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MDocs – A Case for the Obvious & the Necessary

by Auto Dealer Marketing
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Not one day goes by that I don’t have to field a call from a customer who needs a copy of a contract.

Every dealer I have worked at and visited has said the same thing. Sometimes it’s stated with a sigh of discontent, defeat, or even anger. And realistically, who wouldn’t? We print out physical copies and have pretty little folder or package to put it in, we even purchase branded flash drives and make a digital copy, we also have them emailed to the customer. But when it comes to the moment they need that contract to initiate a claim without a second thought they call you.

On the other side of this experience is the customer who expects you to provide immediate access to the needed documents and be able to send it to them instantly.  They are standing at the counter of another shop or dealer surrounded by others waiting to be attended to but they are the bottleneck slowing down the process because they do not have their contract. Even more aggravating, they are on the side of the road broken down with babies in the back seats crying trying to find the contract they were told to keep in their glove box but of course it’s not there. Hours later, they finally receive a copy of the contract from you. Sometimes it is too late, they have already paid out of pocket and now must submit the bill to hopefully get reimbursed.

To both parties it is a nuisance. And it seems totally unnecessary given all the technology and access available today. Yet the struggle remains.
 

MDocs is a part of a collective mobile solution for dealers. Dealer groups or standalone stores are provided with a brand customer facing mobile app that facilitates all dealer interactions. DMS integration provides safe and secure identification of your customer and allows you to deliver a seamless experience whether they are physically at the dealer or a few hundred miles away.

MDocs is a cloud-based document storage solution for customers to receive, upload, and share pertinent documents. The dealer has a secure permission-based portal to upload contracts and receive documents from the customer. The customer has a dealer branded app where they can see documents or upload items like a driver license, registration, or insurance card. These transactions are protected through encryption to meet all privacy guidelines and keep your dealer protected and compliant.  

Here are a few of the major benefits:

Accessibility:

One of the primary advantages is accessibility. Users can access their documents from anywhere with an internet connection. This flexibility allows instant access to the contracts they need regardless of their physical location. This will also permit them to share documents with the dealer to facilitate test drives, rentals, loaners, and digital retailing.

Security:

MDocs cloud storage invests heavily in security measures to protect user data. This includes encryption, data redundancy, access controls, and regular security updates. Storing documents in the cloud can be more secure than keeping them on local servers or devices. Unless you have already contracted vendors that allow for encrypted emails and text messages your team has already violated FTC data privacy law.

Scalability:

Cloud storage solutions are highly scalable, allowing businesses to adjust their storage capacity based on their needs. Whether a company is a one store or a large enterprise, cloud storage can accommodate growing amounts of data without requiring any upfront investment in hardware infrastructure.

Cost-effectiveness:

MDocs storage is more cost-effective than on-premises storage solutions. Dealers avoid the need to purchase and maintain expensive hardware and software infrastructure. Additionally, cloud storage eliminates costs associated with physical storage space, such as maintenance, upgrades, and physical security. Additionally, this solution is part of a customer facing dealer branded mobile app the reflects all the services and products your dealer offers.

As you can see the solution is not only obvious but necessary. Your customers expect convenience and accessibility. More than ever they also expect you to protect their data. MDocs becomes the best approach to meet the high demands of our business in a way that benefits customers and dealers all the while meeting the mandatory compliance standards.


It’s obvious you need to schedule a demo to see what other benefits can be achieved with DealerApp Vantage.

Top 8 Reasons why Car Dealers need a Mobile App

Boosting App Engagement: 5 Strategies for 2024

by Auto Dealer MarketingCar Sales

Simply put, just having an app isn’t enough….

In today’s digital age, auto dealerships are constantly seeking innovative ways to engage with customers and enhance their overall experience. However it’s essential to implement strategies to maximize customer engagement. First and foremost it’s important to establish your mobile app must be part of your sales process. The sales team is your frontline champion for marketing the app to the customers sitting in the chair right in front of them. Contact us to learn best practices for your sales and service teams. Beyond that, to stay competitive and gain the advantage more is needed. Here are five PROVEN methods for your dealership to maximize your mobile app growth and success:

A dealership-branded mobile app serves as an excellent retention tool and has been adopted by many stores, large and small – CBT News

Mobile Site Banner

A strategically placed banner on the your mobile website can effectively promote the app and encourage downloads. This banner should highlight the benefits of using the app, such as access to exclusive deals, convenient service scheduling, or personalized vehicle recommendations. By integrating the app promotion into the your online presence, they can capture the attention of website visitors and convert them into app users. We work along with your website provider to get this implemented for you.

