Rev It Up

Sept. 1, 2005
Kawasaki Engines and Power Products introduces a new, simple Web site, www.kawpowr.com, featuring point-and-click resources about its engines and full

Kawasaki Engines and Power Products introduces a new, simple Web site, www.kawpowr.com, featuring point-and-click resources about its engines and full product line. The site targets landscaping professionals and homeowners who are looking for professional-grade equipment, but rental owners might also find it handy to find that next piece of lawn equipment. The site emphasizes that Kawasaki's engines are the heart of all Kawasaki handheld power products.

The Web site was actually launched about seven years ago with a less accessible design, says Megan Bennett, marketing coordinator for Kawasaki Motors Corp. A sister site, www.mykawasakiengine.com, was introduced in the spring of 2004, showcasing the company's line of consumer lawnmowers and emphasizing the importance of the Kawasaki engine. The new www.kawpowr.com, relaunched in the spring, combines the two sites and revamps them with a flashy theme, which reflects Kawasaki's recent multimedia campaign built around the tagline, “Kawasaki Engines: The Critical Component.”

Accessibility is not a problem on the new site. Once the page loads, the user is greeted by large, easy-to-read buttons and links. A toddler could figure this site out — he might not be in the market for a hedge trimmer — but he would appreciate the simplicity.

The three large buttons in the center of the page lead visitors to the My Kawasaki Engine page, the 4-cycle and 2-cycle engine page, and the handheld power products page.

The My Kawasaki Engine page presents tips on buying a lawnmower, a list of other lawnmower manufacturers who use Kawasaki engines in their products, lawn care tips and an interesting feature called Kawasaki Theater. Kawasaki Theater offers a video titled “Buying a Lawnmower: The Inside Story,” which explains how a Kawasaki engine in a lawnmower can save time and money. The video runs a little more than five minutes and features testimonials from multiple lawn-care business professionals.

The Engine button on the home page connects to a complete catalog of all 2-cycle and 4-cycle engines. Pick an engine and access full specifications with pictures and torque diagrams. A list of features accompanies all engines including the number of cylinders, displacement and compression ratio and more.

The Handheld Power Tools button links to a page featuring Kawasaki's complete line of string trimmers, hedge trimmers, edgers, backpack blowers and accessories. This page also offers complete specs for each product.

The buttons at the bottom of the home page lead to the new 2005 Kawasaki product lineup, and the company's new Power Play promotion, which offers in-store savings of $20 to $65 per product on handheld power products at participating dealers. The Find A Dealer button links to www.kawasaki.com, where by typing in the product, zip code or city/state, it will find the closest dealer who carries the product. This link would be very helpful as the next step in purchasing a Kawasaki product.

The Parts Diagrams link on the left side of the home page connects to a comprehensive library of Kawasaki products and engines, with diagrams of every part.

Some of the links and buttons on the site lead to the same place, but that offers users a choice. Are you a link or a button person? Different strokes for different folks, but overall the simplicity, ease of use and features of this site are worth checking out.

Like to see your rental company's Web site featured in a future Bricks & Clicks? E-mail Erin Chapman at [email protected].