Google Sites is changing – Research Office

Do you use Google Sites to collaborate and share work with colleagues and students?

Google has announced that Google Classic Sites will be phased out over 2021. All existing Google Classic Sites must be migrated to the new Google Sites app by June 2021 to avoid disruption to research and teaching activities and to allow time for any issues to be resolved.

There are over 13,000 university sites, a number of which do not have an owner actively managing the site. From 1 July, inactive sites will be no longer be available.

What do I need to do?

If you are an owner (administrator) of an active site, you will need to migrate your site’s contents to the new Google Sites format. You can identify whether you have a Google Site by signing in to your university Google account and clicking on the Sites app, or by signing in at https://sites.google.com/classic

To migrate your site, follow the step-by-step instructions in the Google Classic Sites Migration Guide (click to download pdf).

We recommend you migrate your site(s) as soon as possible, and no later than June 2021.

Digital accessibility

It is also the site owner’s responsibility to ensure that the site is digitally accessible, in line with government legislation.

Site owners are required to include a link to the University of Westminster Accessibility Statement for Websites on the Google Sites Domain on the site.

You should also read the Google guidelines on how to make your Google site digitally accessible by following the embedded link here.

Further information

If you need assistance migrating your Google Classic Site or need to access an inactive site, please log a ticket at the IT Service Desk or call 020 7915 5488 (opening hours 8.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday).

You can read the full announcement from ISS and find further links to help and support for migrating your Google Site by following the embedded link here (Sharepoint login).

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