Push Notifications

Push notifications are a direct and immediate way to engage app users. You can leverage push notifications to alert customers about special promotions, service reminders, new vehicle arrivals, or exclusive events. By delivering timely and relevant messages, dealerships can keep their app top-of-mind for users and encourage them to return for maximum retention.

Geofence Messages

Geofencing technology allows you to send targeted messages to app users based on their physical location. For example, when a customer enters the vicinity of your dealership send them a welcome message. Sponsoring a local event? Send your customers an automated geofence message thanking them for their support. This is your opportunity to get creative here! They can receive a notification reminding them to schedule a service appointment or offering a discount on parts and accessories. By leveraging geofence messages, you can deliver relevant and timely content that enhances the customer experience and drives foot traffic to your locations.

On-Site Signage

Utilizing signage material within your dealership’s physical locations is another effective way to promote the app and encourage engagement. This could include posters, banners, or digital displays featuring QR codes or short URLs for easy app download. By integrating app promotion into your dealership’s physical environment, can reach customers at the point of sale and encourage them to download the app for specials and rewards using our build in loyalty rewards program.

Email Blasts

Email marketing remains a powerful tool for engaging with customers, and your dealership can leverage your email lists to promote the mobile app. Send targeted email blasts highlighting the benefits of downloading the app, such as access to exclusive offers, loyalty rewards, or personalized vehicle recommendations. By segmenting your email list and tailoring the messaging to specific customer interests and preferences, effectively drive app downloads and increase engagement among your audience.

With your branded mobile app you have a valuable opportunity to enhance customer engagement and drive business growth. By implementing strategies such as push notifications, mobile site banners, geofence messages, on-site signage material, and email blasts, you can effectively promote your app and gain crucial customer retention. By leveraging the power of mobile technology, you will build stronger relationships with your customers and stay ahead in today’s competitive automotive market.

Schedule a demonstration today to be part of this success!

Top 8 Reasons why Car Dealers need a Mobile App

Top 8 Reasons why Car Dealers need a Mobile App

by Auto Dealer MarketingCar Sales

Why a branded mobile dealer app is a necessity in 2024

The move to a more digital automotive shopping experience has been long coming, but, admittedly, slow moving. However, 2020 has forced the industry to finally accelerate in this area all the way down to the dealership level. Over the past two years consumers have been meticulously trained to have complete end-to-end purchase experiences digitally. With this shift, it’s more imperative your dealership is remaining ahead of the curve with a branded mobile app. 

As stated in a ‘CBT News’ article, “A dealership-branded mobile app serves as an excellent retention tool and has been adopted by many stores, large and small.”  A link to the full article is here. Let’s note some more specific reasons why your dealership needs a mobile app.

 

A dealership-branded mobile app serves as an excellent retention tool and has been adopted by many stores, large and small – CBT News

Engagement

Consumers are more and more dependent on apps today than ever. From banking, retail, food delivery, etc. Consumers simply do business on their mobile devices. A branded mobile app carves out a critical piece of digital real estate on their most used device. Push Notifications are the centerpiece of keeping customers engaged and retained. Service reminders and sales specials can be placed right on their lock screens. Take personal truly to the next level with automated geo-fencing messages that generate when customers arrive to the dealership or any related areas. 

Customer Experience

Bring the dealership experience right to the customer in so many ways. Allow quick and effortless inventory shopping with full images and vehicle details. Allow consumers to schedule test drives, service appointments, get prequalified, or apply for finance all directly from the mobile app. Have virtual one on one meetings with your consumers with live video calls, perfect for a virtual tour around the showroom floor or for service technicians to give consumers a live rundown of issues with vehicles that were found during the repair process. The digital retailing experience starts with the mobile app. 

