Start with the buyer's question
A dealer locator should answer more than where a partner is. Buyers may need installation, service, financing, a product category or an authorized status. Write down those questions before designing filters or result cards.
Model the dealer network
Give each dealer a stable name, address, phone number, website and the services or product categories they support. If territories matter, explain them in a public field or use a region filter. Avoid publishing internal sales notes.
- Authorized status or partner level
- Products, models or services supported
- Sales, service or installation capabilities
- Opening hours and appointment instructions
- A preferred phone, website or quote action
Use filters carefully
A dealer can match several capabilities, so choose whether filter behavior should match any selected option or all selected options. Test common combinations with real network data, including a search that should return no results.
Route contact actions
Put the most valuable action on the result card. Directions work for nearby retail visits. A phone or quote link may be better for high-consideration products. Keep the action label specific so a visitor knows what happens after the tap.
Publish and maintain
Use the dealer locator example as a visual reference, then follow the location management guide to keep dealer details current. Assign an owner for partner changes and review no-result searches for missing coverage.