Again, consumer electronics is not our focus as a company, but this really caught our attention when it became front and center on a project we’re working on.

Our work primarily has been in several industry sectors including aviation marketing. But probably not as well known is our work, for over the past 15 years, in the dating and relationship business. Here we’ve done lots of strategy marketing and planning with startups, some household names now. We’ve done websites, app development and plenty of SEO projects.

About a year ago a couple of our software engineers were asked to provide their expertise in studying several dating apps that appeared to be doing some shady things to consumers. As it turns out they were and are, big time. A bombshell report on all of this is about to go public, which appears to have triggered some investigations from authorities in several states.

But back to the AT&T story which has nothing to do with the dating app debacle.

As part of learning the operations of the algorithms used by the dating apps, we needed volunteer customers, some who had already complained on social media about all of this.

To have clean controlled dating app accounts we needed to use multiple cell phones. We decided on AT&T Prepaid as we could utilize the latest Android technology on high quality 5G phones.

The bulk of the tests were conducted using Samsung Galaxy A15 AT&T Prepaid phones.

The data plan was simple, up to 5 Gigs of high-speed data a month for $30. We used prepaid cards, so the phones were not tagged to any specific person. Mobile data speeds were area dependent, with several markets having typical data speeds of around 500 Mbps.

As the need for phones was ongoing, we then purchased a group of Samsung Galaxy A16 AT&T Prepaid phones. To our total surprise when we went to activate them, AT&T now had a new plan. The plan was now $35 a month for up to 30 Gigs of data but it was the furthest thing from high speed. It is throttled to not exceed 3 Mbps, yes for real. That is like some 3rd world nation stuff.

We then discovered that the A15s we were using reminded us every month that once we reached 6 months of on time payments we would “level up”. We soon realized that level up meant be forced into the new crazy slow plan. And the 6 months, that is how long you must own the phone before AT&T will unlock it as users would certainly want to get off that new plan and switch the phone to a different carrier.

And now the solution, as we did, make one of the payments late, even by just a day or two then the 6 month level up calendar resets. How many times will AT&T allow the resets, time till tell. And you can wait 5 months like we did. But they did launch one countermeasure, raising the rate from $30 to $33.

As we decided to write this article we looked all over to see if anyone else had figured this out. It appears some have but just pieces. So, here you have the whole story.

Oh, and the title of this article, even AI answer bots are calling it a fast one.

If you have any comments on this article, send us an email at hello@blueislanddigital.com or contact us.

And look out for the stories about that household name dating app when the report is released soon. We’re to understand several dating blogs are about to be all over it. Remember, you heard it here first.

AT&T Prepaid Appears to Have Pulled a Fast One

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Editor Mark Twombly arrived from Sanford FL with Dan “Danno” Pederson in Dan’s personal Super Petrel XP. An ex-Navy F-18 carrier pilot, Dan is the Chief Pilot for Super Petrel USA and wears N522TP like a glove. Bradford Fuller, Creative Director and photo pilot for the Blue Island Digital team, brought the Piper Lance PA32R photo plane down from its last gig in South Carolina, while photographer/videographer George Burkitt drove in from home base in Orlando.

The fun began just before sunrise, shooting for about an hour on the coast, flying the beaches of Volusia County, before heading West to the beautiful fly-in community of Eagles Nest Aerodrome, F44, for photos on the manicured grass strip and adjacent Lake Estella.

Blue Island Digital is a sister company to Florida Film & Tape, and Brad heads up the creativity for both companies. Combined, the two companies have a significant client base in the aviation industry, and Brad’s well-worn commercial pilot’s license has served both well. FF&T also shoots much of the photography for Water Flying, either from the Piper Lance or a PA-18 Super Cub on amphibian floats.

Brother/partner Mike Fuller is the third member of that pilot/photographer team. Together Mike & Brad have well over 20,000 hours of flight time logged, a fair chunk of that either flying the photo ship or shooting the camera. It’s fair to say that avgas is in their blood!

