Update:
Ken Schafer from One Degree raised a security conecrn about the fact that the page name is yourgmailusername.googlepages.com which practically gives your gmail address to every spammer around the web. So in case you don't want to enlarge any private body parts it is wise not to create Google page until they fix this problem.
End of update
Google Web Page Creator was launched this week. It is a web based service which allows users to create their own web pages.
It employes googles famous simple yet powerful interface methodology.
Quote from Google web page creator front page:
"
Google Page Creator is a free online tool that makes it easy for anyone to create and publish useful, attractive web pages in just minutes.
• No technical knowledge required.
Build high-quality web pages without having to learn HTML or use complex software.
• What you see is what you'll get.
Edit your pages right in your browser, seeing exactly how your finished product will look every step along the way.
• Don't worry about hosting.
Your web pages will live on your own site at http://yourgmailusername.googlepages.com
"
The idea of instant web pages has been around for a while. Many companies offer online web pages editors and customizable front page but these services did not gain a substantial impact on web sites creation like weblog sites has. The reason is that setting up a web site is still considered an expert matter.
Google's vast exposure has the potential to take it mainstream. Next time you return from your vacation, why not throw a few pages with your best pictures and texts and send the link to your friends. It's just like an instant blog with unlimited versatility.
Interestingly, Google state in their FAQ that they will never give preferred ranking to websites created on Google Web page creator. The mere existence of this question shows that Google is getting ready to face criticism over it's extended influence on the websphere.
The creation of Web Page Creator by Google may raise some eyebrows since it is a free service and will attract low volume websites with static content and relatively low traffic potential per site. The users are not the kind of users Google needs to attract in order to raise its bottom line. My speculation is that Web Page Creator is a first step in a line of products which will take the ease of publishing of blog services into other type of web sites. Google is making the money out of businesses selling products and advertising them with adwords. Therefore it has the incentive to give the tools to people to create instant shops with built-in Adwords support, payment (Google announced it recently) and other components. This will open up the consumer market to individuals which currently use eBay to sell their merchandise.
Time will tell.