If you’ve been following us over here at DHD, I’m sure you’ve noticed we’ve had a pretty busy 2010 thus far.  We’re very happy with the progress we’ve been making on the development side, and we’re getting ready for our first update of 2010 this weekend.

We’ll be implementing RIMS features that will help us help YOU as dealers.  Our mission here is to make things as easy-to-use as possible when it comes to your website.  In the next few days if you’re a DHD client you’ll be getting our email with the details of the 1.13 update and features you can look forward to.  If you’re not a Dealer HD client yet, don’t worry, we’ll let you in on the features too.  They’ll be added right here on the DHD blog as they’re available.

In addition to our development efforts this year we’ve also made a point make our brand more available.  You’ll be seeing more of us in your dealer publications and dealer forums.  We want you to know what we’re up to and what you think.  Check us out in Auto Success on page 16, Auto Dealer Monthly on pages 26-29 and in our latest AS Podcast.

For all of you heading to Orlando for NADA, we’d love to meet you.  Stop by our booth, #461 to chat.

At DealerHD, 2009 was an incredible year for our young company in terms of growth, research, development and execution.  We put everything into developing a comprehensive solution for the next generation of online dealerships, now we’re unveiling it to dealers.  We are changing our focus and approach to the way we do business and offering transparency to dealerships that give us an opportunity to earn their business.

We’re implementing the “90 Day Test Drive.”  Dealerships within eight months of expiration with their current website provider will be eligible for our “90 Day Test Drive” at NADA with no contract or cost to the dealer, letting dealers witness firsthand what we can do and our strategy driven relationship.  We simply ask you to apply the NADA stimulus voucher to the 3 month agreement.  If DealerHD proves to be a great fit after the trial a contract will be a month-to-month agreement proving every day the right choice was made.  In doing this, we hope to provide dealerships with a true experience before they make the decision to move forward with DealerHD.

During the trial, dealerships will use our tools and the capabilities of our new platform, and our flexibility in development and strategy around an individual dealership.  Our attitude is one of “we can.”  If dealers have a progressive idea not currently used or built in the industry we will work to implement or create the technology at no cost.  DealerHD wants to be part of the innovation for automotive digital and dealership ideas are critical in that venture.  Most website vendors in the industry would agree when sitting with a dealership they talk about what their competitor can’t or isn’t doing. With DealerHD, whether its functionality or service, we will prove our worth before you make a decision.

We are scheduling demos at NADA and participating dealers can sign up to take a 90 Day Test Drive.  After NADA we will be implementing a one-time set-up fee for dealerships that are interested in our 90 Day trial to drive their online goals, again no contracts will be involved.  Set-up pricing hasn’t been set but will be minimal, around a couple hundred dollars for the full 3 months.  We believe this one-time charge to be fair in helping you decide the dealership’s online future without commitment.

Our goal is to be the vendor that works best with your dealership and not simply known as having incredible marketing or a top-notch sales force.  Our resources are dedicated to our account management, research and development efforts. “Salesmanship” is being replaced with “relationship” in our world.  We want to have the lowest ratio of account mangers to dealerships in the industry; our goal is 10:1 which puts us in incredible shape.

Currently we work with dealers on websites, mobile, SEO, PPC, banner advertising, texting, reputation management, social media, lead management, live analytics and rewards programs.  Ninety-nine percent of our products are built in-house to keep the cost down for the dealer and we’re always looking for progressive ideas to build new products.  We look forward to working with experts in the industry to help drive innovation forward.  If you have any questions or would like to schedule a demo at NADA please contact NADA@dealerhd.com.  You can also email me at jeff@dealerhd.com.  DealerHD looks forward to helping the community grow and the exchanging of ideas in 2010.

Remember back in school when you studied like crazy for a test – reading the book, checking homework and quizzes, but even after all that you still failed?

Ok, maybe failing is a little extreme – point is, you didn’t do so hot and neither did the rest of the class.  There are some professors in this world (not many of mine) that take pity and decide to grade on a curve.  Curving takes out the sting and inspires us to try a little harder next time.

Right now we’re experiencing the Social Media boom and dealers everywhere are trying outlets like Facebook and Twitter to get their dealerships noticed.  From the Dealer HD and Interactive Provider perspective it’s fantastic.  Social Media Outlets have given dealerships the ability to create their own image online and for an industry that has struggled with the transfer of power between print and online advertising they can see the value in it, if done right.

The problem is, right now not everyone is doing it “right,” whatever that means.  There have been blogs and articles encouraging Social Media use then pointing the finger on who’s doing it right or wrong.  I think we need to take a step back and realize that just like math or science – Social Media deserves a curve too.

Finding the right strategy for your dealership is going to take a little time.  Not everyone can use the same formula, it’s dynamic and what works in Illinois might not work in Texas.  For those dealers out there trying their hand in Social Media – go for it!  Don’t be afraid of critics or failing your first time out.  You’ll get it and once you do you’ll reap the benefits.  If you have questions as you go along, don’t be afraid to ask for help.  Talk to someone you trust or even your website provider – we’re full of ideas and ready to help.

To get you started – the best universal advice I can give you right out the gate is to put yourself in a customer’s shoes.  If your page is something you would be interesting in being a part of, chances are others would be too.