I thought it would be very helpful to have a reference guide for Car Dealers to visit when they are looking for a new product, doing research, or just snooping around. The list will just keep evolving, I will update it regularly as new products/tools rise and fall. If you think I’m missing something I encourage you to contact me.
The Dealer Geek is based out of Toronto and has a large Canadian following. I will add (CAN) beside the company if they are located in Canada. However, there is a tonne of cool companies in the U.S.A. that have configured their products and services to work within the Canadian Landscape. The order is completely random and their is no ranking system in place.
Blogs / Forums:
- DealerRefresh – Great Blog and Forum (#1 In my opinion)
- Driving Sales – Great for Vendor Reviews
- Automotive Digital Marketing – One of the longest running! Tonnes of interaction
Website Companies:
- DealerFire – Website Design, Mobile Websites
- Glovebox (CAN) – Website Design, Mobile Webistes, Social Media
- E-Dealer (CAN) – Website design, Mobile Websites
- Evolio (CAN) – Website Design, Mobile Websites
- Dealer Smart Solutions (CAN) – Website Design, Mobile Websites , TRADER.CA
- TK Carsites – Website Design, Mobile Websites
- DealerOn – Website Design, Mobile Websites
- DealerTrend – Website Design, WordPress
- eCarlist – Website Design, CRM, Pricing Tools
- DealerSite (CAN) – By CarPages
- EZ – Results (CAN) – Website Design
- Strathcom (CAN) – Website Design. Reps available for Canadian Dealers
SEM / Pay Per Click Providers:
- Haystack
- Potratz: PPC and Re Targeting Wizard
- Reach Local
- PCG Digital Marketing
- Powered By Search (CAN)
Newsletters for Car Dealers:
Chat Products:
- CarChat 24 (CAN) – Use our operators to handle chats OR take chats with your own dealership staff. Increase your website leads by 50-60%. Works with your current dealership website.
CRM Providers:
- Dealersocket – Canadian rep available
- Vinsolutions
- Dealermine (CAN)
- Higher Gear (CAN)
3rd party add-ons – Lead Generators
- Pure Cars Value Reports – Only available for U.S.A. dealers
- Drive it Now – Payment calculators that bring in leads – NOW IN CANADA
- Text2SeeMe – Text marketing service
- Lead Link | Canadian Black Book (CAN) – Drives trade-in leads on your dealer website
Call Tracking/Phone Training/Call Management
- Phone Up Ninjas – Jerry Thibeau’s #1 rated auto industry phone training company.
- Who’s Calling – Call Tracking numbers
- Call Revu – Dealers can save deals with mobile alerts. Very cool product
- Auto Vanity Numbers – Numbers such as 1-800-YES-HONDA
- Century Interacitve – Call Tracking numbers
- Call Source – Call Tracking
Accessory Sales:
- Line-X – Spray on Bed Liners
Private Sale Vendors:
- Private Sales Canada: Specializes in organizing and running a “private sale” for you dealer (CAN)
Video Services:
- Zype: Video Sales System for Car Dealers (UK)
- Car – Mercial: Video SEO
- WalkAround Videos: Create your own walkarounds to close more email leads
Used Car Marketing:
- Trade Rev (CAN): Live wholesale Auction in your pocket
Your Turn!
Please share any missing vendors or experiences that you think would help The Dealer Geek Nation. Use the comment box below.
Paul Badley September 14, 2011 at 6:34 am
Hi
I was wondering if you will have a section to mention all of the auto auctions in Ontario?
We are located in Sudbury, independently owned and operated. we are also the only dealer to dealer remarketing company in Northern Ontario
Our sale is every Thursday at 11am.
If you would like more information please let me know
Thank you
Ryan Thompson September 14, 2011 at 5:17 pm
Paul – It sounds like a great resource. Please let me know the URL and I’ll be sure to add an “Auctions” column.
David Johnson September 16, 2011 at 5:58 am
Wow what an awesome idea Ryan AND a great resource for auto dealers. I will most definitely come back often!
