LotLinx...Does It Measure Up To The Hype
A little help please? I like many others have jumped on the LotLinx bandwagon for several good reasons. VDP! VDP! VDP! Well thats not the only reason, I did source my contacts in the industry and the feedback was extremely positive. 30 days in I ofcourse looked at the referral metrics for all my rooftops in Google Analytics and was quite pleased. 90%- New Sessions, Bounce Rate- 80.47% which is high but that was expected being that the click was specific to the VDP. But, what I didn't expect was the Page Views per Session-1.42 They were cross shopping what a nice little bonus.
So what's not to like?
Well for starters LotLinx has a horrible backed reporting platform that is cumbersome and riddled with inaccurate metrics. I'm surprised that LotLinx has yet to update this and I think most if not all would agree that it doesn't cast a favorable spotlight on your product when your reporting platform is dated and innacurate. When I asked Jason Knight about this at DD14 in Las Vegas he assured me that they were "working on It" Okay, at this point I'm still a fan.
So let's fast forward a couple of months. I look at my GA often and I noticed that LotLinx stopped sending refferals on the 20th of the month. What? Turns out that my market potential has increased by 20% and I was spilling in upwards to 180 referrals at the end of the month. I can't have this increase the spend LotLinx! I also noticed that on all accounts I had a spike in refferals on the 6th of each month that accounted for 20% and in some cases 50% of my spend each month. So I hop on the phone and call my Account Rep Savina O.who is awesome BTW. (Savina has game and knows her stuff) She stated that the 3rd party partners such as LemonFree.com all display my listings different and that LotLinx had no control over how, when and where my listings are displayed and that perhaps this was an anomaly. While on the phone with her I looked at GA to make sure that the referrals were local and not bots. All local. I saw no referrals from Singpore, Glasgow or Budapest. So I then ask what can be done to insure that my stores have a green light the entire month. The long and short was to spend more money or exclude certain "New" models from my listings. Remember the spike on the 6th of each month?
90 days later... same spike, same day of the month, and I'm not a happy camper. I have increased my spend and my accounts are being paused on the 19th of each month.
You won't believe what happens next. LotLinx sends me an Account Alert stating that I've nearly reached my account budget and that I'm about to miss out on the busiest shopping days of the year with Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Really? And here comes that spike again. This time I email Savina at LotLinx to let her know that I'll be calling shortly to discuss and revisit said spike.
Now I know I'm not the only one out there that has or is experiencing this same situation with LotLinx. I felt compelled to reach out to my fellow Auto peeps to gain some insight on this pay to play merry go round. Again LotLinx has a lot of value with it's overall business model and hope they resolve this concern in a timely matter.
All I want is "A Little Help Please"
LotLinx...Does It Measure Up To The Hype
A little help please? I like many others have jumped on the LotLinx bandwagon for several good reasons. VDP! VDP! VDP! Well thats not the only reason, I did source my contacts in the industry and the feedback was extremely positive. 30 days in I ofcourse looked at the referral metrics for all my rooftops in Google Analytics and was quite pleased. 90%- New Sessions, Bounce Rate- 80.47% which is high but that was expected being that the click was specific to the VDP. But, what I didn't expect was the Page Views per Session-1.42 They were cross shopping what a nice little bonus.
So what's not to like?
Well for starters LotLinx has a horrible backed reporting platform that is cumbersome and riddled with inaccurate metrics. I'm surprised that LotLinx has yet to update this and I think most if not all would agree that it doesn't cast a favorable spotlight on your product when your reporting platform is dated and innacurate. When I asked Jason Knight about this at DD14 in Las Vegas he assured me that they were "working on It" Okay, at this point I'm still a fan.
So let's fast forward a couple of months. I look at my GA often and I noticed that LotLinx stopped sending refferals on the 20th of the month. What? Turns out that my market potential has increased by 20% and I was spilling in upwards to 180 referrals at the end of the month. I can't have this increase the spend LotLinx! I also noticed that on all accounts I had a spike in refferals on the 6th of each month that accounted for 20% and in some cases 50% of my spend each month. So I hop on the phone and call my Account Rep Savina O.who is awesome BTW. (Savina has game and knows her stuff) She stated that the 3rd party partners such as LemonFree.com all display my listings different and that LotLinx had no control over how, when and where my listings are displayed and that perhaps this was an anomaly. While on the phone with her I looked at GA to make sure that the referrals were local and not bots. All local. I saw no referrals from Singpore, Glasgow or Budapest. So I then ask what can be done to insure that my stores have a green light the entire month. The long and short was to spend more money or exclude certain "New" models from my listings. Remember the spike on the 6th of each month? 90 days later... same spike, same day of the month, and I'm not a happy camper. I have increased my spend and my accounts are being paused on the 19th of each month.
