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With consumers increasingly turning to the internet for their automotive needs, having a well-structured, user-friendly car dealership website is crucial for capturing their attention. Types of websites such as e-Commerce websites and informational sites can significantly enhance your car dealership's visibility and customer engagement.
Whether you are starting a business or currently own a car dealership, this guide will walk you through the essential elements and best practices for building a website that not only attracts visitors but also converts them into loyal customers. By understanding the unique needs of your audience and incorporating key features, you can create a website for your car dealership that showcases your inventory and drives sales effectively.
Ready to create your car dealership website? Get started with an AI website design generator today.
What is a car dealership website?
A car dealership website is an online platform that showcases a dealership's inventory of new and used cars, as well as other services such as financing options, maintenance services and customer reviews. It serves as an online storefront for potential customers to explore the available vehicle models, learn about pricing and promotions and connect with your dealership. It often incorporates lead capture forms to collect customer information, helping to generate leads and facilitate follow-ups.
How to make a car dealership website in 9 steps
01. Select a domain and host
Choose a memorable domain name that reflects your dealership name or the type of cars you specialize in selling. If you're having trouble, try using a domain name generator for inspiration. Once you've found the right name, perform a domain search to check its availability and secure it. Also check your top level domain extension is available, .com ending domain names can be competitive.
New to domains? Learn more about what is a domain and its role in your car delaership website’s appearance.
Reliable hosting is the key to a successful website. Partnering with a trustworthy hosting website keeps your online presence active and inviting, allowing visitors to access your site anytime to browse vehicles. When choosing a hosting provider, consider these important factors:
Web server speed: Ensures fast loading times for your website
Uptime guarantees: High uptime percentages minimize website downtime and maintain site reliability.
Security features: Website security measures protect your website privacy and visitor data.
Scalability options: Allows your website to grow and handle increased traffic over time.
Tip: When you build a website with Wix, you’ll get free website hosting.
02. Choose a website builder and template
Next, you'll want to find a website builder that suits your specific needs and preferences. Consider what features are most important to your business, such as e-commerce capabilities, customizable templates or SEO tools. Choosing the right builder will save you significant time and effort compared to integrating additional features into an existing website. With Wix, for instance, you can easily manage your business from anywhere you have WiFi, whether you're using a desktop or the Wix mobile app.
Once you've selected your website builder, select a website template that best suits your business and brand. Explore automotive and car website templates that can be customized to fit your specific needs, allowing you to modify elements such as fonts, images and web page structures. This customization process not only helps tailor the website to reflect your car dealership brand's unique identity but also ensures that it presents a professional and polished look to your visitors.
Learn more: How to make an e-commerce website
03. Design your car dealership website
Customizing your template can bring your car dealership brand to life by incorporating your logo, color scheme and other visual elements into the web design. Make sure to keep the design clean and uncluttered, as this will make it easier for visitors to navigate and find what they are looking for.
To capture your unique brand identity and make the website design your own, you’ll want to do the following:
Change the color palette: Customize your website color scheme to match your car dealership brand colors. Colors shouldn’t be irritating and tacky. Opt for calm and warm tones to create a pleasant experience.
Pick a font: Choose a typography that is easy to read and aligns with your branding. For example, if you want to convey professionalism, select a classic and clean font. If your business has a more playful and creative atmosphere, consider using a unique and modern font.
Simple navigation: When planning your car dealership website, ensure that it reflects your customers’ research process and makes it as simple as possible for them to find the information they need. Make sure your navigation bar is easy to locate and use dropdown menus for subcategories to further simplify site navigation.
Add your logo: Your logo is the face of your business, so it’s important to have one that is professional and memorable. Use a high-quality image and place it prominently on your car dealership website, such as in the header or footer.
Learn more about how to make your own logo and use a logo maker to craft your own.
04. Create a compelling homepage
Your homepage is the first impression of your car dealership website, so make it count. It should be visually appealing and highlight your top-selling models or any current promotions.
Use this checklist to create an captivating homepage:
Engaging calls-to-action: Include eye-catching calls-to-action such as “View Inventory” and “Get Preapproved” with bold colors and strategic placement to guide visitors seamlessly through the website and encourage them to take the next step in their buying journey.
Online scheduling and quotes: Provide straightforward options for booking test drives and obtaining price quotes, which can simplify the car buying process and make potential customers feel more at ease and in control.
