Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions below. 

If you do not find what you are looking for, contact us.

For suppliers

Why should I join HowToRobot?

 

You will get matched with interested buyers looking for automation solutions, robot components, services, and even expert help.

No need to spend months trying to find leads - on our platform, you can find buyers who already know what they need and wish to receive proposals from suppliers like you.

Our team will help you create a profile on our platform, and guide you through the process of using it so that you can succeed.

It’s fast and efficient.

Start here

Is my area of business relevant to HowToRobot?

If you are a robot and automation supplier, manufacturer, integrator, advisor or distributor, you are at the right place.

Customers of HowToRobot are searching for:

  • Integrated robot and automation solutions for any task: Welding, Assembly, Cutting, Logistics, Cleaning and Disinfecting, Landscaping and Gardening, Machine Tending, Inspection & Quality Control, Material Handling, Addition & Removal – and more
  • Components or parts for a robot solution: End effectors & grippers – robotic arms – mobile robots – sensor & vision – safety equipment & fencing – process equipment – & more
  • Training and upskilling: Robot programming, PLC programming, robot maintenance, and upskilling in general
  • Repair and maintenance services
  • Consultancy services
How do I create a company profile on the HowToRobot platform?

It's easy to get started.

But first, search our directory as your business may already be listed there. If you find your company profile, simply click the “Claim” button, and wait for the approval.

If you can't find your business in the directory, go to our supplier page and click the “Get started for free” button. You will be asked to fill in your company's details.

Complete your profile and make it interesting for buyers by including as many details as you can.

How do I check if my company is already registered on HowToRobot?

Simply search our directory. If you find your company profile there, just click the “Claim” button, and wait for approval.

Then, you will be able to complete your profile with more details and enjoy all the benefits of using our platform to grow your business.

Is it possible to give multiple user access to our company account?

Yes, supplier accounts may provide access to multiple users. A supplier may have one owner account and unlimited coworker accounts. A coworker is able to:

  • Answer customer requests and communicate with clients directly on the platform *
  • Showcase products in the HowToRobot Product Directory *
  • Create local offices
  • Connect to brands you are reselling
  • Purchase premium membership

* Premium membership required.

What should I do if my company has more than 1 office?

If you have several offices within one country, you can add those to your company profile.

Just open your profile, click the “edit profile” button, scroll down to the Offices section, and click the “Add Local Office” button.

If you have offices in several countries, make sure to create one company profile for each country. This way, buyers looking for suppliers in a specific geographic location will find you.

What are the differences between a free and premium account?
How much does it cost to join HowToRobot as a supplier?

It is free to join HowToRobot as a supplier and get your business listed in our directory.

To enjoy all the benefits of the platform and engage with potential clients, you will need to upgrade to a premium membership.

See current pricing and service fees.

What are the payment methods allowed?

HowToRobot accepts the following payment methods:

  • Credit and/or debit cards offered by our payment provider (Stripe).
  • Digital invoice with bank transfer. Request invoice payment on hello@howtorobot.com.
How many buyer requests do you have on your platform?

You can view all the active requests here.

As long as the request is listed there, the buyer is still ready to receive more offers from suppliers.

How do I answer a buyer request?

To engage with potential clients, you must first be a premium member.

Once you have identified a relevant customer project, start by introducing yourself and showing how you might be able to provide what they need. Ask questions to fully understand their needs, avoid technical jargon, and make sure to address how your solution can help them achieve their targets.

Watch our video covering the 5 tips for winning a contract:

Can buyers call me directly?

Yes, as long as you are in our directory and include the correct contact details in your profile, buyers can reach you directly.

If a buyer accepts my offer, how long does it take for the payment to go through?

When a buyer accepts your offer for a component or service, payment is handled on our platform.

As soon as the buyer marks your project as delivered, the payment is released. 

Beware, that you need to register for a Stripe account before engaging in these type of projects via HowToRobot.

We will also deduct a service fee.

Read our Terms of Service and Service Fee pages for more details.

Do you charge a commission on projects?

HowToRobot charges a fee on projects won through our platform. See our terms and service fees.

For buyers

Why should I use your platform?

 

HowToRobot is the world’s largest marketplace connecting buyers and suppliers of robots and automation technology. The platform makes it faster, simpler and more cost-effective finding the right automation partners.

  1. Save time finding suppliers

Save time finding robot suppliers. You can publish requests for automation solutions globally in less than 15 minutes – and get offers from qualified suppliers (free of charge).

  1. Increase your options & drive down costs

Discover the most up-to-date and relevant solutions on the market. HowToRobot is the world’s largest robot marketplace making it easy to find qualified suppliers and cost-effective solutions.

  1. Show your business case to stakeholders

Make sure stakeholders are onboard automation investments. HowToRobot provides a free set of tools to document, calculate, and rank the value of automation projects.

How do I write a good request?

To post a request, start at this page and choose if you’re looking for a whole robot solution, or just need components, spare parts, service & education.

Follow the instructions and your request will be sent out to suppliers worldwide.

Don’t leave any fields out and try to include as many details as possible.

Add photos and videos to make it easier for suppliers to understand your needs. Doing this will increase your chances of receiving qualified offers by 4-5X. It will ensure you will get contacted by the right suppliers and speed up the whole process to reach the solution you’re looking for as fast as possible.

If you need an overview of where to start automation and calculating the business case before contacting suppliers, we recommend you to try our Automation Journey free of charge.

Why haven't I gotten any answers to my request?

If you haven’t received any answers from suppliers, it may be that there was not enough time for suppliers to review it, or there may be some issues with your request.

It’s possible that suppliers simply don’t understand your needs and therefore don’t know if their solution would be relevant for you.

You might want to add more details to your request, and include photos and videos.

We have a dedicated team that oversees the requests on our site and will contact you if they notice you might need some assistance.

You are also welcome to contact us at hello@howtorobot.com

Is the service anonymous or can the suppliers see who I am?

When you post a request on our site, suppliers will not see who you are.

You can reveal this information whenever you’re ready to do so.

Is there a limit to the number of requests I can post?

You can post as many requests as you want to, free of charge. Please note that to receive qualified offers from suppliers you will need to invest some time in describing enough specific details about your needs. We reserve the right to remove unserious requests.

How long will my request be active?

The requests you post will stay active until you decide to close them. 

When you have found a match, click on "MATCH FOUND". This will close your request for further bidding.

You may also close the request for other reasons or put on hold if needed.

Do I have to accept the offer I receive?

No, you are under no obligation to accept any of the offers you receive.

We simply provide you with the space to receive offers for free, and it’s up to you to decide if you want to accept any of them or just keep looking.

How fast do I need to respond to an offer?

Suppliers expect good business manners and appreciate replies within a couple of days. Keeping a consistent communication with suppliers ensures progress on your projects.

How do I search for relevant suppliers?

You can use our supplier directory to search for suppliers, and our product directory to search for standard solutions and components.

If you want to avoid spending time researching the solution yourself, request offers for a solution on our platform instead. The process is easy, takes about 15 minutes, and you will get offers from certified suppliers. Makes your life easier, increases your options and helps you find the most cost-effective solutions. 

Our matchmaking algorithm and our team of experts will help you find the right match. This is why most businesses choose this approach to finding new suppliers and solutions.