Blue Island Digital took on the digital marketing for Super Petrel USA in July of 2020. Scoda Aeronautica, the Brazil based manufacturer, at the time was selling about four aircraft a year. Today that number is now dozens a year. This is a self-imposed maximum output as it’s always, Quality over Quantity. To be clear, it’s one damn fine aircraft, and getting better with every innovation they engineer in.

But a good part of that success was effectively getting the word out, letting the market know the Super Petrel is here and here to stay. The newest version is the Super Petrel XP PLUS. If you want to know more about the aircraft, and see more of the photography and video, see https://superpetrelusa.com or https://seaplanes.org. And more about the folks who took the pictures, see https://ffandt.com.

Blue Island Digital has put together, with a combination of Digital Marketing, video production and photography, a team with an unparalleled level of experience and expertise in the aviation industry. A team you can count on.

Super Petrel XP Water Flying Magazine Photo Shoot

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For years, we’ve all heard about SEO, Search Engine Optimization and getting to the top of searches. Now things are changing, more and more people are starting to use AI. The most popular being ChatGPT but all the big names are in it now.

• For Google, it’s Gemini
• For Microsoft, It’s Copilot
• For X (formerly Twitter), it’s Grok

The big difference between using an AI search over the traditional searches is the level of information provided.

When you do a typical search, what you get is just related to that exact search. When you do an AI search, you not only get information on the topic requested, but the entire history and other related information. This saves time and eliminates the need for multiple searches.

So how do you get your topic or business to be featured in AI ? For starters, it is somewhat simple but can become complex.

AI like all of us relies on SEO to see what is most relevant but that is just the start. A comprehensive history from multiple reliable sources must also exist. Creating those sources is part of the science of success.

We have successfully gotten multiple businesses in multiple industries to be the lead topic in AI. We don’t just talk about it, we can show you.

The importance of all of this is that whoever gets into AI will have a significant edge over their competitors. This is like a new wild west or gold rush. It doesn’t matter how big or small you are but getting into AI. We can do it for you.

For some samples, check out our advanced AI marketing page on Aviation Marketing Experts. We’re also #1 in aviation marketing.

Give us a call at 407-720-5450 or email us at hello@blueislanddigital.com, we’ll get you started for lot less than you think. How about $599 to start.

Orlando Digital Marketing Agency on Answer Engine Optimization

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The conventional wisdom and advice had been to use one URL and create a starting or home parent page for each location. Then build a sub website using the same URL for each location if necessary. The structure being localbusiness.com/location-one/page and localbusiness.com/location-two/page, etc.

This structure makes sense when there are many locations, or the locations are in the same city.

However, if there are only two or three locations, this is not the best practice. I will explain.

When putting up any new location, regardless of URL, the priority is to get the content to the top of searches. If your brand is a household name then this is obviously very easy since people will search for you by name (IE: McDonalds, etc.) But most businesses don’t have that luxury and must be located by the keywords related to their product or service.

What many experts and digital marketing agencies don’t talk about much is the use of AMP and Structured Data. Google gives great deference to this and especially if done through blog posts.

When people think of blogs they think of stories and articles but there is much more. Blogs can actually be categorized by types using Structured Data. The main categories are blog post, article, or news article. If the blog post is created with a separate AMP then this will be seen as more important content to Google. This is especially true if this is an event or news. Remember indexing is generally done mobile first and people will use mobile devices for most searches.

When properly created, these blog posts will rank much better than other relevant content. Additionally, if the URL is submitted manually through the Google Search Console, the content will appear in SERPs almost immediately. Most people don’t realize that mobile AMP is delivered by Google through a separate CDN.

Now back to why the multiple URLs for the other locations is a better practice. Sitemaps are set up with only one page for posts. You can write articles outside of this structure, but they will not be seen as blog posts. Therefore, there is only one posts / blog page for each URL (domain property). Using the single URL approach takes away the ability to use the AMP and Structured Data combined capabilities for separate locations.

