Move from “classic” Google sites to the new Google Sites

Last Updated: 02/26/2021

Google Sites is getting a facelift, and as a result, and all existing “classic” sites will need to transition to the new Google Sites by the end of 2021. Among other improvements, the new Google Sites includes features that simplify site creation and give new functionality such as version history and restore ability. 

Here’s a detailed look at the expected timeline for the transition from classic Sites to new Sites: 

  • As of August 2020 - New Sites is the default option for website creation. 
  • As of November 2020 - New website creation is no longer available in classic Sites. This means that any new website created from this date forward will only be in new Sites. 
  • Starting October 2021 - Editing of remaining classic sites will be disabled.
  • Starting December 2021 - If you still have an active classic Site, it will automatically be:
    • downloaded as an archive,
    • saved to your Google Drive,
    • and converted to a draft in new Sites for you to review and publish.

Google has identified all CU Boulder sites and provided a Classic Sites Manager tool which will help manage the transition to new Sites. OIT will contact “classic” site owners with information about migrating, but owners with “classic” Sites can self migrate to the new Sites using the "Convert your Site in classic Sites settings" instructions. If you no longer need your classic site, there’s nothing you need to do. The site will automatically be unpublished and archived in December as noted above.

If you have any questions about this transition to new Google Sites, please contact the IT Service Center at oithelp@colorado.edu or call 303-735-4357.