Auto repair website design: 7 things your shop’s website needs

When a car starts making a strange noise on the way to work, the driver pulls over and searches for a mechanic on their phone. They’ll look at two or three shops. The one that makes it easiest to see what you fix, what other drivers think of you and how to get the car in usually gets the call.

Good auto repair website design is mostly about answering a stressed driver’s questions quickly. These are the seven things we’d put on every auto repair shop’s website.

1. Make it easy to use on a phone

Most people looking for a mechanic are on their phone, often standing beside the car. Your phone number should be a tap-to-call button at the top of every page, and your address should open straight into Google Maps. Text needs to be readable without zooming, and pages should load in a couple of seconds on a cell signal.

If you’re not sure how your site does, open it on your own phone and try to book a repair while standing in your parking lot.

2. Let customers book online

Plenty of drivers would rather book a time than phone during business hours. An online booking form lets them pick a service, a day and a drop-off time. Many shop management programs include a booking tool you can link to.

Keep the form short: name, phone number, vehicle, what’s wrong and when they’d like to come in. Tell them how soon you’ll confirm.

3. List the services you actually do

Drivers search for the job they need, like brake repair, a winter tire changeover, a check engine light or a safety certificate for a used car. List your main services in plain words, with what’s included and roughly how long each one takes. If you work on specific makes, diesel trucks or fleets, say so.

A page for each main service also gives Google more reasons to show your shop when people search for that job.

4. Use photos of your own shop

Stock photos of a smiling mechanic holding a wrench don’t tell anyone about your shop. Photos of your bays, your team and your front counter do. Drivers want to know what they’re walking into before they hand over their keys.

Photos taken on a good phone in decent light are fine. Half a day with a professional photographer is even better.

5. Show your reviews

Most drivers read reviews before they choose a mechanic. Put a few recent Google reviews on your home page, with the customer’s first name and the job you did, and link to the rest of your Google reviews.

If you offer a warranty on parts and labour, or your shop is part of a program like CAA’s Approved Auto Repair Services, put that near the reviews too.

6. Explain how a repair works at your shop

A lot of drivers worry about being overcharged. A short section on how you work helps with that: you look at the car, you call with a quote before starting, and nothing gets done without their OK.

If you have set prices for common jobs like an oil change or a tire swap, list them. Mention a shuttle, loaner cars or a waiting area if you have them.

7. Keep your Google Business Profile up to date

Many drivers never get as far as your website. They find your listing in Google Maps, check the hours and call. Make sure your Google Business Profile has the right hours (holidays included), your services, real photos and a link to your website. Reply to reviews, good and bad.

If you’re starting from scratch, our guide to setting up a Google Business Profile walks through it step by step.

Where to start

If your website is missing a few of these, start with the phone number, the reviews and the booking form, since those are what a driver looks for first.

Cowlick Studios has built over 300 websites since 2009. Website design with us starts at $1,999, and you can spread payments over 6 months. If you’d like a hand with your shop’s site, book a time to chat.

Auto repair website questions

How much does a website for an auto repair shop cost?

It depends on how many pages you need and whether you want online booking. At Cowlick Studios, websites start at $1,999, and our website design cost page explains what’s included.

What pages should an auto repair website have?

A home page, your services, a page about your shop and team, reviews, and a contact page with a map and a booking form. Pages for tires, fleet work or towing are worth adding if you offer them.

How long does it take to build an auto repair website?

Most of our sites take 6 to 8 weeks from the first chat to launch.

Do I need a website if I have a Google Business Profile?

Your profile helps people find you in Google Maps, but it only holds so much. A website lets you explain each service, show more photos and take bookings. Google also uses your website to understand what your shop does.