Cycle shop websites . . . .

[robgul]

I'm trying to do a bit of research on cycle shop websites and their content : what people (customers and prospects) want to see and why/how?   

This is for an independent LBS that does not offer mail order - just sells:  bikes from about 5 major brands, parts & accessories, workshop/servicing and (limited range) some clothing.

All ideas and perhaps links to shops as examples appreciated.

Thanks

Rob

[telstarbox]

Mobile friendly.

Don't display text (e.g. a list of repair prices) as an image.

Have the phone number and opening hours prominently visible.

[dim]

bicycle ambulance .... best bike shop in Cambridge

https://bicycleambulance.com/

https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/business/business-news/best-independent-bike-shops-cambridge-14239655

and the cycle clinic .... I have had very good service from Malcolm:

https://thecycleclinic.co.uk/

[andrew_s]

Include a location, with a map
see https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Export#Embeddable_HTML

If the shop isn't shown on OSM, you can add it yourself, or add a note for someone else to action

(I always find it annoying to have to google an address)

[grams]

The only LBS I frequent is Condor, and I do that solely because their website lists everything they sell and the prices and stock levels exactly match what you get when you walk into the store.

While it probably isn't worth listing everything online if you aren't doing mail order, my biggest problem with visiting LBSes is figuring out exactly what they sell and how many arms/legs they might charge for it. It ought to be possible to use your website give a good feel for what kind of things you sell, how much you charge for common items, etc.

[cygnet]

A couple of Sarf Larndn shops which don't sell on line

http://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/
http://www.brixtoncycles.co.uk/

Address (w. clicky map) Phone No. Opening times
email if the shop will reply promptly

List of bike brands stocked/dealt (bonus points for links to the current ranges)

Typical workshop price list

[Kim]

If you're not going to do mail order or maintain price lists, then a comprehensive selection of good quality photos of the inside of the shop is a reasonable way for a prospective customer to get a decent sense of what sort of things are stocked.  (eg. a while ago I was helping a disable friend find bike luggage that they could lift safely, and it was surprisingly hard to find out whether the local bike shops had any real selection of panniers that we could go and fondle.)

[Cudzoziemiec]

Email, phone number, postal address, map and a link to streetview. A description of what the shop does so you can tell if it's more roadie, mountain bikey, utilitarian, does it prioritise selling stuff or repairs, etc. Labour rates and typical charges for common repair jobs.

[The Family Cyclist]

Just keep it updated and if there is an email make sure it's monitored. I know this sounds obvious but there when I last bought a bike I tried one shop. Left voicemails and sent email but no answer. Website was several years out of date and in the end I went elsewhere. Have visited shop since and as usual it's really good but the inability to respond lost them the sale.

[Karla]

If you sell via meatspace rather than cyberspace, keep it related to meatspace.  I'm probably searching for your shop so I know how to find it or how to contact you.  The essential items, viewable wherever I am on your site, are as follows, in order of priority:

Address (with link to Google Maps)
Opening hours
Phone number
Email or contact form (that is checked)

A bit of blurb that tells me what sort of shop you are would be useful, i.e. do you sell gaspipe mountain bikes for the kids or do you sell high end Campag to roadies?

[rafletcher]

Fuzzy’s workplace (I believe)

http://www.saddlesafari.co.uk/

[hulver]

If I can just use this opportunity to have a bit of a rant about cycle shop websites.

Why do they all list everything by brand?

I'm trying to find a new bike. I know I want a touring bike / all day audax machine. I have no clue about brands.

On a great many web sites, I have to click through each brand.

Does this brand make touring bikes? No.
Ok, how about this one. No.
This one? No.

Imagine if I went to Tesco's web site and they didn't have a category for bread. Just brands.
Does Heinz make bread? No.
How about Kellogs? No.
...

That's how I feel on most cycle shop web sites. Far too much focus on brands.

[telstarbox]

And following on from that, don't assume that your potential customers already know what a road/cycle/hybrid/BMX is and which is best for their needs. A short "explainer" page (with links to the bikes offered in each category) could be handy.

[telstarbox]

One more suggestion (at the risk of mission creep):

The website could sell cycling as an overall "experience" rather than just "shiny things to buy" so you could include short articles or links to:

- Your local council cycling map (if any good)
- Your local cycling clubs (if friendly!)
- Good local routes / cafes
- CTC / Sustrans "how to start riding" guidance
- How to change a puncture - link to a YouTube video

etc.

This would be fairly low-effort to include if planned into the website at the start.

[Cudzoziemiec]

All of which "overall experience" things ^ will help potential customers think of your shop as a friendly, useful, helpful place, not just another box with bikes.

[telstarbox]

That's what I was trying to get at but you put it better!