But, after UGL analyzed its previous website about a year ago, Neary says it was falling short of meeting these needs of today’s information-savvy DIYers. Instead of being a springboard to motivate and inspire customers about the company’s line of DIY friendly paints, stains, coatings and maintenance products, Neary says UGL’s previous website was more of a technical platform that helped dealers answer customer questions.

“We were getting great traffic to our website, but our drop rate was high,” Neary says. “Customers were finding what they wanted and leaving, not staying to explore.”

It was time, Neary admits, for a complete website overhaul. And that’s precisely what UGL has now done with its new website redesign, which officially launched on May 2. While the revamped UGL.com will continue to supply dealers with the resources they need to help customers, it also is custom-tailored to help inspire, motivate and educate DIYers in the following seven ways.

1. Watch more instructional videos on the new “How To” page.

“Nothing tells a story better than a video,” Neary says. So, to that end, UGL now is offering a variety of do-it-yourself instructional videos on its YouTube channel through its website “How To” page. You can learn tips and techniques from both homeowners and professionals on topics ranging from selecting the best UGL products for a job, to proper preparation and application procedures for waterproofing, staining, finishing a deck or floor or applying faux finishes. You’ll also learn how to avoid common mistakes while getting projects done efficiently and within budget.

“We’re monitoring through our direct sales force, social media channels and trade shows what people are looking for, content wise, and we’ll be producing videos around those requests,” Neary says.

2. See inspiring projects.

Another feature of the new website — UGL’s “Inspiration” page — provides a gallery of completed project photos with keys underneath that identify products used to create that finished look. Whether you’re planning to stain a desk, coat your home’s foundation or come up with a way to make a basement laundry area drier or more inviting, the Inspiration Page is designed to get your creative juices flowing.

“People are hungry for ideas; just look at the success of Pinterest,” Neary says. “We’ve hired professional designers to mix and match various room designs and style ideas to help consumers get (project) ideas. We’ll continue to expand these ideas to help inspire and motivate our customers.”

3. Get “social” and meet like-minded folks.

UGL’s previous homepage had a blog, but Neary says the posts were standalone entries with no push/pull strategy. That was about the extent of its social media outreach. Now, the new website has an omnichannel plan with touchpoints to Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin, YouTube and Twitter. Once there, you can post photos of projects, offer project or product advice, upload your DIY videos and share your success stories with other DIYers using whatever media channel you prefer.

4. Explore the retooled UGL blog.

The company’s blog has expanded, too. Posts from both UGL experts and customers, Neary says, are being dissected into pieces for each of its social media channels. They also are serving as topical concepts for new YouTube videos. If you’re looking for craft ideas, decorative solutions for finishing concrete or, perhaps, how to stain fiberglass to look like wood, UGL’s blog can help.

“Many of our blogs are ideas and photos from our customers, which we always love to receive,” Neary adds.

5. Access detailed product information.

Like any good website, UGL.com enables you to do product-specific searches, if you already know what you’re looking for. But, what if you don’t know exactly what you need? “Many times our customers know they are working with concrete or decking, but they … don’t know what products they can use,” Neary says.

To make searches more consumer-friendly, the updated website now enables you to also search by “surface” or “project.” If you’re finishing wood, masonry, faux wood, metal, plastic or fiberglass, clicking on any of these surface options takes you to a UGL grouping of recommended products suitable for that surface. Or, if you’d prefer to start by what type of project you have in mind — such as floors, waterproofing, decks and siding, caulking or furniture finishing — search that way instead, for UGL products that can meet the project need.

6. Identify environmentally friendly solutions.

Latex-based, low VOC products have always been a focus for UGL, Neary says. These days, some homeowners and contractors only want to work with environmentally friendly products. To make the selection process easier, UGL has created a “UGL Green Products Standard of Excellence” icon, noted on the website, for those products that have earned Green Wise® certification. They include DRYLOK® Extreme Masonry Waterproofer, UGL® EcoLok® Primer Sealer, DRYLOK® Latex Concrete Floor Paint, ZAR® ULTRA Max Wood Stain, ZAR® Clear Wood Sealer & Natural Toner Base.

7. Find a UGL dealer more easily near you.

UGL’s updated website now uses metro locator software that allows for easier mapping than the previous basic store locator feature. “It’s also mobile-friendly,” Neary adds, “so customers can press the store website to see what they have to offer or press the phone number to contact the store immediately.”

Neary hopes the mobile-friendly aspect of the new website, plus its inspirational photos and rich colors, will engage customers most. And, she’s certain its retooled features will better deliver UGL’s 85 years of experience with its audience.

“We want to be the ‘Who, what, when, where and why of DIY’,” she adds. “We want our customers to feel comfortable tackling a project, not just using our products but also in terms of their overall success, from A to Z.”

Learn more about UGL’s product family and explore the new website by clicking here.

The post UGL Revamps Website to Better Inspire, Motivate and Educate DIYers appeared first on Woodworking | Blog | Videos | Plans | How To.

Transcript:

Chris Marshall: Hi folks, I’m Chris Marshall, with Woodworker’s Journal Magazine. One of the strongest ways to install shelves in a bookcase — like this one — or a cabinet project, is to fit the shelves into dadoes in the sides. But to do that, the dadoes need to be cut perfectly straight and to exactly the right width for your shelving material. (And when I built this bookcase, I also needed the shelf dadoes to stop right here. Those can be tough to cut accurately with a table saw and dado blade.

