This content has been reviewed and updated on March 8, 2024.
A vehicle details page (VDP) is the page on your car dealership website that provides specific information about a particular vehicle in your inventory. Containing information ranging from vehicle description to pricing details, car shoppers can find a world of value within a VDP. Automotive dealerships that optimize VDP pages are more likely to thrive within the industry.
What makes a VDP so important for an auto dealership? Often, this is where car shoppers find the information they need to make a purchase. For example, if a visitor uses your search criteria to look for used Toyota Corollas from model years 2008-2013, they will be presented with a list of vehicles in your inventory that match that criterion.
Clicking on any of the results will then take the visitor to the vehicle details page, which will offer in-depth information about that particular car. The more information this page can offer visitors, the more likely they will have all they need to make a purchase with confidence.
According to a study by Capital One, 59% of car buyers prefer using digital tools provided by dealerships.1 This means a poor VDP will likely cause a website visitor to be a one-and-done, leaving your site after experiencing an unsatisfactory VDP. However, a visitor who enjoys a positive user experience with one of your VDPs is more likely to click another, thereby drastically increasing the chances of a conversion. This is why populating a VDP with an accurate and robust vehicle description is critical.
6 Ways to Optimize Your VDP
Your VDP should include an array of information that covers more than the car’s details. There are several ways to optimize your VDP.
1. Photos
Populating your VDPs with photos is one of the best ways to ensure engagement. Current, clear, and accurate photos will help the buyer see the vehicle online, and may even lead to them booking an appointment to see it in person. Make sure to include photos of both the interior and exterior of the vehicle.
2. Prices
Discounts and incentives are an important motivator for car buyers. Dealerships can go the extra mile by including a payment calculator that will allow customers to better determine their monthly payments. This helps customers visualize their spending and keep their purchases within budget.
3. Specs
The more information you can provide within your VDP, the better. Features like mileage, drivetrain, and engine type can all be helpful for customers when shopping for vehicles. Make sure to include every piece of information that could be enticing to buyers, including the trim, special features such as heated seats and a moonroof, and details regarding hybrid, electric, or fuel.
4. Safety Features
Many shoppers place a heavy emphasis on safety, which is why automobile dealerships often include safety information within a VDP. Automotive features that improve safety are a strong selling point for families and older drivers. Include the number of airbags, brake details, adaptive headlights, and lane departure capabilities.
5. Packages
When shopping for a vehicle, shoppers may not only be interested in the vehicle itself, but also what add-ons and packages might be available to help them create the vehicle of their dreams. This may involve special hardware, paired gadgets, or other features that can elevate the car-driving experience.
6. Live Chat Features
Offering customers the opportunity to speak to an automotive representative can provide a convenient way for them to get their questions answered accurately and efficiently. Live chat features have become increasingly popular, and are a great way to engage customers as they browse your site.
Why Is a VDP Important?
Your vehicle details page and accompanying vehicle description are critical to your business because visitors to these pages are lower in the sales funnel and more serious about making a purchase.
When it comes to the VDP, automotive dealerships that adhere to a consistent and comprehensive marketing strategy have a greater chance of success. However, if you are hoping to truly improve sales as an automotive dealership, simply having VDPs is not enough. Finding further ways to optimize VDPs can go a long way against the competition. For example, when dealing with pricing and deals, stressing their limited availability can create a sense of urgency.
Explaining payment plans carefully can also be a motivator for potential buyers. Lastly, be sure to include a section within your VDP that displays information about your dealership. This can include contact names, hours of operation, email addresses, phone number, and other information.
How to Make Your VDP Work for You
ACV MAX turns browsers into buyers through the implementation of better vehicle details pages. Our VDP automotive strategies go beyond the basics to include:
- CARFAX ® vehicle history reports
- Market pricing and trade-in value data
- Ratings provided by Dealer Rater
- Unique branding
- Mobile optimization
Our VDPs are designed to engage customers at a higher level while providing dealerships optimal convenience. You can even use your smartphone to take pictures of inventory the second it rolls onto the lot, upload it to your vehicle description listing, and have it instantly distributed to over 300 websites including Autotrader and Cars.com. With this type of high-quality VDP, automotive dealerships are in a prime position to sell.
Schedule a demonstration with one of our team members today to see what a vehicle details page could look like on your website.
Source:
- Capital One. About the Car Buying Outlook. Retrieved December 1, 2023 at https://www.capitalone.com/about/car-buying-outlook/?PFFSRCID=S-DA-1234567890A-DAD-0046&external_id=COAF_V1_NTV_BAU_HMPG_P_KET_Z_Z_PLP_XD_RPRT_Z_Z_20230127.
