Your Checklist of Essential Website Features for 2024
At the turning of yet another year, you have the opportunity to evaluate your dealership and implement the tools and technologies to increase sales and boost your bottom line. In this modern digital age, a well-designed and functional website is more than informational—it’s a vital asset for your dealership and a valuable digital storefront for modern shoppers.
To ensure that your dealership stays ahead of the curve (and your competition), we've compiled a comprehensive checklist of essential website features for 2024.
Essential Website Features Checklist
Having a robust online presence is crucial for dealerships. A well-designed website not only attracts potential customers, but also enhances their overall experience. By incorporating the following essential features, you can create a website that stands out from the crowd and drives business growth.
Easy Website Navigation
A user-friendly website with intuitive navigation ensures that visitors can easily find the information they're looking for. By incorporating a clean homepage, an intuitive main menu, fast performance and responsive design, you facilitate a better user experience. You can further empower potential customers and drive sales by streamlining your site structure, implementing clear calls-to-action and making it effortless for users to explore your site.
If you’re a Dealer Spike website customer, you can highlight important information (such as new inventory) prominently on your website through a series of rotating banners. Click here to learn how you can easily upload, edit and remove banners as needed.
Search Engine Optimization
A whopping 53% of website traffic is generated by organic search, according to BrightEdge. You can optimize your website with SEO-friendly content to improve search engine visibility and attract organic traffic. Conduct keyword research, create informative and engaging content and optimize meta tags and descriptions to enhance your website's overall ranking.
Complete Website Information
Your website is the digital representation of your dealership, and shoppers expect detailed information about your offerings no matter where they shop. Offer them the same experience and the same level of information on your website that they would receive at your dealership. That includes clear store hours, contact information, customer support, current promotions and discounts, social media integration and more.
Detailed Inventory Listings
Your inventory may be the main reason consumers visit your site. It’s the engine that drives shopper interest and SEO traffic to your site. Give potential customers what they want with comprehensive details about each unit in your inventory. Include specifications, pricing, availability and high-quality images to help customers make informed decisions.
DMS Integration
Your DMS is the main technology you use to run your business. It contains valuable data about your customers, potential customers and inventory. Integrating your website with your DMS allows for seamless inventory management, reducing manual tasks and improving efficiency in updating and displaying accurate information.
Digital Showroom
Your website has so much more potential than simply directing shoppers to your physical dealership. With the rise of online shopping, offering a complete digital showroom experience is essential. Utilize 360-degree product views, videos and interactive features to allow customers to explore and experience your products remotely.
Dynamic Texting
Many modern consumers prefer to shop on their own, browsing your website on their time and terms. But that doesn’t mean they don’t want the convenience of a person-to-person conversation with a member of your team. Offer a direct line to your customer support and assistance through a dynamic texting strategy. This feature allows customers to ask questions, get real-time responses and receive personalized assistance, enhancing their overall experience and improving customer satisfaction.
Customer Reviews
Nearly all (99.9%) of consumers read online reviews as part of the shopping process, and most consider online reviews an important research factor, according to PowerReviews. Build trust and credibility by displaying customer reviews and testimonials on your website. Positive feedback from satisfied customers can significantly influence potential buyers and increase their confidence in choosing your dealership.
Online Payment Calculation Tool
You can simplify the buying process for customers by providing an online payment calculation tool. This tool allows customers to estimate monthly payments based on various financing options, reducing friction in the purchasing journey.
Check out how Thayer’s Marine reduced their time to sale after adding a payment calculation tool to their website.
Easy Purchase Process
Even when your customers have decided to buy from you, giving them a fast, easy purchase process will keep them coming back and help you to secure positive customer reviews. Streamline the buying process with a secure and user-friendly checkout system on your website and/or removing purchase roadblocks at your store. Minimize steps, offer multiple payment options and ensure a seamless transition from browsing to purchase, enhancing customer satisfaction and conversion rates.
Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store Service
Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store (BOPIS) is a win-win for you and your customers. It caters to shoppers who prefer a mix of online convenience and in-store experience. Furthermore, BOPIS expands your potential retail and profit opportunities by increasing your audience size and the types of parts and inventory you can offer. Plus, it provides flexibility and convenience, while also driving foot traffic to your dealership.
The future is bright for your business. Incorporating these essential website features will position your dealership for success in 2024 and beyond. From easy website navigation to virtual showrooms, each element plays an essential role in enhancing the user experience, driving traffic and increasing sales.