21 Must-Haves for Better Manufacturing Websites

Building a manufacturing website that succeeds is a complex task. As long as you know what you need, it's not hard, but it does require some artistic effort. This is due to the fact that industrial websites differ slightly from other kinds of websites. The creation of numerous small, complicated parts and pieces is what this business depends on, so manufacturing websites must demonstrate this attention to detail online—having stated that the following 21 features ought to be present on any manufacturing website. Think of these as a set of common tips for best manufacturing websites to follow when you design or update the website for your business.

1. Clear Navigation

One of the critical features of the best manufacturing websites is clear and intuitive navigation. It should be easy for visitors to locate the information they require. Use a simple menu structure, with clearly labeled categories and subcategories.

2. Responsive Design

A responsive design is crucial for any manufacturer's website. This means your site should automatically adjust to fit the screen size of the device being used, whether it’s a desktop, tablet, or smartphone. Responsive design is now required since more people are using mobile devices to access the internet.

3. High-Quality Images and Videos

On industrial websites, high-quality photos and videos can greatly improve user experience. They provide a visual representation of your products and can convey complex information more effectively than text alone.

4. Detailed Product Information

One of the most important features of best manufacturing websites is comprehensive and detailed product information. Include specifications, dimensions, materials, and usage instructions. Customers make the most suitable decisions and reduce the number of inquiries with the help of this information about your manufacturing products.

5. Search Functionality

A robust search functionality is a common tip for best manufacturing websites. Users quickly find products or information by searching in keywords with this Search functionality. An advanced search function can include filters for product categories, specifications, and other attributes.

6. SEO Optimization

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is essential for ensuring your manufacturing website ranks high in search engine results. Throughout the content of your website, incorporate pertinent keywords such as "manufacturer website" and "best manufacturing websites."

7. User-Friendly Contact Information

Make it simple for visitors to get in touch with you by making your contact information visible and understandable. Contact forms, phone numbers, and email addresses need to be provided. The live chat feature offers fast and real-time assistance to visitors with questions.

8. Customer Testimonials and Case Studies

Including case studies and client endorsements on your website helps increase credibility and trust. Potential customers are more likely to trust your products if they see that other businesses have had positive experiences with them.

9. Simple Forms of Contact

You want to make yourself accessible. Make sure that the footer of every page of your website contains your address, primary phone number, and email address. Make your contact forms short and easy to complete; just need their name, email address, and a brief description of their interests.

10. A Trustworthy Web Host

When it comes to success, your website's content and navigation are merely two elements. Another element is speed. This is particularly valid for your website's mobile edition. Considering how many people browse the internet on mobile phones, you must ensure that your site loads quickly enough to compete. That's what a dependable hosting provider like WP Engine will provide.

11. Fast Website Loading

The speed of a website is important for both SEO and user experience. Optimize images, use a content delivery network (CDN), and minimize the use of heavy scripts to ensure your site loads quickly. Users are inclined to quit a website if it takes too long to load.

12. Clear Call-to-Actions (CTAs)

Clear and compelling CTAs are essential for guiding visitors toward desired actions, such as requesting a quote, downloading a brochure, or contacting your sales team. Contrasting colors and strategic placement can make your CTAs special and attractive.

13. About Us Page

Developing a rapport with website visitors and telling your business's story on the "About Us" page is crucial. The history, mission, values, and personnel of your organization need to be added.

14. Certifications and Awards

Displaying certifications, industry standards, and awards on your website can enhance your credibility. The commitment of your manufacturing businesses to excellence and industry best practices is demonstrated by these distinctions.

15. Social Media Integration

Integrate your social media profiles with your website to enhance your online presence and engage with your audience. Put social networking buttons to encourage people to follow and share your material on your homepage, blog articles, and other pertinent pages.

16. Flexible Content Management System (CMS)

Well-known CMS systems with intuitive user interfaces and an extensive selection of plugins to improve the functionality of your website include WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal. You don't need to be an expert coder to change the material on your website when using an intuitive content management system.

