According to recent datafrom Cox Automotive, the average car buyer now visits only two dealerships before making a purchase decision. With over 80% of shoppers starting their journey online, it’s crucial for auto dealers to capture and nurture every lead—whether they originate from digital channels or in-person visits.
A robust Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system designed for auto dealerships can transform operations. The right CRM not only centralizes lead management but also streamlines sales processes, enhances customer experiences, and drives revenue growth. This guide explores the best CRM platforms tailored for dealerships, helping you choose the right fit for your business.
Key Takeaways:
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Maintaining strong customer relationships is essential for repeat business, but scaling this manually becomes overwhelming. A CRM solves this challenge.
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Auto dealer CRM platforms help capture, organize, and nurture leads throughout the funnel—from inquiry to sale and beyond.
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Automotive CRMs centralize lead sources from websites, ads, walk-ins, and referrals in one system.
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The best platforms balance ease of use, configuration flexibility, integrations, and strong customer support.
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Leading CRMs for auto dealerships include Teamgate, DealerSocket, Dominion Dealer Solutions, ProMax, Selly Automotive, VinSolutions, DriveCentric, Datacar CRM, and AutoRaptor.
Contents:
- What is Auto Dealer CRM Software?
- How to Evaluate Auto Dealer CRM Software
- 8 Best CRM For Auto Dealers in 2024
- Maximizing CRM Benefits for Auto Dealerships
- FAQs: Auto Dealer CRM Software
What is Auto Dealer CRM Software?
Automobile Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software is a specialized system designed to support auto dealerships in capturing and nurturing leads, enhancing customer interactions, and streamlining operations. Partnering with a Custom CRM development company can help tailor these systems to meet the specific needs of automotive businesses. Alternatively, many companies choose to hire dedicated React developers who can create responsive, user-friendly interfaces tailored to dealership needs. This technology provides essential tools that assist in developing effective automotive marketing campaigns, tracking sales progress, maintaining communication with customers, and managing leads through an organized pipeline.
Example of Auto Dealer CRM Software in Action
Consider a scenario where a customer notices a drop in fuel efficiency after a service appointment:
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Initial Contact: The customer calls your service center.
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CRM Ticketing: The representative logs the complaint into the CRM, generating a service ticket.
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Team Notification: The service team is instantly alerted through the CRM.
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Customer Communication: The CRM sends an automated confirmation email with appointment details.
This integrated approach ensures that all relevant information is efficiently shared among teams and with the customer, providing a seamless experience. It’s a reminder that smooth internal communication is just one side of running a successful dealership. The other side is building a strong online presence, and link building for automotive businesses is a proven way to attract more leads and improve search rankings.
Without such a system, these steps would require manual coordination, which could delay response times and diminish customer satisfaction.
Benefits of Using CRM in Auto Dealerships
CRM software helps dealerships deliver personalized, timely, and efficient service. Benefits include:
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Improved Customer Experience: Tailored follow-ups and faster service resolution.
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Higher Retention & Loyalty: Centralized customer history builds stronger relationships.
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Operational Efficiency: Automation reduces manual work and ensures no lead is lost.
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Stronger Online-to-Offline Journey: With most buyers starting online, integrating a dealership website builder with your CRM keeps lead capture, inventory data, and communications aligned in real time.
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Enhanced Branding: Supplementing your CRM with tools like a custom-designed logo maker reinforces trust and improves digital presence.
As more car buyers begin their search online, a dealership’s website serves as a critical first point of contact for potential buyers. By integrating a dealership website builder with your CRM, you can optimize lead capture, automate follow-ups, and keep inventory data up to date in real time—creating a seamless transition from online research to in-person visits.
In fact, many shoppers are taking their search online. For dealerships aiming to stand out, supplementing strong CRM tools with a custom-designed logo maker can enhance your visual branding and reinforce trust in the digital journey.
How to Evaluate Auto Dealer CRM Software
Selecting the right CRM software for your auto dealership is crucial to enhancing your sales and customer service efficiency. As you compare various CRM platforms, consider these essential factors to find the best fit for your business needs.
Essential Features of Auto Dealer CRM Software
Look for CRMs that offer a robust set of features tailored to auto dealerships. Essential capabilities should include:
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Lead Management: Track and nurture leads from first contact to close.
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Contact Management: Keep customer data organized and accessible.
