Outdated Designs and Non-Responsive Interfaces on Motorcycle Dealership Websites
Introduction
Imagine you walk into a motorcycle dealership, excited to check out the latest bikes. But instead of a clean, modern showroom, you find yourself in a dusty, old shop with dim lights and outdated posters. The experience feels frustrating and unwelcoming.
Now, think about visiting a motorcycle dealership’s website. If the design is old, the buttons are hard to click, and it doesn’t work on your phone, you’ll probably leave quickly. Many motorcycle dealerships have websites that feel just like that dusty shop—outdated and difficult to use. In today’s world, having a modern, easy-to-use website is just as important as having a great showroom.
What Makes a Website Outdated?
Some motorcycle dealership websites look like they were built 20 years ago. They have bright, flashing colors, tiny text, and crowded pages full of information. Instead of making things easier, they make it harder for people to find what they need.
Here are some common signs of an outdated website:
- Small, Hard-to-Read Text: If the letters are tiny, people will have to squint to read.
- Too Many Colors and Fonts: A messy website with different colors and styles looks confusing.
- Cluttered Layout: If there’s too much stuff on one page, it’s hard to know where to click.
- Slow Load Time: If a website takes forever to load, people won’t wait.
- Broken Links: Clicking on something should take you somewhere, not to an error page.
The Problem with Non-Responsive Websites
A responsive website is one that works well on all devices—computers, tablets, and phones. A non-responsive website does not adjust properly, making it hard to use on smaller screens.
Have you ever tried to visit a website on your phone, only to find that the text is too tiny, buttons are impossible to click, and you have to zoom in and scroll a lot? That’s what happens when a website is not responsive.
Here’s why this is a big problem:
- Most People Use Phones: More than half of internet users browse on their phones. If a website doesn’t work on mobile, businesses lose customers.
- Hard to Navigate: If people can’t easily click buttons or read text, they will leave the site quickly.
- Frustrating Experience: A website should make it easy to find what you’re looking for, not make you struggle.
Why Do Dealerships Keep Old Websites?
You might wonder why some motorcycle dealerships still have old and broken websites. Here are a few reasons:
- They Don’t Think It’s Important: Some dealerships focus only on selling bikes and forget about their online presence.
- They Don’t Know It’s a Problem: Owners may not realize that customers are leaving because of a bad website.
- They Think It’s Expensive: Some believe that updating a website costs too much money.
- They Don’t Have Time: Running a dealership takes a lot of work, and updating a website gets pushed aside.
How a Bad Website Hurts Business
A poor website can actually make a dealership lose sales. Here’s how:
- Customers Leave Quickly: If a website is slow, ugly, or confusing, visitors will leave without looking at the bikes.
- Less Trust in the Business: An outdated website makes people think the dealership isn’t professional.
- Missed Sales Opportunities: A good website helps customers book test rides, find store hours, or contact the dealership. If the website doesn’t work, the business loses chances to sell motorcycles.
- Bad First Impression: The website is often the first thing people see. If it looks bad, they might assume the dealership is bad too.
What a Good Website Should Have
To attract more customers and sell more bikes, dealerships need a website that looks great and works smoothly. Here are the most important features:
1. Mobile-Friendly Design
A website should work perfectly on all devices. Whether someone visits on a computer, phone, or tablet, they should have a smooth experience.
2. Fast Loading Speed
A site should load in less than three seconds. If it takes too long, people will leave before they even see the bikes.
3. Simple and Clean Layout
A clean website makes it easy to find important information. Each page should have:
- A clear menu
- Big, easy-to-read text
- A simple color scheme
4. High-Quality Photos and Videos
People want to see the motorcycles before visiting the store. Crisp, high-quality images and short videos help customers get excited about the bikes.
5. Easy Navigation
The website should be easy to explore. A good menu helps people find what they need without getting lost.
People should be able to:
- Book Test Rides online
- Contact the dealership through an easy-to-use form
- Check prices and financing options without hassle
A dealership’s website should always have the latest:
- Store hours
- Contact details
- Available motorcycles
- Special deals and promotions
How to Fix an Outdated Website
If a dealership’s website is old and hard to use, it’s time for an upgrade. Here are the steps to fix it:
Step 1: Test the Current Website
Try using the website on a phone and computer. Ask friends or customers for feedback. If they struggle to use it, changes are needed.
Step 2: Hire a Web Designer or Use a Website Builder
If the dealership doesn’t have tech skills, they can hire a professional or use an easy website builder like WordPress or Shopify.
Step 3: Make It Mobile-Friendly
The website should automatically adjust to fit any screen size.
Step 4: Improve Speed
Compress images, remove unnecessary code, and use a good hosting service to make the site load faster.
Step 5: Keep It Simple
Remove clutter and make everything easy to find.
Step 6: Update Regularly
Keeping the website fresh helps customers trust the dealership and stay interested.
Conclusion
A motorcycle dealership’s website is just like its showroom—it should be welcoming, clean, and easy to navigate. In today’s digital world, an outdated and non-responsive website can drive customers away before they even step into the store. By investing in a modern, mobile-friendly website, dealerships can attract more visitors, build trust, and sell more bikes. After all, a smooth online experience leads to happy customers—and happy customers lead to more sales!
