SDC proves to be A-OK
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Webwatch calls in on the UK and Ireland’s largest trailer manufacturer
Words: James Clark
Company: SDC Trailers Address: www.sdctrailers.com
Homepage
How do you design a website packed
full of information, but also clean and easy to navigate? That’s the challenge trailer manufacturer SDC Trailers takes on – and for the most part successfully.
On the homepage, for example, you will find not one, but two navigation menus. Use the menu running along the top to find out more about the company itself and the vertical menu on the left of the homepage for information on SDC’s products and services.
Dominating the homepage is a large photo ‘carousel’ highlighting different aspects of its business, including its recent presence at the CV Show and Multimodal exhibition. The carousel should probably be clickable, but this is a minor quibble.
There’s also a welcome message, a selection of company news, and an option to sign up for regular email updates. For the export market, a tool enables you to translate the website into Polish, German, Russian, French or Arabic.
The site scored well in our performance tests, consistently loading in less than two seconds – putting it in the top 20% of all websites. It does not have a dedicated mobile version, but works well on a smartphone, and we hit no major issues on popular browsers.
Product search
To access the stock list, click on ‘Used Trailers’ in the vertical menu. The site will list all trailers in stock at SDC’s three sites: Toomebridge, Co Antrim; Loscoe, Derbyshire; and Scotch Corner, North Yorkshire.
This list can be filtered by location (England or Northern Ireland/ Ireland), year, body type or any combination of these. Additionally, it can be sorted by price, either lowest or highest first, or by date added.
At the time of writing, a large number of curtainsiders were available, along with a few boxvans and flatbeds, but no tippers.
For each item matching your criteria, the site displays price, year, type, a brief description, and a thumbnail photo. Click on the photo or ‘More Information’ link to see a fuller description, additional
Likes and dislikes
We like
✓ Packed full of information...
✓ ...but still easy to navigate
✓ Good search and sort options
We’re not sure
X Video archive is empty X Homepage carousel should be clickable
images, dimensions and axle type.
At this stage, the site also lists contact details (phone and email) should you wish to get in touch with SDC about the item.
Other pages
If you are interested in new, rather than used,
trailers, the website offers a downloadable PDF factsheet on each of its body types. Access these via the ‘New Trailers’ link in the left-hand menu.
Also from this menu you can find pages on SDC’s trailer refurbishment centres, manufacturing process, parts department, service network and financing options.
The top menu gives access to client testimonials, links to other members of the SDC Group, and an online enquiry form.
Finally, the ‘Media Gallery’ contains a photo and video archive – unfortunately no videos were available when we visited.
Conclusion
For such an informative website, SDC Trailers is remarkably easy to use and navigate. Our only criticisms are minor ones.
Buy and sell with Commercial Motor online
● Visit usedtrucks.commercialmotor.com for a great selection of used trucks and trailers for sale