RevolutionParts: A Proven Model for Success

Selling Car Parts Online: What You Need to Know

In today’s world, many car dealerships are finding success by selling car parts online. One company, RevolutionParts, has shown that this model can really work well. They help dealerships create easy-to-use online stores to sell car parts and accessories, making it easier for customers to shop for what they need.

RevolutionParts has helped over 1,500 dealerships, with some impressive results:

• On average, dealerships using their platform make $360,000 in online parts sales each year.
• Parts sales grow by 30% each year for dealerships that use it.
• They process over 25,000 transactions every day.

Why RevolutionParts Works

Here’s why RevolutionParts is effective for dealerships:

• It’s Easy to Use: The platform helps dealerships set up online stores quickly, manage inventory, adjust pricing, and take care of shipping.
• Helps with Marketing: RevolutionParts helps dealerships get more people to visit their online stores, making it easier to turn visitors into buyers.
• Works for Any Size Dealership: Whether you’re just starting or already have an established business, RevolutionParts can scale to meet your needs.

Interesting Facts

Here are some facts about the car parts online market:

• 70% of car owners in the U.S. prefer to shop online for parts.
• The average success rate for online car part sales (called the "conversion rate") is 3.5%, which is higher than many other types of online stores.
• Dealerships that start selling parts online can see a return on investment (ROI) of 400% in the first year.

The Pros and Cons of Using Third-Party Solutions

Many dealerships use outside services (like RevolutionParts) to show parts on their website. This can be helpful, but it has both good and bad sides. Let’s take a closer look:

The Good Stuff

1. Quick Setup:
   • You can get started fast. Instead of building a system from scratch, you can simply add a third-party widget (a tool for showing parts) or use an API (a way to connect your website to the service).
   • Maintenance is easier because the third-party provider handles the heavy lifting, like updates and hosting.
2. Real-Time Updates:
   • The service will show the most up-to-date prices and parts automatically. Any changes they make (like new products) will show up on your site right away.
3. Cost-Effective:
   • It’s cheaper to use a third-party service than to build your own system.
   • You don’t need to worry about managing all the tech stuff, so you can focus on selling and customer service.
4. Scalability:
   • As your dealership grows, it’s easy to expand. The third-party service can usually handle your increase in sales without much extra work from you.

The Bad Stuff

1. Dependence on the Third-Party Service:
   • If their website goes down, your parts store could be affected too.
   • If they get hacked, it could hurt your site as well.
   • If the provider goes out of business, you might have to find another service quickly.
2. Limited Customization:
   • You might not be able to set your own prices. The widget might only show the prices set by the provider.
   • You might also have limited control over how the parts are shown on your website, so it might not match your site’s look perfectly.
3. Complicated Integration (for APIs):
   • If you want more flexibility, you might need an API. But using an API requires more technical work to make sure it works smoothly on your website.
   • If the service has problems, like delays, it could cause issues on your site.
4. External Updates:
   • If the provider changes their system or stops supporting their service, it could cause problems for your site. You won’t have control over those changes.

What If You Want to Set Your Own Prices?

If you want to show your own prices instead of using the ones provided by the third party, you have a couple of options:

• Using APIs: An API can let you take parts data from the provider and add your own prices before showing it on your website. But this requires extra technical work.
• Widget Limitations: If you use a simple widget, you might be stuck with the provider’s prices, unless they offer a way to customize it.

How to Avoid Risks

If you decide to use a third-party service, here are some ways to protect your website:

• Cache Data: Save parts data on your site so if the provider is slow or goes down, your site can still show recent information.
• Monitor the API: Keep an eye on the API calls to make sure everything is working as it should.
• Use Security Measures: Make sure the third-party service is secure and regularly check for any problems.

Conclusion

Using a third-party solution to sell parts online can save time and money, but it also comes with risks. If you need full control over things like pricing and branding, you might want to consider building your own system. But for many dealerships, third-party services are a good way to start selling parts online quickly and easily.