Download Community
OK, I'm not sure how or even why this site provides free downloads of software and files for several manufacturing categories ... but why bother? The fact is, they do, and they do a fine job of providing access to solutions for plant control, file translation, facilities management, maintenance, downtime measurement and prevention and much more. And did we mention that it's free?

This is worth a visit, no matter what type of manufacturing professional you happen to be -- manager, artisan, business professional, or operator.

Download.com
This site, presented and hosted by computer and technology powerhouse CNET, offers products and software to improve your Web site through better organization, navigation and other attributes. Some downloads are freeware, some are shareware (you use it and pay for it if you like it -- on an honor system), some are just for sale. Regardless of your Web status, you'll want to check out this site for more Web site development options.

emachineshop
OK, so emachineshop suffers from the "all small letters and an 'e' in front of it" syndrome. Do not let that prejudice prevent you from using this site as inspiration for your business' Web strategy.

emachineshop doesn't so much create a virtual machine shop (would they create virtual parts, or accept virtual payment?) as it lubricates the communications between the shop and prospective customers in realistic ways. By combining Web functionality with software and "actual" manufacturing methods, their goal is to streamline the design/model, collaboration and bidding/award processes for discrete parts manufacturing. To do this, emachineshop is attempting to redefine the online shop communications interface as a sort of Applications Service Provider (an online, software-driven, automated customer service platform).

The goals and aspirations of emachineshop are lofty; there's no telling if they'll succeed long-term. Their software must be downloaded by customers and is proprietary. There are huge education and acceptance curves to be overcome.

But if you don't take inspiration from this model and recognize the potential in this pioneer's efforts, then you might consider not having a Web site for your business at all.

HTML Goodies
This site offers a tremendous amount of Web-related data that can help you build, maintain and effectively promote your shop's site to the Web-at-large. Everything, including tools and advice, are available here--all in an easy to navigate format. This is a must-have for shops and businesses in early-to-mid-level development. And not too shabby for you big boys, either.

HTMLCenter
If you're looking for the nuts and bolts of building, maintaining and updating Web sites, you'll want to include HTMLCenter in your list of must-visit sites. HTMLCenter includes massive lists of site-building product reviews, comprehensive how-to tutorials, helpful forums, reference guides and tables, searchable listings of Web hosting companies — whew! — services to analyze your own site, and everything from A-Z to get your site up and running, or just updated.

Institute for Supply Management (ISM)
The ISM (formerly the National Association of Purchasing Management) is the organization that represents a group you may want (or have) to deal with: purchasers. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, they represent channels into the supply and manufacturing chains of corporations that you likely want to work with. Getting inside their heads—learning about what they’re thinking and what they look for—can help you with your business strategies, your marketing and sales efforts, and even your own Web site. The ISM site contains a great deal of information about these creatures, much of it in the form of surveys or studies commissioned or conducted by ISM and Forrester Research. This is a great site for due diligence, one that you should visit and explore at least once.

Line 56
No, this isn't like Area 51. Line 56 is a magazine, a Web site, and a multimedia property that looks at the Internet as a customer relationship management and business enabler. Now, before you go running from what you think is another of those pie-in-the-sky, new age, dot-bomber sites, you should check out Line 56's content. They present a very rational, informative and real-world approach that many shops and manufacturers can find valuable in applying to their own online strategies. The "Ecosystem Stories" and "e-Biz in Action" sections of Line 56's site offer some fine examples of successes and pitfalls.

If you aspire to the belief that "computers (and the Internet) can only answer questions, they can't ask them," then look into Line 56 for some inspiration and balance.

Search Engine Forums
Are you looking for ways to improve your Web site's exposure, but would like advice from others while building a strategy? Then you HAVE to include Search Engine Forums in your research. This site is acutually a suite of several forums covering every conceivable search engine topic, including the technical (i.e., meta tags, dynamic pages, other technical issues, etc.), the engine-specific (i.e., Google, AOL, MSN, AltaVista, etc.), and more. This site is a must-have resource, despite the level of your Web development chops.