You won't believe what happens next. LotLinx sends me an Account Alert stating that I've nearly reached my account budget and that I'm about to miss out on the busiest shopping days of the year with Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Really? And here comes that spike again. This time I email Savina at LotLinx to let her know that I'll be calling shortly to discuss and revisit said spike.
Now I know I'm not the only one out there that has or is experiencing this same situation with LotLinx. I felt compelled to reach out to my fellow Auto peeps to gain some insight on this pay to play merry go round. Again LotLinx has a lot of value with it's overall business model and hope they resolve this concern in a timely matter.
All I want is "A Little Help Please"
22 Comments
Remarkable Marketing
I heard great things.... Anyone else have any feedback? I have not used the product personally, but heard the hype...
Haley Toyota Certified Sales Center
Thanks for sharing your experience Jeff. Like Grant, I'm hoping to hear from other users.
My pleasure Bill just to update this post my Account Rep said that she is trying to get us a credit. Evidently others have spoken up and they are issuing credits for days that you receive referrals that exceed 10% of your total ad spend. I'll keep you posted. I hope your doing well Bill.
Automotive Group
Jeff, You aren't always going to see a 1:1 referral UTM from LotLinx. It's the way that click tags are going to be set up. You may want to look for referrals from places that they would send traffic from like MSNautos and so on and so forth.
Autofusion Inc.
If its' a pattern, it may be a bot that can execute javascript. Its' probably coming from a specific lotlinx site. Something you might want to ask lotlinx so they can shutoff your listings on that one site. Another question is how the conversion rate is during those days. If it drops, then that also points to a bot since bots likely won't fill out forms or call your phone number (if you have call tracking installed on the lotlinx traffic)
Chris and Carl thank your for your feedback! Chris I don't think LotLink uses UTM's. It's my understanding that these tags should be used for links that don't pass referrer data but I will dive deeper into this. Carl as I mentioned in my post I've ruled out Bots and perhaps I'm wrong but I based this on the data in GA. Just so there is no misunderstanding. LotLinx conceptually has a very strong platform and if they can resolve the concerns highlighted in this post I will gladly continue to participate and increase my spend accordingly. Again thank you for your insights.
UPDATE- I just received a call from Len Short Founder/CMO at LotLinx. LotLinx is fully aware of the inconsistent referrals and are currently making the necessary changes to resolve the matter. I'm extremely pleased about the way Len took action and reached to me, but moreover I'm more pleased that LotLinx didn't bury their head in the sand and took responsibilty. I look foreward to the resolutions and will keep this thread updated.
Autofusion Inc.
bots can simulate "real" visits by being able to execute the javascript analytics code and from using IPs close to your location. You can buy and rent proxy ips, which you can then use to crawl through the inventory site and onto your VDP page. This is just one possibility but one I would try to rule out first.
Autofusion Inc.
Thanks Jeff, we run several websites and we have this issue sometimes where a bot hits one of our client websites and causes a big spike in traffic. So my team has to dig in to figure out what's going on.
Sunnyside Acura
Our dealership has been a LotLinx user but will end a 4 month trial at the end of November. With no other marketing changes, we added LotLinx and have not seen the "likely" 20% lift in sales or increased inventory turnover as a result. Our fresh ups, phone ups and Internet leads have remained relatively the same (within +-3% of usual). We had more new traffic to our site and to our vdp's but for us it has not equated to sales or more interaction. Jeff, like you I saw spikes in click thrus. After seeing our limit reached I increased our spend. The next day we had 148 click thrus in one day and blew through about $560. Our daily average was around 17. Odd? Yeah.
Autofusion Inc.
If LotLinx is sending quality traffic, it could be the VDP page. I always wanted to try making a separate set of VDP pages for LotLinx traffic but for one reason or another, haven't been able to find a customer wanting to do it. We could then change the VDP pages to increase conversions. People coming in from LotLinx likely have a different mindset and are probably more price-centric so making the vehicles look more like a bargain may increase leads. Just a theory.
