A customer does not always know what a component is called. They may only have a part number, a model or a drawing in which they recognise the component. A technical catalogue needs to support these different starting points. Begin with how people search before working on the design of the parts book.
Start with the search question
List the main ways into the catalogue. These could include searching by part number, selecting a model and browsing a parts book. Then establish which information visitors need to check their choice. Finding a product is useful only when they can understand why it fits their requirement.
Use a few specific search tasks from your own range. Work through each one yourself. Note where you need knowledge that is not available anywhere on the website. Those are places that need an explanation, a reference or a product detail.
Give each clickable position a purpose
A hotspot is a clickable position on a drawing. Decide in advance what should happen after a click. You might show the name, part number and a route to the relevant product. Display the drawing position and the part number separately. These numbers do not necessarily mean the same thing.
Provide a readable parts list alongside the drawing. This lets someone follow a part number without relying entirely on the image. Use consistent names in the list, the information attached to the hotspot and the product page.
Keep product information with the product
Decide where product information is managed. Avoid a situation in which changing a name or price in the store also requires someone to check every drawing manually. Start with the product link and identify which information belongs to the drawing itself.
Make checking and ordering clear
After a click, give visitors a clear opportunity to check which component they have selected. Consider the version, quantity and available product details. Put pricing and availability information where someone decides whether to continue.
Review this journey on a phone too. Check whether the drawing remains readable, positions can be selected and the product information keeps the chosen component recognisable. Make sure someone can return to the same parts book after viewing a product.
Agree how the book will be maintained
A parts book needs maintenance. Define who replaces a drawing, who checks product links and what happens when an item is discontinued. After a change, review a few complete search journeys. Check the link and the information on the resulting product page.
Start with one defined book or model. This lets you assess the structure, product details and ordering journey before applying the same approach to more components. Keep a record of unresolved questions so unclear links remain visible during maintenance.
How this relates to Westerink Parts
For Westerink Parts, we work on a Shopify catalogue and a parts book environment with drawings and clickable positions. The collaboration also covers product navigation, pricing information and the route to ordering. Connecting technical documentation with product information is an ongoing development area. The approach above describes how to assess and maintain these decisions.