Chapter 334： Website optimization

At the beginning of 2002, Ronan temporarily stayed in San Jose, familiar with Netflix's operations, and working with Netflix's management to solve various problems currently facing him.

But he didn't rush into Netflix's daily business.

Ronan's advantage lies in the company's future development direction and strategic decisions.

Netflix’s management capabilities are good. In addition to maintaining the stability of Netflix, Mark Randolph also invited back several technical managers who were rejected by Reed Hastings, and they also built the Netflix website. The framework of the company itself is not a problem. It was fired at the beginning, more because Reed Hastings, as a latecomer, needs to fully control the company.

After a period of personal experience, Ronan saw more people like Mark Randolph and Jim Cook in Netflix. They are full of entrepreneurial enthusiasm, are serious and responsible for the company’s work, and even have a sense of the industry they are currently engaged in. Enthusiasm, will never give up until the goal is reached

This is Silicon Valley, a paradise for entrepreneurship. People here have almost crazy enthusiasm that is hard to see in traditional industries. Too many programmers and designers use computers at work as their partners.

In Hollywood, it is difficult to feel the atmosphere of Silicon Valley companies.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons why Silicon Valley continues to produce miracles.

Ronan once considered whether to move Netflix to Los Angeles to get closer to Hollywood, but after actual observation, he felt that at least in the past few years, the overall atmosphere of Silicon Valley is far more suitable for Netflix than Hollywood.

Ronan is definitely among the hardest people in Hollywood over the years, but after coming to San Francisco, he found that there are too many people working hard here.

Early in the morning, as soon as he walked into Netflix, Ronan saw Mark Randolph sitting in the lobby with his coffee. A dozen website technicians were already busy.

"So early, Mark." Ronan walked to the coffee machine and took a cup of coffee for himself.

Mark Randolph said: "The site optimization is almost complete, and I will try to finish it today."

The head of the design department, Eric Meyer, who was called a genius programmer by Mark Randolph, sat next to the computer without raising his head, and said, "The two bosses, it will definitely be done today."

Ronan didn't understand computer programming and said, "Don't forget to optimize the search function."

Mark Randolph said at this time: "The user's reminder function can also be designed today."

Ronan nodded. This is a design request he put forward from the memory of his previous life.

Of course, the previous Netflix website had more and more powerful functions in terms of film selection, but after Ronan learned about the company, most of them were only placed in future plans, rather than implemented now.

On the one hand, it is based on the acceptance of today's network users, on the other hand, it is based on the development of hardware and the Internet.

Since the stock market crash, the Internet industry has developed relatively slowly in the past two years. Hardware and bandwidth are issues that must be considered in website design. Too many website loading programs will not only increase the burden on the client, but also a huge test for Netflix's servers.

Netflix is ​​only a small part of many Internet industries. At present, it has too little impact on the entire industry, and it is impossible to drive hardware changes in the computer industry.

However, the website will do its best if it is affordable.

In the middle of the afternoon, Ronan and Mark Randolph came to the technical department again. Eric Meyer's technical team suspended their work, and it seemed that the optimization design had come to an end.

"Boss!" Eric Meyer invited Ronan and Mark Randolph to the computer with the largest screen and said, "The optimization is complete."

Mark Randolph did not look at the computer screen, but said to Ronan: "We have long wanted to go this step, without your support..."

Ronan patted him and said, "This is our business."

Mark Randolph nodded slightly, knowing more about the importance of funding to a startup company.

Netflix’s website optimization does not lack manpower, but it requires the latest design software from Oracle. Netflix’s previous financial situation could only manage to maintain the company’s operations and could not complete this work.

As the actual founder and operating officer of Netflix, no one knows better than Mark Randolph that many of Netflix’s problems are caused by the environment and the lack of funds.

With the capital injection of Relativity Entertainment, he believes that many problems will be solved.

Eric Meyer said at this time: "We re-customized the website program according to the predetermined plan and using the powerful functions of the software. Starting from next week, Netflix's website can handle up to 10 million users' searches and fulfillment every day. It can handle 300,000 orders at the same time."

Due to previous funding restrictions, they have not been able to improve the website.

Ronan said with satisfaction: "Good job."

Eric Meyer added: "We have further optimized the company's various user interface ideas, inventory management, transportation and even the use of credit cards into a user-friendly interface."

