Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Automotive Internet Marketing

Automotive Internet marketing can be done with a home computer and a digital camera or access to stock photos of the particular car that is to be marketed. More and more sellers are using the web as an effective way to sell a car, and as a result, more and more buyers are using auto web sites to buy a car. If car Internet marketing websites are developed properly, the consumer can type in the search parameters of the vehicle he is looking for, and an instant list of local dealers and local private people that sell that type of specific car will appear. The Internet has significantly changed today's global economic framework. Many printed auto classifieds providers have determined that in order to stay ahead of the new technological competition, they must at the very least make this print offerings available in an online format as well.

With over 250 million people "logging" on each day, it's no wonder people are turning to the World Wide Web for all their purchase needs. The Internet is redefining the nature of competition by blurring the traditional barriers of geography and time. Store location and hours of operation were once key factors in attracting customers; not anymore. The Internet is open 24/7. If a consumer wants to search a car Internet marketing site at 3am, they are free to do so. Automotive online advertising is primarily limited to local areas (cars are too big to ship). However, there are new businesses that will deliver a car for a price and some consumers are willing to drive long distances for a special vehicle. If there is an old classic that is only available in California, and the consumer lives in Michigan; there are services that will drive the car across the country or carry it on a freight truck.

The entire process of selling a product or service via the Internet is called "electronic commerce" or e-commerce. Among the benefits of e-commerce are convenience, increased efficiency, better customer service, lower transaction costs, and new relationship-building strategies. E-commerce is moving into the business mainstream. Automotive Internet marketing not only benefits the consumer (to buy and sell) but the dealers as well. Online car sites make comparison shopping a much easier task for consumers. Instead of going from dealership to dealership for costs of cars, a consumer can pull up multiple dealerships or private owners selling the particular car they are interested in and list them in an organized fashion.

Some people prefer to list by cost, some prefer to list by mileage, and some prefer to list by location in proximity to their home. Car Internet marketing companies that use the Internet effectively gain clear advantages. Among these advantages are lower prices, greater selection of products (if a customer wants a particular car, it can be ordered quickly with the use of dealer to dealer websites), and around the clock ordering options. It is safe to say that automotive Internet marketing has produced a favorable effect on auto purchasing consumers and dealers. Some sites even offer consumers the ability to apply for and secure their financing through the same site, providing even more convenience options.

Lending institutions benefit by an increased number of loans going out to various auto purchasers in all areas, not just their local neighborhood. Financing for an auto in Oregon can be obtained for a person buying a vehicle in Texas. This is a wonderful advantage that increases revenue for both the lending institution and the car dealerships. Some lending institutions are even offering loans to buyers for the purchase of a car from a private party. This is a relatively new phenomenon that allows the buyer complete authority and diversity in the automobile they want to purchase. Automotive Internet marketing has allowed a greater expansion to the industry of vehicle purchase. Lending institutions can set up a loan for someone and automatically deduct the down payment out of the borrower's bank account. The borrower can even sign up for automatic monthly payment withdrawals if they like.

With the good automotive Internet marketing also comes the possibility of the bad. Despite best efforts there are some disadvantages that can come with e-commerce car Internet marketing. These disadvantages include: disruptions in channel relationships, poor customer service, payment problems due to computer errors, and security and privacy issues. These problems are major areas of concern for most companies, and they try to address each issue as they arise. No system of marketing is infallible though, and as wonderful as e-commerce is, precautions should still be taken. Those that use wisdom and understanding before making any rash decisions especially for the purchase of a large ticket item will reap the rewards. "Through wisdom a house is builded; and by understanding it is established." (Proverbs 24:3)

For more information: http://www.christianet.com/internetmarketingservices

http://www.christianet.com/internetmarketingservices/automotiveinternetmarketing.htm