Continuing our tradition of celebrating some of the best websites in the industry, the Pallet Enterprise staff is releasing our picks for the 2024 Pallet Industry Website Awards.
Specifically, this year we are looking at customer-focused language as well as the design and functionality of the website.
Unlike in previous years, the criteria are not a strict judging scale applied to all websites. Instead, we are focusing on finding some of the best examples of key attributes or functionality, such as videos, blogs or career/job resources. Some aspects of the winners may be below our typical standard if the website knocks one particular area out of the park.
The Pallet Enterprise staff has scoured the web looking for the best examples of top websites. This year we looked at over 200 websites in our analysis.
Companies that were in the top five rankings or were honorable mentions last year are not eligible for recognition this year. This award is for pallet manufacturers, recyclers, pallet management companies or brokers located in the United States. The winners are recognized in this article and will be authorized to promote this recognition in their print and online communications.
We only judged elements that are visible to the public and did not include aspects of a website that require passwords or credentials to access. Our analysis focuses on the company website and not their social media presence or email/text marketing.
What Makes a Good Website?
A good website starts with the right focus and attention to the desired audience. You should begin with a good understanding of your customers and the keywords they will use in their searches. These keywords cover geographic ranges, product types, specialty services, etc. These keywords should be used in articles, online resources, web page text, page names and other elements. Some companies create blogs to market to prospective customers who are searching on specific terms, such as mold-free pallets, block pallets, ISPM-15 compliance, pallet design, etc.
Most good webmasters encourage clients to start with customer profiles that will guide their process. These profiles should be shared with everyone on the team developing the website. You may have multiple audiences. For example, many pallet companies create a customer-focused section as well as an employee-focused section or recruitment section for attracting new talent and labor.
Regular updates help to ensure that your website ranks higher. It also shows that you are putting effort into communicating with those who won’t pick up the phone and call or send an email.
Top Five Website Award Winners and Honorable Mentions for 2024
The top websites are presented in alphabetical order. Also, we didn’t search every pallet company’s website. But we strived to view as many as possible. If you want to be included in the future, email chaille@ireporting.com.
After the top five winners, we selected a number of websites to receive an honorable mention recognition for doing some key aspects of online marketing very well. All of these winners provide some lessons for any pallet company looking to update its website and improve its outreach online.
Top Five Award Winners
Industrial Pallet Corp.
The marketing language and video on the website seek to differentiate Industrial Pallet Corp. when it comes to technology, innovation, environmental responsibility, and most importantly, on-time delivery of quality pallets. Probably one of the best videos we have seen this year when it comes to answering common complaints about pallet vendors. The company’s tagline “The Difference… Delivered” is clearly shown through the language on the website. The IPC website also has a very good careers section detailing key advantages of working at the company as well as company values and available jobs with applications in both English and Spanish. The video “Opportunity Starts Here” explains the culture and values of the company in a way that would attract any potential recruit.
Olympic Forest Products
The Olympic Forest Products website features the best blog we saw this year, covering topics such as pallet storage, the benefits of lumber remanufacturing, choosing the correct pallet fastener and more. The marketing language addresses key issues that may arise in the minds of buyers, such as “More than just wood and nails” and “Local Roots. National Coverage.” The words and image seek to put any potential customer at ease, including a section on its environmental ratings and best practices.
Pallet Services Inc.
This New York recycler focuses on service and environmental stewardship on its homepage. The tagline, “We will nail you with your service,” is catchy and invites further inquiry. The website’s graphics are engaging. The best page is the career page, outlining key employee benefits and jobs that are currently available while providing an easy online form for submitting an application.
Pallet Trader
In a short time, PalletTrader has become an online marketplace and managed service provider offering a wide variety of digital tools. Its “Newsroom” provides information relevant to the industry, including its pallet sentiment survey results and resources for improving your pallet procurement process. It features a sleek design that is visually attractive. The marketing language on the homepage tackles common pallet challenges that buyers have and how PalletTrader is there to help. The website’s “Request a Quote” tool is the best we have seen so far. It is truly the most engaging website out there for pallet transactions and locating the right supplier.
SCP Inc.
The SCP website does a lot of things well. The video clearly gets across the message that whatever you need, the company can handle the job. The graphics are bright and professional. The “Request a Quote” option is one of the best we have seen and is the first header slide on the website. This helps drive connection and visitor conversion. The homepage contains marketing language focusing on its fleet and in-house capabilities.
Honorable Mentions
Atlanta Pallets
www.atlantapallets.com/products
Atlanta Pallets’ website was one of the best we saw when it comes to environmental messaging about wood pallets in general and its expertise, including recognition by Ecovadis. The website explains how wood pallets improve the environment and are carbon neutral. Wood has a good environmental story to tell. How are you sharing the word on your website?
CW Products
Connecting with visitors right away and being able to answer their questions or solve their problems is a great way to turn a visitor into a customer. The CW Products website uses a chat messaging application called DigitAll. It pops up on the side asking if you have a question. The Request for Quote is very detailed. The homepage identifies some of the industries and key geographic areas that the company serves. The blog presents case studies and examples of specialty crates and packaging the company has produced, as well as some basic customer education resources. Also, the homepage identifies philanthropies that the company supports.
Fox Valley Wood Products
www.foxvalleywoodproducts.com/
On Fox Valley’s homepage, we found the best customer testimonials section. The website also includes intriguing business articles on their “blog” and information on the company’s awards and business recognition.
O’Malley Lumber
O’Malley Lumber turns wood waste into pellets that are sold to retail stores and direct to customers. The website includes a resource to help visitors find the nearest place to buy its pellets. This tool even has a zip code finder function. The homepage also spells out key benefits of working with the company, including its ability to do customer work and deliver on time.
Oxnard Pallet Co.
Websites can answer common questions that a customer may have, and a good Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) page is a great way to answer those questions without having to pick up a phone or return an email. Oxnard Pallet Co. had the best FAQ that we found, covering a wide variety of topics.
PalletOne
For many years, Howe Wallace, the CEO of PalletOne, has published a regular blog on human resources and developing a strong workplace culture. This blog is probably the best resource we have found for the pallet industry on ideas and strategies to boost your team performance and improve workplace culture. When it comes to HR resources, you won’t find any better insight from a seasoned industry professional. How are you using your website to attract talent and educate your teams?
TroyMill Wood Products
If you want to sell on more than pallets, your homepage should present a feel for the company behind the product. The TroyMill website conveys a sense of integrity and quality with its catchphrase, “Old Fashioned Values.” This website has one of the best company history pages as well as a description of key staff members. People make the product better. What are you doing to showcase your people and your human capital on your website?