Customer Targeting

With a mobile app you are able to get valuable insights from your customers’ browsing habits and act on them with analytics data from the mobile app. See what your customers like and ways you can appeal to them better for a better experience for them. Create segments of your customer base to send targeted messages to particular groups or vehicle owners. 

Retention

As stated in the beginning of the post, customer retention is a strong point of any good mobile application. Keep your loyal customers returning with a fully customizable loyalty rewards program. Fully integrated service scheduling with Xtime allows customers to make an appointment in a matter of seconds. Retention is largely related with engagement. An engaged customer is a retained customer. Leveraging all of the tools of the mobile application will keep your dealership top of mind and make sure they stay engaged and committed to your dealership. 

Customization

Being able to customize the app may not at first thought have any impact on your customer’s app experience, but customization is another critical part of keeping the customer engaged. M-Link allows dealers to make instant changes to their Home Screen and menu layout on the fly to keep up with seasonal changes, ongoing trends, and whatever customers are demanding at a given time. Having a customizable loyalty rewards program keeps things exciting for new and creative ways to earn points in sales or services. This allows for more unique marketing efforts as well. You can even create customized pages in the app for more individualized needs. Have a body shop? Create a functional accident reporting screen for customers to upload photos and/or a video of their damage, all on the fly. 

 

The global pandemic has changed the world, and many of those changes are here to stay. We’re now doing much of our business from home, and that includes working, schooling, and shopping. Smartphones have become the new shopping mall, and that’s the main reason why every retailer, even car dealers, need a mobile app of their own. 

Schedule a demonstration today to be part of this success!

Online Service Appointments: Funnel Revenue to Your Fixed Ops

Online Service Appointments: Funnel Revenue to Your Fixed Ops

by Auto Dealer Marketing

A mobile app can increase revenue to your Fixed-Ops with Online Service Appointments.

Speed and convenience are big winners in a crowded marketplace. Car dealerships are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to connect with their customers. As a car dealer, you will come across all kinds of people. 

Some might not even have a smartphone. However, it’s important for you to make sure that you embrace digital technology and provide services that are useful not just for your customers, but also help you grow your company.

Online service appointments are an excellent choice. Every day, many customers will bring their car to your dealership to get them serviced. 

It’s a common way of making sure that your car remains neat and clean. It’s also a big cash cow for dealerships themselves. Therefore, you will have to make sure that you provide them with a convenient method for booking their appointment.

Throw Tradition Out the Window

The older, traditional method for setting up service appointments is incredibly boring. It creates a lot of trouble and is generally very difficult to manage. You have to individually write down appointments and then manage them altogether. However, with online service appointments, things become much easier.

Adoption can be a bit difficult. You have to make sure that you get more and more people to adopt the online model, and this is going to pose quite a few challenges. There are several things that you can do to promote this business concept and get more people to start using your online appointment scheduling on your new Mobile App.

  1. Highlight the Benefits of Online Service Appointments

Instead of simply promoting, you need to really show and tell your customers the advantages. One of the main reasons why so many customers like to stay away from technology is because they simply don’t understand how it works. 

Most people are so comfortable in booking their next service appointment over the phone, so they don’t want to try anything else.

However, what these people don’t get is that online service appointments can be incredibly simple to manage. They can simplify matters to a considerable degree by providing a basic platform through which users can book their next appointment. 

The next time a user visits your dealership, show them the process and walk them through it. If they get the basics, they will easily book online.

  1. Know Where to Find Customers

If customers aren’t using social media or any other platform, you won’t be able to target them via email or other methods such as social media. Instead, you will have to take a slightly different approach to really reach out to them. It’s going to require a bit more patience, but it’s definitely going to be effective.

If you have a consistent group of recurring customers, talk to them in detail face to face and explain the features. It’s important for you to highlight the main features right off the bat because many people might not stick around for the full lecture.

This might be your only opportunity, so it’s important that you market it as a really big thing.

If a customer likes what you have to say, they will show more interest, and this is your opportunity to grab their attention. Once you do, it shouldn’t be difficult to highlight the benefits.

