Use these guidelines to create an official University of Maryland Google site with university branding. Creation of UMD-branded sites is open to faculty, staff and students. Google also provides instructions on the basics of creating and managing your site at Sites Help.

1. Download UMD Graphics available in Google Drive (21MB zip file)
   
   • The graphics download contains the UMD primary wordmark with black or white type and transparent background.
   • It is specifically designed for use with Google sites.
   • The download also includes UMD color background graphics, UMD's website icon (favicon), general campus photos and social media icons.
   • This resource is available to UMD Google Workspace accounts.
2. Set up a site with university branding. Use one of the two preferred themes available on Google Sites. These themes are found in the right-hand column by clicking the Themes link. Start with the following settings:
   
   • Simple Theme
     Font style: Light
     Custom color: UMD Red #E21833
     
     
     
     
   • Vision Theme
     Font style: Bold
     Custom color: UMD Red #E21833
     
     
     
     
3. Configure the header. Google does not provide options to select a solid color for the header background, but it does let you upload images. The download graphics include UMD color PNGs for the headers.
   
   • For the header background, select preferred banner style: cover, large, banner, title only.
   • For the UMD Red solid-color graphic, turn off auto adjust for readability, located at bottom right of the image to maintain correct hue
   • For other graphics or photos, leave on auto adjust for readability.
4. Apply the UMD logo to the header.
   
   1. Hover over the top left of the header.
   2. Click the Add logo option that appears.
   3. Select the UMD logo appropriate for the background color. For a light background, use the black version. For a dark background, use the white version.
   4. Select Transparent for the background.
5. Configure the footer.
   
   1. In the right column, select Insert.
   2. Click the Text box.
   3. In the text box, copy and paste the following:
      
      © University of Maryland All rights reserved  /  Web Accessibility 
      
      
   4. Select typestyle Small.
   5. Center the text. 
      
      NOTE: Bold type and links will transfer with copy/paste.
      
      
   6. Click the artist palette icon to the left of the text (section background) to change the section color.
   7. Select Emphasis 1 for the style.
   8. Move the footer to the bottom of the page.
      
      
      
      
6. Add pages.
   
   • Header and footer configuration will be applied to any additional pages.
   • Each page banner style will need to be applied individually. 

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Training and resources

Training

• LinkedIn Learning Course
• Google: How to Get Started
• Google: About New Google Sites
• Steegle.com: Use Case Examples and Tips

Resources

• Search
  
  • The University of Maryland utilizes Google Custom Search Engine for campus search.
  • Contact analytics@umd.edu for integration and verifying your site in Google Search Console.
• Analytics
  
  • Contact analytics@umd.edu to create a Google Analytics account and tracking ID.
  • Be sure to include emails for people who will need to access.
• Custom Domains
  
  • Google sites created with the university's Google Workspace for Education accounts are ineligible for custom domains outside of "umd.edu." 
• Photos
  
  • The University of Maryland uses high-quality photography, with crisp, vivid color, excellent composition and memorable images that showcase the beauty of the campus, the variety of academic opportunities and resources, its classical architecture, the diversity of its students and faculty, campus life, sports, and the arts. 
  • Contact photo@umd.edu for access to images.
• Editorial Style
• Web Accessibility
  
  • UMD Web accessibility
  • WCAG 

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Examples

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