How to Host a Website on Google (2025 Guide)

Want your site to live on Google’s servers but don’t know where to start? You’re in the right place. In this guide we walk through the main Google options, what they cost, and how to get your site online in under an hour.

Google Cloud Platform: Full‑Featured Hosting

Google Cloud (GCP) is the heavyweight choice. It gives you virtual machines, managed databases, and a global CDN. If you need full control or expect high traffic, GCP is worth the extra setup.

Here’s a quick run‑through:

1. Sign up for a Google Cloud account. New users get $300 credit for the first 90 days – enough for a small site.
2. Open the Compute Engine console and create a new VM. Choose a lightweight instance (e.g., e2‑micro) if you’re just testing.
3. Pick an OS – Ubuntu is beginner‑friendly. Click “Create”.
4. Set up a static IP address so your domain always points to the same server.
5. SSH into the VM from the browser, install your web stack (Apache/Nginx, PHP, MySQL) with a single command like sudo apt‑install lamp‑server.
6. Upload your site files via SFTP or pull from GitHub.
7. Configure your domain in Google Domains (or your registrar) to point to the static IP.

That’s it. You now have a fully custom environment. The monthly bill depends on usage, but a basic site stays under $10 after the free credit expires.

Google Sites: The Quick‑And‑Easy Option

If you just need a simple brochure page or a landing page, Google Sites does the job without any code. It’s free, integrates with Google Drive, and updates instantly.

Steps to launch:

1. Go to Google Sites and click “Create”.
2. Pick a template or start from a blank canvas.
3. Drag‑and‑drop text boxes, images, and embed Google Docs or Maps.
4. When you’re happy, click “Publish”.
5. Choose a web address – you can use a custom domain you own by verifying ownership in Google Search Console.

The site lives on a .googleusercontent.com subdomain by default, but linking your own domain makes it look professional. No server management, no extra cost.

Which option fits you? If you need speed, custom code, or a database, go with Google Cloud. If you just want a clean, fast page with zero hassle, Google Sites wins.

Remember to enable SSL – both GCP and Google Sites provide free HTTPS. That keeps your visitors safe and boosts your Google rankings.

Now you have the basics to host on Google. Pick the solution that matches your skill level and budget, follow the steps, and watch your site go live.