I'd like to upload a handful of HTML files that I want to replace an existing Google Site.
I know I can edit the HTML for each page in Google Sites, but I can't just upload my HTML files or even copy-paste them. I have CSS files and JS files as well.
Is it even possible in Google Apps? Or do I have to use a 3rd-party web host?
AppEngine can host static files, and can be mapped to a subdomain of your Google Apps domain (ie, if you have example.com, you can make your appengine app be static.example.com, or www.example.com).
You'll need a tiny amount of python (or java) code to make it work.
Unfortunately, that's not possible with Google Apps. You can try Microsoft Office Live Small Business. Once signed up (it's free), activate the third-party design tools option to use upload directly into the web folder.
I don't think you can host your own html on Google Sites this in any way that I know of. I tried importing an html file as an "attachment" (this is what Google Sites seem to call any files intended for site visitors to download). Here is the screenshot:
Looks like they actively don't want you to use the service this way.
If you want to host a basic site for free, there are several site builders out there (including Google Sites) that let you do this. I checked out the one I use (weebly) and it seems they don't let you load an uploaded html page as a normal page either. Looks like preventing people from uploading content not created via the site builder itself. One workaround might be creating a blank template & uploading all content via the "custom html" tag.
This isn't what free site builders are intended for though & may not work forever. If you want to host an actual site, you'd probably be better off with something built for that purpose.
