Google Sites vs Shift4shop: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Google Sites vs Shift4shop both offer unique advantages, but they cater to different needs and user bases.

Google Sites (Overall Grade: 5.6/10)

is ideal for users seeking a simple, collaborative website builder with seamless integration with Google Workspace tools. It excels in ease of use and is perfect for team projects, personal portfolios, and small business websites. However, it lacks advanced design customization and ecommerce capabilities, making it less suitable for users looking to create a dedicated online store.
Shift4shop (Overall Grade: 6.4/10)

is a robust ecommerce platform with a wide array of professional, customizable templates and comprehensive ecommerce tools. It is well-suited for online businesses of various sizes, offering advanced product management, payment processing, and marketing features. While it has a steeper learning curve, its extensive functionalities make it a powerful choice for users focused on ecommerce.

	Overall grade: 5.6	Overall grade: 6.4
Design functionalities & templates	4.9	7.5
Ease of use	8.3	7.0
Ecommerce	1.8	7.6
Website editors	7.0	7.2
Product testing options	6.9	5.0
Price	8.1	6.7
Hosting quality	8.2	7.8
Website speed optimization	3.3	6.3
Plugins/extensions and integrations	6.4	7.3
Marketing features	2.6	8.0
Customer support	7.2	7.9
Website security	9.3	8.9
User management	7.8	7.9

Best for ecommerce

1.8

7.6

Verdict

: Google Sites is not designed for ecommerce, while Shift4shop offers a comprehensive suite of ecommerce tools, making it a robust platform for online businesses.

Google Sites

: Google Sites is primarily a website builder designed for collaboration and integrating Google services. It lacks built-in ecommerce features and relies on third-party integrations for any ecommerce functionality. This makes it less suitable for businesses looking to create a dedicated online store.
Shift4shop

: Shift4shop excels in the ecommerce sector with its extensive range of tools for payment processing, inventory management, and order fulfillment. It supports various business models, including dropshipping and print-on-demand, making it a versatile choice for online businesses. When comparing Google Sites vs Shift4shop, Shift4shop clearly stands out as the more robust and flexible ecommerce solution.

Best for informational & business websites

7.2

Verdict

: When it comes to creating informational and business websites, Google Sites and Shift4shop both have their merits. However, Google Sites stands out for its ease of use and seamless integration with Google Workspace, making it ideal for collaborative projects and small business websites. Shift4shop, while more complex, offers advanced design capabilities and a robust set of ecommerce tools, making it a strong contender for businesses looking to expand their online presence.

Google Sites

: Google Sites is a user-friendly platform that excels in ease of use, scoring 8.3. Its drag-and-drop interface and integration with Google Workspace tools make it an excellent choice for creating simple, collaborative websites. While it offers a limited number of templates and design customization options, its straightforward approach and strong security features make it a reliable option for small businesses and team projects.
Shift4shop

: Shift4shop, with a score of 7.2, offers a more advanced set of design functionalities and a wider variety of templates, making it suitable for businesses looking for more customization and ecommerce capabilities. Although it has a steeper learning curve, its comprehensive suite of tools for website creation, payment processing, and marketing make it a powerful platform for businesses aiming to grow their online presence.

Detailed comparison

4.9

7.5

🏆

Winner: Shift4shop.

If you’re looking for a platform with more advanced design capabilities and a wider variety of templates, Shift4shop is the preferred choice.

Google Sites offers a limited number of templates (around 17) suitable for various purposes, from personal blogs to business websites. These templates are designed for user engagement, simplicity, and functionality, allowing for customization to meet specific needs. However, compared to other website builders, Google Sites might offer less variety in templates and design customization options.

Google Sites Themes

Shift4shop provides a selection of over 100 free eCommerce templates, catering to a wide array of design preferences and brand identities. These templates are professionally designed with an emphasis on optimizing sales, employing the latest in technology and design trends. This variety ensures that businesses can find a design that closely aligns with their brand and aesthetic requirements.

Shift4shop Themes

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8.3

7.0

🏆 Winner: Google Sites

. Scoring an impressive 8.3, Google Sites excels in ease of use with its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and seamless integration with Google Workspace tools. Shift4shop, with a score of 7.0, offers a robust ecommerce platform but comes with a steeper learning curve, making it less accessible for beginners. For those prioritizing simplicity and ease of use, Google Sites is the clear winner.

