With certain criteria in mind, AutoInc. set out to choose 10 outstanding automotive repair Web sites that we felt deserved recognition. Even though we could only choose 10, we would like to commend all shops with Web sites because there were many good sites out there!

The site needed to have a pleasing appearance with interesting graphics, easy navigation and a good color contrast and balance. However, photographs, sound and animation really caught our attention. We looked for basic information like services and affiliations, but online appointment forms, shop history, maps, testimonials, links and other extra information made certain sites stand apart from others.

With help from John Peake, Peak Performance Inc. (http://www.peakeperformance.com), Salt Lake City, Utah, AutoInc. was able to consider hundreds of independent repair shop Web sites. Peake has reviewed more than 1,200 U.S. and Canadian automotive repair facility Web sites, including 300 independents. He found that "many were well done and a few were downright sophisticated and impressive."

With Peake's suggestions and our own research, the AutoInc. staff reviewed what we considered to be 20 of the best sites. It was a hard task to narrow it down to the Top 10 because most sites we reviewed were great! Each of the Top 10 has something unique about them that we felt would help others in their efforts to create their own Web sites.

We are linking to the winners' home pages in a separate window, and including some comments as to why they were chosen and a comment from the shop owners or managers. We hope you will visit these Web sites online so you can experience the animation and sound, and read the great information they have provided. If you are an ASA member and have a Web site, please e-mail the address to us at asainfo@asashop.org so we can make sure it's in the Find Nearest ASA Shop section of the ASA Web site.

Auto Clinic, Milpitas - Calif.

www.autoclinic.com

What makes this site stand out:

• Nice graphics and navigational icons, and a clean format with interesting categories.
• Good information including online appointments and emergency road service, automotive tips, testimonials, discounts and humor.

Tully Williams, owner: "The Auto Clinic wants to stay with the future and the future is the Internet. We will be updating our Web site yearly because we want people to keep coming back."

Hohmeier Auto Body - St. Louis, Mo.

www.hohmeier.com

What makes this site stand out:

• Great format and graphics with frames for easy navigation and shop-logo wallpaper as background.
• Extra information including online discounts, a map, before and after photos of work, and links to other interesting sites.

Bob Hohmeier, owner:"The Net offers consumers a preview of the shops capabilities and services. That, plus word of mouth, will bring them to your shop."

The Auto Shop - Plano, Texas

www.theautoshop.com

What makes this site stand out:

• Business affiliations are clear with unique animation.
• Nice format with "what's new" section and an easy navigational system found at the bottom of each page.
• Good information including employment postings, a message board, recycling information and a shop tour.
• The free "Ask-A-Tech" online form is great for consumers.

Jerry Kezhaya, owner"We believe that in time, our Web site will become an efficient method of communication and information for our customers. The Internet has already become an invaluable source for technical knowledge and hiring new personnel."

Superior Auto Service - Bryan, Texas

www.happycars.com

What makes this site stand out:

• Unique domain name.
• Nice appearance with smiling car animation, logo-wallpaper background and a four-bay shop graphic for navigation.
• Good information including the business mission statement, shop history, awards, a map and many coupons.

Dan Waskow, president: "I believe the Internet is going to be a viable place for marketing my business and I wanted to be one of the first with a Web page. We get a lot of requests for information by e-mail and our customers love our coupon page."

Collision Craftsmen, Inc. - Macomb, Mich.

http://members.aol.com/ccraftsmen

What makes this site stand out:

• Clean professional design with mission statement on the main page.
• Easy navigation with nice graphics and photos of key employees.

Marco Grossi, president/CEO:"Industry leaders are changing the way this country does business almost daily. A major trend in the business climate is the expansion of the ability to service the consumer. Electronic commerce gives the consumer the availability to shop our sites for a provider, communicate via e-mail and shop our services at their convenience. Today's consumer gains a higher trust level."

Mountain View Foreign Car Service - Mountain View, Calif.
www.mvfcs.com

What makes this site stand out:

• Professional look with a logo-wallpaper background.
• Good information including a map, repair tips,online appointments and free estimate forms.

Michael Meissner, owner"We see our Web site as just one more way for us to be 'in front' of our customers. It is an integral part of our overall marketing strategy and, so far, we are very pleased with the results. We try to make the site easy to use and of value to the consumer in general."

Lopack Auto Body Inc. - Cleveland, Ohio

www.lopack.com

What makes this site stand out:

• Easy navigation, logo-wallpaper background and animation.
• Good information including repair and accident tips, links and a special news section where you can look up articles.
• An accident form can be printed out for consumers to keep in their glove compartments.

Lee Bokar, president:"The automotive collision industry needs a way for the consumer to identify with a professional collision repair facility and gain credibility. My company believes the Internet is the best possible medium to educate those consumers and get our company's point across."

McBroom's Automotive - Deer Park, Texas

www.mcbroomauto.com

What makes this site stand out:

• Nice use of frames, sound, java and animation.
• Search tool is available, as are links to affiliations and other interesting sites.

George McBroom Jr., owner: "The automotive service industry has moved into the computer age, and today's repair facility must be able to access as much information as possible. Our customers are wanting to become more informed about their vehicles and I believe the Internet is one of the best outlets to communicate to the public. The Web site informs the 'surfer' of the latest technology available in this ever-changing service industry, and will hopefully provide our customers with a better understanding of what is involved in obtaining quality auto repairs."

Louisville Frame & Fender - Louisville, Ky.

www.LouisvilleFrame.com

What makes this site stand out:

• Clean layout with easy navigation and an animated tow truck.
• Extra information includes an online appointment form, map and web coupon.

Ken Reiss, general manager:"The Internet has provided an inexpensive means of promoting and creating awareness of our service offerings on a national level. This new electronic medium has also proven to be successful in allowing users to schedule appointments online, saving time for both the customer and my staff."

Does your shop have a Web site? If you would like to be considered for a spot in the Top 10 Web Sites for the January 1999 issue of AutoInc., please send your shop name, Web site address, physical address and phone number to alissa@asashop.org along with a brief description of what makes your shop's Web site unique. Call (800) 272-7467, ext. 234 for more information.

RATE THIS ARTICLE What do you think of this article? Your input will help AutoInc. develop additional articles on this subject. Share your thoughts! Your name Your e-mail address

MOST ACCESSED ARTICLES Fuel Injection Service, Not Just Cleaning The Art of Extraction EGR Systems: Operation and Diagnosis Proactive Target Marketing:_Rethinking Your Business Strategy Engine Performance: HO2S Diagnostics MOST E-MAILED ARTICLES Developing Employee Potential How Critical Thinking Can Help Your Business How to Diagnose the Ford Glow Plug What to Look for When Shopping for the Right Shop Management Software Putting a Price Tag on Complaints

AutoInc. Web Site | ASA Web Site | Halftime for the 105th Congress | Proper Timing Tips to Get Under Your Belt | Assessing the Quality of Aftermarket Collision Repair Parts | Women Want Positive, Receptive Customer Service | Top 10 Automotive Repair Web Sites | Guest Editorial | Tech to Tech | Tech Tips | Shop Profile | Net Worth | Stat Corner | Chairman's Message