DALLAS, Nov 17, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE)
Terrence Gordon has been named vice president — Search and Media at ecarlist, one of the auto industry’s fastest growing marketing and inventory management companies for the nation’s more than 70,000 franchised and independent car dealers.
The former president of Nobis Interactive in Los Angeles, Gordon will oversee the launch of ecarlist’s new full-service online marketing division catering exclusively to the retail automotive industry, according to Len Critcher, the company’s CEO.
“We have established ourselves as a leading provider of online inventory-management software and website design for mid- to large-sized dealership groups and ecarlist is excited about the opportunity to extend our product offerings with our new Search and Media division,” Critcher said. “With Gordon on our team, ecarlist will be able to provide the most cost effective, measurable, and integrated marketing campaigns available.
“The auto industry is in desperate need of pure SEM/SEO solutions that provide visibility and accountability for dealers. We not only have the absolute best inventory-management software and SEO-friendly websites I’ve seen in the industry, but our holistic and transparent approach makes it easy to develop marketing solutions that perfectly fit dealer needs. The talent within ecarlist is unmatched, and I have no doubt our company will soon dominate this industry.”
Critcher noted that ecarlist continues to experience record growth through the industry’s current “down times”, adding that its clients will benefit from the integration of ecarlist software, website products and online marketing programs.
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Inventory management and integrated marketing tools are a key focus for AdAgencyOnline.Net.
Today’s “Automotive Advertising Experts” show featured an interview with Len Critcher, CEO of ecarlist that contributed to developing the best practices that ecarlist is bringing to the market.
Advertising Experts - ecarlist Automotive Advertising Vendor Review” show
listen to interview
Is your dealership over-spending by using multiple vendors with mixed results? Contact us today to see how ecarlist is teaming with dealerships across North America to simplify processes, increase exposure and lower overhead with the only truly integrated solutions available.
Here are a few of our recent website launches:
Franchise Solutions
http://www.sterlingacura.com
http://www.stanleybuickpontiacgmc.com/
http://www.glennpolkautoplex.com/
http://www.ntnissan.com
Independent Solutions
http://carbinemotors.com/
http://www.callaghanautogroup.com/
Straight to the point – car dealers have seen better times. I speak with dealership owners everyday and feel their pain, as I also own one myself. I have witnessed the closing of several smaller dealerships this week alone and fear that larger franchises may not be failure-proof either. Manufacturers are reporting record losses and as I’m writing this, CNN in the background reports at least 600 dealerships have closed and the pre-owned giant, CarMax, has announced over 600 lay offs.
The question is… What can a dealership do to survive and profit in these uncertain times?
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I think we can all agree that quality never comes in an “instant” formula. Instant coffee is never as good as a “barista” would brew and your dealership’s website is in need of custom “brewing” as well.
Everyday we engage dealerships that have relied on their website vendor for that “no hassle” web solution. It only takes seconds to inspect their website to see that cars have poor pictures, missing pictures, no options listed, and poor or no descriptions.
Think of it this way – almost every customer that visits your store in-person will have also been to your website. However, thousands more will simply visit your website. Keep your website as fresh and presentable as your showroom!
Now couldn’t be a better time to re-address your internal processes and get serious about your website.
Here is a quick-start checklist for better website marketing:
ecarlist CEO Reveals Keys to Online Car Sales Success
Thursday September 25, 8:00 am ET
DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Len Critcher, chief executive officer of ecarlist, a dealership software company, will talk about how he founded one of the first Internet-based dealerships – eCarLink.com – at the fifth annual Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition held October 6-8 in Grapevine, Texas.Critcher will outline the strategies that enabled him to grow his dealership with online marketing and limited resources into a business with more than $50 million in annual vehicle sales. In 2003, Forbes featured Critcher as one of the first individuals to build a completely online dealership.
View Press Release: Click Here
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Again, the 5th Digital Dealer Conference (Grapevine, Texas on October 6-8, 2008) is coming up, and from what we’ve been told - tickets are selling fast. There couldn’t be a better time to address your current digital directives. If you would like to meet with ecarlist, of course we have a booth, and I will be available the entire show for appointments and discussions with current clients and those interested in ecarlist.
Here is are some topics of my speaking session titled - One Internet Salesperson: One Year - 1,000 Cars
- Knowing where and how to efficiently market your vehicles online - Managing eBay vs. “retail site” Internet sales channels
- Building a trusted online brand - Distinguishing your product through superior vehicle photography, proper online imaging, and rich vehicle descriptions.
- Holding gross profit in an online market with transparent pricing
- Managing your Internet dealership/department staff and resources – When and how to effectively outsource services
- Online Customer Relationship Management - Getting repeat business and generating customer referrals
- Sourcing vehicles beyond the auction and the science of vehicle recon
- The real differences in selling online vs. in-person - Closing deals with digital customers who are not in front of you
Here is a link to the Digital Dealer press release on speaking engagement at the show:
One Internet salesperson: One year – 1,000 cars
Sell the car first, before you sell yourself.
For decades, car dealerships entered into “Brand Based Marketing” and attempted to build their brands with local advertising selling why the customer should do business with them. “We’re the mega-volume dealer”, “Family Owned Since 1955″, “The name you can trust”, and so on. Heck, the oldest used car salesman joke was - “Ma’am, this car is perfect, the color really matches your eyes!” - it’s what is behind that comical phrase that really demonstrates the difference between marketing your brand vs. marketing your vehicles - let’s explore both.
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The quick pricing overview:
There are specific 3 price changes for listing on eBay Motors.
- $40 insertion fee is being lowered in half to $20.
- $50 Final Value Fee is going up to $100 (this is only for listings that end successfully on eBay ie: someone clicks Buy It Now, or a successful Auction).
- $5-$10 Reserve fee is being fixed at $7
- If one of those 4 listings ends successfully there will be a $125 Final Value Fee.
- Also, everyone seller will receive the first 4 listings per year for free (rolling 12 months).
All other fees are staying the same for now.
My thoughts?
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The 5th Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition will be held at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Conference Center in Grapevine, Texas, just six minutes from the DFW airport on October 6-8.
Great chance to listen, meet, and mingle with the industries top companies and minds - oh yeah… I’ll even be speaking. Hope to see you there!
