The new generation of car buyers have been online since they were kids. They’re looking for dealers that understand them and how they shop. Does your Current Auto site give them what they want? Video, Mobile Phone Capable, Integrated Specials and easy to use direct navigation that takes them directly to what they were looking for from the search engines?

There’s a reason that TK has been named BEST Website Provider for 4 years in a row. We don’t just build websites, we study the market and track how customers find dealership websites. Then we build a custom site for each of our dealers that is specifically tailored to their unique market, makes, and demographics. The result is a beautiful thing indeed. It’s why our dealers experience 7% average conversion rate instead the industry average of 2%-3%.

And now we are proud to announce that the most advanced and powerful Automotive SEO Platform in the world has arrived. TK5 turns your single site into five separate, targeted and supercharged sites. With over 1,000 inbound links and a separate homepage for each department your Auto site will get more visitors and generate more leads than you ever thought possible.

Please visit http: //tkpowerof5.com to learn more.

Feel free to simply email jennifer@tkcarsites.com

Article originally appeared on TKCARSITES website under their “Best Practices” link here.

Calling a customer when they are still at the computer, perhaps even searching a competitor’s website, is the time that you want to contact them. Nothing shows “on the ball” and ready to “earn their business” better than an immediate call.

Be prepared with responses to each type of lead. If their request is regarding a specific new or used vehicle, know whether it is currently available according to the computer but note to them that you would like to “put your hands on it” before they drive out. Also, be prepared with alternative vehicle choices that are similar.

For new cars that were built with or without a list of options, there are two distinct methods, depending on the preference of the internet department.

Method one is to have a series of questions ready to gather information. Tell them that for accuracy of a quote you need as much information about what is a need, a desire, and other options or colors that can be added or removed. The looser they are with their specifications, the easier it will be to find them something in stock.

Method two is to be prepared with a minimum quote of the cheapest configuration that meets their needs. With this method, you want as little information as possible about their needs. Quote them on what is available (in stock, through ordering, or on a dealer locate) and set the appointment from there.

Tools such as Virtual Dealer Inventory can help people configure vehicles without the knowledge that the vehicle may not be immediately available. Most customers aren’t aware of how easy and fast dealer locating and even ordering can be.

One way or another, leave them by saying you’ll get the information they need and call them back. Then, get the information and call them back promptly. This immediate method of phone contact will increase the number of leads that convert to appointments.

Dealers such as Shreveport Honda Dealers and Temple Ford Dealers have proven that quick response and proper lead management yields better sales for their dealership.

Maintaining a website takes a lot of pride, passion and hard work! It is not just there to be there.

Here are some great things to find out about who you choose to maintain your website!

I have been using TK CARSITES for a few years now and am very pleased with all of the results, customer service & support I had received from them. The technical skills used in creating a dealer website that is so define and appealing to the eye of the customer. Many of my customers have complimented on the website features, design, easy navigation & the vast of detailed inventory listed. Even other dealers will call up and ask who is running the website. Well, TK CARSITES of course!

The best thing of all is being blown away by the customer service that TK CARSITES has. Getting a fast response from a Customer care rep is very crucial in the automotive internet sales industry. The needs and must haves from the dealership can be very demanding at times which can cause the customer care reps feel pressured, but they don’t at all! Their team is held with a great structure, balance, talent and skill.

If you are looking for a website provider that is willing to go out and gather up your customers online to bring them toward you, then my best advice is getting TK CARSITES as a provider for it will not just benefit you or them but your customers as well.

To find out more about TK CARSITES click on the link above the home page where it list TK CARSITES, fill in the information!

One of the best automotive lead generating tools available is trade evaluation. While it generally yields the lowest quality leads of any on a website, it gives the bulk necessary to help an internet department or BDC stay busy.

Kelley Blue Book and Black Book Online are two of the most popular trade evaluation tools available for car dealers. Each walks the customer through a series of questions about their vehicle, then asks for contact and desired vehicle data before processing their request.

Here is a point by point comparison of the two:

Trade Values

Generally Kelley Blue Book is tilted in favor of the customer and is an excellent “feel good” tool that will drive more traffic to the dealership and the website. The values are strong, which means that they will usually require some room for allowance.

Black Book’s advantage is that it is normally a more conservative interpretation of the trade value. It offers a range instead of a single value. This range is normally lower than the value offered by Kelley Blue Book. While it won’t flatter the consumers as much as Kelley and thus drives less traffic to the dealership, it will keep their thinking realistic and requires less room for allowance.

Interface

Both offer a very straightforward user experience. The Kelley Blue Book version is more customizable by the dealership to the point that it can offer data to the customer before they put in their contact information. While this is not recommended, it is convenient for those who get enough leads and simply want a tool on their website.

Follow Up

Both offer services that will continue to contact consumers for the dealership even after they have supplied the lead to the dealer. These “bounce-back” leads are often the best, especially for dealerships whose internet department is too busy to follow-up with trade-evaluation leads beyond the first week.

Black Book has one of the best services in this regard available. Their efforts in follow up and customer service are very strong and can help keep good leads from slipping through the cracks.

Name Recognition

This is a two edged sword. Kelley Blue Book is one of the most recognized names in the business. Millions of people know about it and visit the website whenever they need information. Black Book has a much lower name recognition amongst consumers.

Both have advantages. Because many people will check Kelley Blue Book before looking at dealer websites, it doesn’t offer a new perspective that compels people to click on it. However, those who have not been researching prior to visiting the dealer’s website might be more likely to click on it because it has more value in their eyes.

Fewer people visit or even know about Black Book Online, so they are more likely to click on it as an alternative, even if they have already visited Kelley Blue Book before searching.

Third Option

Car Dealers who do not want to have their customers given trade values from 3rd parties have the option of creating their own trade evaluation form. While these generally get fewer clicks and yield fewer leads than Kelley Blue Book or Black Book Online, it does give the dealership direct control over the numbers.

Many automotive website providers offer the ability for car dealerships to custom build their own form.

Conclusion

Choosing between the three options ultimately comes down to the personality of the dealership, its internet department, and their combined desire to generate certain kinds of leads. Price was not mentioned, as they are subject to change. Both services are currently very affordable when the return on investment is taken into consideration.

No matter what the dealership wants to accomplish, having a trade evaluation tool is an excellent way to generate more leads.