bblopp
Empowering community
of smart home enthusiasts
About
BLOPP Media is an innovative platform designed to showcase the benefits of IoT devices, helping users understand how smart home components can simplify their lives. As a product designer, I worked on this project during my time at school with my teammate. Together, we aimed to create a user-friendly interface and engaging user experience that would effectively communicate the value of IoT devices.
date
June 2021
with
Fedya Andryushin
curated by
Vadim Bulgakov
Problem
People often don’t understand how IoT devices can simplify their lives. We aimed to create a platform to educate and inspire users about integrating smart home technologies.
Goal
Our goal was to design an intuitive and engaging platform that would effectively communicate the benefits of IoT devices. The objectives included increasing user engagement, creating an easy-to-navigate interface, and ensuring the platform was scalable for future growth. This involved leading the design process from initial concept to final implementation, ensuring that the platform met the needs of our diverse user base.
Research
We conducted surveys and interviews to gather user insights, identifying key pain points and opportunities for improvement. The vast majority of respondents turn to the internet to find guides for devices when they encounter issues, indicating that effective search engine optimization could significantly expand our audience. Additionally, respondents with middle incomes often view smart home devices as excessively costly. To address this misconception, we considered introducing budget-friendly options and clearly labeled pricing.
Target audience
Our initial target audience was tech enthusiasts interested in smart home solutions. However, based on user feedback, we expanded our focus to include 
a broader demographic of homeowners and renters looking for convenient and innovative ways to enhance their living spaces. This shift required us to redesign certain aspects of the platform to make it more accessible and appealing to a wider audience.
Competitors
Currently, users looking to integrate smart home devices rely on a mix of online resources like blogs, videos, and specialized forums. While platforms like Smart Home Solver and CNet Smart Home provide guides and reviews, their content is often limited by policies and lacks depth in technical specifications and real-world usage insights. Although these resources offer a good starting point, they frequently fail to address specific user queries or provide interactive support. Community forums like /r/homeautomation and 4PDA offer user-generated content and support that can be invaluable for troubleshooting and advanced tips. However, these forums suffer from outdated interfaces and fragmented information, making it challenging for users to navigate and find comprehensive and reliable answers quickly.
Stores & Marketplaces
Positioning These platforms are primary sources for purchasing IoT devices. Users often seek information and reviews here before making a purchase.
Drawbacks
They provide only general instructions and average quality customer support. Reviews may not be trustworthy as the main goal is to sell products.
Bloggers
Positioning
Forums like 4PDA cater to intermediate-level users by offering advice, guides, and community discussions about IoT devices. These platforms are popular among tech enthusiasts seeking in-depth information.
Drawbacks
Bloggers are constrained by platform content guidelines and may lack comprehensive information. It’s difficult to find reliable details about device compatibility with different ecosystems, and the content is often spread across multiple posts or videos.
Tech Forums
Positioning
Forums like 4PDA cater to intermediate-level users by offering advice, guides, and community discussions about IoT devices. These platforms are popular among tech enthusiasts seeking in-depth information.
Drawbacks
Finding specific information can be challenging due to the scattered nature of forum threads. Navigation is often inconvenient and outdated, complicating research efforts.
key features
Cross-platform Scene Ideas
Users can find inspiration and reference examples of how IoT can be integrated into daily routines. Each “idea” article can be cloned and adjusted for various smart home systems, to quickly switch referred devices, guides and reach wider range of audience from pros who prefer coding own “home assistant” and newbies with easy to use google home.
Embed device or scene
Creators can enhance their guides by embedding device cards and "If, then" sequences. This method effectively demonstrates and clarifies the steps involved, making the information more accessible, especially for readers who prefer schematic thinking. By visually representing the processes, these tools help simplify complex instructions and ensure that users can easily follow and replicate the procedures in their own setups.
Microcommunities 
and "Discuss" Section
It’s hard to navigate bulky tech forums like 4pda when you’re trying to get firmware, troubleshoot your devices or ask owners a question before buying. To address this, we developed a "Discuss" module that combines these various inputs into a single, easy-to-filter experience. This reimagines the traditional forum model, allowing natural discussions while better organizing different types of user contributions.
Device page
Consolidates key information to aid decision-making, featuring a straightforward green-red rating system from trusted marketplaces. It includes a price comparison tool, relevant ideas for usage, and a discuss module. This module allows users to conveniently browse through questions, feedback, and files, making it easier for them to gather comprehensive insights about each device before making a purchase.
Design system
We developed a cohesive design system that prioritized usability and aesthetics. Our design principles focused on simplicity, clarity, and responsiveness. We utilized modern design tools and frameworks to create a visually appealing and functional interface that adapted seamlessly to different devices and screen sizes. This included creating a consistent visual language and interactive elements that enhanced the overall user experience.
Promotion strategy
  1. Targeting in Search Engines (SEO)
    • Smart Home Research: Target keywords on smart home devices, setups, features; create guides, comparisons, buying guides
    • IoT How-To's: Optimize for long-tail smart home installation, customization, troubleshooting; position as go-to resource for intermediate IoT guidance
    • Community Engagement: Drive users to discussion forums, firmware/app libraries, local support; target keywords around smart home communities, user groups, niche topics
  1. Google Ads Strategy
    • Smart Home Product Ads: Dynamic ads highlighting device info, ratings, purchasing; target keywords on specific products, brands, features
    • Smart Home Solution Ads: Ads solving common smart home challenges; drive traffic to solution-oriented content, community
    • Retargeting Campaigns: Reengage previous site visitors; tailor messaging based on user behaviors
Let’s connect 🤝
Work? Collab? Coffee? Just let me know!
hello@sethlukin.com