A touch of digitalization for the automotive industry in Switzerland
Multisites with digital appointment booking system for autofit – a garage group with over 300 garages throughout Switzerland.
The world of garages in Switzerland is not too well known for being digital. It was no different with the old autofit.ch website. Around 300 Autofit partner now have not only a digital presence but also direct access to their end customers. Read on why.
Starting point
Hostettler autotechnik ag, which operates the partner network called Autofit, came to us in winter 2018 to create a central hub for their partner garages. Because many partner either had no or a outdated online presence. Thus, the telephone number or opening times of a car garage were not up to date and customers were frustrated because of the incorrect information which were communicated online.
Our Solution
In the first workshops, we analysed which problems are currently the greatest, where time can be saved and in which areas the users can benefit the most. We decided that two target groups, customers and content manager of a car garage website, had to be focussed on. We have developed a concept with a strong focus on Google profiles, wehere the data would be mainly maintained.
With the autofit team, we have long-term cooperation and support them as follows:
- Needs analysis
- Concept user guidance (UX design) & navigation
- Content Strategy & information architecture
- Visual Design
- Responsive Design to support different screen sizes
- Design & Development of the User Interface (Frontend)
- Connection (API) to Credit-Check Providers
- Support & Maintenance
The Solution in Detail
Google Data for Garages in the Partner Network
Instead of manually maintaining the contents of over 300 garages, the opening hours are synchronized directly from their Google profiles. This way, end customers can see the opening hours of the garages and, most importantly, whether they are currently open. The displayed Google reviews also allow customers to get a very good impression of the garage and decide whether they want to take their car there.
Central Website with Map for Garage Search
On the Autofit website itself, car owners can search for suitable garages or in their vicinity or in Switzerland and directly see all available garages on the map, including contact options and ratings. The garages are sorted geographically. If users share their location, the nearest garage is displayed at the top. Even if the location is not shared, the order is structured so that garages in the middle of the map section appear first.
The filter options by postal code, places, or garage names provide further possibilities to quickly find the suitable garage.
Online Appointment Booking
Of course, customers can still call a garage or contact them via email, as these contact details are now always visible and up-to-date. To further digitalize this process, we have developed and programmed a concept for booking appointments. Now, car owners can directly request or book an appointment via the website. Garage owners can now focus on their work on the cars undisturbed and calmly confirm collected appointment requests with a single click through the website or email.
Partner Portal for Garages
If a garage owner is part of the Autofit partner network, they receive personal login details to access the internal partner portal. There, they can find practical information such as instructions, promotional materials, or Autofit internal news. Through the contact form, garage owners can seek direct contact with Autofit.
Individual Websites for Garages
The garages not only get a presence on the Autofit partner network map but also their own entry where visitors can find all relevant information about the garage. Some garages naturally want their own online presence, to present their team, or show their used car offers. Each garage has the option to order its own website in the partner portal. Just upload the logo, name the desired domain, and a garage owner receives an individual website.
Credit Check
Paying by invoice is still very common in Switzerland; this is no different for auto garages. To better protect themselves, garages have the option to conduct a credit check on individuals through the partner portal. For this purpose, we access the API of a provider of creditworthiness and economic information and present the results in a clear format.
Type
Website & Online Booking
Client
hostettler autotechnik ag
Services
Concept, Design, Frontend, WordPress
Website
Timeframe
2018–today
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