A well-designed website is essential for any garage that wants to succeed online. It’s your chance to make a great first impression on potential customers and convince them to stick around and learn more about what you have to offer.
Garage repairs and services are generally a distress purchase, and for independent garages, this can be both a blessing and a curse. You have a lot of potential customers that need you, but the reality is, you may not need all of them. So your website has to work for you, just as much as it has to work for them.
Here are a few reasons why great website design is so important:
- Credibility: People are more likely to trust a business with a professional-looking website. A well-designed website shows that you take your business seriously and that you are invested in providing a great customer experience. Using images of your garage and the staff within it will also instil trust in customers, so they know what to expect. Google reviews and customer testimonials will also help with your credibility.
- User retention: If people can’t easily find what they’re looking for on your website, or if it’s not visually appealing, they’re likely to leave and go to a competitor’s website. An effective website design will keep people engaged and make them want to stay on your site longer. Provide answers to the questions your customers have, to help them stay on-site and/or contact you.
- SEO: Search engines like Google take website design into account when ranking websites in search results. A well-designed site is more likely to rank higher in search results, which means more people will see your website when they search for relevant keywords. Code needs to be compliant and easy to read for Google, this ensures that the metadata is as effective as it can be for you.
- User experience: Great website design is easy to navigate and use. People should be able to find what they’re looking for quickly and easily. Good site design will also be visually appealing and engaging. Customers need to get information quickly and get in touch if needed. GSO websites use the rule of key information being only 1-2 clicks away. If you have an integrated booking system, ensure that is easy to access. Remove the pain points of your customers as quickly and easily as possible.
If you’re serious about growing your business online, then you need to invest in a great website design. It’s one of the best investments you can make for your business.
Here are a few tips for creating a great website:
- Make it easy to navigate: People should be able to find what they’re looking for quickly and easily. Use clear and concise navigation menus and make sure your website is well-organised.
- Use high-quality visuals: Visuals can help to capture people’s attention and make your website more engaging. High-quality images and videos will showcase your products or services.
- Write clear and concise copy: Your site copy should be easy to read and understand. Avoid using jargon and technical language. Instead, focus on writing clear and concise copy that explains what you do and why people should choose you.
- Make sure your website is mobile-friendly: More and more people are using their smartphones and tablets to access the internet. Make sure your website looks good and functions well on all devices.
- If your site has anything less than a well-structured page for each service you want to be found for, you’re not strategically targeting work. Many websites fail in being interactive with how people search online and are no more than an ineffective online brochure that’s incapable of generating the specific work a garage wants. This is why it’s vital to work with a website agency that has specialist garage sector knowledge.
- Ensure your Google Business Profile (GBP) is populated, up-to-date and relevant. GBPs are invaluable in promoting your website on Google and for SEO. Update images and any information changes regularly to ensure Google works for you. Encourage customers to leave Google reviews by making it as easy as possible.
If you need help creating a great website, or just want a general chat to see if we can help you, then give us a FREE NO-OBLIGATION call on 01423 855902 or drop us a line using the WhatsApp chat button on the bottom right of this page.
Rather than a huge upfront layout, a GSO website carries a monthly subscription cost. It not only saves time and money but makes money too. What’s more, because everything is data-driven, garage owners can see how they’re covering their costs.
So, what are you waiting for? Start investing in your website today and see the difference it makes for your business!
Fay Stephenson
Head of Digital Marketing
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