Software Comparison Strategy
While many CRM automotive solutions have similar features, it can get overwhelming to narrow down your choices, let alone pick the best one for your business.
Start by considering your business needs. How does your current method of car dealership system pan out for you? Where does it lack? Which parts of the process are the most time-consuming for your team? What are some common problems you encounter? Take note of those problem areas and make a list of your requirements.
You can ask your team for recommendations, especially your sales team. See what capabilities would benefit them the most. Read online reviews and industry guides to help with this process.
What’s your budget? You need to be honest about how much you can afford to spend. Consider how many people would use the software, as prices may change based on the number of users. See if your top choices offer free trials and test drive them before purchase.
Take a deeper look at how your team collaborates and communicates. If you have a remote/hybrid team or sales reps on the road, it’s beneficial to pick a solution that offers cloud services and mobile versions. This way, your team can be on the same page and access real-time information anywhere, on any device, even during spotty connectivity.
If you’re a car dealership with multiple lead sources, prioritize a CRM automotive solution specializing in market analytics. It should let you compare various marketing channels, analyze the quality of leads they produce, view your monthly and yearly sales trends, and monitor your sales team’s performance.
Cars are a huge investment. They involve credit checks, lease terms and financing plans. Good CRM automotive software offers tools for managing trade-ins, upgrades and other finances that may come up.
What apps do you use on a daily basis? Look for a car dealer CRM that offers integrations with them. Do you currently have a DMS system in place? Your ideal solutions should integrate with your DMS to seamlessly transfer your information and avoid manual data entry.
However, not all top-rated car dealer CRMs have this feature. But it’s not the end of the world, especially if you’re an SME business. The range of dynamic features automotive CRM provides far outweighs the occasional chore of data duplication and transfer. Some DMS systems provide CRM capabilities as well. But you would be better off using standalone CRM automotive software as it specializes in the car dealership business.
How customizable is the software? Does it provide scalability options? It’s a good idea to pick a scalable solution so your business doesn’t risk outgrowing its software capabilities. Take a closer look at the software’s interface. It should be intuitive and user-friendly enough for even first-time users of your team.
Another aspect to consider is vendor support. Does your vendor have a 24/7 live chat? How quickly do they respond to queries? Do they provide comprehensive onboarding and training materials? How do they ensure data safety?
Finally, look for the latest trends in the market, like artificial intelligence (AI) and voice and text management. Evaluate the CRM automotive solution on whether it can:
- Track, record and store calls made through the platform
- Keep the dealership TCPA compliant
- Direct incoming calls to the sales rep handling the deal
- Send automated replies
- Create templates for common queries
Cost & Pricing Considerations
CRM automotive solutions come in all shapes and sizes, and there’s a solution for all businesses, big and small. You’ll be billed either on a monthly or yearly basis or according to the number of users. Some vendors charge a one-time subscription fee, while others may reveal their prices only on request.
The cost of the software depends on the number of users, customizations, advanced features and scalability options you want. Many CRM automotive vendors offer free demos and free trials for a limited period of time. Some even provide less advanced versions of their software free of cost. You may need to upgrade for any specific advanced features and integrations you want, which could cost higher.