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Analytics & Reporting: Measure performance and guide data-driven decisions.
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Sales & Marketing Automation: Automate repetitive workflows like follow-ups.
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Task Management: Prioritize and assign daily activities.
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Communication Tools: Enable SMS, email, and phone interactions from within the CRM.
Configuration Flexibility
Look for CRMs that can be customized without heavy development work, so they adapt to your dealership’s unique workflows.
Integration Capabilities
Ensure the CRM can integrate seamlessly with existing systems such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and Dealer Management Systems (DMS). These integrations are vital for automating processes and improving the accuracy and usefulness of CRM data. More about CRM integrations can be found in this guide.
Reliable Customer Support
Strong customer support is crucial for any CRM system. Evaluate the support services provided, including:
- Accessibility of Support: Availability of support via multiple channels such as phone, email, and live chat.
- Responsiveness: Quick response times and effective problem resolution are essential.
- Resource Availability: Access to a comprehensive online knowledge base or resource center that helps with self-service troubleshooting and best practices.
By considering these aspects, you can ensure that the CRM software you choose will effectively support your auto dealership’s unique needs and help streamline your operations.
8 Best CRM For Auto Dealers in 2024
1. Teamgate CRM
Teamgate CRM Ratings
Teamgate CRM Key Features
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Intuitive interface and easy configuration
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Sales dashboards with KPIs and visual pipeline tracking
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SmartDialer native call management
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Integrations with Xero, Slack, and Mailchimp
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Advanced reporting and analytics
Teamgate CRM is a complete CRM platform perfect for dealerships of all sizes. It offers various features like lead management and comprehensive reporting to streamline and improve an auto dealership’s processes.
Recently awarded leader in Capterra’s 2024 Value-for-Money CRM list, the smart, easy-to-use CRM has a sales dashboard, native call management (SmartDialer), and contact management features to build and nurture relationships with customers. These features can help personalize the customer experience from the moment you receive a test drive request to the time customers schedule their first service.
2. ProMax
ProMax Ratings
ProMax Key Features
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Certified OEM lead manager
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Customizable lead management and reports
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Email marketing with A/B testing
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Inventory management
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Accessible on desktop and mobile
ProMax is an award-winning CRM. A notable feature is its lead management tool, which is customizable to fit your specific sales processes. Plus, it offers customizable lead activity monitoring, reports, and notifications, so you can easily track sales performance.
The CRM is available for virtually all devices, including desktop and mobile devices. This is great for using the platform from anywhere, whether you’re in the office, the shop, or the lot.
3. DealerSocket
DealerSocket Ratings
- 3.8/5 (G2)
DealerSocket Key Features
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OEM integrations
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Service appointment scheduling
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Marketing automation and equity mining
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Credit qualification tools
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Mobile sales capabilities
DealerSocket is tailor-made for auto dealerships. It can help you manage marketing campaigns, streamline sales processes, and improve customer satisfaction.
The platform offers robust sales tools, including lead management, mobile sales capabilities, call management, and credit qualification. Other key features revolve around service management, which enables you to create a self-service portal for your customers, balance appointment capacity, and more.
The platform also offers automated marketing templates, vehicle lifecycle tracking, and web-based inventory management designed for independent and BHPH (Buy Here, Pay Here) dealerships.
4. Dominion Dealer Solutions
Dominion Dealer Solutions Ratings
- 2.5/5 (G2)
Dominion Dealer Solutions Key Features
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Integrated CRM and DMS features
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Inventory and lot management with video tours
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Lead capture from multiple sources
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Built-in dashboards and alerts
Dominion Dealer Solutions is a dealer management system (DMS) with CRM features. For example, it helps pull sales and service leads from multiple sources, including the shop floor, phone, and internet, into the platform.
The web-based platform offers a range of tools for inventory management, lead generation, and customer retention. With DMS and CRM tools, it’s a solid choice for both franchised and independent dealerships.
5. Selly Automotive
Selly Automotive Ratings
- 4.7/5 (Capterra)
Selly Automotive Key Features
- Excellent support
- Automated workflows, responses, and reminders
- Built-in texting interface
- Lead capturing via Facebook and Messenger
Selly Automotive has created a beginner-friendly solution specifically for independent auto dealers. The platform includes robust lead management tools, workflow automation, lead source tracking, text blast tools, and built-in call recording.
