VIEWPOINT: PCTOnline Reinvents Itself

If you haven’t visited PCTOnline recently, check us out! The pest control industry’s leading Web site, www.pctonline.com, has an exciting new look, is more easily navigable and is packed with even more useful resources.

Why did PCTOnline reinvent itself? The site was overhauled to take advantage of new technology, to improve upon the existing design and to better meet the needs of the ever-changing pest management industry. Through internal staff discussions, meetings with Internet consultants, pest control industry consultants and — most importantly — feedback from our users, PCT formulated plans to improve the site. PCT examined the entire site and determined which areas were most popular and what enhancements could be made. PCTOnline now has a more eye-appealing look thanks to a color scheme utilizing black, blue and gold as the primary colors. The navigation bars in the index (far left-hand column) are now easier to read because the font size was increased and all of the categories are in a white typeset with a blue background.

We’ve re-organized the homepage to place more emphasis on news and product information resources — areas of great importance to pest management professionals. To highlight the day’s top news story and to enhance that story using photos and other artwork, “Headline News” was added to the homepage. Users found Online Extras to be popular and newly redesigned PCTOnline has highlighted these items on the homepage in “Current Issue Online Extras.” PCTOnline has become a popular stop for product information and the redesigned site offers even more resources. New to the homepage is “Product Promotions,” an easily searchable Web page featuring special promotions from industry manufacturers. “Marketplaces” provides useful product and manufacturer contact information. Users can learn about the industry’s newest products by accessing “Product Spotlight.” These products have also been highlighted in the popular PCT Product E-newsletter. Build your educational library quickly and inexpensively with the click of a mouse by visiting the “PCT Online Store.”

New to PCTOnline is INFO EXPRESS, a listing of various links of interest to pest management professionals. But these additions and enhancements are just the beginning. Keep checking back to PCTOnline in the weeks and months ahead for more exciting changes!
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I recently covered a special ceremony in which Gary Hahn, vice-president of Burnum-Hahn Exterminators, Tus-caloosa, Ala., was presented with his first check as winner of the Bayer One In A Million Sweepstakes (read story on page 14 and view video at www.pctonline.com/check). Like so many PCOs, Gary takes tremendous pride in the family business and truly runs a first-class operation.

The author is Internet editor of PCTOnline.