Google launched Google Web Fonts in 2010. Now simply called Google Fonts, it is a web font and computer font service. While it isn’t the only font repository, it is currently the largest and most popular free font service in the world.
When we first started building websites in the early 2000s, we were restricted to using about a dozen specific fonts. This was due to the technology of the time. When a web page loaded, it used the fonts on the user’s computer to render the page. This standard set of fonts, called web safe fonts, were the ones most likely to be installed on every computer.
This is important because when you visit a website that calls for a font not installed on your computer, another font will replace it. This could significantly affect the appearance of the site.
To get around this design limitation and ensure a more consistent look, designers would often create text as an image in another program, such as Photoshop, and then import the image for use as text. This had significant negative repercussions, including by not limited to, the fact that these images are neither mobile-responsive nor indexable.
Google Fonts to the rescue!
Today we still use web safe fonts. However, we also have the option of using free services, such as Google Fonts, that host their fonts on a server. In this case, the browser works with Google’s server to access and display the font that is being called for.
Nothing is perfect. Not even Google.
Google Fonts are an inexpensive and useful way to present text on your website, however, there are drawbacks to using them.
Potential issues:
- Page Speed: If the person visiting your website has a slow internet connection and your site is extremely text heavy, the load on the system could negatively affect website performance.
- Variety: While they offers hundreds of font options, other paid services have an even larger selection.
- Privacy: Privacy advocates point out that when someone visits a website that uses Google fonts, and their browser requests those fonts from Google’s servers, Google can track their IP address. This violates the GDPR, so if your website serves users in the European Union, you should find an alternative solution. One option is to store Google fonts on your web host.
At Trevellyan.biz, we frequently use Google Fonts. We believe that, in most cases, the positives outweigh the negatives. However, it is still important to understand any potential drawbacks.
Google Fonts aren’t just for websites
Google now offers its fonts free for print, too. Download the font from their website and install on your computer like any other font. Now the branding of your website and your print materials can match.
Contact us for more information
If you still have questions, need help installing them on your website or your computer, contact us at 518.392.0845 or by email [email protected]. Learn more about our web design and graphic design services.