A Manufacturer's Checklist: Is Your Website Ready for FABTECH 2025?

August 4, 2025

The buzz is real. In just a few weeks, McCormick Place in Chicago will be packed with the best in the business for FABTECH 2025. You’ve invested in your booth, your team is ready, and your new equipment is polished and waiting.

But have you thought about your most valuable salesperson? The one that works 24/7, even when you're on the show floor?

Your website.

A great trade show strategy doesn’t just exist within the walls of the convention center; it starts online and continues long after you've packed up the booth. Your website and digital tools are how you turn a fleeting booth visit into a genuine, qualified lead.

Here’s a quick, no-nonsense checklist to make sure you're maximizing your ROI for FABTECH.

✅ 1. Create a Dedicated FABTECH Landing Page

Don't just send show traffic to your homepage. It’s too general. A dedicated landing page is a focused, high-impact tool that speaks directly to the people you meet at the show.

What it is: A simple, single page on your site (e.g., yourwebsite.com/fabtech).
What to include: A clear headline like "Thanks for Visiting Us at FABTECH 2025!", a brief recap of what you're showcasing, a simple contact form, and direct contact info for your sales team.
Why it Works: It gives booth visitors a clear, direct path to continue the conversation, free from the distractions of a full website.

✅ 2. Showcase Your New Equipment Before They See It

You know that incredible new CNC machine or robotic welder you’re bringing to the show? It should already be the star of your website.

What to do: Add high-quality photos and videos of your new equipment to your homepage and capabilities pages. Write a short blog post about what this new technology allows you to do for your customers.
Why it Works: When a potential lead checks out your site after a quick booth chat, they get an instant, powerful reminder of your capabilities.

✅ 3. Add a "Meet Us at Booth #..." Banner

This is the easiest win on the list and takes just a few minutes.

What it is: A simple, clickable banner at the very top of your homepage.
What it should say: "See our new technology in action! Visit us at FABTECH 2025, Booth #1234 in the North Hall."
Where it should link: To your new FABTECH landing page!
Why it Works: It immediately informs every single website visitor that you are an active, engaged leader in the industry.

✅ 4. Run Hyper-Targeted "Pre-Show" Ads

Want to get in front of attendees before they even pack their bags? Use paid ads as a digital sniper rifle, not a shotgun.

How it works: Use a platform like LinkedIn to run small, targeted ad campaigns. You can target users by job title ("Purchasing Manager," "CEO"), industry ("Automotive"), and geographic area.
The "Sneaky" Trick: During the show, you can even "geo-fence" your ads to target mobile devices physically located at McCormick Place.
Why it Works: It warms up your ideal audience, builds name recognition, and keeps you top-of-mind amidst the noise of the show floor.

✅ 5. Prepare Your Email Follow-Up Sequence

The secret to effective follow-up is having an automated email sequence ready to go before you scan a single badge.

What it is: A series of 2-3 pre-written emails that are automatically sent to new contacts over a week.
A Simple Sequence: Start with a "Great to meet you!" email, follow up with a value-add (like a case study), and finish with a low-pressure call to action.
Why it Works: It’s scalable, ensures no lead falls through the cracks, and keeps you top-of-mind while your competitors are still manually typing up their lead lists.

Don't Let Good Leads Go Cold

FABTECH is a huge investment. A few strategic digital updates can be the difference between coming home with a stack of business cards and coming home with a pipeline full of qualified, engaged leads.

Need a hand getting this done before the show? That's exactly what we do. At MFG Web Design, we specialize in helping manufacturers translate their real-world capabilities into a powerful online presence—from building landing pages to setting up targeted ad campaigns and email sequences.

Contact us today for a quick, pre-show consultation. Let's make sure you get the absolute most out of FABTECH.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a website important for a trade show like FABTECH?

Your website acts as your 24/7 digital sales hub. It supports your trade show efforts by providing a place for leads to learn more, warming up prospects before the show, and giving you a platform to continue the conversation long after the event ends. It's crucial for converting booth traffic into measurable business.

How can I track the ROI of my digital efforts for FABTECH?

The best way is to use a dedicated landing page with its own contact form. By tracking the submissions from this form, you can directly attribute new leads to your FABTECH campaign. You can also use unique tracking URLs (UTM codes) in your ads and emails to see exactly how many visitors and leads each channel generated.

Is it too late to prepare my website for FABTECH 2025?

Not at all. Many of these strategies, like creating a landing page, adding a banner, and writing an email sequence, can be implemented quickly. The key is to start now. Even a few focused updates can make a significant impact on your trade show success.

Topic: Manufacturing Website Design Solution

Written by: Jake Lett

As a marketing consultant that specializes in industrial companies, I get to see patterns and strategies to make the most impact. Manufacturers often employ a lot of people. I take pride in knowing I am helping our American economy and improving the lives of families who build things with their hands and ingenuity.