Few people would deny the impact the web has had on our social and business lives but, until very recently, the car sales market and number plates market had remained relatively untouched by tech. Even just a couple of years ago, it would have seemed almost unthinkable to imagine that large purchases, like a home or a car, would have ever been entrusted to e-commerce sites.
However, with the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic and the enforced isolation and stay-at-home rules, that all changed, as shoppers moved online in their droves for everything from groceries to clothing – and, of course, cars.
The Coronavirus Effect
The coronavirus changed our shopping habits irreversibly and industry experts suggest the pandemic could have accelerated the growth of e-commerce by as much as four to five years. Where once online shopping was often viewed almost as an optional extra, it’s now the method of choice for many prospective shoppers. Indeed, while the statistics vary, it’s estimated that around 77% of all consumer journeys now start with an online search.
The Web Has Transformed How People Search for Vehicles
Where once a prospective car buyer might have visited multiple real-life, local garages for the best price on their next vehicle, they are now spoiled for choice and can search the websites of dealers all around the country. Better yet, with improved web tech and security, they can now purchase their next car online and receive a car delivery to their door if the dealer uses car transporters.
This wealth of choice has shifted the bias away from the dealers and empowered the buyer, rather than the seller. Nowadays, buyers aren’t just limited by what they can find on their doorstep. Rather, they can compare prices and deals from private sellers, online-only dealers, and dealerships from much further away than would have been previously possible.
The Rise of Specialist Online-Only Dealers
The online car sales market is now booming – so much so that it’s given rise to the relatively new phenomenon of online-only dealership companies. These specialist firms have slick websites featuring detailed photographs and videos of the models they have on sale to help purchasers decide which car they want to buy. They also normally offer comprehensive money-back schemes and guarantee periods on their cars should the purchaser change their mind or find fault in the vehicle they buy.
Advice For Today’s Car Sellers
The first thing a car seller should do is protect your car from all dangerous things. As much as you keep it safe and it looks in better condition, there are more chances you will get a reasonable price for your vehicle. So, pay attention to its interior and exterior, keep it safe using Coverland Car Covers, repair if some parts are damaged, and take it to a service station in a timely.
Another thing is to keep all the papers in your hand. Selling a car, whether online or offline, needs proper paper management for easy transferring of ownership. Remove all your personal stuff from the vehicle; find a reliable source or platform for selling your car, and set the price.
Advice for Today’s Car Buyer
If you’re in the market for a new car, you should first search online to see what deals you can find. Most car buyers have at least an idea of the make and model they want to buy so try searching a search engine, like Google, under the relevant words and see what it throws back in its Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs).
Also, while there’s no harm in checking the sites of local dealers, don’t be afraid to do a wider search in areas you might not normally have considered. Most dealerships these days already have e-commerce and delivery processes in place that will allow you to buy from a remote seller.