Yunzi Digital | Blog

Hey Boss! Google Sites Isn't Just Free, It's Your Low-Cost SEO Powerhouse!

To all Malaysian business owners out there, want to make a name for yourself online but scared of the high cost of building a website? Don’t worry. Today, as someone who’s been in the Google trenches for many years, I’m going to share a secret weapon with you: Google Sites.

You might be thinking, "Google Sites? It's just a free builder, right? How can it help with SEO?" You're missing a big trick! Many business owners underestimate it and miss a huge opportunity. In Malaysia, the biggest challenge for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is cost, and Google Sites can cut your website costs to almost zero. At the same time, because it’s a “native” Google product, it gets some special treatment in search. Don’t rush, let me walk you through it and teach you a few practical tricks. I guarantee you’ll squeeze every last drop of SEO potential out of Google Sites!

Step 1: Lay a Solid Foundation, Build a Strong SEO Base

Just like building a house, if the foundation is weak, it doesn't matter how beautiful the building is. The same goes for Google Sites SEO. There are a few basic things you must get right:

• Choose the Right Site Name and URL: Your site name should ideally include your core keywords. For example, if you sell "KL durians," your site name and URL should contain something like "KL Durian." Google Sites URLs are default sites.google.com/view/yoursitename, so getting your site name right from the start is crucial.

• Content is King, Use Keywords Naturally: This is an old but gold rule—content is everything. Don’t force keywords into your text just for SEO. It will sound unnatural and turn users off. Instead, mention your products or services organically, like, "Our Musang King durians are guaranteed to be the freshest KL durians you can find." Remember, your content should be useful to users and solve their problems. That’s what Google values most.

• Optimize Your Images, Don't Forget Alt Text: In Malaysia, many business owners snap photos on their phones and upload them directly. This is a big no-no! Large image files slow down your site, and users won't wait. You should compress your images before uploading. Most importantly, add a descriptive Alt Text to every image. This not only helps Google understand the image content but also tells users what the image is if it fails to load. For a photo of a durian, the Alt Text could be "Fresh Musang King durian from Pahang."

Step 2: Welcome the AI Era, Adapt to Google AI Search

It’s 2025 now, and Google's search results are no longer just the "ten blue links." AI Search is changing the game. What does this mean for you?

• It’s Not Just About Keyword Matching Anymore: AI values overall quality and depth of content more. It analyzes whether your article truly solves the user's problem, not just whether it contains a certain keyword. So, your content must be in-depth, professional, and valuable. If you sell handmade soap, don't just write "We sell soap." Instead, write an article like "How to Choose the Right Handmade Soap for Sensitive Skin," covering different ingredients and how to use them.

• Use FAQs and Structured Data: AI Search loves structured, easy-to-understand content. Use Google Sites' block feature to create an FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page. List common customer questions and their answers. This is not only user-friendly but also makes it easy for AI to grab this information, potentially showing it directly at the top of search results as a Featured Snippet.

Step 3: Localized Deployment in Malaysia, Attract Nearby Customers

For Malaysian SMEs, local SEO is paramount. Your target customers might be right next to your shop, so you need to learn these tricks:

• Google My Business (GMB) is Your Other Business Card: Even though we're talking about Google Sites, it must be perfectly integrated with your Google My Business profile. Make sure your GMB information is up-to-date and accurate, including business hours, address, and phone number. On your Google Sites website, you can embed Google Maps and link to your GMB profile. This shows Google that your business is real and helps you rank higher in local searches.

• Multilingual Content is a Plus: Malaysia is a multicultural country, and many business owners speak several languages. If you can write some of your core content in Malay and Chinese, it’s a huge advantage. This not only attracts customers from different language backgrounds but also helps your site stand out in multilingual search results. You can use Google Sites' sub-page feature to create different language versions.

Conclusion: Google Sites' High ROI Comes from Your Effort!

Google Sites might not have all the fancy features and plugins of a professional WordPress site, but its simplicity, efficiency, and zero cost make it the best starting platform for Malaysian SMEs.

Treat it like your "online business card" and manage it with care. Update content regularly, optimize images, focus on local information, and adapt to the demands of the AI era. Google Sites can bring you unexpected customers and inquiries.

Remember, bosses, SEO isn't a one-time task; it’s an ongoing process. Start with these small steps, apply these practical tips to your Google Sites website, and you’ll see your rankings slowly climb and customers knocking on your door. All the best!