AutoInc., the official publication of the Automotive Service Association (ASA), has launched its annual Top 10 Websites Contest. Each year, AutoInc. reviews scores of website submissions and narrows the field to what its panel of judges considers to be the best. The goal of the contest is to help other ASA member-shops employ the Internet as a powerful tool and show them how fellow shop owners use the Web to improve productivity, enhance marketing programs and, ultimately, increase their bottom line.

Judges use set guidelines and a scoring sheet to evaluate specific features of each site uniformly. Sites are evaluated using the following criteria:

            • First impression/visual design                     • Objective/purpose           

            • Innovation                                                    • Credibility

            • Navigation                                                    • Encourages action

            • Consumer friendliness                                 • Technical

            • Social media involvement                            • Innovation

Any ASA member-shop that is currently a member in good standing and has a website for their shop is eligible for the contest. To enter, visit www.AutoInc.org and select “Top 10 Websites” in the left menu to access the entry form and contest guidelines. ASA members, along with the rest of the industry, look to the winning websites as a benchmark on how to successfully and effectively promote automotive service and repair facilities to current and future customers, as well as educate the motoring public about the importance of car care. The deadline for the contest is Oct. 11.

AutoInc. plans to feature the winning websites in its January 2014 issue. The article will provide details of each shop’s website and why it was selected for the honor.