Disney embraces digital media

This past week we finally got back to Disney World (Orlando) after an 8 year absence and I was struck by the changes in the “happiest place in the world.”  Yes of course many things had remained the same – international employees from all over the world, waiting in line to meet Mickey and most of the nostalgic rides are all still there.

But one of the things that I noticed is so much different is the way Disney is allowing people to interact and get more out of their visits. In addition to the usual stuff, Facebook pages, You Tube Channels and one Twitter account with nearly 70k or so followers, Disney has gone above and beyond in their digital marketing efforts.

A few things I noticed about how Disney is using digital marketing to improve the customer experience:

1.  Mobile applications - Mobile apps are now the rage everywhere and Disney is no different.  Now you can find out in real time what the wait times are for various attractions, check on the show times and find out where your characters are throughout the park – all from your mobile device.  So no more running across the park to find out what the wait time is for your favorite ride.

Not only is Disney sporting it’s own mobile app, but there are tons of third part apps out there too (for a small fee of course).  And it seems just about the only thing the new mobile apps can’t do yet is secure a Fast Pass for you -but I’m sure that’s coming soon too.

2.  Book everything and anything online - I have to give credit to the Disney web guys as they have done a bang up job on the park websites.  They are colorful, have a clean layout, and offer you the opportunity to book anything you can think of online.   We booked several activities at the last minute in the hotel room right from websites and saved our receipts on our mobile devices – now that’s 2010!

Hat’s off to you  Mickey

So as a fellow “digital marketer”, my hat’s off to the Disney folks for embracing new digital technology and making it a seamless part of visiting the parks.

The online world seems to be getting more complex every day.  It also seems to be getting more intertwined with our offline world as the 2 are becoming increasingly difficult to separate.

Being “in the field” everyday and talking to business owners here are some high level observations of trends in the internet marketing world:

1.    5 pages websites don’t win anymore.  The days of putting up a 5 page “brochure website” and being able to generate meaningful results are over.  In other words just having a website is no longer enough. You have to create a web presence that engages customers and offers them something of value.  Having a friend build you a Yahoo starter site is so “2006″!

2.    A crummy site with good content beats a flashy site with no content. More than ever the search information drives the internet.  And while web awards are given each year for creative designs that continues to be the exception rather than the norm.  Google the word “mortgage advice” and you will find a dated, but very popular website called the Mortgage Professor.  This site ranks #1 for a hugely competitive phrase simply based on the value of it’s content – not design work.

3.    Free tools can make you money. The search engines continue to provide us with free tools that can absolutely make you money.  Local listings, review sites and blog platforms are great tools for attracting web followers and making money even though they are free.

4.    Invest some time, money or both.  The irony is that just about everyone has a phrase they wish they were #1 for but don’t want to commit the time or resources to achieving it.  Gone are the days when you can just put up your website and be rewarded with top rankings.  It takes time (either yours or someone you hire) to build sites into a resource that web users will want to visit.

Let us know if there are high level ideas you think are important.  And for more information on internet marketing in New Orleans, Louisiana please visit our website.

One of the great parts of my work as an Internet consultant is helping clients who are “first timers” to the Internet. Often times when I talk to colleagues the first reaction may be quick to jump into “well it took long enough – it’s 2009 and they are just getting around to a website!”

But I look at it a little differently. As a self employed person I have tremendous respect for people who have successfully run a business for years without a website. That means the person knows how to run a business and is profitable and successful even without a site.

So before anyone snickers about being too late to the party – tip your hat to people who have been successful and are open minded enough to embrace new ideas and technology.

Adding new wrinkles, so to speak

What gets me excited is to help businesses like this add a new element to their “repertoire” so to speak. Just in 2009 we have helped 3 very well established businesses establish their first website and in all 3 cases it has added straight to their bottom line profit.

So I prefer to look at this as helping good businesses get better – and teaching them about the tools that the Internet has to offer.

And no matter what I do – there is nothing cooler than getting a call from a client and they tell me they got their first customer or closed a first deal from the Internet!

So welcome to the Internet – Greenberg & LaPeyronnie, LLC!