  1. Start with the Tech-Savvy

Tech savvy people are generally quite willing to adopt new platforms and simpler ways of doing business. If you have a platform for service appointments, they won’t really mind jumping on to it. It’s so much easier for you to focus on these people in the beginning.

For instance, start by offering a discount to customers who book online. Almost immediately, you will notice an increase in the number of people who jump on the platform. It’s important that you entice your customers by offering them something of value. Once you are able to hook them in, you can then offer recurring bonuses or create a loyalty program of sorts.

  1. Build a Relationship

Dealerships are known for their service standards. If you don’t create one, it’s going to be virtually impossible for you to have them stick around for a longer period of time. By offering an online chat option and giving them a platform where they can connect with you, it’s a great way to establish a rapport.

That’s not all; you will also need to make sure that you show up at the time of their appointments.

  1. Build Partnerships

Finally, you can also offer additional promotions by partnering with other businesses. This is another excellent way to improve your adoption rate quickly. It will immediately increase the number of service appointments dramatically.

 

If you want, you can schedule a demo of our mobile app service that is focused on car dealerships, and will help you get more customers through online bookings!

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Learn How to Make an App in Five Different Ways

Learn How to Make an App in Five Different Ways

by Auto Dealer Marketing

Developing a mobile app is one of the best things that you can do to promote your business.

Numerous studies have shown that having a mobile app is important for businesses that want to compete in this day and age. It is the ultimate way to get access to a whole new market. More importantly, learning how to make an app is now much easier than ever before. You really don’t need to learn as much code or go through extensive courses before you are able to create your own app.

Instead, there are a number of different ways by which you can create an app. For those who want to learn how to make an app, here are five different ways to keep in mind.

1. Write the Native Code for it

Known to many as the basic way for creating an app, all you have to do is write the native code for the device that you are creating the app for. For instance, if you are developing an app for the iOS platform, you will want to write the code in Swift, which is the default programming language for Apple.

On the other hand, most apps for Android are coded in Java or Kotlin, so you can write apps in those. However, the limitation with this method is that you will have to maintain two separate codebases, which can be a problem for smaller businesses.

Learn How to Make an App in Five Different Ways

2. Using React Native

Another excellent option is to make use of React Native. It gives users the option of writing JavaScript code while using fully native widgets. The platform still makes use of JavaScript runtime libraries, but it doesn’t make use of WebViews. More importantly, the presentation is not HTML either.

React Native is community-driven, and also features a live reload option. It offers fantastic performance for mobile environments, and has a very modular architecture that closely resembles React. React Native is much more intuitive when compared with other hybrid apps. However, it still faces quite a few performance related problems because of its reliance on JavaScript’s bridging.

How to make an app with React Native

If you don’t know how to make an app yourself, you can always schedule a demo of our mobile app service that is exclusively targeted toward car dealers.

3. WebViews

One of the simplest ways to create mobile apps was to create hybrid apps. They were essentially touch-navigable web pages that were presented in the app container. The framework obviously limits user experience and makes use of the JavaScript bridging to connect with native services. It also has a negative impact on performance and is obviously not as intuitive as you might think. React Native is actually considered an upgrade over this.

Learn How to Make an App in Five Different Ways

4. Using Flutter

Another excellent option to use is Flutter. The development style offered by Flutter is quite reactive, very similar to React Native, but the reason why Flutter is more popular among developers is because Flutter gets rid of the runtime JavaScript libraries altogether. Instead, it compiles the code natively for use on different platforms.

This leads to a litany of advantages, starting from faster app performance and quicker loading times as well. As a car dealer, you will want to make sure that you create a mobile app that is responsive and loads up quickly. Obviously, you will have plenty of products on your app as well, so if the loading times are not decent enough, most users are simply not going to want to stay on the app for a prolonged period of time.

How to make an app with Flutter

5. Using Progressive Web Apps

One of the best things that you can do as a car dealer is to get an application made using progressive web apps, which many may consider the future. Web APIs now allow for greater interaction between devices and their corresponding web pages, which means that the pages can be cached, thus allowing users to work offline as well.

What’s our take?