Stan Sher November 2, 2011 at 11:17 am
What about training companies? Start a section for that.
Rorie Hannigan January 4, 2012 at 8:38 am
Would love to see a video section for dealers. With the likelihood that video is about to explode both online and through mobile in 2012 it would be good to see a section for dealers that want to incorporate video into their marketing process.
Have a good day Ryan!
Ryan Thompson August 26, 2012 at 9:09 am
@Rorie – I think a Video section is very worth while. Going to add one right now!
Chip King August 26, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Thanks for the inclusion! Great idea!! Should there be a category for Call Center consultation and maybe out-sourced Call Center services?
Kain Automotive is a great Call Center consult……
Ryan Thompson August 26, 2012 at 1:37 pm
Thanks for stopping by Chip! For now I am going to keep all the “CALL” companies together. Might be worth a subgroup down the road. Dealers NEED to step up their phone game and stop worrying about Likes on their Facebook Page (IMO)
Todd Probasco August 26, 2012 at 1:40 pm
We can help dealers with all of their direct mail needs. Please add us to your list and thank you!
Ryan Thompson August 26, 2012 at 1:59 pm
Todd – Thanks for stopping by. Please submit your company info and some of your work through the contact form.
mike lock August 27, 2012 at 5:56 am
Hey Ryan,
What about adding an inventory control section. I know trader has v-auto and dealertrack has AAX and I know there are a few other tools out there as well.
Krystyna Lagowski August 27, 2012 at 10:02 am
Hi Ryan,
I’m an automotive writer, currently writing for publications such as Auto Journal, Car Care Business, Tire News, etc. – all out of Rousseau Automotive Communications. I’ve also written for the Toronto Star’s Wheels, National Post’s Driver’s Edge and had clients such as OMVIC and Auto Showplace – and understand the car business from the industry side as well as the consumer side. I’d love to be added as a resource for car dealers if they need any writing, marketing or promo needs!
Bill Harvey September 14, 2012 at 7:08 am
Hey Ryan great job. How about a section on training as mentioned by Stan Sher. I would be honored to be mentioned. We specialize in and out of the automotive industry on sales, management and now social media training. I have recommended you and dealergeek.com to several manufacture reps, dealer group and individual dealer’s that are clients. Keep up the great work.
Bill
Michael Cirillo October 14, 2012 at 9:24 pm
AutoVelocity is located in Western Canada and provides website development services for auto, RV, power sport and marine dealers.
Michael Cirillo October 14, 2012 at 9:29 pm
Website design, mobile sites, data syndication services
Trish October 15, 2012 at 12:44 pm
Hey Ryan,
Love the blog… I see above that Strathcom isn’t hyperlinked, here is our website: http://www.strathcom.ca/
Keep up the great posts!
Dave Kemp November 7, 2012 at 10:16 am
Hey Ryan, you are providing a great resource for dealers. Thought you would like to include in your CRM category – Trackstar. We provide Trackstar WEB, a very powerful CRM vehicle sales tool that turns Showroom Walk-outs into Be-Back Sales. It is the easiest, least complicated but sophisticated Hot Prospect Management and Customer Retention System available for dealers. Cloud based and accessible by sales consultants and management 24/7. We are a Canadian company providing CRM since 1988.
Thanks Ryan.
Dave.
Andrew November 23, 2012 at 8:24 am
Hello Ryan! I am wondering if you know of any tools that work as well as Trader’s Velocity product at comparing ones used car prices to the market…as well as “days supply”?
Cheers!
Andrew
Ryan Thompson November 25, 2012 at 1:02 pm
DealerTrack has something similar you could check out Andrew. https://www.dealertrack.ca/portalcanada/solutions/inventory-management/dt-aax.aspx?sc_lang=en
Mike Damcy December 10, 2012 at 8:23 pm
Don’t forget the 3M window tint and 3M Paint Protection Training that we can offer to dealers.
Maximize profits by keeping the customer IN the dealership. No 3rd party companies to rely on.