We’re pleased to share that Spark Interact has been nominated for Best UX Innovation in the Finder Innovation Awards 2026 People’s Choice Awards for our work on Dbug.au.

The People’s Choice Award is decided entirely by public vote, giving clients, partners, team members and the wider community the opportunity to support the innovations they believe deserve recognition.

Voting is now open until 14 August 2026, and we would be grateful for your support.

Rethinking the pest control experience

Website landing page with the text “Dbug your Life. We make pest control simple.” and two cartoon hands peeking over a ledge at the bottom, inspired by Spark Interact’s playful approach to Best UX Innovation.

Pest control has traditionally been a highly manual service.

Customers often need to call for a quote, explain their situation, wait for availability to be confirmed and work through treatment options without always knowing what is included or how much the service will cost.

Dbug.au was created to offer a clearer and more convenient alternative.

The digital-first platform allows customers to explore pest control services, compare treatment options, see pricing and available appointments, choose a suitable time and complete payment online. The experience is designed to provide customers with greater clarity from the moment they arrive on the website through to the confirmation of their booking.

Availability, pricing and discounted time slots are displayed through an interactive calendar based on the customer’s Sydney postcode, helping users understand their options at the point of decision rather than waiting for a manual response.

Making pest control feel more approachable

Good user experience is not only about making a platform functional. It is also about understanding how people may feel when they use it.

Pest control is rarely something customers are excited to arrange. It can be stressful, unpleasant and often urgent. For that reason, Dbug.au needed to feel clear, trustworthy and approachable without losing the professionalism expected from a service provider.

Instead of relying on confronting photographs of pests, the website uses a friendly illustrated bug mascot and a bright, distinctive visual system. The mascot appears throughout the experience, including within the service package cards, helping differentiate options while giving the brand a recognisable personality.

Clear headings, colour-coded service tiers, simple language and carefully structured information help customers understand what they need without feeling overwhelmed. Educational content, infographics, treatment guidance and a pest dictionary also help introduce customers to a new way of arranging pest control online.

The result is an experience that remains relevant to the service while avoiding the fear-based visual approach commonly used across the industry.

A booking journey built around clarity

A teal Dbug van is parked near buildings; text on the left promotes commercial pest control services with icons highlighting key features—such as Spark Interact’s Best UX Innovation, recognized at the Finder Innovation Awards—and a "Book now" button.

The booking process sits at the centre of the Dbug.au experience.

Customers can see what each treatment includes, compare available options and follow a guided journey that adapts according to their selections. A running cost summary provides visibility throughout checkout, reducing the likelihood of hidden fees or unexpected costs.

The platform also allows customers to view real-time availability, pricing, discounts and time slots before securely paying through Stripe without being redirected away from the booking experience.

A temporary time-slot locking system helps maintain accurate availability by reserving a selected appointment while the customer completes their booking. If they leave or change their selection, the time is released back into the calendar.

The experience was also designed with mobile users in mind, recognising that many people may be arranging pest control while away from a desktop or responding quickly to an issue at home.

Supporting the business behind the experience

While the customer journey was a major focus, Dbug.au also needed to work efficiently behind the scenes.

Spark developed a custom administration system that allows the Dbug team to manage pricing, products, promotions, service zones, availability and booking rules without relying on a developer for routine changes.

The system includes postcode and zone-based pricing controls, real-time booking management, configurable service options and rules for cancellations, advance bookings and temporary restrictions.

This operational flexibility helps the platform respond to demand while giving the business greater control over its services.

Spark led the project’s brand naming, visual identity, UX strategy and technical architecture, working closely with the client to turn the original concept into a scalable digital platform. The website combines WordPress for content management with a custom-built booking engine designed to support real-time interactions and more complex operational logic.

Recognition for the experience behind Dbug.au

The nomination for Best UX Innovation recognises the thinking behind the complete Dbug.au experience.

It is not simply an online booking form added to a pest control website. The platform brings service education, transparent pricing, appointment availability, booking and payment together within one connected customer journey.

By combining an approachable visual identity with clear information and custom technology, Dbug.au demonstrates how user experience can improve an everyday service that has traditionally relied on phone calls and manual processes.