Hiring a developer can be costly and you will always depend on them for further updates. Also, learning the programming language yourself has its benefits but there will be a learning curve that might be too long and impractical.

If you don’t know how to make an app yourself, you can always us turn-key services like DealeApp vantage.  Schedule a demo of our mobile app service that is exclusively targeted toward car dealers. A demo will help you better understand the capabilities of the service and allow you to explore the benefits and see how fast you can bring your dealer app to market.

Automobile companies often face a litany of challenges as they continue to grow. Car dealerships have to come up with unique and interesting ways to separate themselves from the pack. As a car dealership owner or service manager, it is your responsibility to make sure that you are able to create a product that resonates with your customers.

Simple features such as allowing customers to set up dates for servicing or for tracking their application progress and updating inventory regularly are essential and you need to incorporate those. Once you are able to do that, your app’s ratings are automatically going to improve.

Resources:

Top 8 Reasons why Car Dealers need a Mobile App

Top 8 Reasons why Car Dealers need a Mobile App

by Auto Dealer MarketingCar Sales

How a Mobile App Benefits Car Dealers

The global pandemic has changed the world, and many of those changes are here to stay. We’re now doing much of our business from home, and that includes working, schooling, and shopping. Smartphones have become the new shopping mall, and that’s the main reason why every retailer, even car dealers, need a mobile app of their own. Contact us today to schedule a demonstration!

1. Attract Views

These days, “window shopping” means shopping on a Windows (or Android, or Apple) device. People are staying home; they’re not going to car dealers’ lots to kick tires and see how they look behind the wheel. No, they’re clicking the links that catch their attention. If you want your links to be the ones clicked, then you’re going to have to know your market and what they’re looking for. The right mobile app platform can help you do that with geo-targeted digital marketing campaigns. Contact us to schedule a demonstration today!

2. Convert Viewers to Shoppers

Getting prospective buyers’ attention is obviously the first step to making a sale; however, you have to convince them not only that they want to buy a car, but that they want to buy from your dealership! Again, here’s where geo-targeted marketing strategies come in. The app platform can notify your sales staff when the prospect triggers a geofence, and your salespeople can step in with a personalized pitch. Let us show you how this works.

3. Give Shoppers Information

Making the customer aware of what you have to offer is the first step, but it’s the first step in a long journey. Most of today’s shoppers want to do a lot of research before making a purchase as large as an automobile, and you want to make it as easy as possible for them to do this. A good mobile app designed for car dealers puts all of this at their fingertips. They can look up makes, models, trim lines, options, incentives, and more on their own time and in their own way. Contact us today to learn more!

4. Make the Transaction Easy

Buyers may want a specific vehicle, but they also want an easy transaction. This means that they want and deserve transparency as far as pricing, incentives, financing options, warranty and service options, and more – and a lot of them want it presented in the dealer’s mobile app so that they can review it without feeling pressure in a dealership office. Let us show you how to make that happen with a demonstration of our mobile app.

5. Schedule Service and Maintenance

Yay, the buyer has bought the car! Now you want to keep them coming back to you for scheduled service and maintenance, and the best way to make this happen is to make it easy for them. By now, your customer should be completely familiar with your mobile app, so encourage them to browse the service department menu and schedule all their service and maintenance that way.

You can target them with special offers based on the recommended maintenance schedule, and you can increase customer spending by presenting complementary offers as well. This keeps your customer in your showroom and ensures that you will be top of mind for all automotive-related needs. Contact us today to schedule a demonstration of the mobile app that can make this happen.

6. Offer Rewards and Notifications

Car dealers can set up loyalty programs through their mobile app so that customers receive loyalty points for scheduling service or completing other activities, such as writing reviews of the dealership, making referrals, or any other related activities. They can trade in these points for discounts on service or dealership swag, which is also great for keeping your name and logo visible in the community.

You can also set your app to notify customers of events such as sales, new inventory, dealership events, manufacturer recalls and notifications, or anything else that you think they’d be interested in – and the app can even help you figure out what might interest the customer! Schedule a demonstration today to see more.

