Go Speed Racer Go!

2008-05-09T22:30:14-07:00

Hi everyone. Need to keep this light for a Friday since I have had one helluva week. So what better way then to play movie critic....well not really.

Yellow Flag on the Track
I promised my son that I would take him to see Speed Racer today. As a father, I so enjoy taking him to movies that he is really looking forward to. However, given that this wasn't Monsters Inc., or Garfield...I was somewhat concerned if in fact he would enjoy it. Strangely enough, I was pretty concerned for myself being that I grew up watching Speed Racer cartoons and as strange as they were, I really liked them. However, making it into a live action move....definitely needed a yellow flag on the track.

Green Flag
The good news...we both loved it. Even at 2 hours and 15 minutes, he was on the edge of his seat the whole time. So by now you're wondering what Speed Racer has anything to do with web development and design, so I'll let you off the hook. The marketing job of a web designer is to cater to their client's target market. However, when the audience ranges from young to old, our jobs become very tough and we need to take cues from the Wachowski Brothers as to how to do it well.

Designing for the Masses
Even though this movie has been getting blasted in the movie reviews (which is not surprising considering Underdog got blasted even worse and is one of mine and my kids favorite films) it is a great example of how to take a wide audience range and piece together a presentation to keep all parties interested.

Speed Racer catered to boys obviously because of the cars and some pretty intense racing scenes, however it also catered to girls because of some great humor by Speed's younger brother, Spritle and his pet chimp, Chim Chim. I also think the bright colors appealed to both as well.

For the adults, the wives/mothers/girlfriends who may have gotten dragged to this film by their husbands/boyfriends/kids seemed to really enjoy the storyline. It actually surprisingly had a very good one, and I don't think the CGI graphics hurt either.

For the guys, who doesn't love a lot of action, fast cars, and some pretty nice eye candy courtesy of some scantily clad female airline attendants, vegas showgirl looking grand prix driver escorts, and yes....a very nice outfit worn by Christina Ricci.

Websites are Much Like Movies
So if you approach web design from the same thought pattern, you essentially can design websites that can cater to a wide array of audience members. Therefore potentially reaching a wider customer base. Even if the members themselves viewing the site aren't potential buyers, if they like the site, they will probably mention it to someone who does.

And don't rule out putting in some things for kids. Let's say you are designing a site for a pest control company. Creating a nicely organized, informative website with good monthly prices will probably get the attention of the adult homeowners you are looking for.

How Kids Can Be Helpful in Reaching Your Buyers
But let's say you throw in a flash ant farm game, or something like pick up the food before the cockroaches get it (I know I need help). And one family who is looking at pest control companies finds it on the internet...sees the game....has their child play it....who then tells their friends at school about it...they all go home...ask permission to play it (we hope) and then the parents of those ten kids see it....viola'....you've just reached another 10 homes through young adults who probably think bugs are a lot cooler than you do!

So if you get a chance, go see Speed Racer and see how you can appeal to a very wide audience range, and at the same time...see what changes you can make to your own website to appeal to a wider range as well.

Happy Coding!

Doug.

Why Arizona is the next "Orlando"

2008-03-04T00:00:00-07:00

Ok, the first question you are all asking is, "what does Arizona being the next 'Orlando'" have to do with websites and web development." The answer is, plenty!

Websites are marketing tools. Whether you have a great product or service you want to sell, or have a great relationship with a distributor that you have the upper hand in giving your customers the lowest price available...the web is the best place to get it out there to so many people in such a short period of time.

Even if you don't have your own super-duper SEO working your site, while expensive and not as powerful as SEO natural listings, pay per clicks are out there and if you have the money, can get your site out in front of thousands, maybe millions, within just a day or so. But let's say you don't have a product yet....and want to get some feedback and generate interest to develop a product or service. The web is another fantastic way of generating "buzz" about something not even built or designed in hopes of generating enough interest that it eventually develops into a lucrative business venture.

Right now, I have my eye on a website that is of particular interest to me and I would like to get it in front of many other Arizonians, as well as other folks who visit Arizona on a semi-regular basis. The website is www.decadesusa.com and is a site working at bringing a "Disney-like" theme park to the Southeast Arizona valley. Their concept is a great one....music through the decades, which will translate into theme park rides, restaurants, a water park, nightlife, and a four-star hotel.

As said above, this is a "concept". It is not built, it has just recently passed a major hurdle in the Arizona State Government, but still has a little ways to go before becoming a reality. The website itself is pretty well designed, and of course being the overly critical nit-picking perfectionist I am...could use some improvements in design, SEO, and functionality, but overall a great way to start getting the buzz out there for something that could mean a very state-changing event for Arizona.

Ok, my two cents on Arizona and why it is better than Orlando. First of all, I'm from Orlando, Florida and lived there for over 15 years. The area is chock full of entertainment, great hotels, and fantastic dining. And no matter what anyone says, it is all due to "the Mouse". Yes, Universal Orlando is awesome as well, but it is mostly due to the genius of Walt Disney and his vision to take a new approach to entertainment and family vacationing.

Now, let's think, the busiest times of the year for Disney/Orlando is June, July, August, and a little of September. That is also the times of the year in central Florida where the temps hit in the high 80's to low 90's, with the humidity way up there as well so much that just breathing makes you into a human shower. The reason Arizona has never been considered a prime area for tourism and travel is because of the misconception that the desert heat is just unbearable in the summer. Not true. If you consider the heat-index, which is a fancy way of determining just how comfortable the temperature is with all factors (temperature, humidity, etc.) considered...you'll find that during the busiest times of the year for central Florida, the heat index is actually LOWER than Arizona when we're in the 100's.

Let's also consider the wonderful afternoon showers and thunderstorms that occur in Orlando during these busy times. They hit every day just at about 3pm...causing everyone to run for cover in the parks, and have to get out of the pools at all the resorts. In Arizona....it's a desert....enough said.

Also...have you ever tried sitting out back at night in a non-screened in area in Orlando? You might as well be ringing the dinner bell for the mosquitoes and their cousins. Again...not a problem in Arizona.

Lastly, every now and then a little weather event called a hurricane pops up. It is the biggest waiting game in the history of the human race. Everyone wakes up in the morning, logs into NOAA and sees where the latest track is projecting the hurricane to hit. It messes up vacations, businesses, cruises, you name it. Arizona is pretty well situated that it shouldn't get any hurricanes and and doesn't have the tornadoes that usually accompany big tropical storms.

So in my humble opinion, Arizona...Phoenix...specifically....is really where theme park developers and hoteliers should be looking. With modern "cooling" features such as good design of ride queues, and plenty of shade, it is very easy to see how Decades USA could take Arizona into a brand new area.

So check out their website if you live in Arizona. Or, if you know someone who lives in Arizona or visits the state...send this link along to them as well:

http://www.decadesusa.com/show-your-support/index.php

Be sure to tell them to mention in their comments that you learned of the site from Justice Solutions LLC. Maybe they'll let me be in one of the parades....ha!!! Until next time, happy webbing and coding!

Doug.

Justice Solutions LLC Blog

Go Speed Racer Go!

Why Arizona is the next "Orlando"