Unboxing Your Hilarious Christmas Presents (Patreon Vlog) | Early Access to Abroad in Japan Website

Fantastic constructive criticism! Ian (the developer) was really grateful - a huge thanks.

Abroad in Japan

Website looks awesome Chris, really cool

Jashlo

I love that push button 😂😂😂

Love the website. I usually develop ecommerce sites (havent done leadgen in years) so some of my advice might not be best for your audience. I even love that you use OpenMap instead of google, so that should save a small fortune in itself. I have 3 UX improvement suggestions: For desktop viewing: Have "your interests" menu open when hovered over, removing the need for a click. For Mobile: 1: On pages that aren't the map page, if possible, set the map to require 2 touch response to be interacted with. Otherwise users on smaller mobile devices might get scroll locked and instead of going down the page they just move the map about (or failing that maybe just set the height to always be a maximum of 80% or less of device screen height?) 2: On smaller than tablet devices Id suggest setting the Newsletter signup to be full width as it usually ends up increasing capture rate of emails. For design suggestions: Smashed it. Only thing I would suggest changing is the background colour of "your interested" sub menu, or the text colour - maybe both as just now the text kind of fades in, and doesnt grab your attention like you would want it to. Maybe the X on the map infobox could be bigger/bolder but realistically you could probably just cheat and hide it anyways since clicking anywhere else will close it anyways. My only small complaint I would give is that the styling on the soundboard icons are a bit wonky. Where you have a full line that has 1 right aligned icon and nothing else then the line below it carries on like normal. (Only noticed on smaller tablet devices. and lets be honest, its not exactly a high priority issue) Oh wait since recently Chris has been big on Nightlife pictures, you could put an Instagram page up that just pulls in images from Chris's insta under a specific tag? Hope you find the advice helpful!

Francis M. Gallagher

I was wondering about this myself. I am looking forward to the soundboard springing to life. Hoping we can download some of those sound bites. I intend to have Natsuki's "Go fuck yourself" as my Windows critical alert notification ;) lol

I haven't seen anything about this in the comments, but what's with the weird Latin text on the website? Is it just some sort of placeholder? Also the soundboard wasn't working when I tried it. Good concept though, looking forward to the finished site. Edit: I only gave it a quick scroll but the soundboard should definitely have stuff from the podcast too. Especially some of the lines from the button.

Merry Christmas Chris. I want to say that I love your latest videos. I usually have them in the background while I am creating some 3D art or some programming that doesn't require much attention. I think you are doing a great job telling stories, and I love the way you edit the videos. Keep up the good work!

Bee Sanz

There are no words for how much I love the map idea for the website. Between my terrible sense of direction and my difficulty remembering names of places, this is exactly the thing someone like myself needs for figuring out what’s where. Safe travels, Chris! And have a happy holiday!

Lady Long Limbs

Happy chris-tmas ⛄🎄🎁

Niken Larasati

Happy holidays! The website looks really fun; the map so far is my favorite: the names of towns and prefectures in the videos sometime go over my head, and this feels like a great way to ease and promote discovery of relevant videos. 10/10, would recommend to a friend.

Yeah I noticed that too! We'll get them all sorted before launch - thanks for the reminder!

Abroad in Japan

I like this idea in theory, but any time you add social interaction features to a site, you need moderators. That's a big drain on resources.

Argus9 (Jonathan)

I'd like to see a book section or list on the "how to learn Japanese" page, you've mentioned several helpful books in lots of videos, so a comprised section could be nice. I wouldn't even mind affiliate links so you get a kickback. In a similar vein, for the map, links to the places you went and recommend could be a nice touch as well. (if they aren't in the video comments already.)

I know this website is mainly to help people find your videos in different ways, but I think it could do with some sort of community thing Maybe you could have each place you went to tagged on the video, a bit like how the map is, and people can review the place. So it is like your video and then talking about the place. People can sign in, create a list of places they want to go from your videos, go there and review them for future tourists. So it gives people more of a reason to visit because at the moment we can find all these videos online and it doesn't add too much other than a soundboard

https://youtu.be/oOOOfZWXPu4 is their video explaining what it is and how it works. Also, the video id starts with oOOOf... Haha

Argus9 (Jonathan)

Chris and Pete did two podcast episodes called, I think, "2 weeks in Japan" and "2 more weeks in Japan", that cover the Golden and diamond routes, respectively. There are even links in each episode description to google maps with POIs along each route!