7. Sell and Service More Vehicles

This is the bottom line, right? All things considered, car dealers with a good mobile app are going to sell and service more vehicles – which is what every dealership needs to improve their bottom line. Contact us today to schedule a demonstration of the most comprehensive mobile app in the automotive industry.

8. Know That You’re in Good Company

If you think that this all sounds too good to be true, read what some other car dealers think about this mobile app.

“Delivering a superior experience across our dealerships is at the very center of our digital strategy. As our customers continue to move toward a mobile-first approach, Mobile Dealer helps us to deliver the best mobile customer experience when they buy and service from our family of dealerships.” –  LAND Auto Group, Kelsey Bilyk, Group Marketing Director

 

“Mobile Dealer has boosted our inventory views by over 110,000 over the past six months which has helped us to drive more sales growth. Over 75% of buyers that visit our lots already have the app downloaded. Each time I push an offer or new listing to our app, our sales call volumes increase two fold. Mobile Dealer delivers INCREDIBLE value to our digital marketing program.” – Ohio Trucks Group, Mike Linder, Marketing Manager

Schedule a demonstration today to be part of this success!

Is Your Auto Dealership Ready for Digital Retailing in 2021?

Is Your Auto Dealership Ready for Digital Retailing in 2021?

by Auto Dealer MarketingCar Sales

Digital Retailing Goes Big

The world in general, especially auto dealerships, is going to look a lot different in 2021 than it did just a few years ago. Online shopping and digital retailing has been growing at approximately 20% per year, according to Adobe Analytics and the National Retail Federation.

Make sure your dealership can be a part of this by scheduling a demonstration of our mobile app!

Schedule a Demo

Trends in Car Shopping

Driven in part by 2020’s lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, people are doing more and more shopping from their smartphones in the comfort of their own couches. We’ve all gotten used to browsing online, paying electronically, and having the goods delivered to our doorsteps.

Well, the big brown trucks aren’t likely to become car carriers any time soon, but there’s every reason to believe that digital retailing is the way for dealerships to grow and thrive. Consulting firm McKinsey & Company reports that fewer than one-third of younger drivers plan to buy their next cars in person at a dealership lot, and many would prefer to have absolutely no contact with any sales people at all (it’s not you, though, it’s them, we promise!). Cars.com surveys show that these buyers would prefer to handle all negotiations online, and this includes obtaining financing as long as they can also get full disclosures and accurate quotes.

The digital retailing train has pulled out of the station and you can make sure that your dealership is on it by scheduling a demonstration of our mobile app today.

The Industry Is Ready

The automotive industry is prepared to embrace the trend toward digital retailing. There are now platforms that leverage big data, analytics, and technology to provide both dealers and consumers with a seamless online car shopping experience from “window shopping” through contracts, financing, taxes and tags, and everything else that goes into getting ready to drive away.

Some of the automotive industry sectors that these platforms cover include:

Manufacturing: Information is collected on every make, model, and trim line offered by every manufacturer. Information is also collected on every possible rebate or incentive, including VIN-specific, option package-specific, region-specific, and dealer-specific offers, as well as whether these incentives can be combined or stacked.

Lending: Complete information is available for every published program offered by every lender in the country, for borrowers ranging from subprime through excellent credit. This includes all factors that could influence a purchasing or lending transaction, including parameters, policies, and other program-specific criteria.

Dealership: This includes information on every dealership’s required terms and conditions, including individual price rules, fees, lender relationships, reserve policies, and anything else that might be relevant. This is extremely useful when considering how your dealership should position and present itself to consumers.

Consumer: Information is available on all consumer credit bands and how they are classified, collected, and considered by every lender or manufacturer financing program.

Municipal and Government: This includes everything that any dealership needs to know about state, county, and local legalities such as laws, rules and regulations, tax percentages, calculations, registration fees, and other Department of Motor Vehicles Information.

Dealerships that are considering moving into or strengthening their digital retailing strategies – and that should be every dealership! – would do well to make sure that they can access all this information to make their online showrooms more attractive and accessible to potential buyers. Schedule a demonstration of our mobile app today so that you can see how easy and convenient it can be.

Is Your Auto Dealership Ready for Digital Retailing in 2021?
Is Your Auto Dealership Ready for Digital Retailing in 2021?

