Best Manufacturer Website

Beninbeta

Beninbeta

Well-known member
I'm curious as someone who has worked in tech and edtech for most of my career, what everyone thinks of manufacturer websites? Tim this could be an interesting video as well since you've been doing comparisons a lot.

I think there are 3 categories:
  1. Best Overall Website
  2. Best Vehicle Configurator
  3. Best Vehicle Inventory Search
One other question, does the website matter to anyone in terms of purchasing?

This is super subjective and that's fine. I've been thinking about this as I have looked at all the truck sites over the past few months looking for the right midsized truck for us and the Toyota inventory search is the worst I have come across as every time you look at a vehicle and then go back to the search it resets certain parameters and remembers others. For example, if you set a distance beyond 20 miles, when you go back to the page, it reloads and that parameter is reset which is very annoying as a user. GMC/Chevy's site for example seems to work just fine and I haven't tried to search Ford inventory since there isn't any yet for the Ranger.

Anyway, which one is best in your opinion?
 
Beninbeta said:
I'm curious as someone who has worked in tech and edtech for most of my career, what everyone thinks of manufacturer websites? Tim this could be an interesting video as well since you've been doing comparisons a lot.

I think there are 3 categories:
  1. Best Overall Website
  2. Best Vehicle Configurator
  3. Best Vehicle Inventory Search
One other question, does the website matter to anyone in terms of purchasing?

This is super subjective and that's fine. I've been thinking about this as I have looked at all the truck sites over the past few months looking for the right midsized truck for us and the Toyota inventory search is the worst I have come across as every time you look at a vehicle and then go back to the search it resets certain parameters and remembers others. For example, if you set a distance beyond 20 miles, when you go back to the page, it reloads and that parameter is reset which is very annoying as a user. GMC/Chevy's site for example seems to work just fine and I haven't tried to search Ford inventory since there isn't any yet for the Ranger.

Anyway, which one is best in your opinion?
Click to expand...
Rather interesting timing of this thread. I just saw an article today about something called the JD Power manufacturer website rankings award.

I didn't even know this was a thing!

J.D.-Power-Winter-2024-U.S.-Website-Evaluation-Study-Mass-Market-Manufacturer-January-2024-Sc...jpeg
 
NMTRUCKER said:
When I was looking at full size truck build sites I disliked the Ford website the most way too many options and packages. If you picked a certain option it would change the exterior color,,or engine choice or you’d have to add other features that you weren’t interested in.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that can make trying to figure things out difficult and frustrating for sure.
 
I’m not fond of Ford’s website. I’d like to build a vehicle and do a national search for it.
 
Beninbeta said:
I'm curious as someone who has worked in tech and edtech for most of my career, what everyone thinks of manufacturer websites? Tim this could be an interesting video as well since you've been doing comparisons a lot.

I think there are 3 categories:
  1. Best Overall Website
  2. Best Vehicle Configurator
  3. Best Vehicle Inventory Search
One other question, does the website matter to anyone in terms of purchasing?

This is super subjective and that's fine. I've been thinking about this as I have looked at all the truck sites over the past few months looking for the right midsized truck for us and the Toyota inventory search is the worst I have come across as every time you look at a vehicle and then go back to the search it resets certain parameters and remembers others. For example, if you set a distance beyond 20 miles, when you go back to the page, it reloads and that parameter is reset which is very annoying as a user. GMC/Chevy's site for example seems to work just fine and I haven't tried to search Ford inventory since there isn't any yet for the Ranger.

Anyway, which one is best in your opinion?
Click to expand...
I really like Ram's version of the Configurator and the Inventory search. Not perfect but better than most. Toyota would be the worst. I like the ones that ask you to pick a package early vice later because packages control so many options. For instance, if you pick the Big Horn Back Country package with Ram, then it tells you what colors that comes in, what other things will be added automatically, or if you need to choose between two additional packages, etc. But with GMC or Toyota, before you get to the packages they ask about wheels, colors, and seats that all need to change when you select a package later. And Toyota tries too hard to "bundle" the packages, adding to the confusion. Just list the big ones first with a list of everything in them, and then what else could be added. We'll see how they change the cost. And with Ram, at the end, it asks you to search inventory and will give the closest match to what you built.
 
I can only speak to using Ford and Toyota sites. I have been messing with the Ford build and price tool for as long as I can remember, have always found it straightforward and easy to use. Biggest flaw is getting them out months after the vehicle is released. They have fixed that somewhat in recent times.

I agree with you 100% on your comments regarding the Toyota site - searching for inventory is a nightmare.

Eric
 
Blue Oval 5.0 said:
I agree with you 100% on your comments regarding the Toyota site - searching for inventory is a nightmare.
Click to expand...
Considering how you can't just order a Toyota in whatever configuration you want, you'd think their inventory search would be the best in the business. Plus, you'd also assume they would have very few configurations, ala Nissan. And right now you can go from $60 mudflaps to $10K with everything? Crazy
 
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