How to Tell If You Need a New Manufacturing Website

If you’ve been asking yourself, “Should I get a new website for my manufacturing business?” you’re asking a well-timed question.

Many manufacturing companies leverage digital technology to enhance their business and generate more income through B2B partnerships. Unfortunately, many other companies still lag in using digital transformation for their marketing and website efforts.

If your company is one of those “lagging behind,” it’s okay—this article is written to help!

Eventually, every business needs a new website. And right now, with traditional marketing for manufacturing companies like trade shows and in-person sales calls falling from the spotlight, your website is your most visible and impactful marketing asset.

That said, a few critical indicators can help you know whether it’s time to upgrade your website. Let’s discuss how to know when it’s time.

5 Warning Signs You Need a New Manufacturing Website

1. Your current manufacturing website is not mobile friendly

Chances are your potential customers are navigating all sorts of devices to reach your website, so it needs mobile-responsive! Everything must look great on their mobile phones and feel fantastic on their tablets—not just desktop computers. Don’t stay in the stone ages; ensure your site is mobile-friendly for all devices!

2. Your website is confusing

Have you ever gone to a website that doesn’t make sense? Finding what you’re looking for feels like sucking information from a firehose. Don’t be the company with a clunky website experience! A user-friendly website makes it easy for visitors to find what they need quickly by breaking their products and services into bite-sized categories and displaying that information logically. If your website doesn’t walk your customers through a simple process to learn about your products or services, it’s time for a new website.

3. Your website is more than five years old

Are you still using the same old website from five, ten, or twenty years ago? Yikes! It’s time to do some significant updates. We all know that having an outdated website is like watching a low-budget home video from the 90s—it just doesn’t cut it in this day and age. Plus, if your brand has changed drastically (or at all) since then, your old website probably isn’t doing your image any favors anymore. Don’t be old school; upgrade your website and get with the times!

4. You haven’t updated your website lately

Suppose you’re not updating your website by adding new content regularly. In that case, chances are that your website functions like a lackluster business card instead of being the marketing machine you’re hoping for. Without new content like blog articles, press updates, or product development announcements, your chance to turn prospects into loyal customers will suffer. So rather than kicking yourself because you didn’t jump on the digital marketing bandwagon years ago, take the reins now and hop into the content coral with a new manufacturing website design that brings in business.

4. Your website is a spam magnet (a sign it isn’t secure)

In this day and age, it’s essential to have a secure website. It keeps your customers safe from potential privacy breaches and protects you from outdated bots or hackers who may try to access sensitive information. However, if your website gets unwanted spam every day, it could be a sign that malicious cyber-criminals are looking to steal information from you or your customers. You need a new website—and a partner to manage your website regularly—to upgrade your website’s obsolete and risk-prone aspects as soon as possible.

5. Your website is slow

Ah, website performance: who doesn’t love to talk about it? If you don’t know the 5-second rule, you must learn it now. If your website takes longer than 5 seconds to load, it’s too slow, and customers are ditching you for your competition. Stop giving away business! Like a good old truck engine can decrease performance over time, an outdated website can begin running slower, and you may need to tune it up or swap it out.

You see, your customers expect the same performance from your website that they do from the products or services you offer. They want fast loading times that give them what they want quickly. This is why website speed and overall performance should be a high priority.

6. You’re not generating leads or sales from your website

Are you stuck in lead generation limbo? Low traffic. No leads. And no sales. Maybe it’s time to hit the reset button and design a website that works. A website can be a lead generation machine—that is, if it’s designed perfectly around your business goals and built with the proper functionality.

When did your investment in lead-generating efforts last give you the desired return? If it hasn’t been recently, or your current website isn’t up to snuff, it might be time for a new manufacturing website.

7. You’re using an outdated or limited platform 

If you’re still using an outdated platform that makes you feel handcuffed in the back of a patrol car, it might be time to trade your old manufacturing website for a new one. As technology advances, so should your website. It’s essential to use a platform that can grow with your business and provide the flexibility of features and functionality you need to keep pace as the world changes.

We know it can be tough admitting that your website sucks, but our team of experts is here to tell it straight. No fluff, only brass tax here. We’ll evaluate what’s wrong with your current site to design and build a new manufacturing website that will deliver results. Book a Free Consult Call, and let us show you how we can help!

5 Reasons You Don’t Need a New Manufacturing Website

There are some terrible or misguided reasons people redesign their websites. Here are five of the most common.

1. You think, “if we build it, they will come”

It’s common to believe that a new website will organically attract new B2B customers to your manufacturing business. A well-designed site can help generate leads and convert visitors into customers. Still, without an effective marketing strategy, it’s unlikely to make a big difference in sales.

Unless your current site is actively driving them away, it’s not likely to make an immediate difference. The way to “get them to come” is to design a new website and implement a strategic marketing strategy to get them there—and invite them to stay.

Thinking, “if we build it, they will come,” is like returning to your 20s and saying, “If I just get married, we’ll live happily ever after.” If you’ve been married for a micro-fraction of a second, you know it doesn’t work that way. If you build it, customers may come, but if you want “customers” to come—and, more importantly, to stay—the real work comes well after the new website is up.

