Website design has come a very long way since the early days of the internet, and it continues to evolve in 2018. It’s important for car dealers to keep an eye on what’s trending in automotive website design. Doing so can help you provide an even better user experience for your existing customers and your potential clients alike.

1. Responsive Design

The number-one trend in car dealer website design for 2018 is one that will likely be familiar. It’s the continuing rise of responsive design. The number of people accessing the web from mobile devices surpassed the number using desktops for the first time in 2016, and that number has continued to grow over the past two years.

A car dealer website in 2018 should be designed with mobile users in mind. More of your potential customers are using mobile to view your website. Support them by offering them a better mobile experience.

2. Incorporating More Video

Another trend for car dealer website design in 2018 is the integration of more video content. Video marketing is on the rise, and more companies are looking to incorporate video into their digital marketing strategies. While much has been made of social video, you can bet your potential customers are looking for video content on your website as well.

Some people will watch video content before they read any copy on a website. Some specifically seek out video content, and others may spend more than an hour watching informative videos.

Of course, you want your video content to be well-integrated on your website. Incorporating video into car dealer website design will ensure an optimal experience for visitors.

3. Focus on User Experience

Speaking of the visitor experience, this is another overarching trend in website design. Attending to video integration in design is one thing, but the focus should shift more broadly to the user experience as a whole.

Remember, a website is often the first interaction a potential customer has with your brand and your dealership. The design of the website can communicate about your brand and who you are. It also forms the basis of the user’s experience with your brand. If the interaction is smooth and appealing, they’ll be more likely to follow up with you or visit your site again.

Good car dealer website design focuses on providing the best user experience possible.

4. Enabling Comparison

You’re probably aware many of your potential buyers are engaging in vehicle comparison. They may be comparing two different vehicles in your inventory, or they may be shopping more broadly and comparing vehicles across a number of dealers.

Car dealer website design should support potential buyers’ efforts to compare. While you may not be able to assist them in comparing across dealerships, your website should make it easy for people to compare two or more vehicles in your own inventory. Keep in mind many people will be doing this comparison from a mobile device while they’re on the go. Your website design should support mobile users too.

5. Adding Web Chat

Artificial intelligence has come a long way in the last few years, and right now it’s enabling a boom in the use of chatbots. Chatbots are automated chat assistants that can interact with visitors to your website and facilitate conversation with potential buyers. The chatbot may be able to answer simple questions and provide more information for curious shoppers.

Good car dealer website design supports the integration of chatbots. The interfaces should be appealing and easily located, without necessarily being intrusive to the user experience.

Keep an eye on the trends in car dealer website design. Doing so may give you some ideas about what to incorporate into your website to make it an even better experience for your potential customers.