A question for those stopping by the board..

[rmurray]

In doing some work on my companies web site...I thought I would start a web ring for manufactured home dealers in GA...Thus making it easier for surfing comsumers to find the web sites of dealers in their area...I found only 17 dealer sites in GA of 500 dealers that exist....I was surprised...

My question...
When shopping how important is it that your dealer have a web site..????..And what would be important to you in the way of content..Example...floorplans, dealer history, detailed FAQ, forum, email addresses, maps to the locations, service orders online (I think this is the easiest way to do written service order), general information about the industry, localized permit and zoning information, web links to informative sites, credit reports online or preapproval credit apps online...

Please take a second and answer...Your thoughts will be appreciated..

[Bill W.]

What you have listed is very good. I would add a detailed list of construction properties with each brand you sell. Knowing the difference in construction will help the buyer descide which brand will meet their needs.

I am glad to see someone like you (a qualified, honest dealer) give advice to all the people that use this board. I'm lucky that my dealer 5 star , Stanton Ca. is the same way. It makes for a very good experience purchasing and ownig a manufactured home. Ours is a Skyline 28 x 56 3 bed, 2 bath. Thanks again for all your good effort and advice.

Bill W.

[Dan F]

I think the website in the first place is important. I have done all my shopping and research on the web before I even step foot on a dealers lot. All the addresses and phone #'s come from the web also. I think what appeals to me is photos of models you have on the lot, dealer history, credit app online, base prce sheet online, floorplans, and construction specs. Have a qick response to questions. I wish I had a dealer I could trust in my area, everyone seems underhanded and shady to me. Good question though.

[rmurray]

If you were looking at 2 dealers///1 with good web site..the other none...would it make a difference..???..

[Madeline]

Great idea, Mr. Murray! I'm in Georgia and this would really be of benefit. In answer to your question about two dealers - one with a website, the other without - it would probably make a difference in the initial stages, but as the search progressed, it might not. Mr. Website might turn out to be all flash and no substance, while Mr. No-Website might be a Mom and Pop operation with years of experience who provides excellent customer service - - - so it's hard to say. If the construction specs were shown on the website, that alone could eliminate an unnecessary trip to a dealership - for instance, Joe Blow Homes might have houses with ONLY Novadeck flooring. Nix that dealer right away.

It would also serve the purpose of getting questions answered without the interruptions of phones, other customers, other employees at the dealership, etc. I've been in places where the constant interruptions (especially on Saturdays) made the gathering of information piecemeal, at best.

[Dan]

Yes it can can I will visit the dealer with a site first if I am impressed they earn my business. I may not even need to go to the second dealer. But I will say this this a small site with just the basics is better than nothing. The dealer that ignores the information age we are heading towards is foolish. Example as I mentioned before I use the web to get all my preliminary data (I don't have a Phone book). I also want info on dealers out of town.

[David Oxhandler]

Search for additional dealers in Georgia or any other state, right here on line at the Manufactured Housing Yellow Pages web site:
www.mfdhousing.com/yellow_pages

[email protected]