Argus9 (Jonathan)

Hey Chris, so Floatplane (Linus Tech Tips Vessel replacement) finally just launched. Could definitely be worth you researching and perhaps applying, could be a worthwhile video platform for you to consider. Cheers!

Re: Emma's episodes. You did show some nice b-roll. Maybe as a patreon episode an b-roll abridged?

Dykam

Site is great. Noticed the map is a bit off - only reason I noticed is because I live in Mie Prefecture and the Matsusaka beef video is tagged in Nara.

Love the interactive map! Is there a section of the website devoted to travel tips? It would be second best to having you as a tour guide! You know the golden, silver, diamond, and/or platinum routes, and whatever other rare minerals routed are names after. Is there a place where all those routes are listed with recommended lodging and approximations on how much each route would cost?? Would love this advice!

ShezInJapan

The button’s randomizer deciding to give you “Bastard!” just at the right point. Oh, the hilarity.

Website is looking good. I really like what you've done with the map. It's very well done. I'll definitely be having some fun with those soundboards too.

Dusty B

We can send stuff without it being creepy? Awesome. Not that I think I could top that Pete jukebox thingie (I hope it includes SPAGHETTI JUNCTION). Have a not too unpleasant flight and an extra pleasant Christmas!

Eels

"The only thing that helps me keep my slender grip on reality is the friendship I have with my collection of singing potatoes", love Holly!

Eels

Natsuki looks like a fat yakuza member in his mug.

rafa UGM

Oh my god, the Pete button made me laugh so much. Such a good idea!

Laura Beaumont

How do we send u stuff? I would too!!

Rob Biberhofer

Alright! I had a look at the web site and it's looking great, even in its unreleased state! I don't really have any feedback that your developers wouldn't already notice, but Antonio had some great suggestions that I also think you should consider: (1) A little explanation on the home page to explain what newcomers to Abroad in Japan can find on the web site; (2) More information in the tooltip that pops up when clicking a map pin, including city and prefecture (if this is feasible); (3) A link to your merch store!

Argus9 (Jonathan)

Safe travels and happy holidays!

Alev Akkor

Chris in London!!! Any Scots up for a trip from Glasgow to London to try get a glimpse of a British legend? Have a great Chris-mas Chris and hope you have a great time with your family over this festive period!!!

Benjamin McKechnie

Those are all great suggestions!

Argus9 (Jonathan)

That map feature is SO COOL!

Zac Kelsey

Congrats on the site being nearly ready! I like that I can now see a list of your recent videos and podcasts in one spot, and the map is cool. I'm sure I'll enjoy using the soundboard at some point when I need a laugh. Just need to wait til I'm not at work. A few things that came to mind about the site: 1) It seems like the target audience is fans as well as people looking for Japan travel tips and ideas. For the latter group, I would think just a tiny bit of explanation on the main page about what the site is/can be used for would help. As it stands it's unclear what kind of site this is when you land on the front page. Probably you just haven't gotten to that yet. And...2) I think it would be cool if when you hover over the map pins, a small pop-up would show the city and prefecture that the pin relates to-- and then also (or alternatively) have this info shown next to the video thumbnail. Also curious that you didn't include a merch section. (?) But can also understand wanting to keep things simple. Again, congrats :)

Thanks again for the hot sauce! I look forward to destroying Natsuki's mouth with it early next year!

Abroad in Japan

Can't wait to watch this one. The mug with your face on it reminds me of Holly on Red Dwarf. 🤣

I don’t think I’ve hit the play button as fast as I did on this video. Glad to see everything made it to you in one piece! Have a great Christmas back home. Also, feedback on the web site forthcoming, but what I saw on the live stream looked great!

Argus9 (Jonathan)

bahahaha I know I speak for everyone and we're happy you like the gifts! Safe travels Chris, and I hope you opened a few of the other ones off screen that we sent! Let us know, and pop into discord now and then.

Adam Penner

Where can I buy that fabulous cup Chris

Have fun! I also hate flying long distances. I can never sleep and my legs and feet swell up. Seriously though, have a safe trip. Merry Xmas!

Website feedback: you had at me at "something creepy"

Wishing you safe travels and happy holidays Chris! Thanks for making 2019 a much brighter one ☀️💗 Looking forward to the Sunday upload - time difference will mean I'm binging it at 12am, but it's a sacrifice I am willing to make.