Pet Business has moved further into the digital age by utilizing social networking sites and developing a couple of new web-based products, all with the aim of helping pet specialty retailers improve their bottom line.

In March, we introduced readers to our completely revamped website (www.petbusiness.com). The new site features not only all of the valuable articles that can be found in our print magazine, but also web-exclusive content in form of editorial blogs, videos, photo galleries from industry events and an interactive advertiser index.

While the re-launch of Petbusiness.com has been a success, we aren’t content to rest on our laurels. To complement our website, we have introduced a new digitized version of the magazine, which allows visitors to flip through each monthly issue (including back issues), as well as all of our various special reports. Not only do these digitized editions offer a convenient new way to browse the pages of our publications, they also contain direct links to every website referenced in the magazine. All of our digitized issues can be accessed in the “Current Issue/Past Issues/Special Issues” section at the top of Petbusiness.com. In addition, digitized versions of our sister publications, Grooming Business and The Pet Elite are available on their respective websites (groomingbusiness.com and thepetelite.com).

Another web-based product that we’ve developed is a newsletter that is delivered to retailers’ email inboxes every two weeks. Filled with breaking news, exciting new products and highlights from our print magazine and website, this newsletter is already a hit with retailers.  To subscribe, visit Petbusiness.com and enter your email address in the signup box at the top of the page.

Finally, our pet industry publications are taking advantage of the popular social networking sites to communicate with our readers. Look for Pet Business, Grooming Business and The Pet Elite on Facebook and Twitter to become a fan or follow our tweets. As our participation on these sites evolves, readers can expect to receive breaking news alerts, as well as opportunities to offer feedback on everything from our editorial content to current industry issues.

While Pet Business has made strides in bringing its products into the digital age, this is just the beginning. Our readers can expect many more developments in this area over the coming months, and you will be able to read all about them in the pages of Pet Business... and, of course, on Petbusiness.com.