Something happened today, OMG! Google made the search box bigger. What!
The search box is bigger?
But why?
First take a look at the old Google search box on their main search page…
Google search box old
And now the new and improved bigger Google search box…
New bigger Google search box
Let's take a look at them overlapping…
Google search box - Old and new overlay
What the…!!! But why?
To most people, this may seem like an insignificant change, but it's a huge user interface design modification, especially because Google is used by millions and millions of Earthlings (and possible non-earthlings too) every day.
There are a few reasons on the change that I'd like to comment on here. Here is what Google had to say about it on their official blog…
For us, search has always been our focus. And, starting today, you'll notice on our homepage and on our search results pages, our search box is growing in size. Although this is a very simple idea and an even simpler change, we're excited about it — because it symbolizes our focus on search and because it makes our clean, minimalist homepage even easier and more fun to use. The new, larger Google search box features larger text when you type so you can see your query more clearly. It also uses a larger text size for the suggestions below the search box, making it easier to select one of the possible refinements. Over the past 11 years, we've made a number of changes to our homepage. Some are small and some are large. In this case, it's a small change that makes search more prominent.
Google has always been first and foremost about search, and we're committed to building and powering the best search on the web — now available through a supersized search box.
Larger Monitors: One reason this change is possible and needed is that you and I are most likely surfing the web on much larger monitors. The original smaller search box was designed to fit in a 640 x 480 pixel resolution monitor. That's not necessary anymore. What comes along with the larger monitors, is smaller pixel size and much more competition for real estate with the hundreds of other windows any of us have open at any given moment. A larger search box makes it much easier to see and read on today's monitors.
Focus: Like the Google blog said, they are emphasizing what they do best. With the infinite amount of Google applications now available, much of the focus has been going away from what they are known for. Users are thinking less of Google as a search engine and more as just another conglomerate high tech business. I think they need to reign in the focus of the brand a bit and remind everyone that they are a search engine, first and foremost.
So what does it mean for you, the business owner or marketer?
The user interface of your website is an essential part of your brand and marketing strategy. A well designed user interface guides the user through the site and emphasizes the strengths and benefits of working with your company. When was the last time you watched a prospect surf your website? Ever? You should so that soon. Watch someone who is a potential client surf your site and see what they look at or how they find information that they may be looking for. What may seem obvious to you may be a challenge to a prospect. And sometimes, subtle changes to sizes, colours, shapes may make the world of difference.
If you are interested in setting up a formal review of your site to determine the effectiveness of the interface, I'd be glad to help you out. Just let me know.
Ciao,
Robert Scozzari
Stand out from your competitors. Stand out to your prospects.
