Note: This article was originally published in The Greeley Tribune, Sunday Business Section, May 30, 2004

Web Wise

Google - the brain of the Web

By Lori Gama-White

You may already use Google as your only search engine for finding information on the Web. But did you know that this search engine has some terrific “Web Search Features” that help you find some really specific information? I mean REALLY specific. Need to find a local shoe store that carries your special brand? Do you need to know what the meaning of life is? Or maybe you just need to know if your flight is arriving on time at DIA.

Google is like the brain of the Web: it can search for information in so many ways that, sometimes, it seems like it can think. Here are just a few of the ways you can use Google to find your answers. Visit Google.com and click on “more >>” to see the many different services this search engine offers. You might want to do this on a Sunday morning when you have a lot of time to explore these fascinating and useful features.

Google Local: A lot of us are starting to use the Web just like we use the Yellow pages: to search for local vendors. Google has developed a specific way for us to search locally online. If you include a city or zip code with your search word in the search box, like this:

steak Greeley

--Google will display the top relevant Web page results from Greeley that contain “steak” and “Greeley.” Google recently added a new feature to its Google Ads that allows for “regional targeting” for vendors who want their ads to appear only in their local area. A study by WebAudit projects “local online ad spending is expected to rise 28.7 percent to more than $2.6 billion — twice the growth rate of overall Internet advertising.”

Froogle: This feature is kind of like “window” shopping online. You can’t purchase products directly from Froogle but you can find the sites that are selling the products you’re looking for. You can view photos of products, search by price range or best price match--either lowest to highest or highest to lowest--and you can view results in a list view or grid view. Best of all, merchants can submit their information for free.

Travel: Want to know if your flight is arriving on time today in the U.S.? Go to Google and type your flight number into the search box. You’ll see listings of Web sites that carry that information. By typing “United 11” (without the quotes) into the search box, you’ll get the top results that have that information. By typing “dia airport” you can check delays and weather conditions at Denver International Airport.

Calculator: Use Google to do your math or to figure out measurements. Type your math problem into the search box and click “Google Search:” 5+2*2 gets you this answer: 5 + (2 * 2) = 9 To find out how many cups are in a gallon, type in “cups in gallon” and you’ll get this answer: 1 US gallon = 16 US cups

Definitions: use Google to look up word definitions. Here’s how: type in “define: meta” (without the quotes). If Google has indexed a web page that contains the definition of your word, Google will get the information and display the most relevant listings for you at the top.

Answers: If you have a question that you just can’t find the answer to on your own, you can pay a Google researcher (often for as little as $2.50) to find your answer for you. Even if you don’t need this feature it’s fun to review the questions, particularly in the miscellaneous category. Questions range from “What are the differences between prayer and meditation?” to “Who is the bald auctioneer on the BBC’s “Cash in the attic?”

If you want to know what the meaning of life is, and you haven’t had any luck finding the answer yourself, try Google’s “Answers.” Search the miscellaneous category, type in “meaning of life” (with the quotes this time) and you’ll find some interesting responses. But only you can find your own answer to such a special question.

Lori Gama-White owns DaGama Web Studio in Greeley, Colorado. Developing strategic, results-oriented Web sites since 1997, Lori Gama-White and her team of Web professionals are passionate about helping people get their businesses on to the Internet. For more information, questions or comments, call 970-378-7822 or e-mail .

© 2005 Lori Gama-White - All Rights Reserved - http://www.dagamawebstudio.com
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