Having a website for your business can be an important vehicle for finding new customers and increasing awareness of your automotive business. By implementing a strategic website and integrating your website with other features, you can build confidence in your business.
Keep Your Website Updated
One of the most important aspects of your website is keeping your inventory updated. Include a picture of each car on your lot with accurate details about it. Since decent cameras are readily available via mobile devices, it makes little sense to recycle photographs or use stock pictures of a similar car. You may also want to include pictures of the interior of each car to give visitors to your website a better idea of the car you are selling. The information for each car should include the mileage, make, model, and any other information customers would typically use to make an informed buying decision. Make a point of removing items from your inventory as they sell; this can reduce confusion for customers who are interested in a car only to find out it is no longer available.
Allow Ease Of Communication
You should have several avenues for customers to contact your business and inquire about the vehicles available. Include a contact form on your website where customers can send an email—make sure it is connected to an email that is checked daily. Additionally, a live chat may be appropriate during normal business hours. Utilizing online methods of communication may be ideal for smaller dealerships with abbreviated business hours as a cost-saving measure. Social media remains an excellent tool for both advertising cars on your lot and communicating with customers and should be integrated with your website. Many businesses find social media platforms, such as Facebook, the easiest way to keep customers updated on their business and to engage with them via messages or comments.
Implement A Pre-Qualification System
Many car dealerships include software on their website that allows customers to determine if they pre-qualify for financing. This usually requires a soft hit on their credit report and can reduce the inconvenience for both you and your customer if they stop by the dealership but do not qualify. Additionally, you may also want to add a traditional credit application on your website, which could be either printable or electronic. If a customer visits your lot after they have pre-qualified, they might make the decision at a later time whether they want to submit a formal credit application before returning to the dealership. For more information, contact a company that offers credit reports for auto dealers.
Keeping an updated gallery of inventory on your website is the first step to attracting customers who are in the market for a car. By keeping the lines of communication open and making buying easier for your customers, you can increase confidence in your business and sales.
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