This one is a huge game changer. Too long did you hear left and right that Cobalt's website design was antique and close to a cookie cutter design (even so you could still configure a website of their in 1700+ different ways - but only a few knew). With the new "FLEX WEBSITE" design the dealer, eCommerce Director or webmaster will be in charge on how he wants to see his virtual store, and how she/he can differentiate the dealer website from the competition.…

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I can stand up now but only with a helping hand from my team - Chapter II "Diaries of an eCommerce Director"

 

So I got that squared away right from the get-go…my website looks good; First to Second grade content (I will explain it further down what means) is in place, but what do I do with all the leads generated via my website, website forms, 3^rd party leads and so on.

What is here the status quo on response, follow up and long-term usage of…

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Preface -

After almost a couple of years of working with a leading internet marketing vendor and working the speaking circuit Volker Jaeckel (aka “@VJnator”) returns to the dealership world as an Internet Sales Director. “Here is my story of rejoining the store and the steps I took that made my website the best performing in my group and achieved “#1 CPO Dealer in the state” status six months in a row. Let me share how I believe a new Internet Manager can quickly…

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Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov famously tantalized his dogs by ringing a bell to alert them that food was about to be served. The dogs, soon wise enough to associate the sound of a tinkling bell with a big juicy steak, began to salivate each time the bell tolled.

This associated behavior is known as “classical conditioning,” and the parallel between the doghouse and the dealership cannot be clearer. Obviously, the incoming…

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Okay, okay I am guilty as well pinning down the autotrader or cars.com rep in regards to “what is my click-through-ratio?” (CTR) or “I don’t know if these banners really do anything for me”, every time they wanted to make an up-sell for ”better exposure” of the brand. There was just too much doubt and not knowing in me to easily pass on these spins – until today (well, may be).



The… Continue

We all know Facebook is right now for dealerships around the nation the #1 choice when trying to engage with customers off-site, next to the biweekly or monthly ownership email marketing “blast” (my God do I hate this term “blast”) and/or dealer newsletter provided by IMN, Outsell, 3Birds Marketing or… Continue

This is part 3 of the “Consumer Trends for 2011” series and will conclude the findings of trendwatch.com – so far we heard and learned about

• Consumers will look for more realness and human touches
• Consumers will be more prone to try new products and services
• Targeted pricing and offers for your potential customers
• Consumers will look out for gaining Online Status Symbols
• Consumers will convert into “Twin-sumers” and…

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The first part of “Consumer Trends for 2011” – a research performed by trendwatching.com, showed three trends so far on how consumer behavior will change and how we, the dealerships can prepare ourselves successfully for the upcoming year.



We covered so far topics on “… Continue

According to research of http://trendwatching.com the year 2011 will have changes in consumer behavior which screams for a change in business behavior and attitude as well. No more Business as Usual please, when you want to keep the edge.



Here are the first three points trendwatching.com is pointing out of the eleven findings



1. Consumers will look for more realness and… Continue

Too often do I get the question during my seminars "VJ, what is the ROI - what can I expect to make on money and how many cars will I be selling at my dealerships, when I am "signing up" for Social media?"....here we go again. I am not complaining that I receive this question but I am foremost dazzled that question is still comparing Social Media Marketing with the "old" way to do Marketing and Advertising.…

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