Before you build a new manufacturing website, ensure your current one is up to par, and that you have a solid plan for driving visitors. Remember, it’s not just about having an attractive website—it’s also about marketing your products and services to the right audience.

2. You want to be “trendy”

Many businesses feel like they need to keep up with the latest trends in web design. I’ve fallen into this trap before, so I understand!

But the truth is, most of your customers don’t care about trendy designs—they want a site that works well and is easy to use. If your manufacturing website solves customer problems and offers a great user experience, then chances are, most people won’t even notice if the design is trendy or not.

3. You think creating a new website will be quick and easy

Don’t underestimate the work involved in designing and building a new website. It can take months, even years, to get everything just right. Most websites take 3-6 months to design and build because you’ll need to plan, design and code your website. You’ll also need to create content and test it on different devices and browsers before making it public.

Furthermore, a website is not something you can just “set and forget”—it requires ongoing maintenance. That means you must consider the short-term design, build, and long-term management and marketing.

4. You think creating a new website will be cheap

Unless you’re interested in investing a minimum of $10,000 in a new manufacturing website, you’re probably better off sticking with your current site.

As many things are, you get what you pay for. So rather than paying the least amount possible for a brand-new website that doesn’t work, why not invest more and get something that works?

5. Your old manufacturing site isn’t that bad

Perhaps this is the biggest reason not to redesign your website: it simply isn’t necessary. If your site is working well and meeting your needs, there’s no reason to go through all the hassle and expense of starting from scratch.

So before planning your next website, ask yourself if it’s worth it. Redesigning your website can be costly and time-consuming, so unless it’s a bonafide business need—and you’re prepared for the process, it might not be worth undertaking such a project.

If any of these five reasons sound familiar, it might not be time for an update. But before you decide either way, Book a Free Consult Call with us so we can “look under the hood” and give you a professional recommendation. We’ll give you honest feedback and options that won’t break the bank.

How to Check Your Manufacturing Website for Warning Signs

PageSpeed Insights for performance and user-experience testing

PageSpeed Insights will give you information about your website’s performance. This is important because it allows you to understand how your website’s users experience your site. It can help you identify problems with speed, resources, and usability before they become an issue.

WP Engine Website Tester for speed and security testing

We strongly advise partnering with Structure as a proudly certified WP Engine agency. The free website tester they provide is unparalleled, and it will provide you with an invaluable site health report full of speed and security insights!

Ahrefs Website Tester for SEO and marketing insights

This tool is handy. Ahrefs’ Website Tester is an irreplaceable tool to help you assess the overall performance of your website, troubleshoot any technical issues that could prevent pages from appearing in search engines, and uncover SEO errors like missing meta tags, duplicate content, etc.

Need Help with a New Manufacturing Website?

Design your new manufacturing website with Structure. We have years of experience in web design, development, and marketing for manufacturing companies. Our website packages are designed to fit your budget and timeline while giving you the features and flexibility you need to succeed online. Schedule a Free Consult Call today!

Manufacturing Website Examples from Structure

In many articles online, you’ll find a large gap between “what we say” and “what we’ve done.” They might know how to say the right things or curate content from others, but they lack the experience to stand behind their pitch.

This list of manufacturing website examples designed and built by Structure shows you that we’re a product of the product. We are who we say we are—and we hope you are as inspired by the work as our clients were.

EarthCruiser

EarthCruiser is a well-known international manufacturer of luxurious Overlanding vehicles that began in Australia and became popular in Bend, Oregon. To secure their position as a dependable brand, we crafted an attractive website comparable to the thrill of their outstanding automobiles.

Western Interlock

By developing a modern, fully optimized website, we gave Western Interlock the digital presence it deserves. We built an experience where their brand shines, with lead generation and thought leadership at the forefront of our design principles. With manufacturing facilities in Oregon and Washington, their state-of-the-art production capabilities are reflected on the new site.

DryFireMag

DryFireMag is an up-and-coming firearms safety business based in Idaho that depends on its online store for sales. We helped them enhance their conversion rate and restructure their website, so customers can easily find what they need and complete a purchase.

HydroSide

HydroSide is revolutionizing the irrigation sector of the agricultural industry through its progressive technology and automation. Thus, it required a unique website that embodied modernity rather than farm equipment to demonstrate its trailblazing spirit as an industry disrupter.

BeGOAT

BeGOAT is a revolutionary energy drink company that has crafted an ingenious way of transforming coffee fruit waste into profitable assets. To bring their brand to life, we created a wholly optimized custom website that was captivating and filled with dynamism and enthusiasm.

Common Questions About Creating a New Manufacturing Website

You likely have specific questions if you’re looking for a new manufacturing website. We’d love to provide personalized answers to your questions during a free Consult Call. However, we can also answer some of the most common questions about creating a manufacturing website here.

How do I search for website companies that do manufacturing websites?