Fort Myers Jaguar Land Rover
I have had the exact same feelings. Cut off? Spend more? Without any true way to see if it's working? It does not link with my GA. So I took a close look at the VDP's and removed many of the ones that had high page views. Not smart? Well we sell Land Rover and Jaguar. Many of the views (40) were on the Full size Land Rover and I suspect that many of them were exporters so I removed them along with a few other. Lotlinx has a ways to go as far as reporting goes. As for now not sure they are worth the money. We have views, but do we have sales?
Autofusion Inc.
Peter, there is a way to see the effectiveness of the traffic. In Google Analytics, you can use Segments to see only LotLinx traffic. Click "NEW SEGMENT" Under "Traffic Sources", for the source, type in "autos.lotlinx.com" Type in a name for the Segment, Save it and you can view all the goals/leads plus the traffic. If your call tracking company supports it, you can even call track the calls from lotlinx as well. This allows you to see what you're getting. Feel free to message me and I can help you set this up.
Fort Myers Jaguar Land Rover
I see what you are saying but having a difficult time adding it. I have followed your instructions but can't seem to find the place where I can type in autos.lotlinx.com? I could use your help... Thx This would help me a lot...
Central Maine Motors Auto Group
We have only been using them for a month and we saw huge spikes on the 13th and 19th and burned through our budget relatively quickly. On the plus side, we did see more traffic and coincidentally we beat our internet goal by 17 units. Our closing rate on leads alone was 22%
There seems to be a pattern here. As I stated earlier LotLinx acknowledge the concerns and is working on the solution. Overall I'm still a fan and remain cautiously optimistic. I will continue to update this thread and let's keep the feedback going.
I'm please to say that my traffic for Lotlinx in December has been consistent with no abnormal spikes thus far. As stated in my blog we were experiencing a spike on the 6th of each month that took a large percentage of our dedicated spend each month. I will be monitoring this closely for the remainder of the month and will keep this community apprised of any changes. Thank you all for your feedback.
AutoStride
In their presentation they tout their “deep linking” strategy as future proof because their links are hidden behind Java. ...But Googlebot has had the ability to see through Java for at least 4 years.
Fort Myers Jaguar Land Rover
This is what I thought Alexander... their big tout is lemonfree.com which I had never heard of. Jaguar co-ops the new cars but I am going to drop them for Land Rover. They just can't figure out how to prove sales are being made and that's not for me.
22 Comments
Grant Gooley
Remarkable Marketing
I heard great things.... Anyone else have any feedback? I have not used the product personally, but heard the hype...
Bill Simmons
Haley Toyota Certified Sales Center
Thanks for sharing your experience Jeff. Like Grant, I'm hoping to hear from other users.
Jeff Collins
My pleasure Bill just to update this post my Account Rep said that she is trying to get us a credit. Evidently others have spoken up and they are issuing credits for days that you receive referrals that exceed 10% of your total ad spend. I'll keep you posted. I hope your doing well Bill.
C L
Automotive Group
Jeff, You aren't always going to see a 1:1 referral UTM from LotLinx. It's the way that click tags are going to be set up. You may want to look for referrals from places that they would send traffic from like MSNautos and so on and so forth.
Carl Maeda
Autofusion Inc.
If its' a pattern, it may be a bot that can execute javascript. Its' probably coming from a specific lotlinx site. Something you might want to ask lotlinx so they can shutoff your listings on that one site. Another question is how the conversion rate is during those days. If it drops, then that also points to a bot since bots likely won't fill out forms or call your phone number (if you have call tracking installed on the lotlinx traffic)
Jeff Collins
Chris and Carl thank your for your feedback! Chris I don't think LotLink uses UTM's. It's my understanding that these tags should be used for links that don't pass referrer data but I will dive deeper into this. Carl as I mentioned in my post I've ruled out Bots and perhaps I'm wrong but I based this on the data in GA. Just so there is no misunderstanding. LotLinx conceptually has a very strong platform and if they can resolve the concerns highlighted in this post I will gladly continue to participate and increase my spend accordingly. Again thank you for your insights.
Jeff Collins
UPDATE- I just received a call from Len Short Founder/CMO at LotLinx. LotLinx is fully aware of the inconsistent referrals and are currently making the necessary changes to resolve the matter. I'm extremely pleased about the way Len took action and reached to me, but moreover I'm more pleased that LotLinx didn't bury their head in the sand and took responsibilty. I look foreward to the resolutions and will keep this thread updated.