Is Your Dealership Ready?

The country is opening back up again, which means that people will be working and driving and buying and spending. But 2021 is going to look very different from 2019, and one of the changes that looks as if it’s here to stay is “from home.” Going forward, a lot of us are going to be working from home, worshiping from home, schooling from home, and shopping from home – even for cars.

It’s true that it’s a sellers’ market now, but this doesn’t mean that all sellers and all markets are going to come out on top. You are no longer competing with just the dealership down the street; the market is wide open and geography is not the limiting factor that it once was.

Dealerships need to get with the times if they don’t want to be left behind. This includes creating attractive virtual showrooms, figuring out how to arrange test drives and deliveries, and most importantly, presenting potential buyers with all the information they could want or need right on their smartphones.

Today and tomorrow’s buyers demand complete access and transparency. They want to know how to get the best car, with the best options, at the best price, on the best terms, with the best financing. Learn how to make this kind of digital retailing happen for them by scheduling a demonstration of our mobile app today.

How to Increase Fixed Ops Revenue with a Mobile App

How to Increase Fixed Ops Revenue with a Mobile App

by Auto Dealer MarketingFixed OpsMobile App Development

How Does a Mobile App Affect Your Fixed Ops Revenue?

We’ve all been affected by COVID-19, and that is especially true for the business world. If you’re in charge of the fixed ops division at your dealership, you might be wondering how to keep things productive and making money during this horrible pandemic, especially since so many people are now working from home. 

But not to worry because since the digital world is here to help, the only thing you need to make sure your business stays afloat are a few tips, some suggestions and a good mobile app for your dealer.

Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you can’t stay connected with your customers. There are numerous marketing strategies that will help keep your sales numbers up and your service department busy. You can schedule a lot of these strategies via your cellphone, where you can also check the status and the analytics of each program you choose so that you know what your numbers are. 

For the most part, there are at least five different areas you can concentrate on to help all areas of your dealership survive and thrive during COVID-19. 

They are described below.

  • Become intimate with your inbox. Rather than only concentrating on sending out e-blasts and nothing else, you should go all out when it comes to your email marketing program. Compared to many other marketing programs, email programs that have a specific goal in mind go a long way in converting your current customers into customers for your service department. Send a targeted email out describing a service discount or sale. Most people need something done on their vehicle at any given time, so it should be easy to drive those people to the service bays.
How to Increase Fixed Ops Revenue with a Mobile App
  • Build up your service department so that everyone knows how great they are. By using a variety of online marketing techniques and your mobile app, you can boast about the many things your service department can do. Target people who haven’t had their cars serviced in a while and people who declined any type of long-term warranty. Current customers should be targeted because they are the most likely to visit your service department, if not immediately, sometime in the near future. New car buyers especially tend to be conscious about how well their vehicles are maintained, so make sure you include them in any digital marketing programs you initiate. This is something your fixed ops division can do that is both simple and efficient.

  • Enhance your website and make sure it is current and offers valuable information. Get online and update your site, making sure you highlight your service department. Make sure any service-related questions that customers might have are answered; in other words, try your best to be proactive. Customers will look to your website when they have any questions about any part of your business, and if service-related information just happens to be on there, they are very likely to go toward it. Even if they’re not currently needing service on their vehicle, they’ll remember that information for the future.

  • Think about your mindshare. When you plan your marketing campaign, try to utilize various platforms so that you reach as many people as possible. Keep in mind that your ultimate goal is to keep your company in the back of their minds. We’re not just talking about current customers; this also means giving some attention to shoppers and other potential customers so that they remember you later on when they need you. After all, a fixed ops department’s job is to make sure all of the departments in the dealership are successful and thriving, and since you can do so many of these things on a mobile app, you can create and monitor marketing campaigns even if it’s the middle of the night.

  • Make sure you consider your search engine results page (SERP), which is crucial for bringing in new customers. This page is the first exposure they’ll get to your company, so you want to make sure it is absolutely perfect. Remember that this is the page they’ll be directed to when performing an Internet search, so you should use a combination of Organic, Paid, and Map Pack search results. You want visibility, but if your SERP isn’t tended to, viewers will quickly move onto something else.