Learning Resources

🏆 Winner: Google Sites

. Google Sites provides a wide array of learning resources, including practical guides for educators and comprehensive digital skill development programs. Shift4shop also offers extensive learning materials and 24/7 customer support, but Google Sites’ resources are more versatile and integrated with other Google services.

Learn more about Google Sites

Learn more about Shift4shop

1.8

7.6

Google Sites is not designed for ecommerce and lacks built-in features for setting up an online store. It relies on third-party integrations for any ecommerce functionality, making it less suitable for businesses looking to create a dedicated online store. Shift4shop, on the other hand, offers a comprehensive suite of ecommerce tools, making it a robust platform for online businesses.


Ecommerce themes and templates	0.0	6.5
Product page customization	0.0	7.8
Payment processing and commissions	1.0	8.4
POS capabilities	0.0	7.0
Payment gateways	2.0	9.0
Product numbers	0.0	7.5
Additional ecommerce features	0.5	7.2

Google Sites ecommerce features:

Google Sites itself does not have built-in eCommerce features.

Shift4shop ecommerce features:

Payment Gateway integrations
Inventory management
Abandoned cart recovery
Order management

Ecommerce themes & templates

Google Sites does not offer any ecommerce-specific templates. Shift4shop, however, provides a variety of templates designed specifically for online stores, ensuring a professional and functional storefront.

Product page customization

Google Sites lacks any product page customization features, as products can only be listed by embedding third-party platforms. All customization must be done within those external platforms. Shift4shop offers extensive product page customization options, including advanced product options with inventory tracking, customizable layouts, and the ability to showcase products through images, zoom, and video. The Product Designer app further enhances customization for personalized products.

Payment processing

Google Sites does not offer native payment processing features. Payment gateways can be integrated using external tools or links, such as embedding HTML code for payment buttons from services like PayPal, Square, or Stripe. Shift4shop supports over 200 payment gateways, including major providers like PayPal, Visa, and Stripe, without charging additional transaction fees from the platform itself. This makes Shift4shop a more versatile and cost-effective option for global markets.

Considering the features, availability, cost, and flexibility, Shift4shop is a far more robust and flexible ecommerce solution compared to Google Sites. Google Sites may be suitable for simple websites or small projects, but it falls short in providing the comprehensive ecommerce capabilities that Shift4shop offers.

7.0

7.2

🏆

Winner: Shift4shop

. Shift4shop, with a score of 7.2, offers a comprehensive website builder with a focus on e-commerce, enabling the creation of various types of websites with an array of templates and customization options including a drag-and-drop editor. It integrates advanced features for product management, payment processing, and SEO optimization, alongside marketing tools for social media and email campaigns. Security measures and customer support options are in place, although reviews on support quality vary.

Google Sites, scoring 7.0, offers a user-friendly website builder editor that allows users to create and design websites without needing coding knowledge. With its drag-and-drop interface, users can easily add, customize, and arrange elements such as text, images, and videos on their web pages. It also provides a variety of templates and design options to help users get started quickly and ensure their site looks professional. However, its simplicity comes with limitations, such as a lack of advanced design customization options and limited third-party integrations.

Google Sites editor

Mobile editor/app

🏆

Winner: None

. Both Google Sites and Shift4shop do not offer dedicated mobile editor apps. This absence means that users cannot make on-the-go adjustments to their websites directly from a mobile device, which can be a significant limitation for those who need to manage their sites while away from a computer.

Google Sites focuses on simplicity and ease of use, allowing users to create and design websites without needing coding knowledge. However, the lack of a mobile editor app means that any changes or updates must be made from a desktop interface, which can be inconvenient for users who need to make quick edits or updates while on the move.

Shift4shop, while offering a comprehensive set of features for eCommerce businesses, also lacks a mobile editor app. This can be a drawback for business owners who need to manage their online stores and make adjustments to their site layout or content from their mobile devices. The platform’s focus on eCommerce means that having mobile editing capabilities could significantly enhance its usability and convenience for users.

In summary, the absence of mobile editor apps for both Google Sites and Shift4shop limits their flexibility and convenience for users who need to manage their websites on the go.

