What a sitewide widget is and why you'd add one
A sitewide widget in Google Sites is a single element — like a calendar, a contact form, a map, or an embedded video — that appears on every page of your site automatically. Instead of adding the same widget to each page individually, you add it once to your site's template, and it shows up everywhere.
This is useful when you want consistent information visible no matter which page someone visits. A business might add a contact form widget to the footer of every page. A school might add a calendar widget showing event dates. A nonprofit might embed a donation button that appears on all pages.
Google Sites does not call this feature "sitewide widgets" in its menus — you accomplish it by editing your site's header and footer, which are the template areas that repeat across all pages.
Key Takeaways
- Sitewide widgets are added through your site's header and footer template areas, not through individual page editing.
- You access header and footer settings by clicking the three-dot menu at the top right of your Google Sites editor and selecting "Page setup".
- Any widget you add to the header appears at the top of every page; anything in the footer appears at the bottom of every page.
- Changes to the header or footer take effect when ready across your entire site without requiring you to update individual pages.
How to open your site's header and footer settings
Start by opening your Google Site in edit mode. You should see the editing toolbar at the top of the page. In the top right corner, click the three vertical dots (the menu icon).
From the dropdown menu that appears, select "Page setup". This opens a panel on the right side of your screen with options for your site's overall appearance and structure. You will see tabs or sections for different settings — look for "Header" and "Footer".
Click on the Header tab first if you want the widget to appear at the top of every page. Click on the Footer tab if you want it at the bottom. Most sites use the footer for things like contact information or copyright notices, and the header for navigation or branding.
Adding a widget to your header or footer
Once you have the Header or Footer panel open, you will see an editing area that looks similar to the main page editor. Click the Insert button (usually a plus sign or labeled "Insert") to see what you can add.
Google Sites offers several widget types: text boxes, images, buttons, maps, YouTube videos, calendars, and more. Select the type of widget you want. For example, if you want a contact form, look for "Form" or "Contact form" in the insert menu. If you want a map, select "Map".
After you select the widget type, a dialog box will appear asking you to configure it. For a map, you enter an address. For a form, you choose which questions to include. For a video, you paste the YouTube link. Fill in the details specific to your widget, then click "Insert" or "Done".
The widget now appears in your header or footer preview. Click outside the widget or close the Page setup panel to return to your main site view. The widget is now live on every page of your site.
Editing or removing a sitewide widget later
If you need to change a widget you have already added to your header or footer, go back to Page setup (three dots, then "Page setup") and open the Header or Footer tab where you added it.
Click directly on the widget to select it. You will see editing options appear — usually a pencil icon to edit the widget's settings, or a trash icon to delete it. Make your changes and click outside the widget to save. The change takes effect when ready across your entire site.
If you want to remove the widget completely, click on it and then click the trash or delete icon. The widget disappears from every page at once.
Common widgets to add sitewide and how to set them up
Contact forms: Click Insert, select "Form", and choose "Contact form" from the template options. Google Sites creates a form with name, email, and message fields by default. You can add more fields or remove ones you do not need. When someone submits the form, responses go to the email address associated with your Google account.
Maps: Click Insert, select "Map", and enter an address or business name. The map centers on that location and appears on every page. Visitors can click the map to get directions or see more details.
Calendars: Click Insert, select "Calendar", and choose a Google Calendar you own or have permission to share. The calendar widget displays upcoming events and updates automatically when you add events to that calendar.
Buttons: Click Insert, select "Button", and enter the text you want on the button and the URL it should link to. A sitewide button is useful for a "Donate Now" link or "Sign Up" button that you want visible everywhere.
Text and images: Click Insert, select "Text" or "Image", and add your content. Use text for copyright notices, hours of operation, or disclaimers. Use images for logos or badges.
Troubleshooting: Widget not showing on all pages
If you added a widget to your header or footer but it does not appear on some pages, check whether those pages have a custom header or footer setting. Some Google Sites pages allow you to override the sitewide header or footer with a page-specific one.
To check this, open the page where the widget is missing, click the three-dot menu, and look for a "Page setup" or "Header and footer" option specific to that page. If you see one, it means that page is using a custom header or footer instead of the sitewide one. You will need to add the widget to that page's custom header or footer separately, or remove the custom setting so the page uses the sitewide header and footer instead.
Another reason a widget might not appear is if your site uses multiple page layouts or templates. Some Google Sites designs have different header and footer areas for different page types. Check that you have added the widget to the header or footer that applies to the pages where you want it to show.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add different widgets to the header and footer?
Yes. The header and footer are separate areas, so you can add a contact form to the footer and a calendar to the header, or any combination you want. Each area can hold multiple widgets.
What happens if my widget is too wide for the page?
Google Sites will usually resize the widget to fit the page width. If it looks cramped or broken, try a simpler widget or one with fewer elements. You can also edit the widget's settings to see if there is a size or layout option.
Can I make a widget appear on only some pages, not all pages?
Not through the header and footer — those explore to every page. If you want a widget on only specific pages, add it directly to those individual pages instead of using the sitewide header or footer.
Do visitors need a Google account to use a widget I add sitewide?
No. Widgets like contact forms, maps, and buttons work for anyone visiting your site, whether they have a Google account or not. Only you need a Google account to edit your site.
Can I add custom code or HTML as a sitewide widget?
Google Sites does not allow custom HTML in the header or footer for security reasons. You are limited to the widget types Google Sites offers — forms, maps, calendars, buttons, text, and images.