Larry Eeles | Web Design

Bet Victor – Web Site 2.0

Larry — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:44:24 +0000

www.BetVictor.com

The new Bet Victor site was two years in the making.

Every element of this site was meticulously thought about and tested. Design, SEO, Speed, and User Experience were all taken into account. With this and a new agile release process this site was designed to be a market leader.

Logo Design / Branding

The aim was to learn from the difficulties previously experienced with the Victor Chandler logo and create a design that worked in multiple instances. As a script, the previous iteration struggled at small resolutions and as it was created from a stylized version of Victor’s signature, there was never the luxury of writing anything other than his name. This logo needed to use an existing font, to work at all resolutions, and to be clean and simple in order to prevent it dating too quickly. For this to work it was important not to follow key trends, and use lower case lettering as many companies had taken to doing, but to follow the more old school caps approach adopted by logos that have stood the test of time – IBM, JVC, SAMSUNG, TESCO to name but a few.

Brand Guidelines

The new approach was decided by the board of directors. My job was to make the new brand work, whilst retaining the feel of the old Victor Chandler brand. We had started to do a lot of advertising at key sporting events, and at horse racing tracks, so it was important that the brand was recognizable when a camera panned pasted at speed. We felt consistency was key and kept the colours of the products the same, and hinted at the old VC Branding with the small lozenge at the end of the text. When I produced the Brand Guidelines (Right) I produced two sets. A small two page cut down version to send out with any logo, and a full descriptive version for any agencies that may need more detail.

SEO

One of the biggest problems we faced was natural SEO. As the markets are made dynamically, the URL’s created were numbers that meant nothing to the Google Bot. The new site creates named and structured URL strings. These are useful to both the user and search engines. Victor Chandlers natural SEO has always been almost nonexistent, with the new 2.0 site live the benefits are already being seen.

User Experience

The user experience (UX) of this new site was the most debated problem of all. I created wireframes in OmniGraffle that would be looked over, reviewed and tested. Each product had a clearly defined user all of whom were using the site in a different way. Customer journey was important, but personalization is the future. We implemented an intelligent portal page that recognised what language you speak and would direct you to that territory. With a clever use of cookies, when you first select the product you want, you will never return to that page again. Cleaning up the customer journey, and improving repeated business is one example of the multitude of improvements that have been made, and are continuing to better the users experience.

Speed

Loading speed is something that I was keen to address. Our page load times were 6 seconds+. This was a massive hole where we were getting customer drop off. We had to get this timing down. We invested in some monitoring software, and set about addressing image size, code size, and anything that could improve the waterfall effect. The site now is one of the fastest in the industry, at 1.5 seconds.

Products

Bet Victor has a suite of nine products, and each of these products are used in very different ways:

Sports – The traditional punter. Users move about a lot, and the site needs to handle a lot of data.
Live – The dynamic better. Constantly changing, But users stay in one place.
Casino – The high flyer. Users want to see a combination of old school Casino play alongside more engaging new games, and when on a Game will stay still for some time.
Poker – Only used as an information point. Games are played else where.
Games – The small stake, but repetitive customer. Users want to see new games, and when on a Game will stay still for some time.
Spinroom – The lighter approach, designed for our female clientelle. Users want to see new slots, and when on a slot will stay still for some time.
Live Casino – The “Real Time” experience. Users login in and stay in one place.
Mobile – For betting on the go. Used once, to gain information on how to get the mobile apps.
Financials – A different approach to playing the Markets. All on one screen, you stay in one place.

Each site has to be looked at and the user taken into account.

Victor Chandler – Branding

Larry — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 14:18:41 +0000

The brief was to move the brand forward from its VC days, and play on the heritage behind the name Victor Chandler – one of the few eponymous gaming companies still in existence.

By adding Victor’s face to the logo, we wanted to create a recognition and build upon the familiarity that Victor currently has trackside at the races. With the aim to move the companies focus towards the lucrative football market, we wanted to almost unveil the man himself, and felt a very stylised silhouette worked well here. Whilst very aware of the heavy use of black as a brand colour, we felt a monochrome photoshoot would work with the existing guidelines, and also create quite a dramatic “Film Noir” feel as the man steps out from the shadows.