But wait! There's more! This most rocking of sites doesn't just deliver the search engine goods. There's a wealth of tools that can help you and yours develop, build and maintain all the elements of a vital manufacturing Web site. Every aspect for the form, fit and function of your Web presence can be improved through this site--just look along the top menu tabs, select one, and be amazed.

Search Engine Watch
No matter the size of your shop, plant or enterprise—if you have a Web site that serves the manufacturing realm, you are getting traffic from Search Engines. But they're misunderstood, and your Web site may not be taking advantage of this powerful sales and marketing channel for your business.

Search Engine Watch contains an incredible amount of information about how to position your site for the most effective exposure to your search-prone, Web-based prospects. Give yourself some time with this site; it contains more info about search engines than you'll probably ever use, but you're sure to find plenty that will make your site serve your business better.

Software Usability Research Laboratory (SURL)
SURL is owned and operated by the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Laboratory at Wichita State University, and their site contains a wealth of information about Web sites and how people use them. A fine example of the content you'll find here is Criteria for optimal web design (designing for usability), which is a collection of studies on navigation, graphics, and usability. Now, this site contains some information that may not apply as directly to manufacturers' Web requirements as other. And you may see this and wonder what it has to do with you. But the fact is your company's Web site is talking to prospects right now, and many of this information may help speak to them more effectively. If this isn't for you specifically, then pass it on to whoever it is for.

Tucows
This site sprang from humble beginnings—a guy, a computer, a phone line, and some passion—to become one of the Web's premier sites for downloads of low-cost (and sometimes FREE) software and utilities. A must for smaller/medium-sized shops or individuals looking for security solutions, or Web site or computer network improvements.

And by the by, there's something else you can get from this site, and it's not a download or utility: this site was built from just a few links to what you see now GRADUALLY OVER TIME. Manufacturing concerns of all sizes should take note of (and emulate) that strategy for their own Internet/Intranet/Extranet applications.

Usable Web
Your company's Web presence is best described as an ongoing dialogue between you and your clients, you and your prospects, you and yours. And we'd be remiss if we continued to tout the importance of developing your site and not give you some ideas on how to do it. Usable Web has plenty of good ideas. This isn't as much of a "how-to" site, but more of a "why-to" model. Advice and info on Web site user interface, design development, and sound Web communications priciples make this a must-see site. AND they've linked to over 1400 other info sources. If you're looking to take your site to the "next level," include this as a step.

useit.com
There's a site I'd like to introduce you to that can help with how you present your Web site message. The site is called useit.com, and it's not another "how-to-code-Web-pages-like-a-pro" site. Jakob Nielsen runs the useit.com show, and the guy brings his formidable experience with Web site development and usability to bear here. Notice a serious lack of graphics on useit.com? There's a darned good reason, and Jakob explains why. Do you wonder what navigation techniques work best for your audience? There's sound advice here about that, too. This is a must-have bookmark for anyone with a Web site.

W3Schools
From the most basic to some of the most advanced Web site development and maintenance topics, W3Schools delivers the goods via free Web building tutorials. Topics include tutorials for basic HTML and XHTML and advanced XML. Maybe more than you need, but that's better than not enough. And free is good.

W3Schools
This site offers several tutorials, form basic to advanced, on topics related to building and managing Web sites. A really nice feature is the Web Hosting Tutorial, which explains many of the fundamental steps to selecting a host for your site -- or how to host it yourself.

WebMonkey
This site does have one funny name. That is, until you get there and find that it is one of the Web's single best resources for Web site development. You'll find a preponderance of technical info here -- and if you let that drive you away, you're missing out. Because "the monkey" offers help to all, from beginners through Master Web-heads. The site and info are categorized and presented extraordinarily well.

Wilson Internet
This site is run by one Dr. Ralph Wilson. He's an Internet consultant who's into loads of Web-stuff, business-wise. The good doctor has newsletters, his consultancy, books and more. But this site -- particularly the Web Marketing Info Center -- is a fine resource for anyone looking for site options and promotion, with links to loads of data from other sites. Some info is closed to subscribers only ($49.00 per year for the afore-mentioned newsletter), but there's still a great deal to be had by the resourceful and patient at this site.