[Tyler109]

Originally Posted by Raven

I am a field marketing manager for an automotive OEM. Here's what I preach to my retailers about their individual websites:

- Design it to be user friendly - test it out with friends and neighbors

- Make it visually appealling and professional - no gaudy colors or cheesy graphics - Maintain brand integrity

- Avoid gimmics like the generic, hot spokesmodel that every other store uses or the vehicle that drives across the screen

- Keep your new and used vehicle inventories up to date

- Have internet specials, keep them up to date and put something in there that is a call to action (drives traffic) - have new, used, even parts and service specials

- Set a standard to return all e-mail inquires (say within 4 business hours) with a PERSONALIZED response (answer the questions/needs of the customer). Have leads sent directly to sales personnel and treat it as an UP - have the lead get entered into your CRM system for follow -up.

- Put pictures of dealership staff with contact info (put a name with a face) for every department - people like to see who they are dealing with. Have nice photos taken - not a Polaroid up against a brick wall - make your staff look friendly and approachable.

- Put the website call out in your advertising - the website is a great way to supplement media and ad more info (and quickly): "See our website for more details"

If you can hit these, you should end up with a pretty decent site.

Hope this helps.

We've put some of those ideas into practice but there's also several good ideas I never thought of...Thanks man!