Technology offers an infinite amount of data collection opportunities — too many, some may argue; however, the ease-of-access and accuracy of the information means nothing if you're not going to use it in a way that gives it relevance. When attempting to identify trends, programs likeGoogle Analytics, a service that generates detailed website traffic statistics, allow the numbers — and the consumer — to speak for themselves.
Within a print edition ofFeed & Grainmagazine, our "Product Spotlight" features aim to provide relevant information by taking a cross-platform approach. You see, each product we run includes a unique URL directing readers to product/company information in our Online Buyer's Guide, allowing the interested party to view additional product information or contact the company directly. This practice, as well asorganic searches, account for most of our Buyer's Guide traffic and gives us a solid indication of the products readers are interested in purchasing.
Meanwhile,Feed & Grain's surveys consistently reveal two timeless trends among our readership: a) product information ranks high in terms of relevance and demand; b) almost everyone is interested in reading about what their peers are up to — from a purchasing and best practices standpoint. Then it occurred to me: Why not give them both?
Using the data collected by Google Analytics from Jan. 1 until Dec. 31, 2012, here is a list ofFeed & Grain's "Top 10 Products" of 2012:
- LevAlert Steel Bin Level IndicatorbyKC Supply Co. Inc.
- Bin Whip Series 9250byPneumat Systems Inc.
- Seedburo Grain ProbesbySeedburo Equipment Co.
- Continous Flow and Recycling DryersfromLMM LAW-MAROT-MILPRO
- WL Portland Systems Inc.'sFeed Mill Design/Build Services
- LMM LAW-MAROT-MILPRO'sRotary Grain Cleaners
- Dunbar Kapple Vac-U-VatorbyChristianson Systems Inc.
- Agridry LLC'sBullseye Grain Temperature/Moisture Controller
- Neogen Corp.'sReveal for Aflatoxin SQ and Accuscan III Reader
- Automatic Truck ProbebyIntersystems
In addition to satisfying voyeuristic tendencies, hopefully this list will offer someone, somewhere, direction with a future aquisition.
Remember to visitFeed & Grain'sOnline Buyer's Guide, the industry's most comprehensive collection of the feed and grain industry's products and services, to search for all your equipment needs.
Note:Feed & Grain'sFREE iPad app, 2013 Equipment & Services Guide, is available at the Apple Store.
