See the video Documentary of how we got on…
The challenge is on! A full website build, launch and digital strategy in just 48 hours. The Up Hotel Agency team has landed in Marrakech and will be working in-situ at Riad Kheirredine, the number one rated hotel on trip advisor to produce a world first digital makeover.
The following blog will provide regular updates detailing the challenges and experiences of the Up hotel SWAT team.
More visual updates and video on our Social Channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
Thursday 23rd Feb
23:58: Tears and Beers!
23:56: SITE LIVE!!!
23:42: A Mental rush to finalise a few last jobs for launch
23:07: We had to buy a 4G Sim to try and get the site uploaded in time, currently on the roof of the Riad
21:07: Tick Tock, the final push for launch is on!
20:23: Further website testing and optimisation while still fixing cross browser functionality
20:09: Finalising the Banner video and improving imagery across the website. The Dev team is fixing bugs and cross browser testing… the countdown is on!
18:53: Holding page ready to go online, getting ready to deploy
18:11: Nearly there with the holding page to move the domain name across to our server
18:01: Seems like we’ve been coding here for days non-stop, oh wait… we have!
17:40: Room detail pages completed, still working hard coding the home page
16:37: Josh is coding the home page layout while Phill reviews the site progress across browsers
16:17: Creating the Location page content
15:57: Shooting video in the Spa
15:43: Putting a lot of smaller details into the website, it’s starting to come together now, still a long way to go, where’s the coffee?
13:15: Shooting extra video content and shots for the website including cinemagraphs for surprise and delight elements
11:25: Writing room content
10:50: Discussing social presence and Paid Search Strategies and banner advertising across a variety of channels
10:29: Starting to build out pages with text and Image content
09:29: Video editing a clip for the home page banner
09:27: Images compressed for the site and uploaded to the media library
08:19: Coffee’s flowing and build in full flow, planning to get the initial footage ready for the home banner uploaded ASAP as connection is a struggle
06:20: The drone is flying ready to film the Marrakech sunrise
06:10: We are ready for the crucial day for our build!
Wednesday 22nd Feb
23:53: Winding up for the night after a long day, here’s to a smooth day tomorrow!
23:03: After a late dinner the team powers on into the night to make as much progress as possible on day one
21:14: Blisters slowly forming on the Web Developers fingers, but coding is going well and making a great dent into the website development
20:28: The drone team in here and straight to the rooftop for some shots of the Moroccan skyline at night
18:13: Jamie has just finished recording some footage at the newly opened bar
17:36: Site map is signed off and video shot list finalised, content progressing and page coding is in full flight… ready for a late night!
15:27: After a beautiful lunch from the Riad, the team is back full steam ahead with coding and content writing
13:40: Rich is filming with Jamie a grand entrance to the Riad
13:25: Video footage shot from a van on the bustling streets of Marrakech
13:20: Site map is being finalised and page elements being coded
12:25: Banner, Header and Footer complete and responsive
09:45: Meeting the personal tour guide to enhance local content strategy
08:35: Optimising site icons for web use
08:15: Shot list distributed and coding begins!
07:45: Team is ready to start the big day ahead
Tuesday 21st Feb
22:40: Finishing up in preparation for the big kick off tomorrow
21:00: Amazing Multi-course Moroccan meal provided by the hotel
20:30: Working through the desired video shot list
19:30: Marketing Strategy meeting and defining tone of voice for website content
18:00: Shot list is curated and project planning begins
14:30: Setting up environments and unload video equipment ready for the challenging days ahead
14:10: The team is blown away by the beauty of the Riad! After a meet and greet with the Italian owners, a mint tea and quick lunch we set-up camp in our specially set-up room… Ready for the challenge ahead!
13:50: After a winding journey through the magical bustling streets of the Medina in central Marrakech we arrived at the Riad Kheirredine ready to get first sight of the top rated hotel on Tripadvisor
13:30: Met by an envoy from the Riad, treating us like royalty we loaded into plush vans and onto our destination for the next few days
13:25: Stuck in Customs, the Moroccan Police are not too happy with all the video equipment we are bringing into the country. The hotel made a call and we were released delayed and without scars
12:50: Touch Down, Collect the ridiculous amount of photographic equipment and move on to our first sight of our base for the next few days
09:30: Take off, we are in the air and en-route to our biggest challenge yet.
