How much Market Share are you missing out on?

Now is the time to capitalize on market share. With the unfortunate or fortunate (depending on how you look at it) closings of dealerships across the country finalizing, it is now time to improve your business model. Face it consumerism has changed....and not necessarily for the better. However, as a retailer you have to embrace it and find ways to increase your revenue.

I read a blog recently that talked about transparency. It's a great article and I agree with the author. It has come to the point where you need to decide whether you want to move the vehicle or have your competitor down the street (or in this case possibly across town) to do it. Besides being transparent, you have to start building relationships with your customers...find out what their needs are when you are talking with them. Engage and care about their needs. I don't want to get all sappy here but you're a car dealer, you already have two strikes before you say hi to them. Most of all, as mentioned above. Be transparent! I am still reading stories about some dealers out there trying some age old ways to squeeze that last buck out of a customer and in this day in age, with bloggers especially, word of mouth is more than just a few friends and colleagues it is a world of people that type your name into Google and see one of the first links being "Don't Buy From here!!!".

Lastily, the phrase 'Search Engine Ranking' has been thrown around so much in the last year or two that it is hard to tell what is right anymore. You don't have to be #1 to have the most traffic. In fact, if you are #1 yet your inventory is listed with a bunch of "call for price"..."come in and I will tell you" phrases then they are just going to hit that good ol' back button and go on to your competitor's sites. I will leave you with these notes:

1. Be Relevant and transparent to your customers.... have pricing, pictures and information up front.
2. Make sure your website is easy to use and loads fast...can they get to your inventory in one click? More importantly, do you have your New inventory on your site or just some build-a-vehicles?
3. Don't go overboard on every bell and whistle... do you need that talking lady, a chat person asking if they can help, and a commercial showing your customer all your great deals?

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