Paddy McGuinness Emails

Larry — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:00:43 +0000

With our new casino advert going live today, we needed to make a whole host updates to reflect the new offers and promotions. These are three of the automated messages that are sent from the website. New account, Non Depositer, and Games account. These were designed to continue the feel of the advert on to the website.

You can see from the advert that we tried to keep the look and feel as close as possible. These will run for 6 weeks, the run of the TV campaign.

Watch this video on YouTube.

Football Emailers

Larry — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 11:03:56 +0000

Football is the most important sport in the betting calender. As such we spend a lot of time telling customers about all the deals we have on and the great prices and offers. It is our job to keep this creative fresh and interesting all year round.

We do this in a few ways. Up to date information and prices, and information about the best offers. You can see here a selection of the style of mails we send out. All of which have the latest odds, that click through to the website market to make it easier to place the bet. In some cases much like the Notting Forest Emails these are branded to the team/teams, and sent to a smaller selection. Moving forward the intention is to have team specific emails. Personalisation of emails and communications are the future of this market place.

These get sent out on a Friday afternoon so to hit the customers inbox by the weekend.

Nottingham Forest Prize Draw

Larry — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 07:34:15 +0000

As the shirt sponsor of Nottingham Forest we try to support the team as much as possible. This was an email shoot to anyone that has placed a bet on Nottingham Forest, and anyone registered in the Nottingham area. With a 1st prize of a directors box on the centre line, and signed shirts, and 1000′s of free bets, this was a great competition.

This consisted of an email, and landing page. The email broke our brand guidelines as we wanted to include some of the feel of the Nottingham Forests Branding. So it was important to balance the two brands equally. This has taken some time and as you can see went through quite a few iterations.

The landing page was quite simple. All we wanted from the player was there name, account number or username, and email address. So we mimicked the branding of the email to give the user a sense of completion, and safety.

The final product worked very well and we had a great response rate from this campaign.

Top 10 Gadgets for the Kitchen…

Larry — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 10:17:25 +0000

Do you like to cook? Want something more from you Kitchen? then here are my All Time Top 10 Gadgets for the Kitchen.

	1) Joseph Joseph Nest 8 Food Preparation Bowl Set Ever conscious of the space restrictions imposed by modern urban living the Nest Food Preparation set offers multi-use, but takes up only minimal space in the kitchen. The Nesting 8-piece set is comprised of a large blue 4-1/2-litre mixing bowl with non-slip bottom and helper handles, a light green small 1/2-litre mixing bowl with measurements included on the inside, a blue colander, a sieve and a 4-piece multi-coloured measuring cup set. All 5 components nest together.
	2) Joseph Joseph Index Colour Coded Chopping Board Set Index is the multi-award-winning chopping board categorisation system, designed to reduce the likelihood of cross-contamination of different food types. The stylish storage case contains four individual chopping boards. Each board is colour-coded and has its own illustrated tab, indicating which food type it should be used for. With Index you can prepare vegetables, fish, raw meat and cooked food safely and separately. Dishwasher safe.
	3) Photo Frame Clock Family Is it a clock, is it a frame? Actually the Family Time Clock is both. Arrange your photos so a different family member or friend is on every hour. It is a great way to tell the time, while also looking at your family and friends all day. Why not pick them an hour and get them to hold the number…
	4) Cup Cake Stand – A cup cake stand is the must have item for any party, event or just when friends are over for a coffee! The Proteam 23 cup cake stand is easy to assemble and comes in a box for easy storage when not in use. It will accommodate most sizes of cup cake (the giant Proteam cup cake mould would be the exception!) and will present your hard work or cheat purchased cup cakes beautifully. So what are you waiting for, get baking and showing off your cup cake skills.
	5) De’Longhi Espresso/Cappuccino Maker From the country that invented and perfected espresso comes a machine of unrivalled versatility. The De’Longhi Magnifica embodies everything truly Italian about coffee: style, quality and the perfect intensity of flavour at the touch of a button.
	6) SodaStream PURE Drinks Maker The classic SodaStream is back, create your own carbonated drinks with no batteries or electricity required it saves the environment by using reusable bottles. Rolla colla anyone?
	7) Imperia Italian Double Cutter Pasta Machine This Imperia Pasta Machine is the original way of producing fantastic homemade pasta. The machine consists of two rollers that can be gradually adjusted, rolling the pasta into thinner sheets as the handle is turned. Once the correct thickness has been achieved, simply feed the pasta through the spaghetti or tagliatelle cutter and that is it!
	8 ) De’Longhi Icona 4-Slice Toaster Inspired by the glamour of 1950s Italy, the Icona range from De’Longhi brings style to any kitchen. Featuring a unique three-layer high-gloss paint finish, chrome detailing and a solid, quality build, the Icona will become an icon within your home. Matching Icona coffee makers and kettles are also available.
	9) Brita Filter Kettle with Spectra Illumination The Breville polished stainless steel Brita filter jug kettle combines modern design with high performance. It is high wattage–3 kilowatt (kW)–keeping the boiling time short to save you time and has a concealed element. This makes it easier to clean and more energy efficient than an immersed element, requiring a lower minimum water level in order to function safely. It has a capacity of 1 litre (l) and features Brita filter technology which works as the kettle is boiling. This Brita filter uses a mixture of carbon and ion exchange resin to remove hardness, chlorine, heavy metals such as lead and copper, and other organic impurities from your water to improve its taste, smell and appearance. The kettle includes a recyclable Brita Maxtra cartridge which features a Memo display that automatically reminds you when your filter cartridge needs to be changed.
	10) KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer KitchenAid has progressed considerably since it launched the first domestic stand mixer, a classic iconic shape of the early 20th century, designed by one of the great American style gurus, Egmont Arens, back in 1937. There is now a complete KitchenAid® Artisan™ Collection that looks equally stylish and is made with the same attention to detail as it always was. The Collection is available in the widest range of colours on the market and includes a host of beautiful, functional appliances including a blender, toaster, espresso maker, burr grinder and food processor, as well as the original mixer. All of the products have the same tactile, ‘retro’ look, with solid knobs, buttons and smooth curved lines. Every item in the KitchenAid Collection is still assembled by hand from reassuringly solid die-cast metal parts, receiving the individual attention to detail vital to ensuring top performance and quality.

