The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association recently selected its newest Bronze-level National Corporate Partner, going with a firm that aims to help dealerships improve communications with their customers.

The newest partner is Podium, a leading interaction management platform in the auto service industry that works with more than 40,000 businesses worldwide, including 5,000 dealerships in the United States and Canada.

In partnering with NIADA, Podium’s platform aims to help the association’s 16,000 independent dealer members modernize their communication channels to gather reviews, message customers, gather feedback and more. The platform can collect and manage business reviews and messages in one central, easy-to-use inbox.

“Being able to manage customer feedback is vital to protecting a dealer’s reputation and growing a loyal customer base,” NIADA director of business development James Gibson said in a news release.

“By offering text-based interactions to customers, not only can dealers turn online searchers into car sales, they’ll be able to ensure their online reputation reflects the positive modern buying experience customers have come to expect,” Gibson continued.

Podium explained this partnership represents the company’s commitment to supporting independent dealers across the United States by offering association members access to interaction management tools, including reviews, messaging and more, for preferred NIADA pricing.

Dealerships seamlessly can connect with customers who have recently visited the dealership’s site or made an in-person purchase. With Podium’s Review and Feedback tools, dealers can automatically invite customers to leave a review via text or the messaging app of their choice.

Podium pointed out that research shows fast and easy to complete review requests are ideal and result in more accurate feedback. This integration can save dealerships time as well as increase the number and quality of their online reviews on Google, Facebook, DealerRater and other key sites.

“NIADA has been the leading force in providing solutions for independent dealerships in the US auto industry,” Podium senior vice president of sales Cameron Hale said. “That was a key factor in Podium choosing NIADA as a close corporate partner.

“Joining NIADA’s drive to provide solutions for its dealers with Podium’s powerful online review and two-way messaging products will supercharge NIADA members’ competitive advantage in bringing in new customers and keeping them for their lifetime,” Hale continued.

Last fall, Cherokee Media Group hosted a free education webinar with Podium titled, “Bridge the gap — How to sell cars like Amazon sells everything else.” A recording of that webinar is available here.

To learn more about Podium, dealers can visit www.podium.com.