The verdict in three sentences
For an industrial manufacturer selling to design offices, an online technical catalogue replaces part of the inside sales workload: the engineer wants to filter by dimension, download a DXF drawing and a PDF datasheet without waiting. A bilingual site with 450 SKUs fed by CSV import from the ERP costs 12,000 to 35,000 EUR excl. VAT on the 2026 European market. The realistic timeline is 8 to 12 weeks, half of it spent on product data quality.
The needs of a precision parts maker
Take a 60-person manufacturer making shafts, spacers and bushings, both standard and to drawing: 450 SKUs, 35 % of revenue exported (for a French firm near Strasbourg that means Germany and Switzerland; for a UK or US firm it might be the EU or Canada). Today the catalogue is a 120-page PDF updated once a year. Sales engineers spend about 12 hours a week emailing drawings.
The site has two goals: let design offices find the right part in three clicks, and make quote requests arrive with the exact reference and quantity. No online checkout is needed: a request-for-quote basket is enough.
Features and their market cost
2026 order of magnitude from European agencies for this type of project.
| Feature | Description | Market cost excl. VAT | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structured product pages | Dimensions, material, tolerance, finish, 20 to 30 attributes | 3,000 to 7,000 EUR | Validate the data model first |
| Dimension filters | Diameter, length, material, range search | 2,500 to 6,000 EUR | The core use case |
| DXF, STEP and PDF files | Per-page download, open or gated | 1,000 to 3,000 EUR | Plan 3 to 5 GB of storage |
| CSV import from ERP | Scheduled updates, error checks | 2,000 to 6,000 EUR | Avoids double entry |
| Second language | Interface and pages translated | 1,500 to 5,000 EUR | Technical translation extra |
| Request-for-quote basket | Multiple SKUs, quantities, sent to CRM | 1,500 to 4,000 EUR | Replaces email ping-pong |
| Design and corporate pages | Know-how, ISO certifications, machine park | 2,500 to 6,000 EUR |
Totals run from 12,000 EUR for a lean version to 35,000 EUR with a configurator and tighter sync. Technical translation is priced separately, about 0.12 to 0.20 EUR per word with a specialist translator.
Preparing the data: the step that sets the timeline
A CSV import only works if the ERP export is clean. Typical errors: mixed units (mm and inches), abbreviated descriptions, materials spelled five different ways. Allow 2 to 3 weeks of clean-up by someone from production engineering.
| Phase | Duration | Owner | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scoping and data model | 1 to 2 weeks | Agency and engineering | Attribute list |
| ERP export clean-up | 2 to 3 weeks | Manufacturer | Validated CSV |
| Mock-ups and design | 2 weeks | Agency | Approved page templates |
| Development and import | 3 to 4 weeks | Agency | Working catalogue |
| Translation | 2 weeks in parallel | Translator | Second-language pages |
| Testing and go-live | 1 week | Both | Live site |
Funding to check
In France, the public France Num programme mainly offers free diagnostics and guidance, while regional schemes (Grand Est Region, chambers of commerce) change yearly and often take the form of partial grants or zero-rate loans for digital projects. Other countries have similar regional programmes. Check the conditions before signing, since most require the application to be filed before work begins.
For reference, Kolonell showcase sites sit between 800,000 and 3,500,000 FCFA (1,220 to 5,340 EUR) depending on tier. A technical catalogue with ERP import is closer to a custom application: simple at 2,500,000 to 4,000,000 FCFA (3,810 to 6,100 EUR), medium at 4,000,000 to 7,000,000 FCFA (6,100 to 10,670 EUR).
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Mini case study
Thomas, sales director at a precision engineering firm in Strasbourg, accepts a 22,000 EUR quote. His 3 sales engineers spend 12 hours a week sending drawings; the site removes about 60 % of that, or 7.2 hours a week.
Over 46 working weeks, that is 331 hours saved. At a loaded cost of 55 EUR an hour, the saving is 18,200 EUR a year. If the catalogue also brings 4 new German accounts a year at 8,000 EUR of revenue each, 32,000 EUR at a 25 % margin, the total gain reaches 26,200 EUR a year. The site pays back in about 10 months.
FAQ
Should drawings be gated behind a form?
Asking only for email and company on STEP and DXF files works well: about 40 % of downloads become identified contacts. Keep PDF datasheets open.
Is WordPress enough for 450 SKUs?
Yes with a clean data model, up to 2,000 or 3,000 SKUs. Beyond that, or with complex configurations, a dedicated build fits better.
Do we need a country domain for export markets?
A /de/ or /en/ subfolder is enough to start. A country domain makes sense when that market exceeds 40 to 50 % of sales.
What does maintenance cost for such a site?
Count on 150 to 400 EUR excl. VAT a month on the market, depending on import frequency and included support.
Can the site connect directly to the ERP?
Yes, through an API, but cost often rises by 2,000 to 8,000 EUR or more. A nightly scheduled CSV import covers 80 % of cases.
Let's scope your project. Send us a sample of your ERP export and three typical product pages, and we will propose the data model, scope and a realistic schedule. 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.
