Filling the Gaps in Your Dealership’s Digital Network

The internet has changed everything. It’s disrupted how people access information and shop—and as a result, transformed dealership operations. No longer do businesses drive consumer behavior; consumer behavior drives businesses. To keep pace with the digital revolution, dealerships and retailers must evolve and adapt to changing consumer expectations. This was true before the pandemic and is even truer today. 

Add that to shrinking inventories, and dealerships today are rethinking business strategies entirely. As dealers grapple with how to turn profits in today’s environment, they are inevitably confronted with what it means to sell in the digital world. And when it comes down to it, it means maximizing convenience and meeting higher expectations.  

So how do dealerships keep up? How do they manage new business strategies that adapt to today’s new normal while also trying to sell products and services to an even more educated, more demanding consumer base? They get help from the experts—digital consultants. 

Business Heroes of Today—the Digital Consultant 

It’s one thing to know that changes need to happen, but quite another to know which to tackle first. Digital consultants help dealerships navigate the rapidly evolving technology landscape and create robust digital strategies that generate immediate and long-term value for retailers. They assess and evaluate a dealership's entire digital network to determine what’s working—and what’s not—to help them optimize their marketing. 

More specifically, a digital consultant can help you: 

• Understand your digital analytics  

• Optimize your website 

• Elevate your digital storefront 

• Monitor your online reputation 

• Allocate media  

• Develop more effective marketing 

A digital consultant works with the dealership to provide logical, experience-backed guidance on navigating their unique areas of concern. For example, a digital advisor can help retailers understand how to market differently or market in a way that will retain existing customers while attracting new customers. They can help retailers merchandise inventory to reach untapped target audiences. And in this uncertain inventory environment, digital advisers can help dealerships leverage existing, fixed products and services to generate profitability without selling vehicles.  

A Good vs. Great Digital Consultant 

While there is no shortage of options for digital consultants today, several vital differentiators are separating good ones from great ones. Good consultants can monitor your dealership’s digital network, provide ideas on maximizing your digital efforts, and so forth. They can likely do whatever you need to ensure your dealership’s digital space is effective.  

But, a great digital consultant is proactive and unbiased. While good digital consultants will help you figure out what you need to do, a great one will: 

• Proactively advise you on things you should be doing before an issue arises 

• Remain in touch with the latest trends and best practices and will help your dealership stay ahead of the curve in the digital world 

• Provide your dealership with unbiased advice, not advice that will help advance the consultant’s role/fee 

• Help you fill your dealership’s digital network gaps 

• Feel like an extension of your team 

• Alleviate the overhead and costs of hiring an in-house team to manage everything 

The Time for Action is Now 

When you’ve tried seemingly everything to keep up with the digital marketplace of today and have yet to see the results you desire, it may be time to engage a digital consultant. Because if you’re not proactive in getting ahead of the curve, your competition will beat you to it. 

For more information on how your dealership can effectively manage digital retailing/merchandising in today’s world, and for support implementing your own customized digital consulting plan, contact your dedicated Shift Digital representative.