7 Must-Ask Questions When Researching a Golf Cart Dealer Management System

If you read our recent post, The 2026 Guide to Choosing the Best Golf Cart Dealer Management System, we gave an overview of the most important DMS features to consider for your business. 

As you dig deeper into different dealer management systems, below are seven questions to lead the right conversations before you commit. 

After all, you’re not just comparing features, you’re evaluating a business partner—one that will shape how your dealership runs for years to come.

The right answers to these questions will help you make a decision that not only fits your business today but also supports where you're headed as your dealership grows.

1. Is the DMS built for your industry?

When you’re running a golf cart dealership, a generic DMS built for auto sales or some other industry isn’t going to cut it. 

Your inventory is structured differently. Your deals are more complex. Your service department might prep or customize units that don’t fit into a traditional auto sales, parts, or service workflow.

You need a DMS that reflects how your business actually runs.

Ask for vertical-specific workflows. You’re looking for how the system handles unit packages, service scheduling, trade-in valuations, and custom configurations. 

See how many other dealerships like yours are using the platform today and what their experience has been.

Follow-up Questions to Ask: Does the platform include tools built specifically for golf cart dealerships? Can it handle the types of inventory and sales flows we manage? How many dealers in our segment are actively using your software?

If any answers sound like a workaround, it’s probably not the right fit.

2. How long does the DMS onboarding take?

Getting started with a DMS shouldn’t take months. A long, complicated onboarding process delays value, burns out your team, and increases the risk of adoption issues later.

Your DMS should be fast to implement and easy to learn—especially for your front-line staff who already have enough on their plate.

Ask vendors to explain their onboarding step by step. Who is responsible for setup? Will they handle importing your data, inventory configuration, and user training? Are live support and post-launch check-ins included?

A smooth onboarding process typically includes:

•     A kickoff call with your team
•     Data import and system configuration
•     Hands-on training for each department
•     A test environment to help you get familiar
•     Go-live day support and post-launch follow-up

Follow-up Questions to Ask: Can we be fully live in under 30 days? What exactly does onboarding include? Who’s guiding us through the process? 

3. Does the DMS require a long-term contract?

A contract should reflect trust, not tie your hands. If a vendor requires a multi-year, or even one-year, agreement before you’ve even seen results, that’s a red flag.

Strong systems don’t need lock-in clauses.

Ask what happens if the system doesn’t meet your expectations after a month or two. Can you walk away without penalty? 

Also, are there hefty upfront fees or auto-renewal terms? What’s their average customer retention rate?

You deserve flexibility. And if the product is truly valuable, the vendor won’t need fine print to keep you around.

Follow-up Questions to Ask: Do you require a contract to get started? What happens if we want to cancel? Are there hidden fees, renewal clauses, or minimum terms?

4. Does the DMS work with our current workflow and processes?

A DMS shouldn't force your team to change how they work just to fit the software. The system should feel intuitive, flexible, and familiar—especially for the staff who will be using it every day.

If the platform is clunky or overly complex, adoption will stall. People will avoid it, and you’ll be right back where you started.

Look for a system that aligns with your existing workflows. 

• Can your service team pick it up quickly? 
• Does it support your current sales process without needing custom workarounds? 
• Can managers get the data they need without running reports manually?

And don't just ask for a demo—ask to see how it would handle real scenarios from your dealership.

Follow-up Questions to Ask: Does the system support the way we already do things? Is the interface simple enough for techs, sales staff, and admin to use without constant training? What kind of onboarding, documentation, and long-term support is included?

5. Will the DMS allow visibility across departments?

If you can’t see what’s happening, you can’t lead effectively. A strong DMS gives you a complete view of your dealership across sales, service, inventory, and parts—all in one place.

This kind of visibility helps you catch small issues before they become big ones. You can spot delays in service, identify inventory gaps, and monitor sales performance without chasing down updates or waiting for someone to build a report.

Follow-up Questions to Ask: Can I track performance across departments without needing custom reports? Will I be able to pull up real-time data on service jobs, parts movement, and sales activity from one dashboard? Does the system help my team stay aligned with shared information?

6. Can the DMS grow with me as our business expands?

Your needs today won’t be the same needs two years from now. Whether you’re adding new locations, expanding product lines, or growing your team, your DMS should support that growth without creating friction.

Scalable systems grow with your dealership—not against it.

Follow-up Questions to Ask: Can this system handle multiple locations or departments? Is user access flexible as my team grows? What happens when I add new inventory types, packages, or pricing models?

7. How satisfied are customers with the DMS’s software and support?

Features are one thing. Day-to-day experience is another. A great DMS comes with a team that understands your business and actually picks up the phone when you call. 

Follow-up Questions to Ask: Can you share customer testimonials or references in my industry? What’s your average customer retention rate? How does your support team handle onboarding, training, and ongoing issues?

A DMS is only as good as the people behind it. Ask how real dealers feel about both.

The Bottom Line

Choosing the right DMS is about more than checking off features—it’s about finding a partner that understands your dealership and supports how you operate day to day. 

By asking the right questions upfront, you can avoid costly missteps and invest in a system that truly fits your golf cart business. 

Take the time to dig deeper, talk to real users, and evaluate how each platform aligns with your long-term goals. 

The right decision today will set your dealership up to run more efficiently, scale confidently, and serve your customers better for years to come.

About BiT Dealership Software, Inc.

Founded in 1985, BiT Software provides a cloud-based dealer management system that helps golf cart dealerships operate more efficiently and profitably. Its comprehensive platform integrates sales, service, parts, and more, supported by a team dedicated to dealer success. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, BiT is surrounded by some of the most renowned recreational vehicle manufacturers in the world and a thriving outdoor recreation community.

Learn more at bitdms.com.

Contact:
Aaron Killian, Marketing Manager
865-686-6544 ext 104
[email protected]