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How to Create a "Members Only" Section on a Google Site

One of the most common questions from Google Sites users is, "How can I password-protect a page?" You might need a private resource hub for your board members, a secure portal for premium clients, or a classroom page just for your students. Natively, Google Sites doesn't offer a traditional username and password login system.

Many users hit this wall and assume it's impossible. They believe they need to upgrade to a complex, expensive platform to get the security they need. But what if you could create a truly secure, private, "members-only" section on your free Google Site using the tools you already have?

The solution is a clever combination of a hidden Google Site page and the powerful sharing permissions of Google Drive. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process to create a secure, private portal for your specific audience.

The Core Concept: Google Drive is the Lock, Google Sites is the Door

The secret to this method is understanding where the security comes from. The Google Site page itself won't have a password. Instead, the content on that page will be locked. We will embed a Google Drive folder onto a hidden page. Only the specific Google accounts you grant permission to will be able to see the contents of that folder. To everyone else, it will simply appear as a "Permission Denied" box.

This creates a robust and secure system without any complex login scripts.

Step 1: Create Your "Members Only" Folder in Google Drive

First, let's gather all the private content you want to share. This can be anything you can store in Google Drive: PDFs, documents, spreadsheets, videos, or images.

Go to your Google Drive.
Create a new folder. Give it a clear name, like "Client Portal Content" or "Board Member Resources."
Place all the files you want to be private into this single folder.

Step 2: Set the Folder's Sharing Permissions (This is the Crucial Step)

This is the most important part of the entire process. We will lock this folder down so only your approved members can access it.

In Google Drive, right-click on your new folder and select Share.
In the sharing pop-up, under "General access," make sure it is set to Restricted. This is the default, but it's critical to confirm. It ensures that no one with the link can view it.
In the "Add people and groups" box at the top, begin typing the Google account email addresses of every person you want to have access.
Grant them "Viewer" access (unless you want them to be able to edit the files).
Uncheck the "Notify people" box if you don't want them to receive an email notification right away.
Click Share.

You have now created a secure folder that only your specified members can see when they are logged into their Google account.

Step 3: Create a Hidden Page on Your Google Site

Now, we need to create the "door" on your website. We want to create a page that doesn't appear in your main navigation menu.

In your Google Sites editor, go to the Pages panel on the right.
At the bottom, hover over the plus icon and select New page.
Give your page a name, like "Client Portal."
Once the page is created, find it in the Pages panel list, click the three-dots icon next to it, and select Hide from navigation.

You will now see a small "eye with a slash" icon next to the page name, confirming it's hidden. The only way for someone to get to this page is if you give them the direct link.

Step 4: Embed the Secure Google Drive Folder

The final step is to place our locked folder onto our hidden page.

Navigate to your new, hidden "Client Portal" page in the editor.
From the Insert panel on the right, select Drive.
A pop-up will appear showing your Google Drive. Find and select the secure folder you created in Step 1.
Click Insert.
A Google Drive embed block will appear on your page. You can resize it to fill the page for a clean, portal-like feel.
Publish your site to make the changes live.

How It Works for Your Members

Now, when you give the direct link to your hidden page to your members:

If they are logged into their approved Google account, they will see the full contents of the folder right on the page—all the documents, videos, and resources you shared.
If they are not logged in, or are logged in with the wrong account, they will see a Google Drive "You need access" message inside the embed block. They cannot see your private content.

You have successfully created a secure, members-only section on your Google Site for free.

Conclusion: Smart Solutions for a Lean Business

Overcoming the limitations of a platform is what separates a basic website from a strategic business tool. This method is a perfect example of how to achieve powerful results without a big budget.

If you're looking for a web partner who thinks creatively to solve these kinds of problems, you're in the right place. I specialize in building smart, efficient, and affordable websites that are tailored to your unique business needs.

For a free, no-pressure consultation to discuss your project, call me directly at (608) 888-3735.