6.9

5.0

Overall Result

:

Google Sites wins

. Google Sites scores 6.9, offering a 14-day free trial and the ability to test some premium features within this period. Shift4shop scores 5.0, providing a free plan with essential features but no trial version. Both platforms do not offer a money-back guarantee.


Free Plan	Yes	Yes, only for US customers
Trial Duration	14 days	No
Testing Premium Features	Some within trial period	All features within free plan
Money-back Guarantee	No	No

8.1

6.7

Google Sites offers a range of affordable plans with significant discounts for annual billing, while Shift4shop provides a free plan with essential features and a paid plan for more flexibility.

	Offerings	Offerings
Free	No offering at this amount.	Free Plan ($0/month): Requires minimum $500/month processed payments with their Shift4shop payment with 2.90% + 30 Cents transaction fees. Unlimited Products, SEO & Marketing Tools, Unlimited Staff Users, Integrated Blog, Unlimited Bandwidth, 24/7 Customer Support, No Revenue Caps, API Access, Secure Online Payments. This plan allows to manage only 1 website and there is no limitation of number of pages offered.
$0-$10	Business Starter ($7.20/month): This plan includes basic features suitable for individuals or small businesses, offering professional email through Gmail, 30GB of storage per user, and video meetings for up to 100 participants. It allows to manage 1 website and there is no limitation on number of pages. Value for Price: 6.0	No offering at this amount.
$10-$20	Business Standard ($14.40/month): Suitable for growing businesses, this plan provides 2 TB of storage per user, video meeting capacity for up to 150 participants with recording features, and access to smart booking pages and shared drives. It allows to manage 1 website and there is no limitation on number of pages. Value for Price: 7.5	No offering at this amount.
$20+	Business Plus ($21.60/month): Designed for larger businesses needing more robust capabilities, offering 5 TB of storage per user, advanced security options, and video meetings for up to 500 participants. It allows to manage 1 website and there is no limitation on number of pages. Value for Price: 8.5	Paid Plan ($29/month): All features of the free plan with support for other payment processors such as PayPal. This plan allows to manage only 1 website and there is no limitation of number of pages offered. Value for Price: 8.5

In some cases companies have different prices based on various components like a
location. As a result in rare cases the prices displayed here can differ from the ones you see on their
websites.

8.2

7.8

🏆

Winner: Google Sites

. Google Sites offers robust cloud-based managed hosting with a 99.9% uptime guarantee and extensive global data centers, making it a reliable choice for collaborative and small business websites. Shift4shop, while providing unlimited bandwidth and storage with daily backups, does not disclose its data center locations, which may be a concern for some users. Google Sites’ transparency and integration with Google Workspace give it an edge in hosting quality.


Do they offer hosting?	Yes, basic storage with 100MB free per site, upgradeable via Google Workspace	Yes, with unlimited bandwidth and storage, daily backups
Data Centers:	Google operates a total of 21 data centers across the globe: 2 in Asia, 5 in Europe, 13 in US and 1 in South America	Shift4shop does not disclose the locations of its data centers
Type of hosting:	Cloud based managed hosting	Managed Cloud Hosting
Uptime:	99.9%	99.9%
Uptime Guarantee:	Yes, 99.9%	99.9%

3.3

6.3

🏆 Winner: Shift4shop

While both Google Sites and Shift4shop offer various strategies for optimizing website speed, Shift4shop has a slight edge due to its more comprehensive approach and better performance metrics.


Focus	Automated Optimization, CDN, Mobile Optimization, Browser Caching, Code Minification, Use of AMP	CDN, Code Minification, Image optimization, Caching
Performance Tools	Google PageSpeed Insights	Google PageSpeed Insights
Key Strategies	Automated Optimization, CDN, Mobile Optimization, Browser Caching, Code Minification, Use of AMP	CDN, Code Minification, Image optimization, Caching
Load Times	Google does not disclose statistics about website Page Speed scores, or load times.	Load times and PageSpeed scores vary depending on optimization
Page Speed Scores Range	Not disclosed	Varies
Core Web Vitals Improvement	Emphasis on LCP, FID, CLS improvements	Not provided

Google Sites offers a range of automated optimization strategies, including the use of a CDN, mobile optimization, browser caching, code minification, and AMP. However, Google does not disclose specific statistics about website Page Speed scores or load times, making it difficult to gauge its real-world performance. The platform does emphasize improvements in Core Web Vitals, focusing on metrics like Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS).

