Friday, February 27, 2009

Google Homepage

I decided to publish Google Homepage just loves all the current Internet based technology, and loves to write about it, too :)


Evolution and Design of an Internet Icon

While some may still concur with the old, familiar adage that "bigger is better," there is something to be said about the simplistic, "less is more" concept of the Google homepage. Compared with its initial inauguration to present time, the homepage continues to maintain a bare minimum display of only 32 words, 19 links and zero ads.

As competitors dwell in a sea of internet homepage frenzy, the Google design remains fairly aloof, yet somehow manages to catch the collective eye of internet surfers around the world! So what makes this infamous search engine's homepage acquire millions of unique visitors per day in the face of such simplicity?

Evolution

Google morphed from a simple, Stanford University search engine research project in 1996, to its current status of being the largest American company (not part of the Dow Jones Industrial Average) as of October, 2007. With over 16,800 employees, they have won international acclaim from loyal followers for their straightforward design and friendly usability. The company not only has specialized versions designed for the USA and the UK, but for Malaysia and other remote countries, as well.

In 2000, Google began offering keyword advertising with simple text based ads that were designed to maintain an orderly page design and to further capitalize on page loading speed. Since its inception, it has acquired several small, start up companies including Pyra Labs (the creators of Blogger), Double Click and the ever-popular, You Tube. To further improve production and services, the company has entered into partnerships with other businesses and government agencies, including NASA Ames Research Center and Time Warner. For the 2006 fiscal year, the company reported a whopping $10.492 billion in advertising revenue and $112 million in licensing and other revenues.

Now


Current Google Homepage

Google strategically places user-friendly links in various locations throughout their homepage. If you are looking for a photo of your favorite pop star or actor, you can easily find them here by clicking on the comprehensive Image Link in the top left-hand corner. You may even discover an image of yourself on the web, if you dare to search your own name!

If you need directions, to search cities or find a specific business location, you can do so by clicking on the Maps Link. Here you can learn more about adding your own establishment to Maps and how to use this feature on your personal phone. In addition, if you would like to add Maps to your website, you can conveniently and easily do so when you click this link. The advertising option available in this section makes it an excellent link for merchants to visit to learn more about using Adwords for their web business.

Top news information from around the world can be found by visiting the News Link. By adding your zip code to the search bar, you can search local news that is relevant to your own community. Whether your interests include business, science, health, sports or entertainment, stories that top the charts in these fields can be found by searching in this section.

Are you looking to buy a new computer or perhaps indulge yourself with a new car? Find relevant product searches for all your shopping needs when you click the Shopping Link. This section lists a vast array of recently searched for items that consumers are looking to purchase from the world-wide web. Google also provides detailed information to eager consumers who wish to sell their own merchandise through the shopping network and best of all, this service is free!

You can access your Google Mail account from the homepage as well. If you don't have one, don't worry, the company can set you up with one for free. Gmail is known to have less spam, practical mobile access, and tons of free storage space to make your email experience more enjoyable.


The More section provides users with a practical drop down menu that contains a variety of useful options. Here you can have access to valuable tools that can be utilized in every day life! For example, if you love to watch online videos, you can find the latest and hottest Google and You Tube videos under the Video Link. If you want to learn creative ways to make your life easier, be sure to check out the Calendar and Finance Links, where, with a quick click of your mouse you can be on your way to constructing a more organized version of yourself!

The Groups Link can assist you with making new friends and keeping old ones. You can discover fabulous new Blog Sites related to your favorite topic when you surf this section as well. Scholar and Book Search will assist you with ways to increase your knowledge base and the Photo Sharing Link will bring those who are farthest away from you, a little bit closer. Additionally, you can create and share your work online with Docs and organize all your favorite news and blogs in one place with Reader. Many of these links provide users with a tour and video to help you understand how these benefits can enhance your life and bring a sense of order to it!

In navigating over to the far right side of the page, you will notice the first link, iGoogle. This link provides surfers with an option that most are unaware of. By clicking here, you are able to actually create your very own, customized version of the Google homepage. You can add a distinctive theme or incorporate all of your favorite interests together in one place to produce a totally unique homepage designed just for you.

The Advanced Search option allows you to search for a particular phrase, date, file format or other specific information relevant to your search inquiry. If you don't speak English, don't fret, The Preference Link allows you to choose which language you want to surf in, customize the number of results found on a page and block pages that contain mature subject matter.

By choosing Subscribed Links, you can adapt your search to show distinct results from the web sources of your choice. If you don't have a link in mind, you can search the Subscribed Links directory to find one that interests you.

With the Language Tools link, you can enter a search phrase in your own language and have it translated in the dialect of your choice. Furthermore, the I'm Feeling Lucky Button will take you to the first web page returned for your search query, which according to Google "means less time searching for web pages and more time looking at them."

The Advertising Program and Business Solution Links provide business owners with a variety of enterprising tools to enhance corporate websites and increase their productivity. And finally, About Google will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the corporation but were afraid to ask, including how to access their blogsite, web store or find a job within the company itself.

As advances in internet technology are revolutionizing the way we communicate, it will be interesting to note if the Google homepage will continue to retain its innovative, minimal design or develop into something that mimics their competitors. Until then, Google will most likely remain the top search engine of choice for the savvy internet user of today.

No comments:

Post a Comment