IdeaStar Hits the Mark for Verishot

March 31, 2009 - What could be better than verifying a hole-in-one or other award-winning golf shot for the whole world to see?

IdeaStar Inc. recently completed new Web sites for Cleveland-base Verishot. The company offers golfers an exciting experience and golf courses an additional revenue stream through a hole monitoring system. Golfers’ moments of fame are recorded and posted online.

The monitoring system uses “a unique combination of automated solar powered video monitoring and wireless technology so golf courses can offer hole-in-one, closest-to-the-pin, and other contests" to their golfers.

By filming the tee shot and corresponding green, Verishot monitors for winning shots and offers the winning golfers prize money much like a tournament insurance company does. However, by partnering with the golf course and offering advertising on tickets, the system becomes a revenue stream for the courses rather than an expense.

With a change in logo and name, Verishot needed a fresh new corporate site reflecting its cutting-edge technology. In addition, the company needed a second site, www.winninggolfshots.com. This site features digital videos of winning shots in order to build a community of golfers and excitement around the technology.

For both sites, Verishot required a flexible content management system, allowing easy site updates by non-technical staff members. With the WinningGolfShots site, video hosting with simple tools to upload and manage a large quantity of videos, comments, and votes is also needed. In addition, a mashup with Google Maps and Google Earth to highlight the locations using the Verishot system is included.

The project provided a series of challenges for IdeaStar. A relatively short timeframe was requested for the inclusion of many features. IdeaStar needed to use the Google APIs for the Maps and Earth mashups as well as research and select a video API. A design that works for the corporate site as well as WinningGolfShots was needed. The designs needed to speak both to the Verishot brand as well as provide visual excitement and interest.

The finished product has a unique and attractive design that provides a lot of information without looking cluttered or overwhelming. The video library features tools for visitors to rate videos, comment on videos, and link directly to the golf courses' locations on a Google Map, or, view the actual course in Google Earth. Both sites are managed through a single administrative tool that allows even non-technical Verishot staff to manage the content, upload videos, approve comments, and track inquiries through the site.

The site has been used successfully by Verishot in their demonstrations to potential golf course partners and their feedback has been extraordinarily positive. Site traffic is increasing, and visitors are staying on the sites longer.

“We have a fantastic product attractive to golf course managers as well as players,” Verishot CEO Dan Quigg said. “IdeaStar created both a corporate site and winning shot site attractive to both, and within a tight time frame. We are very pleased.”

IdeaStar Inc. is a full-service Web development firm which designs, programs, promotes and manages leading-edge Web sites and e-business applications. For more information, or to learn how IdeaStar can make the Web work for your company or organization, call 800-766-2635 ext. 118. Or click the link below.