To stay ahead of your competition, you’ll need automotive software that can both improve your operations and maximize your profits. But with so many automotive solutions software options available, how do you choose the best one for your business? In this article, we’ll walk you through the main features to look out for when choosing the best automotive software for your dealership.
What Is Automotive Software for Dealerships?
Automotive software is a broad term that includes many kinds of digital platforms or tools that can improve different aspects of your business. These platforms typically include features for inventory management, customer relationship management (CRM), digital marketing, financing, service scheduling, and sales.
With automotive software, dealerships have access to a whole host of features. For example, software can allow you to track vehicle stock, manage leads, automate follow-ups, and improve your marketing campaigns based on data, ultimately improving people’s experience with your business and, as a result, increasing sales.
Many of today’s dealership software solutions also integrate artificial intelligence. It’s one of the trends we believe will continue to see the biggest growth and something everyone should look for when choosing software.
The Best CRM Systems
A built-in CRM system is one of the most important types of automotive software for dealerships because it helps you manage leads, follow up with prospects, and keep strong relationships with customers. Here, we cover what to look for in a great CRM system.
User-Friendly InterfaceYour team should be able to navigate your new software effortlessly, both in terms of setting it up and operating it. If you choose a complex system with a steep learning curve, it can slow down your business and lead to mistakes.
SMS Marketing CapabilitiesSMS marketing means marketing through text messages. Unlike other advertising avenues like email and social media, SMS marketing has an impressive open rate of over 90 percent, meaning you can connect with people quickly and consistently. We suggest looking for a CRM with SMS marketing capabilities.
Automated Follow-Up Systems Quick replies are important in automotive lead conversion programs, and research shows that the odds of converting a lead significantly decrease as time goes on. One study found that contacting a lead within five minutes of their inquiry increases the chance that they’ll convert 100 times compared to waiting just 30 minutes. However, for many car dealerships, responding to every lead within this window is unrealistic. Look for a CRM system with AI automation that automates replies and follow-ups, making sure that every lead gets attention without adding to your team’s workload.
Advanced Lead Scoring CRM systems can use AI-driven analytics to prioritize leads based on their likelihood to convert. This feature allows your team to focus their efforts where they matter most.
ChatbotPeople want to have their questions answered quickly, and chatbots can help. Look for CRMs that integrate chatbots to automate things like online chats and follow-ups in the car sale process. A great chatbot using AI can also reach out to older leads with personalized replies.
Real-Time Reporting and AnalyticsData-driven insights are at the heart of successful marketing strategies. Look for a CRM system that gives you real-time reporting on lead performance, allowing you to improve your approach continuously. Advanced software should allow you to track a range of metrics, including cost per lead, cost per engaged lead, cost per appointment, cost per show, and cost per sold.
The Best Automotive Software Inventory Management Tools
Your dealership is only as good as its inventory, so having an effective inventory management system can make a big difference. The best automotive software for inventory management will allow you to track real-time inventory, manage multiple lots, automate vehicle pricing based on market trends, and generate detailed inventory reports. Additionally, an advanced inventory system should allow you to avoid stock shortages and overstocking, all while giving you the information you need to price your vehicles at the best rates.
The Best Automotive Software Lead Generation Tools
To keep a steady flow of incoming customers, you’ll need marketing tools that attract and convert leads. The best automotive software lead generation tools should be able to automate your email and SMS campaigns, optimize SEO for your dealership website, run social media and PPC ads, and help you manage customer reviews.
Compliance and Security in Automotive Software
Regulatory compliance is a big part of running a dealership. No matter what type of automotive software for dealerships you’re considering, it should be compliant with data privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA, fair lending practices, and tax and accounting regulations. Additionally, look for software with advanced security measures like data encryption, multi-factor authentication, and secure payment processing.
Automotive Solutions Software with AI Lead Nurturing
Lead nurturing is the process of building relationships with potential customers at every stage of the sales funnel. Unlike other marketing tactics, nurturing marketing is about consistently reaching out to leads or showing them ads, which keeps your dealership at the forefront of their minds.
When looking at automotive software solutions, we suggest prioritizing systems that use artificial intelligence for lead nurturing. AI can help you reply quickly to online forms, give people personalized recommendations, offer resources like financing options or maintenance tips, and automatically stay in touch through different channels like email, SMS, and social media. AI tools can also analyze vast amounts of data to predict customer behavior and help you make decisions.
Automotive Software Solutions with Customer Support
Even the most intuitive software requires some level of support and training. Before choosing automotive software for dealerships, we suggest making sure the provider offers 24/7 customer support and possibly even a dedicated account manager who you can go to with questions.
Learn More About the Best Automotive Software for Dealerships
Automotive software for dealerships is a broad category that covers many types of technologies, including inventory management tools, CRM systems, and more. Investing in the best automotive software today is a smart choice that will help your dealership remain competitive in an ever-evolving market.
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