Though it's starting to seem like virtual eons ago, handycars.com was once the pinnacle of the online, virtual car dealership.  From the first day we launched handycars.com, handytoyota.com, and handychevy.com (then called handycars.com, toyota.handycars.com, and chevrolet.handycars.com), we had a good grasp on the online happenings over the worldwide web.  This isn't to imply that we are the end all be all of the virtual dealership, rather for a little dealership in the little nook of the United States known as the Green Mountain State, we did a fairly decent job getting you all to notice us, no small feat when one considers the rapid pace at which today's online world moves (and believe you me you need to be proficient in Einsteinian light speed travel and/or light bike riding from Tron to be on the cusp!).

But today - this day being the first time I, the web designer of handycars.com has gotten his nerdy mitts on the keyboard-controller of the new sites - the new handycars.com is nearing completion and in the early phases of information migration.

So what's this all about?  Clearly I wouldn't brag that we have nothing to show you, right?  Well in most cases, I wouldn't, but given the sheer magnitude of the content we have online alone, as I mentioned this isn't a tiny undertaking and thus I'm proud of the progress we've made thus far.  But until I can give you a link that says "click here to view our new website in all its glory," this will have to do:  here are a few features on which I absolutely cannot wait to get some feedback on.

Search
One thing that has been sadly lacking on our current website group is searchability.  Though people that are fluent in the world of websites may have found clever ways to search blogs and whatnot (for example going to handytoyota.com/blog/index.htm?search=camry would yield all blogs where "Camry" is involved), the majority of you are not privy to that information.  And let's face it:  why would you be?!  It's my job as your web designer to make these pages called a web site work for YOU, and now we're proud to say that will be the case more than ever.

When you log onto the new handycars.com for the first time, you'll notice in the top right of the home page a "Search" bar, just like any search bar you've seen.  Type in "Camry" or "camry" or even "camr" and you'll see a full list of all Camry sedans - new and used.  This will work for virtually any need when it's all said and done, giving you instant access to whatever you're looking to buy.

More linking
In the same vein as the search bar, our home page will now have far more access to the various items you're looking for:  vehicles, new and used separations, parts and service, about us and blogs, etc.  These things will all be linked very clearly and in nice little groups, allowing you to log on, find your topic of interest, click through, and be done.

On my end this should mean a lot less page views and a lot less time on site.  As a webmaster I can monitor these statistics in a range of timeframes from up to the minute to yearly and beyond.  I suspect this simpler approach to web surfing on handycars.com, handytoyota.com, and handychevy.com will drop these metrics drastically.  And that's okay - in the webmaster's world, not all lowered stats equate to a negative, perse.  As mentioned I want to make it as simple as possible for you to find the 2012 Chevy Equinox with AWD that you desire, and less clicking or searching (via your eyes, not the search box from above, mind you) means happier customers in the end.

Different page layouts
In the past we have been constricted in some regards to our web provider.  I make no claims that I design this site from the ground up, as such an undertaking would require more skill, time, and employees that I just don't have (as for skill, I hate to sell myself short but there you have it).  Now we will have more page types, including three column pages, multiple areas that wrap around each other, and so forth.  This will mean more differentiation from page to page, but also a better look for each page - no more empty spaces!

Easier contact methods
I have made great strides in changing the way you submit forms, and hopefully you've liked it.  We used to just say "click here to email us" and link in an email, for example cdugan@handytoyota.com, but the problem is at the end of the month when I need to justify how well page A works versus page B (thereby staking my claim that I'm a valuable member of the team and not just wasting assets), I need to be able to see where the information came from.  As such we've used "contact forms" to great avail, making it easier, ideally, for you to submit information and so I can tell that this particular page works.

Now, we will be able to do this all on one page in some cases.  For instance when you go to the Parts Home Page, you won't have to "click here to email us;" instead you'll just use the mini form on the right/left side of the page, staring you right in the face.  In the long run this should once more drop the needed page jumping and info finding that has plagued us and more importantly you in the past.  You should find this much easier to reach out to our store's staff, and it should be easier to keep track of who needs what from you, the customer's, end.

That's it for now, but keep in mind this is just the tip of the iceberg.  I cannot wait - I am simply floored - to unleash the new site on you all, our loyal fans, customers, and friends.

If you can't wait and need some more information, comment on this blog post below or email me by using our webmaster contact form.  You can also call me at any point using the toll-free number at the top of the page.

Chris Dugan
Handy Toyota
St. Albans, VT  05478