(FRANKFORT, Ill.) – November 24, 2009 – Dealer HD is proud to welcome the Wisconsin-based Russ Darrow Group to their group of nationwide clients with the launch of 19 sites today.  Russ Darrow is taking advantage of the full-range of web services Dealer HD offers, such as advanced websites, SEO (search engine optimization) practices and other additional features.

With Dealer HD sites, customers have access to a variety of features, which assist in their online automotive shopping experience.  Some of these features include Search By Payment, Car Builder HD, full-motion video reviews, Vehicle History, automated manufacturer rebates and incentives, Car Finder HD and Live Chat.  Russ Darrow, along with all other Dealer HD clients, will also benefit from Dealer HD services such as quarterly site updates and one, dedicated account manager for their account.

Facebook and Twitter users will be able to search and compare Russ Darrow’s inventory thanks to Dealer HD’s social media features bringing customers across the country to the Russ Darrow sites.

“I’m very excited for the opportunity to work with the Russ Darrow Group,” said Justin Duff, Dealer HD National Sales Director.  “They are an incredibly progressive dealer group who wants the best that Dealer HD has to offer.  We’re looking forward to helping them enhance their online presence.”

The Russ Darrow Group represents 13 brands, 15 rooftops and 19 websites across the southeast Wisconsin area.

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Dealer HD is an Automotive Website and Solutions Provider serving clients Nationwide. Located in the southern suburbs of Chicago, the Dealer HD team has over 100 years of combined automotive experience. Dealer HD provides customizable dealer web sites with a comprehensive admin tool that collects dealer leads, allows the quick and easy editing of website content, inventory modification and more. Dealer HD makes sure your dealer website is ready for mobile applications, social networking, and all future web innovations.

Temperatures below freezing, harsh bitter wind, freezing rain and snow flurries…Brrr!  This Chicago winter weather isn’t here just yet, but it will arrive before we know it.  And before it’s too late, be sure to get your vehicle inspected and ready to handle the winter months ahead. Check out the Winter Checklist for some helpful winter tips and reminders or download the PDF here!

Visit your local dealership for winter savings and discounts on parts and service – they want to help keep you safe and keep some money in your pocket.  Good luck and have a safe and healthy winter season!

NOTE to All Dealer HD Clients: We encourage you to take advantage of the Coupon Creator feature in the RIMS Admin to advertise your dealership’s current parts and service specials.  The simple, easy-to-use Coupon Creator allows you to enter the offer, description, details (in a bulleted list if you’d like), disclaimer and start/end dates which will display in a clean, printer friendly coupon on your parts specials and/or service specials page of your Dealer HD site.  If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact your assigned Dealer HD account manager.

No, I’m not talking H1N1 here.   I’m talking about the subconscious “watch it and pass it on” phenomenon.  A few weeks ago a friend of mine sent me A Day at the Office.  I watched it, and after I’d cleared the tears of laughter from my eyes I set about sending it to everyone I knew without hesitation.

Video is sticky, we’ve been told that until we were blue in the face for a while now.  Everybody knows and everybody is doing their part to get video of some kind on their website.  Vehicle videos are a popular feature here at Dealer HD too – new vehicles have video reviews and used vehicles have the ability to get live voice video with custom scripts.  Things have come a long way in terms of car shopping, and video has made it possible.

At this point, you’re probably thinking, “ok we get it, but what’s with the Day at the Office video?”  The two types of video are essentially unrelated – one works without the other just fine – but what if you used both?  Vehicle videos and commercials are used to directly sell your products.  Viral video, on the other hand, gives added value to your brand without pushing the sale.   Subtle connections can be made between your brand and your customers and when they’re done right they spread like wildfire.