You might think the best way to find companies specializing in manufacturing websites is by searching for “manufacturing website design” or something similar on Google. Doing so could give you a list of quality web design and development companies with experience creating sites specifically for the manufacturing industry.

But beware that you might also get a list of lousy web design and development companies great at putting together long lists of “the top manufacturing websites of 2023,” so you click on their article. Note that most, if not all, of the websites on these lists, are websites they didn’t do!

Don’t get me wrong, searching on Google is a great place to start. But also ask around and use vetted agency search sites like Clutch. Most of all, check out a website agency’s previous work and read plenty of reviews to ensure they have a track record of delivering websites that work inside and outside the manufacturing industry.

How much does a manufacturing website cost?

The cost of your manufacturing website will depend on the features and functionality you need, the company you hire, and more. Generally speaking, most manufacturing websites cost between $15,000 to $50,000.

Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule. Some websites may have a few basic pages or just an online store, while others may have complex plugins or integrations that can drastically increase costs. It’s always best to speak with a website agency with experience creating manufacturing websites to provide an accurate quote tailored to your needs.

For more information on how much a manufacturing website costs, read our article What Does a Custom WordPress Website Cost in 2023?

What is included in a typical manufacturing website design package?

A typical manufacturing website’s exact features and functions will depend on the company you hire and your unique needs. Generally speaking, though, most manufacturing websites include the following:

• A modern design optimized for a great user experience
• Responsive web design so it works well on any device
• Site optimization for speed, performance, and sales

Structure website design packages start with project Definition to help us clarify what you need and get on the same page. We then go through a design process that will provide you with fully responsive design and development specs and a quote to make it real.

Do you have any suggestions on how to get more click-throughs on our manufacturing website?

Yes! There are several ways that you can increase click-throughs on your manufacturing website. Here are some of the most effective strategies that work for our clients:

• Include compelling CTAs (call-to-action) throughout your website
• Optimize your navigation and menus for easy use
• Communicate the result your products and services will provide your customers
• Use pictures of happy customers using your product or service
• Break your products and services into bite-size sections that are easy to understand
• Give your customers a 3 step plan for how to start working with you

Many other strategies work, which might be specific to your unique product, service, business, or sub-industry. Book a Free Consult Call with one of our website experts to get personalized recommendations for your manufacturing website.

What would you say if we asked you how to get more traffic to our manufacturing website?

Getting more traffic to your manufacturing website can seem like a daunting task. However, with the right strategy and tactics, you can increase your website’s visibility and attract qualified prospects.

Here are some of the top strategies we recommend our clients follow:

• Optimize your website for SEO
• • Leverage social media by creating content that is shareable, engaging, and informative
• • Use pay-per-click advertising to target your ideal customers
• Reach out to influencers in your industry or local community for collaborations
• Promote your website with email campaigns or newsletters

As mentioned above, the idea that you will “build it, and they will come” is fundamentally flawed. You need a thoughtful marketing strategy to support your website growth if you want to get more traffic to our manufacturing website.

Is there a way how to get more leads from our manufacturing website?

Yes! You can use several strategies to get more leads from your manufacturing website. Here are some of our top tactics:

• Use lead magnets like webinars, ebooks, and checklists to capture email addresses
• Create focused landing pages with compelling content and clear calls-to-action
• Use a call scheduling tool like Calendly so prospects can submit their information to talk to you

To get more leads from your manufacturing website, you’ll need what we call a Sales Engine. It’s essentially a marketing plan that charts your customer’s entire journey from the first moment they land on your site to the milestone where they make a purchase—and how your website can facilitate the whole process from start to finish.

Why isn’t my manufacturing company’s website working?

It’s difficult to say why your manufacturing company’s website doesn’t work without more information. However, there could be a few different factors at play. Here are some that are common for our manufacturing clients.

1. You’ve got a security vulnerability, or your website is being hacked
2. Your hosting servers are poor, temporarily down, or your hosting company is making a planned update to the shared server infrastructure
3. A vital license or subscription can’t renew because of a card or bank issue
4. Your website is bogged down with large files, and the pages are struggling to load on slow internet connections

If you feel like your manufacturing company’s website isn’t working, it might be time for a website redesign. An outdated or broken website can make it hard for customers to find what they need. Read this article or book a free Consult Call with a Structure website expert for ideas and recommendations.

What’s the best way How to translate your manufacturing website?

As a manufacturing company, your operations and customer base might be global. That’s why it’s essential to ensure your website is easily accessible to all potential customers, regardless of their language.

The good news is that most modern website browsers like Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox can automatically translate your website into a different language for prospective customers, regardless of their language.

However, relying on a website browser to correctly communicate the intricacies of your products and services to customers can feel risky. You can also translate your manufacturing website with a quality translation tool like Google Translate or DeepL Pro. These tools will help you quickly and accurately translate the content on your website into different languages while preserving the original intent of the website. Our client United Language Group could also assist if you want more of a white-glove experience.

That said, translating your manufacturing website is one thing. Displaying the content of your website in different languages is another. You’ll want to work with a professional WordPress development agency like Structure to configure functionality that will help you add multilingual content to your website or recommend another solution.