For most UK used car dealers, AutoTrader is where buyers start looking. So why pay for your own website too? Because the two do different jobs. AutoTrader puts your cars in front of a huge audience; your own website is where buyers check you out, and where an enquiry belongs to you.
What AutoTrader does well
- A very large audience of people actively looking for a car
- A trusted place for buyers to compare cars and prices
- Pricing and valuation data that helps you price your stock
What your own website does that AutoTrader can't
- Your brand, not a listing. Buyers who find you on AutoTrader often look you up before they call. Your site shows them who you are.
- Direct enquiries. Enquiries from your own site come straight to you.
- Your whole offer. Warranty, finance, part-exchange, delivery and reviews, set out the way you want.
- Search and AI. Your site can appear on Google for your name and area, and AI tools can read and recommend it.
- Always on. A chatbot can answer questions and take test-drive requests when you're closed.
Why they work best together
The strongest setup uses both: AutoTrader for reach, your website for trust and direct enquiries. The catch is keeping them in step. If prices, photos and sold cars have to be changed in two places, something will always be out of date.
Keeping them in sync
DealerGate keeps one record for each car. With two-way AutoTrader sync, your stock stays matched between AutoTrader and DealerGate, and your DealerGate website is fed from the same record, so a car you sell comes off your website without anyone touching it. Enquiries from AutoTrader and your website land in the same leads inbox.
Making your own website pull its weight
- Give every car its own page, with good photos and the full spec
- Show monthly payments with a finance calculator
- Make it easy to enquire, book a test drive or reserve online
- Put your reviews, warranty and delivery options where buyers can see them
- Make sure the site is built for search engines and AI tools to read
See SEO and AEO websites for how DealerGate sites are built to be found.
Frequently asked questions
Do car dealers need a website if they use AutoTrader?
Most do. AutoTrader brings buyers, but many look you up before they call. Your own website builds trust, brings direct enquiries and can be found on Google and by AI tools.
Can my website and AutoTrader stay in sync?
Yes. DealerGate has two-way AutoTrader sync and feeds your DealerGate website from the same stock record, so changes don't have to be made twice.
Where do AutoTrader and website enquiries go?
In DealerGate, both land in one leads inbox, so your team follows them up in one place.
What should a dealer website have?
A page for every car with good photos, a finance calculator, easy enquiry, test-drive and reservation options, your reviews and warranty, and the technical groundwork for search engines and AI tools.
How much does a dealer website cost?
DealerGate dealer websites start at £79 a month, with no setup fee and no long-term contract.
Run AutoTrader and your website from one place
Two-way AutoTrader sync, a dealer website fed from the same stock and one leads inbox, from £79 a month.