3 things to do Today to Optimize your Automotive Website

So your website needs a boost in the rankings... here are 3 things you can do today to help improve your automotive search engine rankings.

1. Create a Google Webmaster Tools account and verify your site. Let Google tell you how it sees your website and begin making the recommended changes within the content analysis tab.

2. Identify the top 5 most important pages of your website, and ensure that those pages have high value keywords seeded into the content.

3. Research your current rankings. Knowing where you show up to today will give you direction as to where your site needs improvement.

The local market and local market keywords are still obtainable to own in your cities and towns for more on Online automotive marketing tips.

Why Car Dealers Struggle with Internet Marketing

Car dealers have their own language and business process and since many have done business the same way for the last 2 or 3 decades - there is an old school mentality when it comes to the internet. Dealers want the web to be successful but the internet isn't a faucet that leads just flow from.

A lead from the internet maybe considered a time waster... a tire kicker so to speak, but that is because the channel through which car buying research is done has changed. It is all too easy for a perspective customer to research comparable cars and send the same request to 10 different dealerships.

It is how responsive the dealer that can tilt the odds in favor.

A few basics though can be addressed as many dealers not only market vehicles within their own website, but on destination research sites like cars.com or autotrader.com.

Take great pictures... it may take some time but if the car is worth keeping on the lot, it is worth taking some great pictures of and making sure these are posted along with the car anywhere it is marketed.

Cut out the cream puff descriptions.... talk about the car from a mater of fact perspective. I don't mean just the list of features, but the cheesy-salesy copy needs to go. Instead talk about the value you bring to a perspective car buyer.

Make contact easy....and be responsive. It is 2009 and technology has gotten people accustomed to immediate online gratification. Respond with a well thought out reply that addresses individual concerns.

Just like you take the time to make your lot look presentable - treat your online inventory the same.

2009 Lexus IS350

I have been a fan of Lexus but after reading the Lexus IS350 review found Lexus-Talk it was a bit disappointing. With the addition of the IS-F to the Lexus line up and talk of Lexus Producing a super car it would be great for the IS series to compete directly with the BMW 3 series. Lexus has interior quality and finish to add to its resume, but comfort and drive-ability is the next refinements that Lexus should make.

I think the overall look and refinement of the cars are outstanding let's hope within a few years the once Lexus badeged civic will be a real contender for the likes of BMW.

Chevy Malibu - A race against time

The Chevy Malibu is not a bad car, it has updated styling, reasonable price tag but has a perceived lack of quality...

"A perception of inferior quality is the most serious problem facing GM," aside from its financial predicament, says David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Mich.

The goal behind the latest Malibu was to create a car with a base price just over $20,000 dollars, but had the look and feel of a luxury sedan. In 2008 the Malibu was an award winner at the North American International Auto Show being named the car of the year, beating out the Cadillac CTS and the Honda Accord.

With the hope of a rebounding economy and strong marketing ploy to tout its awards, it maybe just enough to give GM's Chevy Malibu the boost it needs to continue to gain market share in the mid sized sedan category.