Highlight best deals: Regularly draw attention to current sales, promotions and time-limited offers on the homepage, updating them frequently. You can also consider creating a dedicated “Hot Deals” or “Specials” page that showcases the best bargains available.
Live chat support: Enhance customer service and potentially increase sales by offering real-time support with a live chat feature. This allows visitors to get instant answers to their questions and concerns, fostering trust and engagement.
Emphasize customer reviews: Build trust and credibility by prominently featuring customer reviews and testimonials on the website. Highlight positive reviews and feedback to reassure potential buyers about the quality and reliability of the vehicles and services offered.
05. Set up inventory and (optional) online store
Your car dealership inventory should be displayed on your website in an organized and attractive manner to engage potential buyers. Using a comprehensive platform like Wix for inventory management can streamline the process of updating inventory and help in managing stock efficiently.
Here are some tips for showcasing inventory effectively:
Provide detailed descriptions: Provide thorough and accurate descriptions of each vehicle’s make, model, year, condition, features, mileage, etc.
Use search options: Include search filters for customers to narrow down their options based on specific criteria. Consider using filters such as make, model, year, price range and body type.
Include high-quality imagery: Include multiple professional images from different angles, both interior and exterior, to allow potential customers to visually inspect vehicles. Consider using photo galleries for detailed viewing and an image resizer to ensure optimal display quality.
Favorites list: Provide visitors with the ability to save their favorite items or content for easy access and convenient review at a later time. This feature enhances user experience by allowing them to quickly locate and revisit their preferred selections without having to search for them again.
Virtual test drives: Incorporate 360-degree videos or VR features to offer virtual test drives, enhancing user engagement and interest. Wix App Market has apps like Virtual Tours to add 360 virtual tours to your car dealership website.
Optionally, you can also create an online store where customers can purchase vehicles directly from your site. Using a platform like Wix online store can simplify the process, providing user-friendly tools to enhance customer convenience and potentially expand your market and sales potential.
06. Add contact information and lead capture forms
Make it easy for potential customers to get in touch with your dealership. Include your location(s), business phone number, business email and social media handles on every page of your car dealership website, and ensure you have a dedicated contact page. Incorporate lead capture forms and use a CRM like Wix to manage customer interactions effectively.
Here are some tips for effective lead capture online forms:
Simple but comprehensive: Keep the form short and simple, asking only necessary information such as name, email, phone number and vehicle of interest.
Clear call-to-action: Use an eye-catching call-to-action like “Get More Information” or “Request a Quote” to encourage visitors to fill out the form.
Offer incentives: Provide visitors with an incentive such as a discount or bonus for filling out the form to increase conversions.
Follow-up process: Have a system in place to follow up with leads promptly and efficiently, whether it’s through phone calls, emails or other forms of communication.
If your dealership provides additional services like car maintenance, then creating specific pages for these services on your business website can help relay pertinent information to your customers. You can also create pages to explain financing options and how customers can sell or trade their existing vehicles.
Learn more about how to make a business website.
07. Create engaging content
Quality content not only informs visitors about your dealership’s offerings but also establishes your authority in the automotive industry. By providing valuable information, you can connect with your audience on a deeper level, foster trust and encourage them to choose your dealership over competitors. An effective content strategy can improve your car dealership website search engine optimization (SEO), driving more traffic to your site and increasing the likelihood of conversions.
Consider the following content strategies:
Online blog: Establish your authority in the automotive industry by starting a blog to share updates on new models, vehicle reviews, buying guides, awards and community events. This engages potential customers and attracts organic traffic.
PDF brochures: Present your offerings in a professional manner with advertising materials tailored for each vehicle. These brochures not only save you time by standardizing your presentations but also enhance your image to clients by providing clear and detailed information about each model.
Financing calculator: Help prospective buyers plan their budgets with an easy-to-use financing calculator. This tool lets users estimate monthly payments by entering the car price, down payment, APR and loan term. By inputting these details, buyers can better understand their financial commitments and make informed decisions when purchasing a vehicle.
Car history check: Provide a car history check for online used car dealerships. Let customers use the VIN code to view owner and accident history for informed decisions.By providing this information, customers can make more informed decisions, ensuring they purchase vehicles that meet their expectations in terms of safety and reliability.
08. Optimize search engine performance
Ensure your car dealership website is optimized for search engines to increase visibility and reach potential customers. Use relevant keywords, meta descriptions, page titles and image tags throughout your website. Wix sites come with built-in SEO features to help with this process. Track your website performance using tools like Google Analytics to understand what is working well and areas that can be improved.
