The Offsite Guide
The Offsite Guide is a B2B marketplace for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC): buildings made largely in a factory instead of on site. We designed and built it alongside its sister site, Rooms2u, to help developers and specifiers find MMC suppliers across the UK.
Client: The Offsite Guide
Sector: Construction
Services: Strategy, Design, Development
Putting MMC suppliers in front of the people who need them
A marketplace for modern construction
The Offsite Guide is a B2B marketplace and knowledge base that promotes Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) across the UK. It was created alongside its sister platform, Rooms2u, to connect developers, public-sector clients and construction professionals with the suppliers doing offsite construction. That covers modular builders, volumetric specialists, and providers of panellised and pod-based systems. The site lets you find them, compare them and get in touch.
Start to finish
We handled the whole thing, design and development, working with the client from the first planning sessions through to launch. The site had editorial goals as well as commercial ones, so it needed to be clear, modern and full of content, while keeping the listings easy to search and filter.
We have been working with Jolora since 2020. Their work, from design to completion, has been exemplary, and we would highly recommend them to other marketplace businesses, whether large or small. They have helped us overcome some difficult obstacles with efficiency, professionalism, and excellent communication, clearly explaining their work process so that our entire team understands the way forward.
We began with discovery and wireframes, working out how people would find suppliers, read content and submit listings. Then we refined those journeys with the client in Figma, checking at each stage that what users wanted and what the business needed still lined up. The Offsite Guide was always meant to educate as well as list, so guides and case studies got equal billing with the commercial listings.
A clear visual system
The visual design is clean and accessible, and aims to come across as clear, credible and sustainable. Strong type, high-contrast layouts and a disciplined use of colour make technical information easier to take in. Every page is responsive and accessible, so it works across devices and for a broad professional audience.
Directories you can filter
The supplier directory covers a lot of ground, from modular homes and panellised systems to MMC services such as finance, software, training and recruitment. To stop that becoming overwhelming, we concentrated on easy filtering, searchable metadata and a consistent card layout. Each supplier profile shows the systems they use, case study images and contact links, which is what a decision-maker needs to draw up a shortlist.
Easy to run
The platform is lightweight and CMS-driven, so the client’s team can manage listings, publish articles and grow the site without calling us every time. Blog posts, opinion pieces and long-form guides are all laid out to be good-looking and easy to navigate, which helps The Offsite Guide work as a practical tool and as a credible voice on MMC.
Related to Rooms2u, but its own thing
Rooms2u is for consumers and The Offsite Guide is for businesses. The two share visual components and structural conventions, so they feel related, but each has its own tone and purpose.