If Logos Were Honest, What Would They Say?

Larry — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 07:12:13 +0000

If only logos said what they did on the tin, what would they say?

Creative Ads for Ikea

Larry — Wed, 25 May 2011 22:32:29 +0000

For these posts I always search for creative print advertisement for a brand or with a theme. Today I have a selection of creative ads made for Ikea. I think you all have heard of Ikea… if not: IKEA is a privately held, international home products company that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture such as beds and desks, appliances and home accessories. The company is the world’s largest furniture retailer. Founded in 1943 by 17-year-old Ingvar Kamprad in Sweden, the company is named as an acronym comprising the initials of the founder’s name (Ingvar Kamprad), the farm where he grew up (Elmtaryd), and his home parish (Agunnaryd, in Småland, South Sweden).

Eeles Family

Larry — Sun, 22 May 2011 19:32:13 +0000

At 36 Weeks pregnant we thought it would be a good idea to have a few photos of us with the bump. 4 weeks (or less) and I’ll have someone else to take pictures of.

Top 10 iPad Accessories

Larry — Tue, 17 May 2011 22:17:26 +0000

As the iPad becomes more and more main stream, this means having the right accessories is essential. Here is my Top 10 List:

1 ) Twelve South BookArc Stand for iPad

Redesigned exclusively for iPad, BookArc is a beautiful slice of heavy gauge steel that provides a perfect perch for the latest stroke of genius from Apple. BookArc for iPad uses a soft silicone, reversible insert to hold iPad in four different positions. Four positions that let you use your iPad just the way you want to. BookArc for iPad gives you a choice of four different positions. In work mode, iPad sits at an angle in both portrait and landscape positions, and provides access to the home button. In storage mode iPad sits upright in both portrait and landscape positions, perfect for charging and using your iPad as a stylish photo frame. No matter what position you are in, you always have access to the charging port. BookArc gives you the option to view movies, photos and apps in widescreen, the way they are meant to be seen, something other iPad docks cannot do. Place iPad in BookArc and pair it with the Apple Wireless Keyboard. You will have an instant work station for tackling spreadsheets in Numbers

2 ) Arktis iPad 2 floor Stand Deluxe

The perfect iPad stand for exhibitions, home and restaurants.

Heigh: 110 cm
Stand/diameter 40 cm
Mounting with iPad Alu Grab
Theft by means of set screw
Angel change 90 degrees possible.

