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Does Google Need A Portal View?

It has been discussed here many times that the allure of Google was the simplicity of its homepage. However, that homepage was created long before any ads or other Google products so it made sense to do something minimal. However, now that Google offers over 20 digital products does it make sense to keep the simple search page? Would it even be possible to change or would users revolt too much? Can something be done to make users more aware of their current offerings without having a diverse effect on the homepage?

What Do They Do?

Okay so besides basic search what else does Google offer?

  1. Alerts
  2. Answers
  3. Blog Search
  4. Book Search
  5. Catalogs
  6. Directory
  7. Froogle
  8. Groups
  9. Images
  10. Labs
  11. Local
  12. Maps
  13. Mobile
  14. News
  15. Scholar
  16. SMS
  17. Special Searches
  18. University Search
  19. Web Search
  20. Blogger
  21. Code/APIs
  22. Desktop
  23. Earth
  24. Gmail
  25. Picasa
  26. Talk
  27. Toolbar
  28. Translate

On Google’s homepage a user is immediately aware of six of these. A public company that releases new products on a monthly basis it seems and it only pushes 6 of its services in front of the millions of people that visit the site daily? It’s tough to say that Google doesn’t wish to run the company for its stockholders, but I would think that as someone with a stake in the company you would want new products to last beyond their buzz/hype period.

Is Change Possible?

I once read somewhere that there are people who constantly watch the Google homepage code to see if it has increased in size at all and if it does they email Google with complaints. Sure their are some passionate users out there so I wonder if it is even possible for Google to make any drastic changes without going overboard and upsetting a large majority of their userbase. It’s definitely not an issue I would want to tackle.

As you can tell I don’t really have any answers to these questions (pathetic) and maybe none need to be found if Google continues with its success, but you have to think sooner or later they will have to extend their reach as Yahoo continues to raise the bar. So do you think any change is possible and if so how would you go about it?

Published by Scrivs on December 1, 2005 in Design • Did you like it? Subscribe! Or Submit it to Blogosphere News!

29 people says things!

  1. If you click on “Personalized Home” in the upper-right-hand corner Google’s home page you will be at Google’s portal view.

    By David Nelson on December 1, 2005 11:49 am

  2. But even that doesn’t push the new stuff. It just gives you news headlnes and stocks.

    By Scrivs on December 1, 2005 11:58 am

  3. I always wondered why they even bothered having the six up there… seems better to strip those down to a “More”, or whatever word you choose to use, link to other products that would be placed above or beside the search box.

    I suppose I’m a hyper-minimalist… but to your question Scrivs, I think even less would definitely be more in this case.

    By Larson on December 1, 2005 12:02 pm

  4. Fast Company recently interviewed Marissa Mayer, Google’s Usability Expert, and she compared the Google Home page to a swiss army knife — simple but powerful if you know how to use it. She also mentioned how those six items drive the most traffic (and ad revenue) to the site.

    So I think in their case, it’s not a case of “fear of change” but rather of keeping something that has continually proven itself to work.

    By Andrew on December 1, 2005 12:10 pm

  5. a good interview w/ her a couple years ago on good experience:
    http://www.goodexperience.com/blog/archives/000066.php

    By kevin on December 1, 2005 12:27 pm

  6. Good question, Scrivs. I agree that change probably isn’t possible at this time. I don’t know why people really get bugged about Google changing their site around, but they do. I remember a few months back reading an article that said they were thinking of taking away the “I’m Feeling Lucky” button, because really… it’s pointless. The article said that they received feedback saying that users do not use the button, but say it must stay because it just feels right. They said the button being there is more of a comfort issue. I am assuming the same thing comes into play with how the page of Google is designed.

    However, I do feel that maybe the slightest adjustment, such as having a random link at the bottom of Google to one of their services would do wonders. I mean, when they release a service, they sometimes place a link on the bottom, “Froogle now Local blah blah,” and that is all. Why not simply place a small link on the bottom that has a short-phrased description of a service linking to the service. I personally think that would be a great adjustment and it is so small, why should anyone complain? I guess that’s just what I feel would be good. Also, I think a redesign of the more page is in need. Looks cluttered and confusing. Ok, im done.

    By Brian Benzinger on December 1, 2005 12:27 pm

  7. Marissa did compare the Google to a swiss army knife (along with other companies) but made the important distinction that Google hands the customer a _closed_ swiss army knife, letting the customer choose which tool to open, while the other portals (Yahoo! MSN, etc) hand the customer an open swiss army knife with so many options that you’re overwhelmed.

    By Ryan on December 1, 2005 12:33 pm

  8. Oh and here’s the link to the FC article (a nice read).

    http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/100/beauty-of-simplicity.html

    By Ryan on December 1, 2005 12:38 pm

  9. I would say that yes, they could benefit from a portal view. Part of their success, aside from having an awesome search engine, is that their main page is so simplistic. The Average Joe can quickly find the search box, without being distracted by ads or current news. You go to Google to search, period. For other things, you go to other sites, but Google has made their brand/name synonymous with the word “Search,” and they’ve done it, in my opinion, by having really one thing as the focal point of their homepage.

    By Nathan Smith on December 1, 2005 1:04 pm

  10. To me, Google’s simple home page is a consistent voice in a sea of over-information. I love that they have kept it so basic and straight-forward for so many years. For those that do use more than just Google’s search feature, I think they are savvy enough to find their way around.

    Admittedly, I never go Google’s home page to search. I prefer to use the built-in Firefox toolbar. However, when I do go there, it’s nice to see a familiar face.

