Bristol’s largest multi-manufacturer independent garage, AP Autocare, recently took a bold step to modernise its digital presence, and owner Chris Peacock admits he approached the process with caution.
Sceptical of marketing promises following bad experiences in the past, AP Autocare’s existing website was generating enquiries, but the business needed a system that streamlined customer acquisition.
In late November, AP Autocare launched a fully redesigned website developed by Garage Services Online (GSO), integrated with RampUp, GSO’s new direct-to-workshop booking widget. Even in its early days, the results are striking.
“AP Autocare’s RampUp widget processed 40 confirmed fixed-price bookings totalling over £5,670 in its first eight weeks,” said George Phillips, Director of Operations at GSO. “And that doesn’t include more complex jobs booked as ‘price on application’. On average, the system is generating over £100 a day in confirmed work before the garage doors even open.”
For AP Autocare, which specialises in VW, Audi, BMW, Porsche, and Land Rover, accurate pricing and booking was critical.
“Our online pricing used to be very generic,” said Chris Peacock. “RampUp tailors the cost to each vehicle. It identifies the car correctly, which keeps us organised and focused on the right work. GSO really understands the motor trade.”
RampUp uses advanced VRN lookup to filter by exact vehicle specification. It ensures accurate pricing from the outset, protects profit margins, eliminates awkward follow-up calls, and helps independents avoid the race to the bottom, often driven by aggregator platforms.
“I’ve had bad experiences paying large sums upfront for websites,” Chris added. “GSO works differently. There’s no upfront cost and no long-term contract.”
Beyond revenue, the new system improves operational efficiency and customer convenience.
“Customers want to book online outside business hours,” said Chris. “RampUp makes it simple for them and helps us finalise bookings efficiently. It’s attracting a healthy mix of new and returning clients, keeping the process smooth for everyone.”
Capturing the true scale and feel of AP Autocare was vital. Rather than relying on generic imagery, Chris wanted the website to reflect his actual workshop, a requirement that GSO accommodated.
When asked what advice he’d give fellow independent garage owners contemplating a digital upgrade, his answer was straightforward: “Give it a go.”
“AP Autocare’s success highlights that a standard website with a generic booking form is no longer enough,” said Jim Lang, Director at Garage Services Online. “The GSO and RampUp combination works by pairing a high-ranking website that attracts local traffic with a smart widget engineered to convert it into profitable, accurate bookings.”
For garages interested in exploring the system, GSO is currently offering an introductory deal at https://offer-rampup.garage-services-online.co.uk.
