Dealer-first automotive digital retail software provider MAX Digital believes competition from non-traditional dealers has never been stronger. Because of that, providing a smooth path to purchase is a must for dealerships to thrive in the coming years.

With that in mind, MAX Digital has partnered with LotVantage, and participating dealers can now combine LotVantage services — such as ad placement on Craigslist, Facebook, eBay and YouTube — with any of the MAX tools for inventory management, digital retailing or showroom collaboration with MAX Syndication.

MAX Digital says its integrations and retail performance management tools help dealerships increase profit on every vehicle transaction. To bring active car shoppers back to the dealership to buy, LotVantage says it boosts dealer presence within key social channels. With its focus on the value segments of marketing, the company says the investment is low relative to the return.

LotVantage says its clients who use the hands-free subscription model of Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace have seen big results, with an average of 30% more lead volume from local buyers.

For dealers, the vendor networks are an important investment toward business growth, MAX Digital executive vice president Mike Cavanaugh said in a news release.

“Making it easy for our dealership partners to take advantage of LotVantage services with MAX feeds that are optimized for merchandising was an obvious win,” Cavanaugh said.

LotVantage president Jim Jabaay said inventory marketing success comes from having the right inventory at the right price to gain online car shoppers’ interest.

“Our MAX Digital clients have high potential vehicles and the detailed package information and collaborative showroom tools to sell them," Jabaay said. “That strong inventory foundation has helped our clients have success generating leads socially and closing them in the showroom. It’s been a win-win-win relationship for us, our dealers and MAX.”