    Oh and I agree with Brian’s call for a redesign of the more page. Gmail’s kinda ugly too.

    By Rich Leland on December 1, 2005 1:14 pm

  11. I read somewhere recently (perhaps it’s the FC article being metioned here) that everything Google develops must pass a test of receiving so many millions of pageviews before it get’s launched, and I guess, offically posted as one of the elite on the front page.

    By Mark on December 1, 2005 1:21 pm

  12. I remember that when OS X was released, Google made an enlarging dock for all their services. Maybe they should reinstate that again?

    You can see a mirror of what I mean here:
    http://www.theplaceforitall.com/googlex/

    By Ben on December 1, 2005 1:21 pm

  13. I’m not sure that they need to change anything. People who know, know (about gmail, news, reader etc.).

    But in the end google is all about search (check your logs; looking at mine, they are the only ones in the search game). The search brings the traffic, the eyeballs, and the money. I see no reason to change that just yet…

    By Mike P. on December 1, 2005 2:25 pm

  14. I remember reading article about Google experimenting with their homepage. They tried to remove the ‘I Feel Lucky’ button but the negative response from users was huge. Now the button is almost useless, isn’t it? Does anyone use it? But it’s still important in its own way. This shows how fixed we are to our old habits. I would be surprised if Google changed their homepage much.

    By Jaro on December 1, 2005 2:56 pm

  15. Simplicity is why many people use Google instead of the alternatives. Once the simplicity is gone, users will have 1 less reason to use Google.

    I do like the rotating random ad idea. It adds to the awareness of their other products, without cluttering up the interface.

    By Kyle Posey on December 1, 2005 3:40 pm

  16. As many others have said here, the simplicity of their front page is what keeps the users coming back; and if the users are always coming back, eventually they will click the more link. I guess once you’re hooked on a good product, you’re willing to look beyond the front page for more.

    I still find it easier to find beta products several pages into Google than I do with Yahoo’s products on their front page.

    By Dion on December 1, 2005 5:01 pm

  17. Alright, so half the free world beat me to the comments on this one, but I was actually just thinking about this earlier today. I think Google’s interface is great - for search. Personally, I think many of the newer features are somewhat hard to find from the homepage, and they look as though they’re tailored to “web experts.”

    Don’t get me wrong; the interface is definitely usable, but I think that people who are less web-savvy than the 9rules community may find the spartan interface to be confusing or uninformative.

    Yahoo is still more popular than Google in areas other than search, and I think this is largely because the other information is presented in such a way that an uninformed idiot could find it. I realize that’s a bit harsh, but seriously, all the info you need is right there. Personally, I don’t care for Yahoo’s home page, but my opinion doesn’t change the fact that Yahoo shopping, movies, etc. are outpacing Google’s similar services.

    By Chris on December 1, 2005 5:56 pm

  18. I hardly ever goto Google’s front page anymore. The only time I do, it’s because I’m wanting to get to their list of services. Maybe you’re on to something, which wasn’t the conclusion I initially had in mind. I was going to say that they don’t need to change it because I don’t goto it.

    By Nolan Eakins on December 1, 2005 6:40 pm

  19. I love the fact that Google completely bucks the trend and keeps their homepage straight to the point with minimal graphics and zero fluffy ad copy.

    Compared to MSN, Yahoo! and the like, Google tries to be nobody but themselves to everyone who visits. That’s pretty cool in my books.

    By Geof Harries on December 1, 2005 7:34 pm

  20. I like google as it is but maybe they should think on an image makeover, new times, new technologies, new future. I think an image makeover would only help

    By Mario on December 1, 2005 8:51 pm

  21. Google to me is really that swiss army knife of consistency. I am not afraid of change but would personally hate to see it different. Maybe this is a case of if it isn’t broken don’t fix it?

    By karmatosed on December 2, 2005 4:21 am

  22. http://www.google.com/ig

    I’ve had it as my start page for months now.

    By Alex Cabrera on December 2, 2005 1:49 pm

  23. I would want to see a portal page for Google… though I’m sure thet are not keen into it because they are making tons of money anyway even without one.

    By Minic Rivera on December 4, 2005 11:23 am

  24. They do have a portal view. http://toolbar.google.com/

    By Robert on December 4, 2005 3:55 pm

  25. If Google really wants to take on Yahoo it needs to better integrate their services. They do have a personalized page right now, but it doesn’t come close to the functionality that My Yahoo has to offer.

    By Sachin Kotwani on December 6, 2005 8:37 am

  26. Hehe, man every weblog needs a portal view as well.

    By Nollind Whachell on December 9, 2005 8:10 pm

  27. The customisable Google dashboard is useless for me. I couldn’t see how to add links to any of the Google services listed in your post.

    Google’s stubborn concept of simplicity is denying us easy access to their products.

    By Nick Dunn on December 26, 2005 3:19 pm

  28. Is it all about simplicity? In amongst all this noise, it’s so much simpler to go to a site that does what is says on the tin.

    On a daily basis:

    Google - I use for search and little else.
    Yahoo - I use for email and little else.
    BBC News - I use for news and little else.

    This might be just be my preference - but then again, I’m the kind of person who likes to use his mobile phone for making calls and an ipod for listening to music. Both do what they do well. It’s often the case that quality / each product’s USP fails when more functions are added.

    I know, “tell that to Virgin…”

    Sigh.

    By Dan on January 5, 2006 7:34 am

  29. Simplicity is the best thing for common users, I think google need to work their search resutls more than other things, as it getting worser…

    By Artman on January 5, 2006 6:24 pm

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