Imagine having an online product portal dedicated entirely to capturing the attention of potential specifiers within the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) community. That’s exactly what Design Hub can do for building product manufacturers (BPMs) like you. Expand your online brand presence and engage directly with key decision-makers within your target audience, showcasing your products and expertise in a space tailored to the needs of the AEC industry.
In this blog, we’ll explore:
- What Design Hub is
- The top 3 advantages of using Design Hub for BPMs
- How to maximize your Design Hub’s impact
What Is Design Hub?
Design Hub is a branded extension of your website hosted by CADdetails and fully managed by our in-house team of professionals with 25+ years of industry experience.
It makes your product information and design files easily accessible to design professionals, and the speed at which they find this information is crucial to getting your products specified. According to the American Institute of Architects (AIA), 61% of architects will switch to a competitor’s site if they can’t quickly find what they need.
With this in mind, Design Hub is divided into two user-friendly, distraction-free sections designed for AECs to swiftly access everything they need: the Product Library and the Project Library.
1. Product Library
The Product Library is an intuitive catalog of your products that allows design professionals to view and download design files and additional resources with ease. With clickable Collections and CAD, 3D, and Spec filters, they can quickly find the perfect fit for their designs.
2. Project Library
The Project Library showcases completed projects featuring your products, giving design professionals real-world examples that spark creativity and demonstrate proven success. When AECs see your products in action, they can better envision how to incorporate them into their own designs, giving them the confidence they need to specify your solutions.
Top 3 Advantages of Using Your Design Hub
1. Deliver an Exceptional Brand Experience
Did you know that 74% of architects will leave a manufacturer’s website if they cannot find what they need within a few clicks? With Design Hub, you can present your product information to AECs in a clear, focused, and streamlined manner, free from the distractions of a larger website. This enhances their experience when specifying your products, resulting in higher conversions and increasing the likelihood that they’ll use your products in the future.
Design Hub is also optimized for both desktop and mobile devices, allowing design professionals to browse your products wherever they choose.
2. Gain Unique AEC Data Insights
In today’s data-driven world, relying on analytics is essential for BPMs to make smarter, more strategic choices. In fact, nearly 92% of organizations derived measurable value from their data and analytics investments in 2023.
With Design Hub, you can tap into this power by gaining real-time insights into which AEC users and firms are actively engaging with your products, their locations, and the frequency of their visits. Leverage this data to predict specifier behavior, qualify potential firms early in their product discovery, and nurture them throughout their purchasing journey with personalized outreach efforts. This approach will accelerate the sales cycle and drive faster conversions.
Design Hub also integrates with GA4, offering valuable contact-level data that helps you identify the top professions and personas engaging with your content. Gain deeper insights into your customers to create lookalike audiences targeting new prospects who share similar characteristics to existing AECs showing interest in your products. 
3. Save Valuable Time & Resources
Design Hub is tailored to ease the workload of busy BPMs. Our fully North American based team manages all your site’s content so you can focus on your core business activities. Enjoy all the benefits of a branded site ready for AEC use, without the need to use your internal resources or hire expensive agencies and contractors. Ensure a seamless, professional online experience for design professionals browsing your products, all while cutting costs to improve your bottom line.
5 Ways to Maximize Your Design Hub’s Impact
1. On your website: Post a link to your Design Hub with our Design Hub logos on your homepage, website footer, product page, and resources page. Contact your CS Manager to request our official Design Hub logos.
2. On social media: Launch AEC-focused campaigns, such as interactive contests or targeted hashtag initiatives, to boost awareness of featured projects and products.
3. Ad campaigns: Run targeted ads that drive qualified traffic directly to your Design Hub.
4. Email signatures: Integrate a link to your Design Hub in your employee email signatures to boost its exposure during everyday customer communications.
5. At tradeshows: Give AEC tradeshow goers a direct link to your Design Hub, offering them a streamlined, distraction-free space to explore your products.
Ready to Launch Your Design Hub?
With Design Hub, you’ll deliver a better brand experience to your target AEC audience and gain actionable insights into their engagement with your offerings, all while saving valuable time and resources.
Download the Design Hub Deck to learn more, or book a demo with one of our experts.
Cover image by victorzastolsiy on Canva