Improving the site architecture of a core web platform
We provided a valuable, up-to-date home base for Google For Startup Campus locations and programs.
Challenge
Google for Startups Campuses are where tech-based startups enjoy the best of Google with free training, mentoring, and a diverse community of problem solvers. Googlers and industry experts offer support for startup teams, helping them turn big ideas into reality.
As part of the Google for Startups ecosystem, Campus offers a platform for Google’s physical Campus locations in Madrid, São Paulo, London, Warsaw, Seoul, Tel Aviv, and Tokyo.
The site provides relevant information on Campus offerings, featured programs, openings, and engages with the wider Campus community.
Project scope and challenges included:
- Evolve the platform proposition to deliver a better user experience for startups Google wanted to reach.
- Refine messaging and improve navigation.
- Simplify content updates from various Google markets and improve efficiency.
Solutions
Beyond’s work on Google Campus helped to evolve the platform proposition as a whole and helped Google to deliver a better user experience for startups.
- Beyond built a bespoke Kintaro-based CMS, transforming the static site to a dynamic one. This meant that content updates from various Google markets - which grew from four to seven Campuses - were no longer a challenge.
- Connected to this, to improve efficiency, we developed a global workflow for content updates from all markets.
- Through an in-depth sitewide audit, we refined messaging and improved navigation, creating a better user experience for startups.
- Finally, Beyond redesigned the entire site by adapting brand standards to fit the unique constraints of Campus, a 100-page website translated into five languages.
Focusing on maximizing the value of the platform, we added several features, including integration with Salesforce. This allowed users to access event information and to register for events, a campus specific job board and a visitor sign-in functionality for users to register visits in a Campus.
The architecture definition uses different Google Cloud services and technologies to maximize functionality and scalability while minimizing the effort required to maintain the services operational under different load profiles.
Leveraging Beyond’s expertise in cloud technologies, it was possible to create a platform that enabled quick iterations for both developers and content editors when implementing new features or editing content. To efficiently enable short feedback loops was fundamental to adapt the platform throughout the evolving needs and requirements.
Technologies
During the engagement, we leveraged Google Cloud, including:
- AppEngine
- Identity Aware Proxy
- Cloud Tasks
- Cloud Datastore
- Cloud Scheduler
- PubSub
- Cloud Functions
- Cloud Build
Impact
Our long tenure working on Campus reflected our understanding of Google systems and the Campus audience.
In strengthening our client relationship and content strategy approach, we continue to evolve Campus as a valuable asset within the Google for Startups brand. We look forward to continuing to contribute to its impact on Google and their connected community of Campus participants.