Here are two case study examples:

SALT7, a high-end Modern American Restaurant and Steakhouse started in Delray Beach in 2012. They opened a second Fort Lauderdale location in 2021. Originally, they utilized the single URL with subpages, following traditional wisdom for local SEO. It soon became clear, despite the Fort Lauderdale location getting more clicks on its subpages, it never ranked well compared to Delray Beach.

Recently in 2023, we added a second URL for the Fort Lauderdale location. After just a couple of blog post posts with AMP and Structured Data, the ranking improved dramatically within weeks.

Mango’s Tropical Café, a Restaurant and Nightclub, focusing on live Latin music, started in Miami in 1991. They opened a second Orlando location in 2015. To this day they utilize the single URL subpage approach, despite only having just two locations.

Here, different than SALT7, the two Mango’s locations operate totally different. Miami is open 7 days a week with live entertainment from 7 pm till closing. Orlando only has live entertainment as a dinner event running from about 7 pm – 9:30 pm. They are only open 4 days a week. This alone would make separate URLs more sensible given the different business operations.

The impact of the single URL has resulted in very limited visibility for the Orlando location. Additionally, there are no blog posts in use for the main URL. The consequence is a huge lost opportunity to gain ranking on many relevant keywords. Maybe they wouldn’t be closed 3 days a week if they changed strategy ?

At Blue Island Digital we are experts in digital marketing and advanced SEO technology. That is why we have many household names as clients. Our track record and longevity speak for itself.

New Expert Case Study To Optimize Local SEO For Multiple Locations

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First off, you’ll find our most recent work in an ever increasing number of business sectors. New industries include hotels, hospitality, events, leisure equipment, restaurants, dating advice, matchmaking and relationship coaching. But most significantly our presence in aviation and aircraft manufacturers.

They’re all great clients in great industries, but one of the most rewarding recent experiences for us has been in the aviation industry. We took a reasonably unknown aircraft manufacturer from selling a few aircraft a year to now as many as 3 a week. That company is Super Petrel USA.

On November 10th, 2022, Super Petrel introduced their newest aircraft, the Super Petrel XP. They’ve already sold 10. I’ll say that again, 10 sold in two weeks. That speaks as much to the quality of the aircraft as it does the company. This was all made possible by our strategic marketing efforts.

Through a compelling website design, advanced SEO techniques and the power of video, this phenomenal growth was possible.

Our top Systems Engineer, Jorge Cappel, who’s resume includes development at both Google and Facebook, has been a huge part of this success story.  We have masterfully managed the tools and proprietary techniques that have kept Super Petrel USA in the right media mix for over 2 years.

Blue Island’s video production partner in all things video is Orlando’s Florida Film & Tape (FF&T). For 42 years they have been specialists in the aviation and marine industries. Additionally, they are a long-time production leader in the Southeast.

Brad Fuller is Creative Director of both FF&T and Blue Island Digital. Brad is also a long-time pilot, with a special affinity for seaplanes and other vessels that float.

So, pick up your new Super Petrel XP in Ormond Beach, go to Delray Beach for dinner, visit New Smyrna Beach for a golf cart rental or an overnight stay at an oceanfront hotel. And if you need some relationship advice or date coaching, these are all Blue Island clients. While you may not do all of this at once, you’ll be with our friends and clients on any of these. This gives you a pretty good feel for what Blue Island Digital does to make regular clients happy and successful.

Orlando Aviation Marketing Incredible Success Story

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The App can be immediately downloaded to any smartphone right from the InstaJet Charters website.

How InstaJet Charters works Is all the available flights are searchable from the App. Simply search for a city or date and see if there are discount flights available. If you’re interested in a particular flight, just provide some basic contact info and that’s it. Once we get you the cost, you can counter with what you’re willing to pay.  Kinda like a Priceline for charter jets. There is no obligation until you are happy with the cost.

