A new buyer's guide and a facelift focused on usability are the two newest upgrades to Packworld.com
Instead of a mere list of companies, the buyer's guide features hundreds of enhanced company listings that include a short description of each supplier.
Each enhanced listing contains links to application stories and product reviews previously published in Packaging World for that supplier, leveraging the power of PW's 14ꯠ-article archive.
The buyer's guide is also unique because it features a flat, one-level categorization scheme based on years of writing about all aspects packaging. It's designed to allow users to locate the most common categories with one click.
Site is easier to use, too
The rest of Packworld.com is now easier to use, thanks to a redesigned based on the latest usability research.
There are now three news pages. Clicking on the "News," "New equipment," and "New materials" tabs with each visit is a quick way to catch up on current news.
Other refinements include a shorter home page with links to the complete contents of the three most recent issues, article layouts with clickable thumbnails of each photo, and improved video quality.
Within the search engine, search results are restricted to articles published since 1999. Articles from 1994 through 1998 can still be searched via a link at the end the search results. Also, the search results now lead with short product reviews, because Internet users often want access to shorter articles first.
Behind-the-scenes improvements will continue to be made in the coming weeks and months. For example, all of the 1-click searches will become even more targeted and specific, thereby reducing irrelevant search results.
Comments or feedback should be directed to PW's New Media department at newmedia@packworld.com.
