{"id":3068,"date":"2017-10-16T09:00:45","date_gmt":"2017-10-16T13:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.autoraptor.com\/?p=3068"},"modified":"2017-10-16T09:00:45","modified_gmt":"2017-10-16T13:00:45","slug":"need-know-car-finder-websites","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autoraptor.com\/blog\/need-know-car-finder-websites\/","title":{"rendered":"What You Need to Know about Car Finder Websites"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Car finder websites like TrueCar and Edmunds are popular with consumers\u2014but are they right for your dealership?<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019ve been in the auto industry for a while, you may like to think back fondly to the \u201cgood old days\u201d\u2014long before the internet played such an integral role in your daily business. The internet has improved auto dealerships in many ways, but you likely miss feeling like the resident \u201cexpert.\u201d When car shoppers wanted to learn more about a make or model, they came to you for your expert opinion. When they wanted to negotiate pricing<\/a> with you, you knew you had the upper hand with your unique industry knowledge.\"car<\/p>\n

Now, though? The internet has made everyone an expert. Instead of being approached for your wisdom and experience, you likely meet more customers who are armed with research from car finder websites<\/a> and ready to do battle to get the best deal possible.<\/p>\n

On the one hand, it\u2019s refreshing to see car buyers out there exploring the market and becoming empowered consumers. On the other hand, it can make your job more frustrating to feel like you\u2019re always on the defensive.<\/p>\n

The pros and cons of car finder websites<\/h3>\n

Car finder websites\u2014like TrueCar<\/a>, Cars.com<\/a>, Edmunds<\/a>, and Autotrader<\/a>\u2014are extremely popular with people who are car shopping. These sites usually provide all sorts of information, including car research, reviews, and top-ranked vehicles. They also, however, help buyers find their perfect cars by matching them with available inventory in their area.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve teamed up with these websites, they can be an excellent source of leads. They get a ton of web traffic, and it\u2019s great to get your dealership\u2019s offerings in front of as many eyes as possible. Studies<\/a> show that third-party car finder websites attract a larger\u2014and largely different\u2014audience than dealer sites. These third-party sites also usually offer analytics, making it easier for you to track your ROI as time goes on.
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\nIf your auto dealership is on the smaller side, however, there are disadvantages to car finder websites – largely in the cost. Usually, if a site like TrueCar gives you a lead, you may have to pay them almost $400 per car. $400 off the profits can feel like a large sum to just give up, but it\u2019s important to weigh the pros and cons to determine if it\u2019s worth it to your dealership.<\/p>\n

Car finder websites: Embrace the change<\/h3>\n

Is a subscription to any of these car finder websites worth it? That\u2019s up to your dealership\u2019s managerial team to determine. Whatever you decide, though, don\u2019t write these sites off completely.<\/p>\n

Car finder websites aren\u2019t going away anytime soon. Also, now that they\u2019ve been given the tools, consumers are going to continue to become more knowledgeable and willing to haggle on pricing. It\u2019s your job to make car finder websites work for you and keep up with the ways your customers are shopping and researching.\"car<\/p>\n

If you aren\u2019t ready to invest in third-party sites, you should at least visit them. You need to know where your customers are getting their information and how it\u2019s presented to them. Remember, you are the automotive expert \u2014 this is how you make your living. You owe it to yourself and your customers to stay up-to-date on Kelley Blue Book values, the highest ranked models, and how local competitors are pricing their inventory.<\/p>\n

Of course, car finder websites aren\u2019t the end-all-be-all of online marketing. There are so many opportunities for auto dealerships to digitally connect with consumers and bring in qualified leads. Create a digital marketing strategy<\/a> that matches your dealership\u2019s needs and the behaviors of your target audience, and you\u2019ll be well on your way to running a successful, modern-day auto dealership.<\/p>\n

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