tab. If you decide to use the template, you can select Use this template located at the top of the site. If not, close the window. This will return you to the previous page where you can click Select to choose a template. (Note: if you use the option Use this template, another window or tab may still be open which will need closing.)
• If you choose not to preview the site and want to use this particular template, click Select.

You will return to the main “create site” page where the template you selected will be highlighted with a blue box. Type a name for your site and select Create site.

Are you someone who has created a site and now wish you had selected a template? It’s not too late. See this earlier post to learn what to do: Adding a template after creating your site.