Saying our industry has had a tough year is an understatement. In light of the hurdles, I am inspired by our customers who are investing in their futures now - dealers who don't consider marketing an expense, but rather an investment in their drive for future success.who see the strong strategy behind targeting orphaned customers for service today, leading to vehicle sales tomorrow.
We've had a strong focus on developing marketing solutions to help you gain more business and better manage the customer relationships you've already established:
- New CarLocate.com lead generation Web site.
- Managed Marketing Solutions that leverage the most robust and accurate customer data to deliver targeted programs with phenomenal ROI and require less effort from your staff.
- New WebMakerX® 2.0 dealership Web sites, featuring powerful Search Engine Ad Management services, a new Service Portal to keep appointment setting open 24/7, and much more.
We share your goals for future success and will continue to invest in product development to help you get there. In this issue, you'll find success stories and best practices you can use to maximize your advertising efforts today to create a prosperous tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Trey Hiers
Vice President, Corporate Marketing
Reynolds and Reynolds
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Reynolds' WebMakerX® 2.0 helps the Huffines Auto Group sell more and conquer a changing market. |
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- Are you effectively attracting visitors to your site?
- How well does your site hold on to visitors?
- Who do you turn to when there's a problem?
A large part of attracting visitors is ranking well in search engines since many people use them when looking for information online. Do your own sample searches to see where you rank. If you're not on the first page of results, you need to make a change. Very few people will move any further than page one, and the majority will only look through the first few listings.
Choosing relevant site content and using the right keywords are just a couple of ways to enhance your site's search engine optimization (SEO). But, the best way is to select a provider that proactively designs and modifies your site to achieve the best possible organic ranking. You should also have the flexibility to make quick changes yourself. Our SEO has greatly improved, increasing traffic to our site and adding customers. In fact, when we switched to a provider that prioritized SEO, our unique visitors jumped from 7,700 to over 21,000 in a single month!
What happens to visitors once they get to your site? Do they run out of information or get bored quickly and leave? Your site's "stickiness" determines how long a visitor will stay. The longer they stay, the more likely it is they'll submit a lead. Include more forms and features that encourage consumer interaction with the site, making it far more likely they'll stick around. Adding video can also generate higher levels of interaction for a more "sticky" site.
Knowing you can turn to someone you trust when there's an update to be made, a problem on your site, or you simply have a question is vital. Imagine the leads you could potentially lose if your site isn't functioning at its best, with current information every single day. Let your Web site partner input your specials, maintain current inventory, and implement those crazy Web ideas that can end up transforming your whole year.
By prioritizing SEO, making your site "sticky," and choosing Reynolds as your Web site partner, you can increase your traffic and your sales.
John Meadows is Director of eCommerce and Business Development for the Huffines Auto Group. Huffines has been serving car buyers in the Dallas, Texas, area since 1924.
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Market to Specific Customer Groups Using Client Collections
Did you know new sales opportunities could be waiting for you in your own Contact Management customer database? Using Client Collections, you can generate targeted e-mail, letter, and/or phone campaigns based on the specific criteria that fit your needs.
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Get Help
For help creating this or other client collections, call the Technical Assistance Center at 800.767.0080 (option 3, then 5, then 2). |
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To get started, select the options shown above in your Contact Management Collection Criteria screen.
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According to Polk and others, over 80% of car buyers refer to the Internet first when shopping for a new vehicle. How much of your advertising budget do you focus online? Reynolds can help you advertise effectively on the Internet with our powerful, lead-generating CarLocate.com – available only to Reynolds DMS customers.
Consumers Find What They Want
Advertise your inventory online through a nationwide portal. Consumers shop for their desired vehicle and are then guided to a dealership in their area.
Consumers find information easily through research tools, like:
- Color palette display.
- Miles per gallon calculator.
- Optional vehicle videos.
You too see results because these tools keep consumers on the site and ultimately drive lead submission.
The Spotlight Is on Your Needs
Our focus on dealers sets CarLocate.com apart from the competition. Your strongest lead-generating source is typically your own dealership Web site. However, a balanced approach to your online advertising method should include other ways to market your inventory to Internet shoppers. We created this site with you in mind, to complement your existing online advertising strategies. You'll experience advantages, like:
- Dealership contact information and logo display.
- Direct lead submission forms.
- Automatic, monthly analytic reports.
And with a Premium Package, you get additional features including:
- A tool that points shoppers to other similarly priced vehicles in your inventory.
- Enhanced vehicle imagery within inventory pages.
- Links pointing to your dealership Web site.
CarLocate.com is focused on helping you attract more online shoppers than ever before.
Enhance your existing advertising methods with a cost-effective, trackable way to attract more leads from online shoppers - with CarLocate.com.
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By Carl Bennett
If you are feeling the pinch of the economic downturn, you may think increasing your advertising spending and presence will result in more sales and service business.
However, it can be difficult to determine how effective traditional media advertising is and what kind of return your dealership is getting. Don't assume more advertising will automatically yield better results.
Continued in Drive Results newsletter
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Improve your operations and system utilization with Reynolds University (RU) Online's interactive Session of the Month.
December's Session of the Month, "Integrate Technician Time," will show you how to maintain technician time integration specifications and perform payroll tasks.
To learn more about these courses and when they are offered, log on to RU Online and click on Session of the Month along the right side.
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Wallet, keys, cell phone...we don't leave home without them. A consumer's cell phone is a walking billboard – one on which you could now see your brand.
Why are mobile phone solutions important now? According to the GSM Association, four cell phones are sold for every one computer. That means you could be missing the opportunity to bring in more customers through timely, relevant messaging that lands right in their pockets. Mobile solutions allow for uniquely personalized advertising at a level the market hasn't seen until now.
Ten years ago it was time to get online...today, go mobile!
Find out how mobile solutions can accelerate your business.
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ERA Version 9.5 Update
We recognize your end-of-year schedule is hectic, so we are targeting ERA Release v.9.5 for February 2010. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!
If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact the Technical Assistance Center at 800.767.0080.
Unique Tools to Reach Customers and Increase Service Profits
Increase service profits and keep your dealership strong, regardless of the vehicle sales market. We have smart tools that help you give customers a reason to return.
PromoTAG™ turns your dispatch hang tag into effective advertising. Advertise special promotions, introduce new products and services, introduce your service advisors, and more.
ScanTRAX CSI® takes PromoTAG one step further by adding a customer survey card. Powerful online reporting allows you to review trend movement and compare service advisor performance against other advisors and the dealership average.
ReminderTRAX® can help capture more repeat service and increase profits by using smart data management. With a proven average ROI of 67:1, this is a smart investment that allows you to meet your budget, promote your brand image, and take a proactive approach to retaining valuable service customers.
For more information, contact your Reynolds Document Consultant or call 800.344.0996.
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