If you’re generating leads in auto insurance, auto loans, or just about any part of the financing or automotive industry, you probably need to capture car details like make, model, and year in your lead capture forms.
The best way to make this seamless for users is with a dynamic dropdown that updates in real-time—just like simple Carvana makes it
But here’s the challenge!
Creating a dynamic dropdown for car make and model isn’t as simple as it sounds.
Anyone who has tried to build one knows the struggles—developing the logic, sourcing and maintaining accurate data, and doing all of it affordably. Between creating the dropdown logic and organizing the data, the costs and complexity can quickly add up.
But don’t give up just yet!
In this post, I’ll walk you through some options and show you how we’ve simplified this process at LeadCapture.io, making it easy to implement a dynamic car dropdown with just one click.
See LeadCapture.io’s dynamic car make/model dropdown in action!
You can try it out for yourself in this auto loan funnel here.
How Dynamic Vehicle Make/Model/Year Dropdowns Can Increase Conversions & Lower Lead Costs
A dynamic dropdown for car details isn’t just a nice-to-have; it can significantly boost your form completion rates.
Here’s why:
When I look at drop-off rates, I typically see around a 15-30% increase with open-ended fields. By creating a frictionless experience with dynamic fields, you’re helping prospects fill in accurate information quickly, leading to higher conversion rates and lower cost per lead.
And I think this is exactly why sites like Cars.com put so much effort into this process — notice how they use dynamic dropdowns.
By using a dropdown (rather than open-ended fields) that adjusts based on car make, model, and year, prospects are more likely to complete the form because there’s less friction.
And the result? More accurate data, better-qualified leads, and improved form conversions.
The Challenges of Creating Dynamic Car Make/Model Dropdowns
Building a dynamic dropdown may sound simple in theory, but there are significant challenges in practice. Just look at how many people are trying to figure this out on tools like Jotform or Stackover flow.
Let’s break them down some of the challenges.
Programming the Dropdown Logic
If you’re using an existing form builder or funnel software, creating dynamic dropdown fields may be impossible due to platform limitations. Many form builders don’t support real-time updating fields, leaving you handcuffed by what the platform allows.
On the other hand, if you’re building a custom lead capture form, you’ll need to code this functionality from scratch across all your forms, which can be both time-consuming and expensive. A custom-coded solution may be suitable for some, but it’s not always feasible for smaller teams or fast moving performance marketing teams.
Getting Access to Vehicle Data That’s Accurate
The programming logic is only half the battle; the real challenge is finding accurate, up-to-date car data. Let’s dive into the main options:
Where to Find a List of Car Makes and Models
There are three common approaches for obtaining car make and model data. Let’s look at each option:
1. Building the List Car Makes and Models Manually
Creating the list manually is probably the most labor-intensive option since there are thousands of vehicle models out there.
It involves compiling every car make and model and updating it regularly as new models are released. You could hire someone to build the list for you, but this isn’t just an inefficient use of time—it’s a nightmare to maintain. Car models and makes are constantly changing, so keeping the data accurate and updated is a full-time job.
2. Scraping the Web for Vehicle Types and Information
Another option is to scrape data from existing sites like Cars.com or Edmunds. However, this comes with its own set of issues:
- Legal and Ethical Concerns: Most websites prohibit scraping in their terms of service. Violating these terms could result in legal action or getting blocked from the site, which is risky and could end up costing more than you anticipated.
- Data Accuracy and Maintenance: Scraped data isn’t as reliable or up-to-date as information sourced from official APIs. Plus, websites frequently change their structures, meaning you’ll need to constantly update and maintain your scraper code.
- Technical Complexity: Building and maintaining a web scraper is no small feat. It requires technical expertise, regular upkeep, and resources that not every company has available.
3. Paying for a Third-Party Car Database API
The last (and most effective) option is to use a third-party vehicle API. While some free APIs exist, they usually come with limitations that make them impractical for high-traffic applications:
- Data Completeness: A free automotive API typically doesn’t provide a full dataset of vehicle information. You might find that the data is limited to specific makes, models, or regions, which isn’t helpful if you need comprehensive coverage.
- Usage Limits: Free APIs often have rate limits, restricting the number of requests you can make. If you’re running a high-traffic form or funnel, this limitation can be a major issue.
For example, Cars.com once offered its own public API for vehicle data, but it’s no longer available. So, while paid APIs can offer comprehensive data, the associated costs can be high—another reason why a custom solution isn’t always feasible.
Using LeadCapture.io’s Car Make/Model Dropdown
At LeadCapture.io, we’re all about making lead capture as frictionless as possible. That’s why when we saw the demand for an easy-to-use, dynamic car make/model/year dropdown, we took on the challenge.
Here’s how it works: we partnered with a reliable API provider to source accurate, up-to-date car data. By handling the integration and API costs ourselves, we can ensure our users have access to the most current vehicle information without passing those costs onto them.
With just a few clicks, you can add a car make/model/year dropdown to your lead capture forms and funnels, and it updates dynamically based on selections.
For example, when a user selects a car make, the model dropdown automatically updates to show only relevant options. This dynamic update keeps the form experience smooth and ensures that your data is accurate.
Final Thoughts on Accessing Vehicle Information for Dynamic Dropdowns
Creating a dynamic dropdown for car make and model data can transform your lead capture process, making it seamless and efficient. With LeadCapture.io’s solution, you can have a dynamic dropdown up and running in minutes—no coding required.
Want to learn more about using this feature in your lead generation campaigns? Click here to schedule a demo and see how LeadCapture.io can improve your lead conversions.
FAQ
Q: Does LeadCapture.io provide API access to car make/models?
A: No, we don’t provide direct API access. Instead, we integrate with a leading API provider to give you access to current car data within your LeadCapture.io forms/funnels. This means you can set up a dynamic dropdown in minutes without needing to manage the backend data.
Q: Does LeadCapture.io provide VIN lookup?
A: Not yet! Currently, we only provide car makes, models, and years. However, we may consider adding VIN lookup in the future if demand increases.
