[Tyler109]

I work for a Buick-GMC dealership west of Indianapolis and I was recently handed the task of helping develop our website/e-commerce. What I wanted to ask you guys is if you're shopping for a car online what would you guys want on a website you're shopping and how would you want information presented to you? Thanks for your help fellas!

[smartd]

Originally Posted by Tyler109

I work for a Buick-GMC dealership west of Indianapolis and I was recently handed the task of helping develop our website/e-commerce. What I wanted to ask you guys is if you're shopping for a car online what would you guys want on a website you're shopping and how would you want information presented to you? Thanks for your help fellas!

Do not follow the usual GM template it sucks. Check some of the other maker user friendly sites. An interesting site is Dale Earnhardt Chevy, but they also sell other things.

[Raven]

I am a field marketing manager for an automotive OEM. Here's what I preach to my retailers about their individual websites:

- Design it to be user friendly - test it out with friends and neighbors

- Make it visually appealling and professional - no gaudy colors or cheesy graphics - Maintain brand integrity

- Avoid gimmics like the generic, hot spokesmodel that every other store uses or the vehicle that drives across the screen

- Keep your new and used vehicle inventories up to date

- Have internet specials, keep them up to date and put something in there that is a call to action (drives traffic) - have new, used, even parts and service specials

- Set a standard to return all e-mail inquires (say within 4 business hours) with a PERSONALIZED response (answer the questions/needs of the customer). Have leads sent directly to sales personnel and treat it as an UP - have the lead get entered into your CRM system for follow -up.

- Put pictures of dealership staff with contact info (put a name with a face) for every department - people like to see who they are dealing with. Have nice photos taken - not a Polaroid up against a brick wall - make your staff look friendly and approachable.

- Put the website call out in your advertising - the website is a great way to supplement media and ad more info (and quickly): "See our website for more details"

If you can hit these, you should end up with a pretty decent site.

Hope this helps.

[Shawn 507]

I never liked building my dream truck and then the picture at the end is some base model that has none of the features I selected except the color.

[Tyler109]

Originally Posted by Raven

I am a field marketing manager for an automotive OEM. Here's what I preach to my retailers about their individual websites:

- Design it to be user friendly - test it out with friends and neighbors

- Make it visually appealling and professional - no gaudy colors or cheesy graphics - Maintain brand integrity

- Avoid gimmics like the generic, hot spokesmodel that every other store uses or the vehicle that drives across the screen

- Keep your new and used vehicle inventories up to date

- Have internet specials, keep them up to date and put something in there that is a call to action (drives traffic) - have new, used, even parts and service specials

- Set a standard to return all e-mail inquires (say within 4 business hours) with a PERSONALIZED response (answer the questions/needs of the customer). Have leads sent directly to sales personnel and treat it as an UP - have the lead get entered into your CRM system for follow -up.

- Put pictures of dealership staff with contact info (put a name with a face) for every department - people like to see who they are dealing with. Have nice photos taken - not a Polaroid up against a brick wall - make your staff look friendly and approachable.

- Put the website call out in your advertising - the website is a great way to supplement media and ad more info (and quickly): "See our website for more details"

If you can hit these, you should end up with a pretty decent site.

Hope this helps.

We've put some of those ideas into practice but there's also several good ideas I never thought of...Thanks man!