3 ) FridgePad – iPad Fridge Mount (Silver)

The FridgePad magnetically mounts your iPad to your kitchen fridge so it’s at the heart of your home and in a perfect location for all the family to use. The FridgePad can be used in landscape or portrait mode, allows the iPad to be simply clipped in and out for fast access and provides a great safe and secure place to store your iPad. The FridgePad makes the iPad great for reading cookery books, listening to music, watch films and TV, checking emails, browsing the web, charging and storing your iPad.

4 ) Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit

With the iPad Camera Connection Kit, it’s incredibly easy to download photos from your digital camera to your iPad so you can view them on the gorgeous iPad display and share them with family and friends.After you make the connection, your iPad automatically opens the photos app, which lets you choose which pictures to import, then organizes the selected photos into albums. When you sync iPad to your PC or Mac, the photos on your iPad are added to your computer’s photo library iPad and the Camera Connection Kit support standard photo formats, including JPEG and RAW.

5 ) Apple iPad Keyboard Dock

The iPad Keyboard Dock combines a dock for charging your iPad with a full-size keyboard, which includes special keys that activate iPad features. The dock has a rear 30-pin connector, which lets you connect to an electrical outlet using the USB power adapter, sync to your computer, and use accessories like the iPad camera connection kit. An audio jack lets you connect to a stereo or powered speaker.

6 ) Ipad Screen Protector

The Pro-Tec Defender is the ultimate in discreet protection. Anti-scratch, anti-slip, anti-hurting-your-device in anyway, this easy-to-apply, skin-tight film remains steadfast whilst allowing total accessibility to any touch screens and buttons you need. This will prevent not only fingerprints and smudging, but the material is so strong and tough, your device will be protected from scratches. The film also improves grip and is easy to apply. If needed the films can be easily removed and reapplied.

The Pro-Tec Defender screen protector is exceptionally clear and a virtually indestructible film that will protect your iPad from unsightly scratches.

The screen protector covers the screen of your device, keeping it as pristine as the day you took it out of the box. The screen protector is applied directly to your iPad, providing the toughest, most durable protection you will find. And if you ever need to remove the screen protector, no problem; it comes off clean and leaves no sticky residue.

7 ) Jivo Executive Case for iPad Leather Dual Case

An elegant dual-use case handmade from high grade Genuine Leather sourced in Brazil and finished to the highest standards. Smooth genuine leather exterior with a non-abrasive interior to ensure your iPad is not scratched whilst loading and unloading. A must-have for the discerning iPad user whether you’re at the office, on a flight or just at home on your coffee table, make the most of your iPad’s media capabilities with the Executive Case from Jivo. Anywhere you set it, the versatile stand allows you to pick the most comfortable viewing angle. Don’t slouch over your device for hours, simply flip around the cover and adjust the stand into a comfortable, stress-free viewing position.

8 ) GelaSkins Protective Skin

GelaSkins are removable vinyl skins for protecting and customizing your portable devices. They feature photo-quality graphics ranging from fine art prints to contemporary urban images designed by our growing family of artists from around the world. GelaSkins protect your Apple iPad with a durable anti-scratch, anti-UV coating. The removable skins are thin enough that they won’t interfere with any other accessories (ie. other cases, bags, peripherals, etc.). With patented adhesive technology by 3M, GelaSkins remove cleanly when you want to remove them or switch them for another design.

9 ) Proporta Leather Style Protective Case

This Leather Style Protective iPad 2 Case by Proporta is custom designed to fit the exact specifications of your Apple iPad 2. A cream lining contrasts beautifully with the coloured exterior, and cut outs allow access to all ports and controls meaning you can continue to use your iPad 2 while it’s in its case. Easy on the wallet (not to mention the cows).

10 ) Equinux Tizi Wireless Tv Tuner

Mobile TV for your iPad and iPhone. Wireless entertainment, tizi keeps it simple. It works without cables or adapters: Just turn it on, connect to the tizi WIFI network and start the app – that’s it. No need to worry about your cellular data plan. Classic design, the first TV hotspot not offers a stylish and glossy black housing but also a flexible and extendable antenna. Strong signal, the latest chip technology allows tizi to bring the sharpest television to your favourite touchscreen – even in remote locations. The robust lithium-ion high-capacity battery brings your favourite blockbuster to the screen – ideal for serious mobile television.