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A Few Final Thoughts

Managing your fixed ops department during the pandemic isn’t as challenging as you might think. All you have to do is set some goals and have a strategic marketing plan all laid out so that you use a variety of platforms to target certain customers. When customers download your dealership’s mobile app, you can interact with them from anywhere, which saves you a lot of time and helps you make money. No dealership has to go it alone, and if you’re curious about apps that work and you’d like to see a demo, all you have to do is contact us whenever you’re ready.

How Car Dealers Can Use a Mobile App to Keep Customers Engaged

How Car Dealers Can Use a Mobile App to Keep Customers Engaged

by Auto Dealer MarketingCar SalesMobile App Development

Mobile phones and their mobile apps are the most popular way for people to search for the services they want and need.

This offers dealers an enormous opportunity to establish relationships with customers and leads, and they can communicate directly with customers and people who might use their services. If you are looking to increase your engagement and build loyalty with your customers, creating a mobile app is a great idea.

Your Mobile App Creates Brand Recognition

When a customer finds your site, you should have an offer to download your mobile app. This way, the icon with your name is on the screen of their smartphones each time they look at it. This helps to create brand recognition so that when they need an oil change or want to look for a new car, they will think of your dealership. If the app is user friendly, they will use it before doing an online search. Your dealership name will stand out in their minds and they will refer you to their friends and families.

You Can Offer Promotions and Other Discounts

Another way to keep customers engaged through your mobile app is to offer promotions and other discounts. For example, if you have a promotion, it can show up as a notification on the app. Your customers will open the app to find out what it is. As long as you are offering promotions that your customers want, you will increase your revenue this way. This helps you to stay engaged with your customers, which helps to develop a relationship and build trust.

If you have a dealership, creating a mobile app for your customers can help you engage with them.

You Can Compile Data on Your Customers to Improve Your Business

When you have a mobile app, you get valuable data on your customers so that you can learn more about them. You can custom tailor your services and promotions to improve your customers’ experiences. The key to customer retention is making sure that they feel appreciated and valued, and when you have data that helps you to understand their needs, you can do this more efficiently.

How Car Dealers Can Use a Mobile App to Keep Customers Engaged

You Can Boost Engagement to Help Improve Your Business

In addition to offering promotions and discounts, you can conduct surveys and polls. You can find out what customers prefer, including size of cars, styles, colors, trunk space, how many people it holds, and more. This gives you more specific data on each customer so that you can send them information and offers that relate directly to their interests. This is a great way to build a relationship and create trust with potential customers.

You Can Entice Your Customers with High Impact Videos

Customers love to see videos of a test drive, interior features, and close looks at the exterior of vehicles. This gives them an opportunity to virtually experience a vehicle before they come in to make a purchase. You can include these types of videos so that customers can gather more information on cars they are interested in purchasing or leasing. This might help them to take that next step of coming in and test driving it or purchasing it.

You Can Use a Mobile App to Personalize a Customer’s Experience

Another benefit to a mobile app is that you can personalize your customers’ experiences. You will be able to address them by their first names, and you can customize the information they receive by tracking their preferences. You can simplify the process of selecting a car for them by helping them remember what they are interested in, and you can let them know when you offer incentives to purchase the model they like best.

You Can Create a VR Test Drive Experience

Virtual reality is becoming more and more common, and you can use it to provide your customers with a virtual test drive of the vehicle they prefer. The technology is similar to what you use in a video game, and your customers will enjoy seeing what it might feel like to drive the car they want to buy. This also gives you an opportunity to develop your brand name and engage with your customers.

Your Customers Can Build Their Dream Vehicles

Another feature that you can include is one where your customers can build the vehicle they desire. This allows them to see the car they want before they come in. They can match their version with cars you have available, and they can save it for future reference. They can make changes if they change their minds, and they can see the car they want to buy. This may help to give them the push they need to come in and see the real version.

Final Words

If you have a dealership, creating a mobile app for your customers can help you engage with them. This builds brand recognition and customer loyalty so that they will come to you when they are ready to purchase a car or need services performed.