The verdict in three sentences
For an FMCG hygiene manufacturer in Manchester, the website sells first to trade buyers, not end consumers: a wholesaler in Leeds or a cash and carry in Glasgow must find the range, pack formats and the right sales contact in two clicks. A rebuild around a structured catalogue, a distributor locator and a secure trade portal costs GBP 15,000 to 40,000 excluding VAT in 2026 (about EUR 17,500 to 47,000). A realistic target of 30 new distribution enquiries per quarter pays for the project as soon as the first accounts are signed.
The catalogue: the backbone of the site
An industrial catalogue is not a shop. Each product page must answer a trade buyer's questions: formulation, pack hierarchy (unit, case, pallet), EAN barcode, UK REACH and CLP compliance, and a safety data sheet for detergent products. Product data should sync with the ERP or PIM, so prices and specs never drift between the site and the sales team's spreadsheets.
| Catalogue component | 2026 scope | Indicative cost (GBP excl. VAT) | Lead time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxonomy and filters | Ranges, uses, formats, brands | 1,500 to 3,000 | 1 week |
| Product pages (80 to 250 SKUs) | Photos, pack formats, EAN, formulation | 3,000 to 9,000 | 3 to 5 weeks |
| Spec sheets and SDS as PDF | Public or gated downloads | 1,000 to 2,500 | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Second language (e.g. French or Arabic for export) | Professional translation, RTL if needed | 2,500 to 6,000 | 2 to 3 weeks |
| ERP or PIM import | SKU and price synchronization | 1,500 to 5,000 | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Site search | Name, product code, EAN | 800 to 2,000 | 1 week |
Packshot photography is the forgotten line item: budget GBP 15 to 30 per SKU for a consistent white-background series, or reuse the packaging printer's renders.
Distributor locator and trade application form
The map of 180 stockists serves two audiences. A retailer looking for supply finds the nearest wholesaler by postcode. A prospective distributor sees under-served regions and completes a qualifying form: territory, warehouse size, delivery fleet, turnover, brands already stocked. Each enquiry reaches the sales director with a score.
| Option | 2026 cost (GBP excl. VAT) | Updates | Applicant qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| PDF stockist list | 0 to 300 | Manual, rare | None |
| Embedded Google My Maps | 0 to 500 | Manual | None |
| Custom locator with filters | 3,000 to 7,000 | Back office, live | Simple form |
| Locator + scored application | 4,500 to 10,000 | Back office, live | Automatic score, export |
| CRM integration (HubSpot, Salesforce) | 2,000 to 5,000 extra | Synced | Pipeline tracked by region |
The trade portal, behind a login, gives access to trade prices, quarterly promotions, point-of-sale artwork and current spec sheets. It removes a large share of phone calls and catalogue emails.
Overall rebuild budget
| Item | 2026 range (GBP excl. VAT) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery, branding, mockups | 2,500 to 5,000 | Industrial identity, mobile-first |
| Corporate pages (factory, quality, story) | 1,500 to 3,500 | ISO certifications, production capacity |
| Catalogue | 6,000 to 16,000 | Depends on SKU count and languages |
| Locator and applications | 3,000 to 10,000 | With or without scoring |
| Trade portal | 2,000 to 5,500 | Prices, POS artwork, documents |
| Total rebuild | 15,000 to 40,000 | 10 to 14 weeks |
UK hosting with a CDN keeps load times under 2 s for domestic buyers, while export partners in Europe or North Africa benefit from edge caching.
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Tom, sales director of a detergent and hygiene manufacturer in Trafford Park, Manchester, has 180 stockists but none in 9 regions of Scotland and Wales. Each new distributor brings an average of GBP 60,000 in annual revenue at a 25% gross margin, or GBP 15,000 of margin per year. The site targets 30 enquiries per quarter, 120 a year; if only 5% convert, the company signs 6 new distributors, worth GBP 90,000 of annual margin. For a GBP 30,000 rebuild, payback arrives in about 4 months, from the second signed account.
FAQ
How much does an FMCG manufacturer website rebuild cost in Manchester in 2026?
Expect GBP 15,000 to 40,000 excluding VAT depending on SKU count, languages and the trade portal. A corporate site with a simple catalogue under 80 products sits around GBP 15,000 to 20,000.
Should prices appear in the public catalogue?
Rarely: trade prices vary by volume and account. They belong in the trade portal, which protects commercial terms and prompts 20 to 40% of trade visitors to register.
Do we need a second language?
Only if you export or target specific communities of resellers. It typically adds 15 to 20% to the budget, and RTL Arabic requires mirrored layouts rather than machine translation.
How do we keep the stockist map current?
The sales team edits a listing in 2 minutes from the back office. A quarterly review is enough, removing inactive stockists so buyers are not sent to closed accounts.
How long until launch?
Plan 10 to 14 weeks, including 3 to 5 weeks to collect product data and photography. Preparing a clean SKU export from the ERP before kickoff saves about 2 weeks.
Let's scope your project. Send us your SKU count, current stockist network and distributor recruitment goals, and we will price the catalogue, locator and trade portal with an indicative budget and timeline. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
