As page load speed becomes a search engine ranking factor, it will impact all auto dealer websites that are media rich and heavy with automatic feature loads. While these types of websites are pushed by some design companies, they truly do not enrich the user experience, and that’s exactly what Google is trying to improve. Google’s recent thoughts on page load speed suggest that Google will indeed begin taking page load speed into consideration as a ranking factor. You might focus some of your SEO efforts and resources on making your site faster.  Ultimately this will lead to additional benefits for your web visitors and may possibly improve your sales. This also covers your bases if Google really does start using page load speed as a ranking factor, and gives you a head start on boosting your organic page rankings.

Google has repeatedly stated that it is trying to deliver the best experience in search to it’s users, and fast loading pages is very important to that experience. Take your design ego out of the equation of how your website looks; since page load speed is probably going to happen at some point, it’s much better to deal with it earlier than later when it may negatively impact your website page rank and traffic.

What do you need to improve your page load speed

• Stop using automatic loading videos on the home page of your dealer website. Let your customers choose if and when they want to see your video.
• Do you really need that pop up? How many auto dealer websites use a “talking head” that loads automatically? Once again, let your customers choose the play option for this feature.
• Is it really necessary for “Live Chat” to start when your home page loads? This is no different than having the salesperson standing “on point” waiting for the customer to open their door when they drive into your lot. Give then a second to catch their breath. If you have a well designed website, your customer can find what they need without being shuffled along.
• No Flash. Flash is not search engine friendly, and is way too graphics heavy. Flash will do nothing but slow your page load speed down and make it difficult for the search engines to crawl your auto dealer website.

If you start thinking like a search engine and your customers, you begin to understand the importance of speeding up the web. In addition to page load speed becoming a ranking factor in organic ranking results, also consider Google’s recently introduced real-time results and the importance of including social media in your online marketing strategy.

Social media tool being acquired. I hope it doesn’t get ruined, it’s a pretty neat little tool. http://htxt.it/EGlK

If you are considering using social media marketing, consider how social media is different than paid search marketing or 3rd party lead sources like Autobytel, Dealix, or Cars.com. Social media rests much higher up the purchase funnel than traditional lead sources. While you may use social media to promote service specials and one-off inventory sales, it’s best to remember that social media is more about providing value to the community than throwing up advertisements and special offers online.

Social Media Marketing for Auto Dealers – Where do I Start?
Before you jump into social media marketing, clearly define the goals that are important to your dealership in this medium. Can you use Twitter and Facebook to service more vehicles and sell more cars, most likely you can. But remember, the social area is more about share of mind than taking action now. Using a strong social media strategy for auto dealers allows you to interact with your local market in a positive way and manage your dealership’s reputation. The most important thing you can do here is START WITH A PLAN.

As a business owner you want to control your social media message just as you do with any other marketing you do for your dealership.  After all, it’s your dealerships’ name and brand on the line. When your dealership starts down the path of engaging in social media marketing, you are putting your business and brand online for all to see. Your past and future customers can leave messages about how awesome or awful their customer experience was.

Social Media Strategy For Auto Dealers – Step One
Ok, you have decided to give social media marketing a try, so where do you begin? The first basic step in developing your social media strategy will be to determine how you’re going to generate and publish your content for the medium. Content generation and social authoring isn’t something to be taken lightly nor should it be left in the hands of your Internet department. It’s very easy for your Internet sales team to assume that “Twittering” all day is the same thing as selling cars, but it’s not. Responding correctly to inbound phone calls, walk in traffic and email leads is their primary responsibility and needs to remain their main focus. Posting Tweets and sitting on Facebook bypasses your sales processes and the hard work of actually selling cars.

Dealers that have become active in social media have quickly learned that an effective social media strategy can benefit just about every department within the dealership. Before you embrace a social media strategy for auto dealers, decide how it will be managed and who will be responsible for the content generation and placement.

Social media marketing is one of the newer and highly effective online marketing strategy for auto dealers.  In terms of reach and cost, social media  can be an effective tool for marketing to your customers and potential customers. Social media marketing is a commonly used term used to describe the use of online social networking sites (for example, Facebook, MySpace, Youtube, Twitter, Linked In). Other social sites include online communities and discussion boards,  forums and web blogs. These gathering places are often used for marketing, sales promotion, public relations and customer service and retention, and reputation management.

While many auto dealers are looking for immediate sales, any internet marketing related to social media generally takes place higher up in the sales funnel. That said, many companies do find success with special offers, one off vehicle selections, and service coupons. Many social sites include features where companies can create profiles where users can interact with the company and review products, promotions, and services.  Social media marketing as an online marketing strategy, is about building a reputation that you can grow that supports your other marketing efforts. Social media marketing is also a great way to build long term sustainable, natural growth website traffic and improved search engine rankings.

To enjoy the maximum benefits of social media marketing as part of your online marketing strategy, you need to understand how it works best for your dealership. More importantly, understanding how and when to use social media correctly will produce the highest yields for your online marketing strategy. This takes time, and is a key issue for many auto dealers who may assign social media to the Internet manager, who most likely is not a professional marketer or content writer. Without a clear understanding of social media marketing, the results often fall below dealer expectations.

Benefits Of Social Media Marketing For Auto Dealers

However, according to a recent social media survey, when social media marketing for auto dealers is done correctly, many businesses have found that they have been able to:

• acquire more visibility for their organization,
• increase traffic to their website,
• develop new business partnerships.

What auto dealers need to do is embrace the benefits of social media as part of their overall online marketing strategy, while very carefully thinking through the goals of their marketing campaigns. Different goals will require different strategies.

While social media marketing for auto dealers is a great addition to any traditional search engine marketing campaigns don’t consider it as a sole substitute. Recognize that successful social media marketing is a process that promotes your website or dealership through social media channels.
This powerful online marketing strategy will add inbound links and increase “share of mind” with your customers resulting in additional web traffic. Social media marketing isn’t intended as a replacement for traditional marketing, but it is an important piece of the puzzle to your overall marketing strategy.

After carefully assessing whether or not social media might be the missing link in your overall marketing plans, take the next step an establish some modest goals to get started. There are plenty of resources available to savvy Internet dealers that are looking to expand their brands into the social media arena. Get started today, it’s a great investment in your online presence.

Writing social media marketing for auto dealers. Includes social media for auto dealer reputation management.