Most dealership websites throw everything at the homepage: banners, promotions, finance deals, award logos, and a big smiling face next to a sales slogan. But the truth is, there’s only one thing most visitors are looking for when they land on your site: the search bar.
They want to find a car – quickly. If your search bar is hard to find, limited, or clunky on mobile, you’re losing buyers before they even see your stock.
Think Like a Customer
Buyers don’t visit your site to admire it. They’ve likely got a specific model, budget, or body style in mind. They want to enter something like “Ford Puma under £20k” and see relevant results in seconds. If your search function doesn’t allow for natural inputs or doesn’t suggest results as they type, it’s time for a rethink.
Make It Unmissable
Your search bar should be top and centre – above the fold on desktop and easily accessible on mobile. Ideally, it should follow users down the page as they scroll or always be available via a sticky menu.
Filters That Help, Not Hinder
Once someone starts their search, the filters you offer matter. Think simple: budget, mileage, fuel type, transmission, colour. But don’t go mad. Sites that bombard users with twenty dropdowns look technical, not helpful. Keep it clear and let users apply multiple filters easily.
Auto-Suggest Is Your Friend
A search bar that auto-completes or suggests stock as the user types is gold. It saves time and shows them you’ve got what they’re after. No one wants to press “Search” and be told you have no cars matching their criteria – especially when you do.
Get the Tech Right on Mobile
More than half your traffic is on phones. If your search bar is too small, buried in menus, or jumps around the screen, it's game over. Prioritise mobile usability. Big buttons, large tap targets, and a smooth experience are non-negotiable.
Learn from the Best
Cazoo and Auto Trader have nailed it. Both make it easy to start a search with one tap, show live results, and let users narrow things down without stress. Follow their lead.
Final Thought
Your homepage banner might look pretty, but your search bar is where the money is. Make it obvious, make it work brilliantly, and keep improving it. Because the faster someone finds the right car, the faster they’ll find your enquiry form.
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