Currently the App is servicing flights in the Southeast U.S. and Bahamas but will be expanding over the coming months. One of the companies listing their flights is JaxJets Saint Augustine Jet Charters.

So you ask how much of a savings is this over the cost of a regular private jet charter flight ?

Traditionally its better than 50% and if you wait to book till the last minute, it can be even more !

Remember the charter jet company has already been paid for the round-trip flight so these flights are at no additional cost to them.

And if you’re planning a vacation with a group and have some flexibility, you may be able to get 2 empty legs to build a custom round trip. Many corporate executives fly the same schedule so the destinations may be available on a regular basis.

The bottom line is whatever the reason to fly, you can now fly a private jet inexpensively.  InstaJet Charters discount private jet charters app now available.

About Blue Island Digital: Is a provider of specialized digital marketing services, including Progressive Web App development. Blue Island is part of the 42-year-old Southern Exposure Group that includes Florida Film and Tape. Originally called Blue Island Design, which began in 2000, it became Blue Island Digital in 2015.

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Unfortunately, some of our clients are not as fortunate. All of our hospitality industry clients are operating at various levels of downsizing. Medical services and therapy clients are re-evaluating and those in the bricks-and-morter retail business are slowed or stopped. The marine Industry in addition to the aviation industry, two of our strong areas of influence, are in new territory.

On the bright side our dating and relationship industry clients, including matchmakers and dating coaches, have seen an increase in business. As people are more at home now, these virtual services are in more demand.

Every business’s current need to keep their customers informed, and the on-going need to protect and improve their digital presence continues. So, having said that, their market position needs to be as strong or stronger coming out of this.  We’ve been collaborating with all of our valued clients to financially help them through this setback, as necessary. It’s not easy for a small company to also be a bank for customers, but that’s what long-term relationships are based upon…mutual trust and teamwork.

We’ve been around for 40 years and learned how to get through the tough times.

This is the perfect time to take a good hard look at your business’s perception and position in the marketplace and adjust appropriately. There’s no question that, what business in this world looks like now, three months ago and three months in the future, are eye-opening realities. Ignoring the facts could be fatal; thoughtfully building upon the circumstances could be one of the best moves you could make.

The Warren Buffett quote “Only when the tide goes out do you discover who’s been swimming naked” rings true for those exposed businesses. Those that aren’t strong enough or well-positioned enough to survive the “new normal”.

At Blue Island Digital we remain mobile, nimble, clothed and ready to help get your brand and your message out there.

Give us a shout if we can help in any way, and stay safe, not just for yourself, but for the community.

The Blue Island Digital Team

April 2020

Helping Clients Through The 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic

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We recently wrote about some of the advantages and that we’re the first Orlando Digital Marketing agency to have mastered the technology. We know because agencies have contacted us to help them with projects. We’re cool with that and glad to help when we can.

Our recent article not only found us some new Advertising Agency friends in Orlando and other places, but questions.

Setting aside the cool stuff, let me tell you the biggest reason again. Its simple, the cost of development and user experience UX. You can easily save $50,000+

A little history. Remember apps were developed back in the days before responsive websites and fast communications. It was not that long ago when there were few high speed WiFi hot spots and 4G mobile phones.

The lack of mobile friendly websites and slow communications required a separate app. Your phone did all the work, like running a single user game.

Today with high speed communications and even faster website technologies like AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) this has all changed.

Everyone who uses an app knows its always different from the website version. Take a look at a dating app or your bank’s mobile app vs the website and you get the picture.

Now with PWA the mobile app version and the website are the same.

Some of the questions we’re heard are “what about security, the app stores, compatibility, how do you do it, etc”.

First any cyber security expert will tell you that apps are much more vulnerable than today’s website firewall software. Phones have limited memory and storage compared to a massive secure server.

