In a very short 6 years, the iPhone and Android mobile platforms have come to represent over 90% of the smartphone market. In both design and operation, the iPhone has lead to a wildfire of smartphone adoption. While the open-platform Android has provided smartphone access to the masses by providing cost effective devices.

So what does all of this mean for you?

Let’s first take a look at mobile websites. Many dealerships consider a mobile website a helpful tool to help drive traffic into their store. However, here’s a look at why mobile websites simply aren’t enough to keep up and could actually be driving traffic away:

1) A “mobile website” is a condensed version of a “full” website – a website built to be viewed on a computer screen – not a mobile screen.  A mobile website wasn’t built to integrate with the underlying technology that drives mobile apps and does not take full advantage of unique smartphone capabilities like push notifications, GPS, or processing power.   

2) Mobile websites are hard to find.  Customers must open a browser, search your dealership name, then select your dealership from a list of search results.  They have the ability to save or bookmark, but the reality is that almost nobody (1%?) does that. 

3) Most mobile websites are a “get by” product.  Your website provider wants to keep your lucrative web hosting business, so they have created a mobile version to keep you “competitive”.  Their innovation in the mobile space moves only as fast as needed to retain your business. In turn, your customers have moved onto a true native mobile app. 

What’s a native mobile app?

A native mobile app is an application that can be downloaded via the App or Google Play Store. Here’s a more in depth look into native mobile apps.

Native mobile apps are the way to go

As mobile device usage increases, so will the need for a new way of contacting current and potential customers. Instead of emailing customers or spending hours on a monthly mailer, send special deals and coupons to customers with push notifications. Save man hours scheduling appointments and let mobile users decide what date and time works best for them with the push of a button. In other words, reconsider technologies like email and text, and adapt them for the modern smartphone user.

It’s time to take your business to the next level

A new study by Placed revealed that 63% of car shoppers research and shop online at the dealership, and unfortunately, they aren’t using your mobile website to shop.

So, what exactly are they doing on their smartphone?

1. Checking Pricing—selling price, trade-in values, payment calculators, etc.
2. Checking Inventory Availability— colors, features, etc.

It’s important to remember that the smartphone in the hands of your customers is a powerful tool. The opportunity you have to enhance the smartphone shopping experience for your store and increases the value of your dealership’s brand in invaluable. Earn more business and retain more customers by building an experience that meets, and exceeds, your users expectation.

For more information about native mobile apps, and how they can be used to take your dealership to the next level, check out www.dealerbaby.com or contact Jennifer at jennifer@dealerbaby.com

See the original post: http://blog.dealerbaby.com/the-smartphone-revolution/ 

Saratoga Springs, NY: Dealerbaby (www.dealerbaby.com), a custom mobile app platform for auto dealerships, is proud to announce that Blevins Brothers, an auto group in Ogdensburg, NY has launched their first native mobile app via the Dealerbaby mobile platform. 

“Dealerbaby allows us to connect with our customers like never before.  It puts our store literally in the palm of their hands, anywhere, anytime,” said Marc Blevins, Sales Manager at Blevins Bros.

Blevins Brothers, a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram dealership, serving Gouverneur, Canton, Watertown, Potsdam and Fort Drum, NY, has been a family run business since 1983. Last year, Blevins Brothers, began looking for a new way to reach current and potential customers. After a thorough review of options, Blevins Brothers, choose to invest in mobile for the following reasons: reach, loyalty, and the future of car buying. 

Witnessing first hand the surge of customers using mobile devices made the investment in mobile and Dealerbaby a logical business decision. Prior to Dealerbaby, sales representatives found it difficult to connect with previous customers - whether it be through email or phone - customers simply did not respond. They noticed however all customers had mobile devices and knew the obvious answer was starring them in the face - reach them where they always are - on their mobile devices.  “Customers are using their smartphones all the time to stay connected to friends and family.  It was only natural to help them connect with our dealership on their devices,” said Blevins. 

With Dealerbaby, if a sales representative wants to let leads or customers know about a trade-in or vehicle special, all they have to do is pull up Dealerbaby and send a tailored push notification to those who have the app downloaded. If they want to drill down and send specialized messages based on make or model, they simply select the the items predetermined in Dealerbaby and hit schedule or send. Blevins said, “The ability to update specials and deals in real-time allows our sales consultants to respond to market changes and customer demand on-the-fly.  They’re able to use the app as a sales and demonstration tool for their customers which helps them sell cars.  This is one of the main reasons why we’ve seen such a high level of buy-in from them.”  

Another feature Blevins Brothers has quickly learned to appreciate is Dealerbaby’s service appointment component. Mobile app users can quickly and easily schedule service appointments, be sent special offers, and see their full vehicle history all within the Blevins Brothers mobile app. “The service appointment scheduling feature is a win-win for the dealership and our customers.  Customers can schedule service quickly right from their phone.  Inbound phone calls are reduced,which frees up dealership personnel to help customers in the store,”said Marc Blevins.

Knowing which models are selling, how many views a particular piece of inventory has received, how well special offers are performing, how many customers view each message, and the overall performance of marketing and sales efforts, are invaluable statistics that Dealerbaby can provide. This level of knowledge enables managers to identify and address problem areas immediately, and ultimately leads to better decision-making and higher profitability. “Ultimately, customers want a simple, efficient shopping process.  The Dealerbaby mobile app is a paradigm shift—no longer are customers tethered to their home computer to shop our store.  Now they can shop anywhere, at any time.  The features of the app follow the customer through the sales and ownership process.  Prospects can browse inventory, get special deals, and send questions directly to the store.  When that prospect becomes an owner, they can schedule service and stay updated on their vehicle history with the app.  I’m convinced this is the direction technology is taking the shopping and ownership experience and I’m excited we have this tool at our disposal to stay ahead of the competition”, said Blevins. 

About Dealerbaby

Dealerbaby, produced by My Thank You Notes LLC, is a custom mobile app platform for auto dealerships based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Founded in 2014, Dealerbaby is dedicated to helping auto dealerships leverage their inventory and service offerings through mobile technology. To learn more, visit www.dealerbaby.com, follow them on Twitter @Dealerbaby, or email sales@dealerbaby.com ​