Customizing Your Google Home Page

Once you have your Google home page set up, the next step is to customize it for you. By doing so, you can ensure that you're getting the information you want, while removing the stuff you don't want.

Once you've logged into your Google home page, you'll see a couple of links labeled, "Themes for Causes" and "Add Stuff".

The "Add Stuff" link will help you add RSS feeds and gadgets (like weather and calendar) that you're interested in. There are loads of gadgets and to make them easier to find, Google has separated them into categories (like tools, sports, finance, etc.).

In addition to the weather and calendar gadget, I tend to favor the "bookmarks" gadget and my favorite RSS feeds.

When you find one you like, simply click the "Add it Now" button under it. When done, click the "back to iGoogle home" link at top of page. If you hold the left mouse button down on the title bar of the gadget, you can drag and drop it anywhere you like on the page.

The "Themes for Causes" link allows you customize your Google page for a holiday, sports, or other theme. Some folks like to do this, some don't. It's a personal preference thing. But check it out to get a feel for how it works.

Having a Google home page can make your internet experience easier and more enjoyable. So give it a try.

How to Setup a Google Home Page

Google allows you to create custom home pages which can make your internet life a lot easier. The big advantage of doing this is that you can view the information you want to see and remove the rest. These pages also tend to load a lot faster than MSN or Yahoo because there is a lot less graphics and advertising slowing things down.

Getting started is really easy. Just go to Google and create a new account (it's free).
https://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount

If you already have a Google account, just sign in.
https://www.google.com/accounts/Login

Once you sign into your Google account, click the GOOGLE HOME link (top right corner of page) then the iGOOGLE link. This is the page you want to set as your home page.

To make Google your home page (so that it opens every time you open your internet browser), follow these steps ...

1. On the menu, click TOOLS and INTERNET OPTIONS (IE) or OPTIONS (Firefox)
2. If using Internet Explorer, click the USE CURRENT button then OK
   
3. If using Firefox, click the USE CURRENT PAGES button then OK

You now have your own Google home page. The next step is to customize it.

To learn how to customize your Google home page, click here.