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Dealer SEO & Local SearchOptimized StarOctober 20264 min read

Why your VDPs aren't ranking

Your vehicle detail pages are the most specific, most useful pages on your site, and often the least visible in search. The reasons are usually the same handful of fixable problems.

Early version. A short first pass; a fuller version is on the way.

Thin and duplicate descriptions

Many vehicle detail pages use the same manufacturer description as every other store selling that model. Add what's specific to the unit: its condition, options, history and what makes it worth a look. Unique detail gives search engines a reason to show your page.

Content that only loads with scripts

If the price, specs and description only appear after scripts run, search engines may see a mostly empty page. Make sure the important content is in the page's HTML when it first loads.

A title like "Vehicle Details | Dealer Name" tells nobody anything. Use the year, make, model and trim, plus your town, in the order people search for them.

Sold units that turn into errors

When a unit sells, its page often turns into an error or an empty template. Point sold units to the closest matching search results page, or keep the page up with a clear sold notice and similar vehicles.

Slow on a phone

Most shoppers browse inventory on a phone. Big photo galleries, chat widgets and tracking scripts can make a VDP slow to load. Compress images, load the gallery as people scroll and remove scripts that aren't earning their place.

What to fix first

Start with what's broken: pages whose content needs scripts to appear, and sold units that turn into errors. Then fix titles across the inventory, which is usually one template change. Unique descriptions and speed come next.

See how it would work at your store.

Book a 30-minute walkthrough of the CRM with sample data and, if you want, a look at your website.