Your website is a digital storefront in the modern marketplace. More people will see your site than see your physical store, and with the right design, spend more time there as well.

You need a top-notch site that can draw customers in, gather leads, and start them down the path to purchasing their dream car.

Happy Hao Car’s websites are designed with these goals in mind, and we know that websites are not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Personal aesthetics can and should be a part of any dealership’s site, so you can express your store’s unique identity. Today we’re going to break down some of the options for your site’s design.

The “Above the fold” or “Hero” content is what your visitors see right at the top of your page when it first loads. Think of it as your first impression, so make a good one. With the Happy Hao Car Intro Widget, you have a few choices when it comes to approaching the most important section of any web page.

The split hero is an image going across the top of the page, and as the name implies, is split between two options. For example, one side could be an inventory search, while the other could be a link to your service department. The split hero can emphasize the two most profitable parts of your store, making navigation easy for your largest customer bases. It’s a clean and attractive design that can point to a number of lead-generating funnels. The split hero is limited in what you can do with it. You can’t integrate video, banners, or the slide function, and you need to keep text to a minimum.

A sweeping drone-shot video of your lot can be a striking way to introduce your dealership. You want something short, well-lit, and preferably exterior. For a video to work, it has to be kept short, and the sound should be unobtrusive or even better, silent. Videos can seriously slow down load times, which means hurting your SEO.

The grid is a compromise between several good options. You can have multiple search options and navigation bars, all of which are obvious to your visitors. The grid is busy, so it can easily make your website look cluttered and goes against the minimalist aesthetic that’s popular now. In addition, the many options can leave your customers without a single clear path and can cause decision paralysis.

Banners put your special offers front and center for your visitors to engage with. They can be an effective way to move inventory, but should be treated with care. Read our FAQ on how to effectively use banner graphics on your homepage below.

What’s the ideal number of web banners?

Too many banners runs the risk of overwhelming your visitors and making your site look tacky. With banners, moderation is an important consideration. Banners exist because you want your customers to interact with a specific offer; if there are to many, you’re reducing the chance they will click on any specific one of them.

Where should banners be located?

With banners, you don’t always control where they go. Some OEMs stipulate that their banners have to be above the fold, in other words, right on the page as it loads.

Happy Hao Car’s standard banner sizes are 880x320px, 1920x600px, and we can also do a 1170x200px. Be aware of how that will look on your site on as many screen sizes and devices as you can.

This is only the tip of the iceberg

Happy Hao Car has years of experience in web design, and these options barely scratch the surface. To see more of what we can do, schedule your free demo.

More Articles From Happy Hao Car University

• For customer experience, your website is only the beginning. These six tips will help improve your customer experience.
• Everything you need to know about the Google FLoC privacy update.
• Looking at EVs on the horizon.
• Turn Existing Website Traffic Into More Opportunities Through Personalization
• Why FAQ Content Matters More Than Ever for AI Search
• How to Measure AI Search Traffic
• Press Release: Happy Hao Car Launches OnPrompt
• Press Release: Happy Hao Car Unveils Sidekick
• Spring Cleaning Your VDPs
• Time to Spring Forward: 5 Quick Updates to Boost Engagement on Your SRP
• Start 2026 Strong: Dealer Marketing Lessons from 2025
• AI Search Visitor Behavior
• AIO and GEO Aren’t Replacing SEO

Author Justin Robinson-Prickett

Justin Robinsion-Prickett is a content writer from Los Angeles with over a decade of experience in the auto industry under his belt. When not working, he enjoys fencing, re-editing dialogue in old movies to remove articles, and playing with his two dogs James Westphal and Dr. Kenneth Noisewater.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)
• – Multi-Rooftop Groups We’re designed for groups – large or small. Discover how our products and solutions can help your marketing teams and agencies do more with less.
• Engage Customers & Generate Leads Experience outstanding lead generation with our powerful Cosmos platform. Switch to us for unmatched performance and customer engagement.
• – Generate More Website Traffic Boost sales with responsive websites. Experience qualified leads, top-notch SEO results, and seamless mobile experiences for dealership success.
• Automate & Increase Efficiency See how our Marketing Technology solutions can generate Thousands of dollars in savings for your dealership or dealer group.
• – Analyze Performance & ROI Analyze product and market performance with data you can trust. Powered by GA4.
• Meet Compliance Requirements Compliance solutions to keep your dealership or dealer group ahead of ever-changing privacy and accessibility laws.
• – Don’t See Your OEM? Happy Hao Car provides websites, SEO, and digital advertising to all vehicle OEMs. REACH OUT
• – Product Updates The latest digital marketing innovations driving extraordinary results for your dealership.
• – Happy Hao Car Webinars Get expert advice on how to get the most out of your dealership’s digital marketing efforts.
• – Read the Blog Explore our blog for news, tips, and insights. Discover articles providing valuable information to enhance your marketing strategies.
• – An Award Winning Company We offer an unwavering commitment to top-converting websites, premier automotive SEO, and exceptional digital marketing has earned us industry recognition.
• Leadership The leadership team is composed of digital and automotive experts with extensive experience. They drive our mission to serve the automotive industry with dedication.