Automotive dealership software has totally changed the face of industry, starting from boosting sales and enhancing marketing efforts to maintaining effective customer relationships. Be it dealer management system (DMS) or customer relationship management (CRM), leveraging these automotive software solutions is crucial to stay relevant these days.
How can automotive software help sales and marketing efforts ?
Managing Leads
In order to survive in today’s fiercely competitive market; dealerships have to develop an omnichannel presence to stay connected to their target audience. Leads might trickle in from multiple sources, such as social media, website forms, online and offline marketing, third-party lead providers, OEMs, or plain old walk-ins. Automotive software keeps the information organized on a centralized dashboard, thus giving a bird’s eye view of the entire operation.
The sale isn’t over when the customer drives off with a vehicle from the dealership parking lot. Effective customer relationship management is necessary for repeat business, positive reviews, and referrals. Integrated software tools streamline lead management as mentioned, enabling dealers to prioritize their customers and ensure prospective buyers returning to the market receive the attention and nurturing that is required to convert.
Inventory Management
Dealers have access to real-time inventory updates, which ensures they can structure marketing communications to reflect current inventory and direct customers to vehicles as per preferences, specifications, and budget. They can keep tabs on shifting marketing dynamics and stay updated on consumer demands, while refining pricing strategies accordingly to gain a competitive edge.
Custom Reports & Comprehensive Analytics
The key to a successful business is consistently identifying and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs). Data, analytics, and custom reports will unveil insights regarding sales and marketing efforts, trends, customer behavior, buying patterns, and the overall business. Using automotive software, you can create a customized report on any aspect of your business. It lets you analyze data, generate reports, track sales performance, monitor marketing communications, and much more. You can understand how well your dealership is performing comprehensively, while identifying areas for improvement at the same time.
Smooth communication
There is no point pumping money into managing customer communications if you can’t track lead engagement. Automotive software should help to maintain a proactive and personalized approach, when it comes to initial inquiries, ongoing support, and post-purchase follow-ups.
Each engagement with a particular lead across numerous channels should be recorded in a centralized location, whether it is by email, text, phone, or in person. The software simplifies communication by providing quick access to all prior exchanges with a lead. So when a customer calls again or comes down to the dealership with more inquiries, you can easily pick up where you left off.
How to choose the right automotive dealership software?
At times, it can be overwhelming trying to pick the “right solution”, as there are several tools, platforms, and types of software available. Regardless of your dealership’s size, it is necessary to start by assessing your specific requirements. Pinpoint current challenges, inefficiencies, and objectives. For example, should you focus on inventory management? Or improve customer outreach? Understanding and prioritizing what is required will ensure you know exactly what features the ideal software should have. The journey to implementing and integrating automotive dealership software starts with planning and preparation. Find out the ins and outs of the software, anticipate potential problems, and create strategies to properly merge the new system into your existing operations.
Dealerships have quickly evolved into technology driven hubs, and their future is heavily dependent on how well you leverage automotive sales software. Make sure to opt for one that not only meets your present requirements, but is scalable and can be integrated with other tools, as the business grows. Reach out to us for help!
