AutoTrader.com Launches Social Bundle So Dealers Can Connect Even More with Shoppers
Glimpse of New Offering
AutoTrader.com , a Pre-Owned Automobile Dealers Alliance Partner, today announced the national launch of the Connections Bundle, which integrates social media, chat, dealer ratings and more to create more avenues for car shoppers to connect with dealers online, Auto Remarketing learned.
The bundle includes Dealer Chat, Social Connections, Dealer Ratings and Sitelink Advanced, according to the company.
The bundle was tested throughout the third and fourth quarters of 2010 and found to be successful, thus allowing the offering to be rolled out nationwide.
The company offered more specific dealers on each feature:
—Dealer Chat enables dealers to instantly connect with prospects online via text-based conversations. When a dealer representative is available, a link noting that availability appears on the vehicle listing and encourages shoppers to start a chat session. Powered by auto dealer chat software from Contact At Once!, the chat feature can also be extended to the iPad and most smartphones, so dealers can chat with prospects even when they’re not at their desks. In prior tests conducted by AutoTrader.com, shoppers used the chat feature three times more than e-mail to connect with dealers, resulting in a 20 percent lift in shopper interactions.
—Social Connections helps dealers connect with their prospects via social networking by creating highly visible links to their Facebook and Twitter pages. More than 25 percent of dealers use social media, and this feature enables them to promote their presence on these sites and further develop their relationships with prospective customers.
—Dealer Ratings allows dealers to showcase independent reviews and promote their online reputation. Dealers can select a third-party review site from a range of options and have that site linked to their presence across AutoTrader.com, extending the reach of their positive feedback.
—Sitelink Advanced is a graphic button that enhances the visibility of the dealer’s website link on a vehicle listing page, giving dealers’ websites more prominence and making it easier for prospective buyers to learn more about the dealer.
“At AutoTrader.com, our goal is to connect buyers and sellers and we’re always working to enhance those connections,” explained Chip Perry, president and chief executive officer.
“Dealers invest significant resources in telling their stories online, from creating compelling websites and social media presences to ensuring that customers have positive experiences to share. The Connection Bundle offers dealers multiple ways to merge information from across the Web and interact with their prospects online, helping them forge more productive relationships and ultimately sell more cars,” he stressed.
As a POADA Partner, AutoTrader.com joins the Alliance in its goal of helping dealers sell more and profit more in their pre-owned sales and service operations. The industry traditionally has been segmented into new vehicles and used vehicles, but now the market, primarily driven by the certified programs of the manufacturers, has added a third element — pre-owned vehicles.
Scenes from NADA 2011
Comments
Way to Go Chip !! Looks like AT is finally realizing its about getting the customer to the dealer site and not keeping them on AT. We spend a lot of time and money on our site and we do a better job on our site than any 3rd party can possibly do. I have worked for years to bring viewers from every site on which we appear to our site and we measure the effectiveness of all of them by the click throughs to our site by referral. AT has always scored high in comparison to other paid sites like it but this should improve it. Putting our Facebook and Twitter links on is also a wonderful move. The more customers see us as human and part of their community the better for us as dealers.
It it's AutoTrader, then it's only $32,000 more per month. Go for it!
Hello, I am the Internet Manager at Acura of Springfield in Springfield MO. I was wondering if the package that we have with AutoTrader includes the new Connection Bundle. Please let me know if it does and if not, how much it would cost to add. Thank You
Wade McCamey
Internet Manager
Acura of Springfield
417-883-1550
wmccamey@jaywolfe.com
AT.com
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