CM: So for stopped dadoes like that, I reach for a simple-to-make slotted dadoing jig for my router. Here’s the one I used for the bookcase project. It’s got a platform to support my router base, with a slot down the middle that fits a 1” outside-diameter rub collar mounted in my plunge router. The jig’s base rests against the edge of my bookcase or cabinet side panel, and it squares the long slot across the panel when I clamp it in place. And if you look here, there’s an even deeper slot cut into the base. That’s made by the actual router bit you’ll use with the jig. It will show you the exact position your router will cut the dado slot, so it’s a SUPER handy index to set this jig accurately.

CM: And once the jig is clamped in place, this slot makes sure that my router can’t drift off course when I’m routing my dadoes, because the rub collar can only go in one direction — straight. With this jig, you’ll always rout dadoes with confidence —whether you’re building a bookcase or another shelving project. And in this short video, I’ll show you how to build one of these jigs.

CM: Start by cutting two, 6-in.-wide platform pieces from 1/2”-thick MDF or plywood. I made mine 26” long, which will allow the jig to cut dadoes up to about 18”. But, you can make the platforms however long you need them to be for your projects. (Flipping jig over to show) As you already know, you’re going to need a base piece for the jig. Make it from 3/4” scrap, 3” wide and exactly 13” long. And you’ll also need this 13”-long bridge piece too, to secure the platform pieces at the end of the jig. I made my bridge 2-1/2” wide.

CM: Start assembling the jig by brad-nailing or screwing one of the platform pieces to the base piece, flush with its end. Attach the bridge piece in the same way to the other end of the platform, but this time, to its opposite face. Now we need to fit the jig to our router’s 1” outside diameter rub collar. This will be the dedicated size that you’ll always use with this jig. For the next step, grab a steel rule or a scrap that measures exactly 1” wide. I’m going to set the second platform piece into position here, and then set the rub collar between the platform pieces, over the base. Now, I’m going to slide my steel rule between the platform pieces on the other end, under the bridge. That establishes our 1” slot.

CM: Now clamp the second platform in place carefully, making sure that the slot doesn’t change. Then nail the parts together to secure the second platform. If you’ve built the jig carefully, the rub collar should slide in this slot without extra play. There’s just one last step to do before your slotted dadoing jig is ready for use. Install a bit in your router that you plan to use with this jig. I’ve got a 23/32”-diameter straight bit in mine. It cuts a dado that’s the perfect width for today’s undersized 3/4” plywood.

CM: Now install the rub collar and set the router for a 5/8”-deep pass. Rout a slot across the base of the jig on top. Put a piece of scrap wood in front of the base, underneath, to keep the bit from splintering when it exits this cut.

CM: And now you’ve got your indexing slot, so you know exactly how to line this jig up for cutting dadoes. That’s it! Oh, one last thing: it’s not a bad idea to write the bit size, and rub the collar size, right on the jig — so you’ll remember what to use with it, later. These slotted jigs (B-roll) are my FAVORITE way to rout dadoes. Quick, easy and accurate! I hope you like yours just as much as I do. And, if you liked the looks of the bookcase [B-roll] at the beginning of this video, you can find free, downloadable plans plus a video that will show you how to build it, by visiting woodworkersjournal.com. Thanks for watching.

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Hole placement is accurate to 0.001 in., and the jig’s display is laser-etched for easy readability and longer life. MiterSet Standard (item 50050) fits 3/8- x 3/4-in. miter gauge bars and comes with a foam-lined plastic storage case. Covered by a limited lifetime warranty, it sells for $69.95.

To learn more about MiterSet and watch a video overview, click here.

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Each 10-pack of SandNet discs includes an application pad to make them easy to attach to a sander, and the design fits both 5- and 8-hole sander patterns. Ideal for sanding wood, metal, plastics and solid-surface material, SandNet discs come in 80-, 120-, 180-, 220-, 320- and 400-grit options. Diablo SandNet 10-packs are available now and sell for $14.97.

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Tim Inman: I think the dust from pressure treated lumber should be considered just as toxic and irritating as any dust from exotic furniture woods. Maybe even from just “any” wood. Most wood dust is or can be toxic to breathe. If not from the chemicals they contain, just from the physical/mechanical aspect of fine dust in your lungs. I work with all the ventilation I can get, and I wear a dust mask whenever I’m working in an area that is contaminated with fine wood particles. This might be on my sanding table, or it might be when I’m at the table saw or my wood lathe. I’ve been at this for 54 years now (for pay), and I plan to keep doing it a lot longer. So, I do everything I can to keep my lungs free and open. I think you should, too. For what it’s worth, I also think working wood in my own shop in my own business also keeps my blood pressure down and my attitude way up!

Eric Gee: Working with pressure-treated wood products involves many of the same common sense practices used when building with other construction materials. When Southern pine lumber is pressure-treated, the waterborne preservative forms a permanent bond with the wood’s fiber. Sawdust produced by cutting or machining pressure-treated wood is not hazardous to people, plants or pets. When sawing or machining treated wood, wear eye protection, a dust mask and gloves. When you complete a project, clean up all sawdust and debris. Wash your hands thoroughly with mild soap and water. Wash your work clothes separately from other household clothing before reuse. Dispose of treated wood scraps using normal trash collection, in accordance with local, state and federal regulations. Do not burn treated wood in open fires, stoves or fireplaces. Find more information about building with treated Southern Pine by clicking here.

(Eric Gee is director of lumber products at the Southern Forest Products Association.)

Chris Marshall: Here’s another reason to wear gloves when working with pressure-treated lumber — in my experience, at least. Splinters are much more painful than from untreated lumber. I’m not sure what’s in the preservative that affects me this way, but splinters exhibit a burning sensation under my skin until I remove them — no matter how small they are. So, I do my best to avoid them.

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– Bill Mathews
Normal, IL

See the Gallery Below:

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