Website as a content marketing tool for Virtual Reality arcades
Kolomainen, Maija (2022)
2022
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2022120526399
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2022120526399
Tiivistelmä
VR and its technological progress have increased rapidly after the COVID-19 outbreak, which showed the importance of technology in the global world. There are people who use VR for personal and entertainment use, however, because VR technologies are still widely utilized by big companies and manufactories their availability and reputation as “factory machines” prevent average people from consuming VR products and have an optimistic view of the technology.
The goal of the product-based thesis was to promote and grow awareness of Virtual Reality (VR) and Virtual Reality Arcades (VR arcades) among Finnish consumers. The product of this thesis will be a website that will work as a guidebook introducing VR and VR arcades with quality content and attractive website design, which goal was to inspire and motivate Finnish consumers to use VR and VR arcade products and services. The product website was created on the Wix website builder platform, and which content is written in Finnish.
The theoretical framework focuses on content marketing strategies, fundamentals of website building, and website design methods as well as discussing the topics related to VR, XR, and VR arcades. These topics were applied in creating the content for the product website and the methods were utilized to plan and craft the website itself to accomplish the desired goal of this
product-based thesis.
The commissioner for this thesis is Pikseli Virtuaalipuisto, a Finnish location-based VR arcade company that was first established in 2017 and was the first VR arcade opened in the Nordics.
One of the key messages Pikseli relays is to make VR accessible for everyone, which aligns with this thesis’ goal. Two interviews were conducted with the members of the commissioning company to add credibility and quality to the product website’s content. The product website also has a separate page for Pikseli that works as a sponsor page promoting the company as a safe and accessible place where people can experience VR alone or together with friends.
The qualitative feedback on the product website was positive. The feedback was collected from the commissioner and from a small reference group. The website design, visuality, and navigation worked perfectly and the content was interesting and accessible. Two out of three randomly picked feedbacks have shown interest in VR and Pikseli Virtuaalipuisto, and they have also mentioned that they plan to discuss these topics with their friends and family members.
The conclusion of the product website is that an attractive and accessible website can help to promote VR and VR arcades more effectively. Making big factory technology like VR more approachable and welcoming is possible through quality content with good visuals and approachable language. Further surveys and research are needed to help to understand the needs and fears of average consumers toward VR. Investing in better SEO and social media
channels would also improve online visibility and wider consumer reach.
The goal of the product-based thesis was to promote and grow awareness of Virtual Reality (VR) and Virtual Reality Arcades (VR arcades) among Finnish consumers. The product of this thesis will be a website that will work as a guidebook introducing VR and VR arcades with quality content and attractive website design, which goal was to inspire and motivate Finnish consumers to use VR and VR arcade products and services. The product website was created on the Wix website builder platform, and which content is written in Finnish.
The theoretical framework focuses on content marketing strategies, fundamentals of website building, and website design methods as well as discussing the topics related to VR, XR, and VR arcades. These topics were applied in creating the content for the product website and the methods were utilized to plan and craft the website itself to accomplish the desired goal of this
product-based thesis.
The commissioner for this thesis is Pikseli Virtuaalipuisto, a Finnish location-based VR arcade company that was first established in 2017 and was the first VR arcade opened in the Nordics.
One of the key messages Pikseli relays is to make VR accessible for everyone, which aligns with this thesis’ goal. Two interviews were conducted with the members of the commissioning company to add credibility and quality to the product website’s content. The product website also has a separate page for Pikseli that works as a sponsor page promoting the company as a safe and accessible place where people can experience VR alone or together with friends.
The qualitative feedback on the product website was positive. The feedback was collected from the commissioner and from a small reference group. The website design, visuality, and navigation worked perfectly and the content was interesting and accessible. Two out of three randomly picked feedbacks have shown interest in VR and Pikseli Virtuaalipuisto, and they have also mentioned that they plan to discuss these topics with their friends and family members.
The conclusion of the product website is that an attractive and accessible website can help to promote VR and VR arcades more effectively. Making big factory technology like VR more approachable and welcoming is possible through quality content with good visuals and approachable language. Further surveys and research are needed to help to understand the needs and fears of average consumers toward VR. Investing in better SEO and social media
channels would also improve online visibility and wider consumer reach.