Google and the decision-making process - Essay Example

Google and Decision-Making Process Google and Decision-Making Process The development in information systems during the last two decades has allowed people to do many things through the internet. Communication has been enhanced with the different applications that websites offer. Along with enhanced communication, business transactions also blossomed. Surfing the net is facilitated by search engines such as Google. Google is a large-scale search engine that crawls and indexes millions of websites and web pages in the internet (Brin & Page n.d.).

Google was started by Larry Page and Sergey Brin first as search engine BackRub (using Stanford servers) in 1996, but later changed the name to Google in 1997 when it switched servers (The History 2011). At present, Google is one of the popular search engines in the internet. The internet has become a venue for companies and businesses to showcase their products. In fact, many business firms have put up their own websites to facilitate transaction with clients and suppliers. Companies have also put up their virtual or online stores in addition to physical stores since they can have broader reach among the customers throughout the world.

Thus, through the use of internet and the search engine Google, customers can view numerous products from different manufactures from home, the office or any other place where a computer and internet connection are available. The customers can also compare the products and features, as well as the prices easily. Through this, decision-making on what particular product to purchase is facilitated. Google also has numerous applications and services that people can use such as email or chat services.

It operates Gmail, Google Adsense, Google Books, etc. Communication and interaction have been facilitated by messaging applications offered by Google. Through these applications, consumers can exchange ideas with family members and friends on which product has superior features and qualities in relation with the price offered. Also, through Google applications or apps, community fora have been established wherein consumers exchange ideas and experiences on specific products. They post their negative experiences and recommended good products.

Such posts and messages by end-users shape and influence decision-making of consumers. Twitter is one of the most popular and effective apps on the web used by many sectors in society that includes politicians, Hollywood stars, executives, managers, manufacturers, professors, students, etc. Twitter is a social networking site, along with Friendster, Facebook, Myspace, and other websites with lesser following. Twitter was created by Jack Dorsey and Noah Glass in 2006 which at the time was called Twttr (Malik, 2009).

Although new in the social networking sites, it is able to gain popularity with its apps that serve the objectives of businesses. The site has incorporated a short messaging system (SMS) that allows sending short messages of up to 140 characters (Malik, 2009). Twitter can also promote products and companies. It has Twitter Alerts (provides updates of conversations, products or companies through email updates sent every hour), TwitPay (allows sending of payment), Twitter Alerts (enable one to locate, follow and interact with companies and services), Twitzu (this one endorses companies, promotions, products, events), and several others (Andrew, 2009).

A registered member of Twitter can receive messages and promotions from manufacturers and online stores about the new products and latest features. Receiving regular messages from businesses can shape the tastes of consumers and end-users. Moreover, consumers can send inquiries and questions to businesses and online stores about the products they are promoting and receive answers through Twitter apps. Twitter also has Twitter Mail with the same functions as Gmail and Hotmail. A person does not have to register with several websites to avail of messaging and chat apps since Twitter offer them along with several other tools and applications.

Mark Zuckerberg started Facebook in 2004 as a limited social networking site for Harvard students (Phillips, 2007). The demand for this new technology had tremendously increased that membership spread to other universities in Boston (Phillips, 2007). When September 2006 came, membership was extended to non-schools. There were 30 million registered users in 2007. Facebook offers messaging, wall for photos, and gifts that can be given to friends. In these social networking sites, communities are formed based on common interests, preferences, country of origin, or any other commonalities.

There are also followers of a particular personality. Within these communities and groups, members exchange ideas, opinions and experiences. There are also experts in these communities who are willing to share their knowledge with other community members. Members also ask for opinions of others of their views on particular products that include the best features and negative qualities. The recommendations of the experts exert an influence upon the buyers and shape their decision on what product to purchase.

An IBM consumer study conducted in Europe revealed that social media networks have a great influence on the decision of consumers on the products that they purchase (Lloyd-Jones, 2011). More than 50 percent of the respondents within the age group of 16 to 64 admitted that they use social network sites to help them in making decisions in buying products (Lloyd-Jones, 2011). And most often, buyers would prefer to buy products from those who are also members of the networking community who would offer discount coupons or free trial periods (Lloyd-Jones, 2011).

To end, Google, Facebook or Twitter have created communities of buyers who would utilize the networks before making the final decision in buying a product. Buyers would ask for opinions of experts in the community and would prefer to buy products from members of the community. References Andrew, P. (2009, March 17). 99 essential Twitter tools and applications. Retrieved September 5, 2011, from http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/03/17/99-essential-twitter-tools-and-applications/ Brin, S. & Page, L. (n.d.). The anatomy of a large-scale hypertextual web search engine.

Retrieved September 5, 2011, from http://infolab.stanford.edu/pub/papers/google.pdf Lloyd-Jones, T. (2011, September 7). Study finds social networks influence more than half of consumers’ decision-making. Retrieved September 7, 2011, from http://theluxuryproject.com/wp/2011/09/study-finds-social-networks-influence-more-than-half-of-consumers-decision-making/ Malik, O. (2009, February 1). A brief history of Twitter. Retrieved September 5, 2011, from http://gigaom.com/2009/02/01/a-brief-history-of-twitter/ The History of Google. (2011). Retrieved September 5, 2011, from http://www.

webhostingreport.com/learn/google.html Phillips, S. (2007, July 25). A brief history of Facebook. The Guardian. Retrieved September 5, 2011, from http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2007/jul/25/media.newmedia