Shift4shop, on the other hand, provides a more transparent approach to website speed optimization. It employs strategies such as CDN, code minification, image optimization, and caching to enhance website performance. Although specific load times and PageSpeed scores vary depending on the level of optimization, Shift4shop generally offers better performance metrics compared to Google Sites. However, Shift4shop does not provide detailed information on their Core Web Vitals improvements.

Overall, Shift4shop’s comprehensive approach to speed optimization and better performance metrics make it the winner in this comparison.

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6.4

7.3

🏆 Winner: Shift4shop.

Shift4shop scores 7.3, outpacing Google Sites with its robust array of ecommerce-focused plugins and integrations. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools that cater to various business needs, from advanced analytics to enhanced SEO and marketing capabilities. Google Sites, with a score of 6.4, provides a decent range of plugins, particularly for integrating Google services and enhancing user engagement, but it falls short in comparison to Shift4shop’s extensive ecommerce functionalities.

It is however worth mentioning that Google Sites offers a more straightforward integration with Google services, which can be a significant advantage for users already embedded in the Google ecosystem.

Google Sites Applications

Common Ninja Google Sites plugins

Shift4shop Applications

Shift4shop integrations

2.6

8.0

🏆

Overall Winner: Shift4shop

. Shift4shop excels with its comprehensive marketing tools, including email marketing, blogging, and advanced social media integrations. Google Sites, while easy to use and integrate with Google services, lacks many essential marketing features.


SEO Tools	Basic SEO settings	Comprehensive SEO features
Email Marketing	No	✓
Blogging	No	✓
Social Media Integration	Basic integration through manual methods	Advanced integration with social media apps
Analytics and Reporting	Google Analytics integration	Robust analytics and CRM functionalities
Ads and Promotions	No	Discounts, coupons, and affiliate programs

7.2

7.9

🏆 Winner: Shift4shop

. Comparing Google Sites vs Shift4shop, Shift4shop takes the lead in this category with its 24/7/365 customer support. Shift4shop offers comprehensive support options, including US chat support, US phone support, and European support, ensuring that users can get assistance at any time. The dedicated eCommerce support team is highly praised for its responsiveness and expertise.

Google Sites, on the other hand, primarily relies on self-service resources like a Help Center and community forums. Direct support, including phone, email, and live chat, is available to Google Workspace customers, with varying levels of support based on the subscription tier. While Google Sites provides 24/7 support for critical issues to eligible customers, its reliance on self-help resources for free users may not be as robust as Shift4shop’s round-the-clock support.

9.3

8.9

🏆

Winner: Google Sites

. Google Sites excels in security with a score of 9.3, leveraging Google’s robust infrastructure. It offers comprehensive data protection through encryption, two-factor authentication, and compliance with international data protection standards like GDPR. Regular security updates, automatic malware scanning, and DDoS protection further enhance its security profile, making it a reliable choice for users prioritizing data safety and site integrity.

Shift4shop, with a security score of 8.9, also provides a secure environment for eCommerce businesses. It emphasizes PCI compliance, daily backups, and advanced fraud protection. The platform’s use of Cloudflare for DDoS protection and support for secure payment methods ensures a safe transaction process. While it offers strong security features, it slightly lags behind Google Sites in terms of overall security measures and infrastructure robustness.


AI Builder	Google Sites does not have an AI website builder	Shift4shop does not have an AI builder
AI Ecommerce Features	Google Sites does not have AI ecommerce features	Shift4shop does not have AI ecommerce features
AI Content Generation	Google Sites does not have AI content generation features	Shift4shop does not have AI content generation features
Additional AI Features	Google Sites does not have any AI features	Shift4shop does not have any AI features

🏆 Winner: None

. Both Google Sites and Shift4shop lack AI capabilities. Therefore, AI features are not a differentiating factor between these two platforms.

7.8

7.9

🏆 Winner: Shift4shop

. Both Google Sites and Shift4shop offer robust user management features, but Shift4shop edges out slightly due to its scalability and detailed role customization.