17. Consistent Branding

Ensure that your website design is consistent with your company’s branding. Ensure that all pages have the same fonts, colors, and logos. Preserving a consistent brand is needed for your website to look more unified and professional.

18. A Contemporary Style of Design

What this means will vary based on your sector and the products you offer. The most recent trends tend to favor a straightforward, uncomplicated design that prioritizes responsiveness and mobile efficiency over eye-catching images.

19. Channels for Targeted Conversions

Many businesses have clear focal points that characterize their firm. The reader should be guided to the portion of your website that interests them. Prospects can be filtered by market, industry, or service/product. Leading them will increase conversions since it points them in the direction of specialist content and streamlines the purchasing process. Because targeted content speaks their language and makes it simple for them to access the information they need, it also offers consumers control.

20. Prioritizing Customer Service

Engineers, suppliers, and investors all rank customer service as the most crucial consideration when selecting a manufacturing partner. Give your main audience a clear path and case studies that highlight the value of customer service. A thorough grasp of your distributors and consumers should also be reflected in the tone of your website.

21. Accessibility Features

Make sure that every person, including people with impairments, may use your website. Observe the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to make your website inclusive. Facilitating keyboard navigation, guaranteeing enough color contrast, and offering alternate text for images are to be added.

3 Examples of Best Manufacturing Websites

1. Eagle Performance Plastics

Eagle Performance Plastics' website is a terrific source of inspiration for people who like fewer options and aspects on a webpage. The company's service details and the "request a quote" option are conspicuously marked in yellow, making them difficult to overlook. You can also look through the section at the end of the main page that is devoted to reading certain case studies that the company has released. You can click on the one you want to read by swiping left or right.

2. A to Z Machine

A to Z Machine website is an excellent illustration of how companies may strongly and clearly lay out their services. You won't have any problems discovering what you're seeking thanks to the arrangement of the blue and bluish-gray colors. Additionally, you won't need to strain your eyes to read clearly because of the font style and size. There is a menu option in the upper right corner where you can obtain additional information about the business and its assets. Moreover, go to the bottom of the page for a quotation.

3. JCB

Just like its website, JCB is a company that needs no introduction. When you hover over the upper left corner of the homepage, every product is arranged alphabetically by industry. The design is user-friendly, making it simple for you to purchase a product or simply request a quote. The options to "request price" and "download brochure" are located on an orange ribbon. Are you wondering where JCB can help the most? The website, which neatly lists every region in which JCB operates, will lead you through it.

Conclusion

According to a recent survey by "The Real Business of Web Design," 94% of criticism directed towards a website has to do with its design. Hence, when creating an industrial website, it is imperative to focus on the specifics. The proper copy must be used, the appropriate images must be included, and the buttons or calls to action must be placed appropriately. A manufacturing website that is effective must have a range of features that improve user experience, offer useful content, and foster audience trust. You can build a website that appears professional and is an effective tool for drawing in and keeping visitors by adhering to these 21 requirements.

FAQ

Q1: Why is responsive design important for a manufacturing website?

A: Responsive design ensures that your website looks and functions well on any device, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. With more users accessing the internet via mobile devices, having a responsive design is crucial for providing a positive user experience and maintaining a competitive edge in search engine rankings.

Q2: How can I improve the SEO of my manufacturing website?

A: To improve SEO for your manufacturing website, start by incorporating relevant keywords, such as "best manufacturing websites" and "manufacturer website," throughout your site content. Improve the loading time of your manufacturing website, make sure it's mobile-friendly, and craft excellent content.

Q3: What types of content should be included in a manufacturing website's resource center?

A: The resource center of a manufacturing website should have a range of useful content for users. Blog entries about new technology, industry trends, and best practices; technical manuals and whitepapers; project case studies that highlight successful outcomes; and downloadable materials like product catalogs and brochures are a few examples of this.

Q4: How can customer testimonials and case studies benefit my manufacturing website?

A: Client endorsements and case studies provide verifiable instances of how your goods or services have helped other companies, which increases credibility and confidence. When potential customers witness favorable experiences from others, they are more likely to believe in your services and are therefore more willing to interact with your business and make a purchase.