Mark Randolph patted Eric Meyer on the shoulder: "Thank you."

"It's not hard, this optimization process is so satisfying!" Eric Meyer has the enthusiasm of a typical Silicon Valley person: "For us, coding is a fun game that allows marketing to focus on technology. Dancing with the collocation."

Ronan and Mark Randolph, under the operation of Eric Meyer, saw the design team's more optimization of the website interface and functions.

In the user interface, they optimized a function called "queue" to make the processing program have a certain "intelligence", thereby allowing customers to perform catalog classification and optimization processing in their personal accounts.

In the same position, there is a new reminder function, and the icon is quite eye-catching-a raised index finger with a bow tie on it.

This allows customers to mark the videos they are interested in.

In addition, Eric Meyer hopes to build a digital shopping assistant. According to his ideal state, the digital shopping assistant will be a virtual character with an avatar, which can help customers find their favorites in Netflix’s future vast library. Videos.

This is just an idea, and it is impossible to realize it in the short term.

After the introduction, Ronan sat in front of the computer and actually experienced the various functions of the website. Compared to before, choosing videos was indeed more convenient and quicker.

Especially in terms of order processing on the website, the speed is obviously faster.

But Ronan searched for a while and suddenly found a problem. He clicked on the link of a movie and found that it was out of stock. There were a few more movies in a similar situation.

"Mark." Ronan asked, pointing to the computer screen, "This is..."

Mark Randolph, who was sitting in front of another computer, stretched his head and said, "We are not authorized for these films."

Eric Meyer continued: "This is Mr. Hastings's decision. Since the number of films in the library is too small, Mr. Hastings believes that increasing the number of videos on the website will be more conducive to attracting customers."

Ronan thought for a while, and said, "All unlicensed films are removed from the website."

Just borrowing the name of the film does not involve copyright issues, but he still said: "We will never use the method of placing empty cassettes of video tapes on the shelves like Blockbuster to whet the appetite of customers."

Mark Randolph then said: "Some of the practices of Blockbuster are indeed worthy of our reflection."

Eric Meyer said: "I will let people do it."

Ronan had an idea and said: "We may face the problem of insufficient inventory in the future. Eric, can you design a program to guide customers to access stock movies instead of showing them all the available sources."

Eric Meyer thought for a while and said, "This optimization program is not difficult, I will let someone design it right away."

Afterwards, Ronan and Mark Randolph entered the office together.

"With financial support, we are re-conducting market research." Mark Randolph said: "In the past two years, too much work has been stranded because of funding problems."

He added: "Netflix's current customers are mainly students, skilled immigrants and nearby areas in California. Market research can provide us with more data support for promotion."

Ronan said: "Skilled immigrant customers account for a relatively large number, which is conducive to our introduction of foreign film licenses."

Mark Randolph said: "Ronan, you have done what we have always wanted to do but were unable to do. The licensing negotiations between South Korea and the island country went very smoothly. We won several film companies at a small price. And after the news spread, other companies in the two countries took the initiative to contact us."

The licensing fees for these overseas films are very low, Ronan said: "Try to talk as much as possible, and funding will not be a problem in the short term."

He thought for a while and then said: "Indians account for a large proportion of skilled immigrants in California. I will contact Indians and you will send someone to contact Bollywood."

Mark Randolph asked concerned: "You have a relationship in India."

"A large-scale film investment foundation in India. UU reading " Ronan said simply: "They have close ties with Bollywood, and it will be very convenient for them to act as intermediaries."

Hearing Ronan's words, Mark Randolph deeply felt that the promotion of Hollywood industry leaders to the development of film-related business companies like Netflix is ​​not comparable to Reed Hastings.

Just like negotiating film licenses with companies in South Korea and island countries, many of Netflix's extremely difficult tasks can be easily reached under the hands of the other party.

Mark Randolph suddenly felt that when he founded Netflix, if he didn't accept Reed Hastings' angel investment and went to Hollywood to find funds, Netflix might not be what it is now.

San Francisco, California and its surrounding areas are now the main source of Netflix's customers. The skilled immigrants here, East Asian and Indian descent account for the vast majority. The ability to obtain licenses for many films from island countries, South Korea and India will be more attractive This part of customers.

Ronan has another very important thing to discuss with Mark Randolph.

About the obscure art film on the Netflix website.