#United States #Indianapolis #Powersports #Overfuel #Web Vitals

Overfuel's Study on Powersports Websites

In its latest report, Overfuel has drawn attention to a troubling trend within the powersports industry—an alarming 79% of dealer websites failed Google's Core Web Vitals standards. This finding underscores a persistent issue that threatens visibility and customer trust across the sector.

Performance Analysis of Powersports Websites

Conducted by Overfuel, the second annual Powersports Core Web Vitals Performance Report analyzed 1,519 dealer websites in the U.S. and Canada. Out of these, 679 had enough real-world Chrome User Experience Report (CrUX) data for an official evaluation. The results were stark:

• - 667 websites, or about 78.7%, failed to meet Core Web Vitals standards for either mobile, desktop, or both.
• - 372 websites (54.8%) did not satisfy the benchmarks for both mobile and desktop.
• - Only 180 websites, representing 21.3%, successfully passed the Core Web Vitals criteria on both platforms.

These metrics are critical as Google's Core Web Vitals—comprising Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), Interaction to Next Paint (INP), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)—serve as pivotal ranking signals. They directly influence search visibility, the efficiency of paid advertisements, and overall user engagement on the web.

Systemic Issues Identified

According to Alex Griffis, CEO of Overfuel, the recurring failures indicate a systemic problem in how websites within the industry are developed and maintained. Despite substantial investments to attract site visitors, poor website performance leads to diminished visibility in search results and increased bounce rates as potential customers abandon their shopping experiences. Notably, Griffis states, "Performance is no longer just a luxury; it has become crucial for growth and maintaining trust."

The report aligns with findings from Shift Digital's 2025 Digital Automotive Shopping Pulse Report, which estimated that $30 out of every $100 spent on attracting shoppers to a website is wasted when these sites fail to meet the essential web standards. The inadequacies increase bounce rates, reduce lead submissions, and elevate costs per click. This is particularly evident on mobile devices, which account for a significant share of powersports shopping today.

The Glaring Performance Gap

The findings also stress a widening divide between performance-oriented platforms and older dealer websites plagued by excessive third-party scripts, unoptimized media, and outdated frameworks. Overfuel highlights that sites developed with Core Web Vitals in mind consistently meet Google's benchmarks, unless compromised by poor technology or implementation practices.

Griffis emphasizes a crucial insight: dealerships lose not merely due to inferior inventory or pricing, but primarily because their websites are slow, unstable, and present usability challenges for shoppers. The evidence is compelling—failure in performance translates to failure in revenue.

Urgent Call for Change

The 2026 report serves as a wake-up call, advocating that speed, stability, and responsiveness should not be viewed as optional enhancements. Rather, these elements must be treated as essential building blocks of web infrastructure. Overfuel asserts that treating these aspects as foundational will not only help alleviate current issues but also foster a more robust online shopping experience for consumers navigating the digital marketplace.

To learn more about Overfuel and how they redefine dealership websites, visit www.overfuel.com.