Procurement people and engineers visit a supplier site with a short checklist: can you make this, in this material, at this volume, and how do I send you the print? Many manufacturing sites answer none of it. They show a logo, a photo of a floor and a line about quality, and the buyer moves to a supplier that spelled it out.
Mistake one: capability described as adjectives
"Precision, quality, on-time delivery" says nothing a buyer can use. List processes by name: CNC milling, turning, sheet metal, injection molding, welding, whichever apply. Add machine envelopes, tolerances you hold, materials you work with and the volumes you suit, from prototypes to production runs.
If you have a certification you hold and can document, say it plainly with the scope. If you do not, do not hint at it.
What an RFQ-minded buyer needs to see
- ✓Process list — each with materials, size limits and typical tolerances
- ✓Industries served — aerospace, medical, agriculture, whatever you truly serve
- ✓Volume range — prototype, short run, repeat production
- ✓Secondary operations — finishing, assembly, inspection reports
- ✓A safe way to send files — with clear file types and a note on confidentiality
Mistake two: an RFQ form that is just a contact form
A request for quote needs part name, quantity, material, drawing upload, target date and the buyer’s company details. A generic message box produces emails that begin with three rounds of questions and sometimes a buyer who does not reply.
Confidentiality matters here. Say how files are handled and whether you sign NDAs, based only on what your company really does. Do not publish a form that invites sensitive drawings without explaining where they go.
Mistake three: confusing a brochure, a catalog and an ERP
A brochure site explains who you are and what you make. A catalog lists parts, specifications and perhaps SKUs. An ERP or ordering system tracks orders, stock and customers. They are different projects. Most job shops need a strong brochure site with an RFQ path, not a catalog of thousands of parts. Decide which you need before you ask for a quote.
What to expect, honestly
- ✓We build the brochure and RFQ path — not an ERP or order system
- ✓File uploads depend on tools we connect — size limits apply
- ✓We publish only claims you supply — certifications need your documentation
One example of what your site could look like
This is one sample we designed. Yours is built around your business, your photos and your words, and we have more examples if you want to compare directions.
What it costs
Websites are priced one-time by size, plus Website Care at $30/month for hosting, HTTPS, backups, weekly checks and A/B testing. Every package includes a consultation, mobile-friendly design, copy we write for you, a contact form, essential search setup and 10 revision rounds. Monthly SEO is an optional add-on when you are ready for it.
Optional add-ons, billed separately
The prices above are for your website. These two are separate monthly products you can add now or later. Neither is part of the website price.
Monthly SEO, from $50/month: new pages published on your site every month. See Monthly SEO →
Business Spotlight, from $30/month: articles about your business, labeled as paid, published on The Company Chronicle. See Business Spotlight →
How it works
1. Consultation
We learn your services, customers and goals, in English or Spanish.
2. We write and design
We draft the words and build the site around your business.
3. 10 revision rounds
You review and request changes until it is right.
4. Launch and care
We launch, then Website Care keeps it hosted, backed up, checked weekly and A/B tested.
Keep reading
Manufacturing RFQ websites · What to prepare for your site · Questions to ask a designer · Redesign checklist