Some tips for optimizing SEO:
Keyword research: Conduct keyword research to find popular terms related to your dealership, such as "affordable cars," "local car dealership," or "certified pre-owned vehicles," and incorporate them into your car dealership website content.
Local SEO: Optimize local listings by submitting accurate information on platforms like Google My Business, Yelp and Waze. This will help your dealership appear in local searches and increase traffic from mobile users.
Link building: Increase your domain authority by reaching out to reputable websites, creating quality content that others want to link to and participating in industry forums and discussions to gain backlinks.
Regular updates: Keep your car dealership website updated with new content and refresh old content regularly to maintain relevance and visibility in search engines.
Optimize for mobile: With more people accessing the web via smartphones and tablets, your site should be optimized for mobile devices. Use a simple, uncluttered layout with large buttons and text that is easy to read and navigate on smaller screens.
09. Market your car dealership website
By implementing these marketing strategies, you can reach a wider audience and increase traffic to your car dealership website, ultimately driving more leads and conversions for your dealership. Here are some effective ways to market your dealership online:
Social media marketing: Create a strong presence on popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Share engaging content, interact with followers and use targeted ads to reach a wider audience.
Email marketing: Use email marketing campaigns to stay in touch with current and potential customers. Provide updates on new models, promotions, events and other relevant news.
PPC advertising: Utilize pay-per-click (PPC) advertising through search engines like Google or social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to target specific demographics or locations.
Collaborations and partnerships: Partner with other businesses or influencers in the automotive industry to cross-promote each other's products or services, increasing visibility for both parties.
Events and promotions: Host events or promotions at your dealership to attract potential customers. These can range from test drive events to hosting a charity event in partnership with a local organization.
Examples of car dealership websites
There are many car dealership websites out there, but not all excel in functionality and user appeal. Here, we highlight a few Wix user sites that truly shine in the automotive industry, offering great website ideas.
CHESACO-CAR
CHESACO-CAR car dealership goes beyond just selling cars; it provides a comprehensive range of services, including financing options, towing, body shop expertise and mechanical work, making it a one-stop-shop for all automotive needs. The homepage is particularly compelling, featuring an intuitive map for easy navigation, enticing deals of the week that attract potential buyers and clear contact information for seamless customer interaction.
MAV Cars GA
MAV Cars GA has been dedicated to serving as a comprehensive vehicle consultant, offering luxury rentals through Turo, brokerage services for vehicle finding and auto sales directly on their website. The online store provides potential buyers with detailed descriptions and extensive photo galleries for each vehicle, making it easy for users to explore and purchase vehicles that meet their specific needs and preferences.
Staga Auto Sales
Staga Auto Sales exemplifies a top-tier car dealership website, dedicated to serving the Southern California market as a reliable used car dealer. Each listing is enriched with numerous pictures and detailed descriptions, providing a comprehensive view of the vehicles on offer and a compelling call to action to test drive the car. Live chat is available on the website for immediate assistance.
Why your car dealership needs a website
A well-structured car dealership website serves as the cornerstone of your marketing efforts, allowing you to connect with customers who are increasingly turning to the internet for their vehicle purchasing decisions. This platform not only showcases your inventory but also provides valuable information about your services, financing options and the automotive market. By creating a user-friendly and informative car dealership website, you position your dealership as a go-to resource, fostering trust and encouraging potential buyers to engage with your brand.
Expand customer reach: A mobile-friendly website ensures visibility on all devices, allowing you to connect with a broader audience of potential car buyers.
Enhance user experience: Responsive design features, like intuitive layouts and large buttons, make it easy for visitors to navigate and find the information they need.
Increase lead generation: Equip your site with lead capture forms, live chat and calls-to-action to convert website traffic into valuable leads.
Differentiate from competitors: A modern, tech-savvy car dealership website establishes your dealership's reputation and sets you apart in a competitive market.
Boost online efficiency: Streamline the car-buying process with online forms and appointment bookings, improving operational productivity and customer satisfaction.
How to make a car dealership website FAQ
What are the security considerations for a car dealership website?
Security is crucial for any website, especially an online car dealership. Key considerations include choosing secure hosting with SSL certificates, using strong and unique passwords for user accounts, regularly updating software and plugins to prevent vulnerabilities, installing firewall protection to block unauthorized access and malware and employing encryption methods like SSL/TLS to secure data transmission.