Google Sites allows multiple users to collaborate with different roles, including Owners, Editors, and Viewers. There’s no strict limit on the number of users who can edit a site, providing flexibility in management and development.
Shift4shop allows for multiple users to manage and edit a website, with the number of staff user slots varying by plan. Additional users can be added as needed through the purchase of extra Staff User seats at $10 per user per month. This system is designed to accommodate business growth by enabling the distribution of website management tasks among staff members with customizable roles and permissions.

Shift4shop User Roles and Access Levels:

Role	Description	Access Highlights
Admin	Full control over the platform, responsible for setting up and managing all aspects of the online store.	Complete access to all areas including configuration, order management, product listings, user management, and analytics.
Manager	Oversees day-to-day operations, including order processing, inventory management, and customer service.	Access to order management, inventory, reports, and limited settings for day-to-day operations. Does not have access to high-level configurations.
Sales Rep	Focuses on customer interaction, order entry, and sales tracking.	Access to customer information, order creation, and sales reporting tools. Cannot alter product listings or configurations.
Content Creator	Generates product descriptions, blog posts, and marketing material.	Access to content management systems, blog, and marketing tools. No access to order management or configurations.
Customer Service Rep	Handles customer inquiries, returns, and complaints.	Access to customer information, order status, and communication tools. Limited access to order modifications.

Additional Features


SSL Certificate	✓	✓
Custom Domain	✓	✓
Free Custom Domain Included	✓	X
International Domains	✓	✓
Mobile Responsive	✓	✓
Page Speed	✓	✓
Website Builder Mobile App	X	X
Convert a Website To An App	X	X
Website Analytics	✓	✓
Multilingual Sites	✓	✓
Multiple Users	✓	✓

User Feedback

Google Sites

42,340 reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars

Shift4shop

34 reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars

Users consistently praise Google Workspace, particularly Google Sites, for its seamless integration, ease of use, and collaborative features, making it a go-to solution for various professional and educational needs. The platform’s simplicity and user-friendly interface are lauded, enabling effortless website creation and sharing of information within organizations. While some users desire more customization options and additional features, overall, Google Workspace remains highly valued for its versatility and streamlined workflow facilitation.

Shift4Shop reviews present a mixed but generally positive perspective from users. They appreciate the platform’s feature-rich storefront capabilities, ease of use, and versatility in integrating various services, which facilitates online sales and efficient eCommerce management. However, critiques focus on the less intuitive user experience, occasional technical issues such as slow site loading, and the perceived degradation of customer service quality since the Shift4Shop takeover. Additionally, some users find the setup process and system architecture to be overly complex and dated. Despite these criticisms, Shift4Shop is recognized for its cost-effectiveness, support for different customer types, and the ability to solve a variety of eCommerce-related problems, benefiting users by enhancing their online sales capabilities and operational efficiency.

The making of this blog

We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.

Our Ranking Criteria

FAQ

Which platform is better for building an ecommerce website?

Shift4shop is the better choice for ecommerce due to its comprehensive set of tools designed specifically for online stores, including payment gateways, inventory management, and advanced product customization. Google Sites, while versatile, lacks dedicated ecommerce features and is more suited for simple, informational websites.

Can I integrate other Google services with these platforms?

Google Sites seamlessly integrates with various Google services like Google Drive, Maps, and Calendar, making it ideal for users who are already using Google Workspace. Shift4shop does not offer direct integrations with Google services but supports a wide range of other business tools and applications.

What are the main differences in website design capabilities between Google Sites and Shift4shop?

Shift4shop offers a wider variety of professional, customizable, and mobile-friendly templates, particularly geared towards ecommerce. Google Sites provides a more limited selection of templates, focusing on simplicity and functionality for general use and collaboration.

How do the platforms compare in terms of ease of use?

Google Sites scores higher in ease of use with its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, making it accessible for users without technical skills. Shift4shop, while robust, has a steeper learning curve due to its extensive ecommerce functionalities.

What kind of customer support can I expect from each platform?

Shift4shop offers 24/7 customer support with various channels including live chat and phone support, catering especially to online businesses. Google Sites provides support mainly through online resources and community forums, with direct support available to Google Workspace customers depending on their subscription tier.