People have mentioned I’m going to miss all the users who search the app stores. As for the app stores, (ie: Apple’s App Store and Google Play) there is no issue. In fact they already realize its the future and are welcoming PWA. You can list your PWA as an app on Apple for $99 a year and Google for a one time $25 fee.

But you don’t even need the app stores, as you have already seen on the bottom of this website. You can create the app on your device right from the website.

Now for the last big item we heard about and that was compatibility across devices. This is an easy one. If you use Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or even Firefox you’re good to go. I strongly recommend Google Chrome and to stay away from off browsers like Safari. The off browsers have lots of other compatibility issues aside from PWA.

Oh, and I almost forgot, how do you do it ? We’ll contact us and we’ll talk about it.

Don’t think Progressive Web Apps are changing the game and saving money ? Then maybe you heard the one about leading the horse to water.

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For starters, Blue Island has been an expert in AMP and Structured Data for over 2 years. Most agencies are just starting to learn how to implement these technologies. Check out an article from their top Systems Engineer from almost 2 years ago on the topic.

But for today there is even more. Now it’s about the coming together of apps and websites coupled with AI (Artificial Intelligence). PWA or Progressive Web Apps can take your website and pretty much make it an app. That’s right your website appearing as an icon (shortcut) on your phone.

PWAs are mobile applications delivered through the web. PWA provides the customer with the same experience as an app but through a browser. The PWA has the look and feel of a native app. Additionally, when you encounter a PWA via a mobile Google search, you’ll be asked if you want to install the shortcut to the PWA on your phone. No more searching the App Store or Google Play.

A big advantage of a PWA is speed. The average mobile website generally takes at least 3 seconds to load. PWAs will load in less time, usually 1-2 seconds.

PWAs are also more dynamic than a standard website. They allow you to have a deeply engaging full-screen experience. As an example, the opportunity to order food, participate in a loyalty program or even get business contact info.

Apps sometimes also don’t have the same look and feel as a well-designed responsive website. It is not unusual to see certain features available only on the website version. Customers will have the same UX overall on the PWA as with the website.

But the biggest advantage by far is cost. In today’s market a full blown all the bells and whistles website may run $10,000 – $20,000 while most full featured apps will run in excess of $50,000 from start to finish.

If you are interested in taking mobile to the next level and don’t want to spend all the time, resources and hefty price tag of an app then Contact Blue Island today.

Orlando Digital Marketing Agency has brought the latest technology to the area. You now have a chance to leap ahead of the competition and save money too !

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In 1968 I had pen, paper, typewriter and whatever I had learned or stolen to bring to the writing table. Now, in 2019, we have the internet, so I have different tools and different circumstances, but I still find a certain frustration in not having an actual assignment to get me started.

I’m surrounded by great crew, great equipment, reasonable resources, a certain amount of creativity (some learned, some stolen, or maybe borrowed), a wide range of image-capturing technical skills and motivation to do great things. With these same resources, I have failed to start at least a hundred great projects, while at the same time I’ve found the opportunity to create at times, great film & video when challenged with an actual event or assignment.

I have a New Year’s Resolution for 2019: Get Out There And Make It Happen !

So, look for my drone to be flying in beautiful places in bright light, or my WaveRunner to be zipping through canopied swamps and rivers with a mounted 360º VR camera, or my seaplane to be traveling in remote, pristine environments (Go Pro and Lumix mounted).

I’ve practiced extensively over the years for dozens and dozens of aviation and marine industry clients, who’ve paid me handsomely to make magic for them. Now I’m going to take a little time to make magic for myself and anyone who wants to take a look. And remember this unforced creativity may be in many of us.

Follow us on Facebook @blueislanddigital or see my latest works on Vimeo. and YouTube.

Bradford Fuller is Creative Lead and Managing Partner at Blue Island Digital in Orlando Florida, as well as President, Creative Director and Director/DP at Florida Film & Tape in Orlando. Brad holds both FAA UAV and FAA commercial pilot certificates with SEL, SES, MEL, Instrument, Glider and Seaplane privileges.

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