Our Strategy
The Thinker Approach
Understanding that the manufacturing sector operates with complex procurement cycles and specialized knowledge requirements, our team conducted extensive competitive analysis of players like Hyfindr and Knowde to identify best practices in B2B marketplace design. We facilitated strategic workshops with the Mappes team to align on business objectives, user needs, and platform differentiation opportunities.
These collaborative sessions, combined with our analysis of successful homepage anatomies, messaging strategies, and user journey patterns, revealed critical insights about user behaviour patterns. We distinguished between buyers focused on product development, procurement specialists managing supply chains, and sellers seeking to expand their market reach. This foundational understanding, validated through client workshops, shaped our user-centric design strategy that would address diverse manufacturing needs across different stages of the business journey.
Insights We Drew/ Insights Inferred
Given that Mappes operates in a specialized B2B environment where trust and credibility are paramount, it was essential to create a platform that demonstrates comprehensive industry knowledge while facilitating seamless connections between buyers and sellers. Our analysis revealed that users range from newcomers exploring manufacturing opportunities to established plants seeking to optimize costs and discover new technologies.
Furthermore, we recognized the importance of positioning Mappes as more than just a listing platform, creating an ecosystem that supports manufacturers from inception to commissioning and final sales. What truly sets Mappes apart from competitors is its unique focus on social networking and value chain visualization, enabling users to understand entire product ecosystems and build meaningful industry relationships beyond transactional interactions. This informed our approach to designing features that would serve users at every stage of their manufacturing journey, from knowledge discovery to supplier engagement and lead generation.
Key Strategic Interventions
Comprehensive Product & Supplier Discovery
We designed features that enable users to understand product ecosystems and value chains within seconds, facilitating faster discovery of equipment, materials, and suppliers across global markets.
Knowledge Democratization
The platform includes tools that share critical industry information with entire organizations rather than select individuals, bridging knowledge gaps prevalent in specialized manufacturing sectors.
Regional Market Access
We focused on providing access to regional ecosystems and markets with the ability to target specific applications, enabling users to expand into new geographies with confidence.
Personalized Industry Intelligence
The design incorporates personalized feeds based on user interests, ensuring relevant industry updates and news are delivered to keep users informed about emerging trends and opportunities.
KEY FEATURES
01
Global Search & Discovery Engine
A comprehensive search functionality that enables users to quickly navigate to the right products and suppliers. The system provides multiple entry points including components, equipment, systems, services, and materials, organized by country and brand for efficient discovery.
02
Dual-Purpose Homepage Experience
The platform serves both buyers and sellers through strategically designed sections including product display carousels, featured products, latest components and systems, and customer testimonials. The homepage demonstrates platform depth while maintaining clear pathways to specific user goals.
03
Community & Networking Platform
A dedicated community space that enables networking with industry peers, sharing insights, and accessing collective knowledge from manufacturing experts across different sectors and geographies.
04
Supplier & Buyer Database Access
A robust database system that connects sellers and buyers across the globe, enabling direct communication between parties and facilitating negotiations through to final sales. The platform provides handholding support for sellers throughout the entire sales process.
05
Technology Knowledge Hub
Integrated tech videos, knowledge base, and advisory services that help users understand emerging sectors and advanced technologies. This feature addresses the critical need for knowledge discovery in specialized manufacturing domains.
06
Lead Generation & RFQ System
Streamlined request for quote functionality that encourages user engagement and facilitates business connections. The system is designed to operate without manual assistance, enabling automated lead generation and faster sales cycles.
DESIGN ACTIVITIES
Kick-off &
Stakeholder Workshops
Personas &
Journey creation
IA & Navigation
alignment
Visual Design
Concepts
Content Writing
Final Designs &
Prototyping
Handover
Outcomes and Impacts
The redesigned Mappes.io platform successfully addresses the complex needs of the global manufacturing ecosystem by creating a comprehensive solution that goes beyond traditional marketplace functionality. The platform’s strategic positioning as a knowledge hub and networking ecosystem differentiates it from competitors while providing tangible value to users across the manufacturing spectrum.
The user-centric design enables manufacturers to access regional markets, discover new technologies, and establish valuable business connections from a single platform. By democratizing knowledge and facilitating direct communication between buyers and sellers, Mappes creates an environment where manufacturing firms can efficiently discover opportunities, reduce costs, and expand into new markets while maintaining the trust and credibility essential to B2B relationships.
