LBS websites: what’s helpful and/or interesting?

[OakLeaf]

I like to see that the shop is involved with the community.

That can mean different things for different shops. Maybe they help with kids' bike safety education. Maybe they sponsor a race team. Maybe they maintain MTB trails. Maybe they support a patch ride or two.

Whatever it is, it tells me that the shop is giving something back, and that if I give them my money, it really is going to stay local. It also tells me something about the shop's priorities and specialties. Maybe I want to support them because I admire their mission, maybe they have extra expertise in something I need for my own riding.

Ride schedules are nice; whether or not the shop itself sponsors rides, it can link to local clubs.

I do like the life story, actually. If it's an established shop, history is cool. If it's a newer shop, then why are you here?



+1 that if I'm choosing a company I don't know, their website is a BIG factor. I want it to show me that they care about attracting new customers and retaining the customers they have. So it has to be accessible and attractive, and the who, what, when, where has to be in plain sight. In theory, too big and too glitzy is a turn-off, just as too-big yellow pages ads were before the internets, but I've honestly never seen a LBS website that I would describe that way.

[KnottedYet]

Here are the websites of my two LBSes:
www.recycledcycles.com
www.freerangecycles.com

They are quite different, as are the shops.
Going only by website, I much prefer Recycled Cycles' site.
Free Range's site doesn't tell you much at all, and visually is quite un-engaging. (but the shop is heavenly!)

[out_spokin']

Whoa - so much AWESOME info and insights here already...thanks!!! Keep it comin'!

@Murienn - I'm pretty sure both those shops use the same host company, too, which if I'm not mistaken provided the same basic structure for a bike advocacy group I worked for a number of years back...fairly easy to use and TONS of content to chose from. Interesting to see how two different shops put it together.

[pll]

Here's one bike shop's web site that I find very nice and captures several of the features people suggested:

Get a Grip Cycles

[limewave]

I wish LBS would have links to a PDF printable map of some nice ride routes that are popular for that area. OR mention clearly on their site that they have free maps available at their shop.

[jessmarimba]

What brands they deal with and some sort of info on where to ride are most helpful to me.

Also - any info on rental/demo programs would be nice. Not just "call the store for info." Price, types of bikes, and even better - SIZE of bikes available. I went home and spent a week calling stores about their supposed demo programs just to find out that they have only one bike to rent, and it doesn't fit me.

(These are suggestions from someone who is always looking at shops out-of-town for info. The shop I go to in town probably doesn't have half of that on their site!)