Carl Maeda
Autofusion Inc.
bots can simulate "real" visits by being able to execute the javascript analytics code and from using IPs close to your location. You can buy and rent proxy ips, which you can then use to crawl through the inventory site and onto your VDP page. This is just one possibility but one I would try to rule out first.
Jeff Collins
Carl clearly I'm a guppie in your fishbowl. You're amazing!
Craig Waikem
Waikem Auto Family
Thanks for sharing Jeff!
Carl Maeda
Autofusion Inc.
Thanks Jeff, we run several websites and we have this issue sometimes where a bot hits one of our client websites and causes a big spike in traffic. So my team has to dig in to figure out what's going on.
Robert Niven
Sunnyside Acura
Our dealership has been a LotLinx user but will end a 4 month trial at the end of November. With no other marketing changes, we added LotLinx and have not seen the "likely" 20% lift in sales or increased inventory turnover as a result. Our fresh ups, phone ups and Internet leads have remained relatively the same (within +-3% of usual). We had more new traffic to our site and to our vdp's but for us it has not equated to sales or more interaction. Jeff, like you I saw spikes in click thrus. After seeing our limit reached I increased our spend. The next day we had 148 click thrus in one day and blew through about $560. Our daily average was around 17. Odd? Yeah.
Carl Maeda
Autofusion Inc.
If LotLinx is sending quality traffic, it could be the VDP page. I always wanted to try making a separate set of VDP pages for LotLinx traffic but for one reason or another, haven't been able to find a customer wanting to do it. We could then change the VDP pages to increase conversions. People coming in from LotLinx likely have a different mindset and are probably more price-centric so making the vehicles look more like a bargain may increase leads. Just a theory.
Peter Stratton
Fort Myers Jaguar Land Rover
I have had the exact same feelings. Cut off? Spend more? Without any true way to see if it's working? It does not link with my GA. So I took a close look at the VDP's and removed many of the ones that had high page views. Not smart? Well we sell Land Rover and Jaguar. Many of the views (40) were on the Full size Land Rover and I suspect that many of them were exporters so I removed them along with a few other. Lotlinx has a ways to go as far as reporting goes. As for now not sure they are worth the money. We have views, but do we have sales?
Carl Maeda
Autofusion Inc.
Peter, there is a way to see the effectiveness of the traffic. In Google Analytics, you can use Segments to see only LotLinx traffic. Click "NEW SEGMENT" Under "Traffic Sources", for the source, type in "autos.lotlinx.com" Type in a name for the Segment, Save it and you can view all the goals/leads plus the traffic. If your call tracking company supports it, you can even call track the calls from lotlinx as well. This allows you to see what you're getting. Feel free to message me and I can help you set this up.
Peter Stratton
Fort Myers Jaguar Land Rover
I see what you are saying but having a difficult time adding it. I have followed your instructions but can't seem to find the place where I can type in autos.lotlinx.com? I could use your help... Thx This would help me a lot...
Carl Maeda
Autofusion Inc.
I'll message you my email and I can send you screenshots.
Jess McQuillan
Central Maine Motors Auto Group
We have only been using them for a month and we saw huge spikes on the 13th and 19th and burned through our budget relatively quickly. On the plus side, we did see more traffic and coincidentally we beat our internet goal by 17 units. Our closing rate on leads alone was 22%
Jeff Collins
There seems to be a pattern here. As I stated earlier LotLinx acknowledge the concerns and is working on the solution. Overall I'm still a fan and remain cautiously optimistic. I will continue to update this thread and let's keep the feedback going.
Jeff Collins
I'm please to say that my traffic for Lotlinx in December has been consistent with no abnormal spikes thus far. As stated in my blog we were experiencing a spike on the 6th of each month that took a large percentage of our dedicated spend each month. I will be monitoring this closely for the remainder of the month and will keep this community apprised of any changes. Thank you all for your feedback.
Alex Lau
AutoStride
In their presentation they tout their “deep linking” strategy as future proof because their links are hidden behind Java. ...But Googlebot has had the ability to see through Java for at least 4 years.
Peter Stratton
Fort Myers Jaguar Land Rover
This is what I thought Alexander... their big tout is lemonfree.com which I had never heard of. Jaguar co-ops the new cars but I am going to drop them for Land Rover. They just can't figure out how to prove sales are being made and that's not for me.