Selly Automotive’s best selling point is its customer support. The onboarding team helps set up the system and supports you in training your employees. All users get access to phone support and the resources in Selly Automotive’s Help Center.
6. VinSolutions
VinSolutions Ratings
VinSolutions Key Features
- Dedicated performance manager
- Detailed sales reports for all leads
- Ability to monitor and record conversations between team members and clients
- Integrations with tools like Dealerstack DMS, Accelerate My Deal, Dealer.com, IntellaCar, and Xtime
VinSolutions is a CRM built specifically for auto dealers. One standout feature is the support you receive from a dedicated performance manager who will partner with you to improve your sales processes.
Beyond this key feature, VinSolutions offers other critical features of a robust CRM, including built-in reports, marketing campaign development, and customizable workflows.
The CRM integrates with various automotive platforms, including Dealerstack DMS, Kelly Blue Book, and Dealer.com. This allows the VinSolutions Connect CRM to pull data from these apps and offer deep insights for your automobile dealership business.
7. DriveCentric
DriveCentric Ratings
- No rating available.
DriveCentric Key Features
- Communication tools for tracking customer interactions
- Inventory management tools for streamlining the vehicle acquisition process
- Lead generation module for capturing, tracking, and nurturing leads
- Advanced analytics for deep insights into customer behavior
DriveCentric offers a simple and intuitive CRM platform. The software features simplified sales pipelines built to focus on the most important data, enabling your sales team to get more work done. Plus, you’ll benefit from its incredible inventory management tools that ensure the inventory your customers see online is what’s shown in your CRM.
The platform’s extensive analytics enable you to make data-driven decisions, while the customer communication tools allow frictionless interactions with customers across their preferred channels.
8. AutoRaptor
AutoRaptor Ratings
- 4.6/5 (Capterra)
AutoRaptor Key Features
- Customizable sales processes and daily work plans
- License and VIN scanning
- SMS, email, and phone communication tools
- Email and SMS campaign automation
AutoRaptor helps independent dealers manage leads and customer relationships. The CRM displays leads and customers, their activities, and their position in the pipeline. This allows sales teams to improve conversion rates and manage customer relationships more effectively. The CRM also includes the option to create no-code round-robin rules for effective lead distribution.
AutoRaptor also features automated and customizable sales process features, enabling you to customize your processes to fit your needs. You can also automate follow-up emails and texts so your dealership stays top of mind for your customers.
Maximizing CRM Benefits for Auto Dealerships
Implementing a CRM is just the first step; leveraging its full potential requires strategic planning and execution.
Best Practices:
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Staff Training: Ensure your team is well-trained to utilize all CRM features effectively.
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Data Cleanliness: Regularly update and clean your CRM data to maintain accuracy and relevance.
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Performance Monitoring: Use the CRM’s analytics to track key performance indicators (KPIs) and adjust strategies accordingly.
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Customer Segmentation: Segment your customer base to deliver targeted marketing campaigns and personalized communications.
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Integration: Integrate the CRM with other dealership systems for a unified workflow and better data visibility.
Leverage Teamgate CRM for Enhanced Customer Engagement
Teamgate CRM offers a comprehensive solution tailored for auto dealerships, designed to enrich client interactions and streamline operational processes. With its user-friendly interface and robust features, Teamgate enables dealerships to:
- Organize Customer Data: Keep all customer information organized and accessible to ensure a personalized service approach.
- Gain Valuable Insights: Utilize advanced analytics to understand customer needs and preferences better, helping you make informed decisions.
- Track Interactions: Monitor every customer interaction to provide timely responses and follow-ups, ensuring no opportunity is missed.
Experience Teamgate CRM for FREE Today
Discover how Teamgate can transform your auto dealership’s customer relationship management. Sign up for a 14-day free trial today and start exploring the possibilities of a more organized, insightful, and efficient CRM system.
FAQs: Auto Dealer CRM Software
What is CRM software and why is it important for auto dealerships?
CRM software is a tool that helps auto dealerships manage interactions with current and potential customers. It is vital for organizing customer information, automating sales processes, and improving service delivery, ultimately leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.
What features should I look for in auto dealer CRM software?
When selecting CRM software for an auto dealership, important features to consider include lead and contact management, sales and marketing automation such as digital catalogs, analytics and reporting, task management, and integrated communication tools.
How does CRM software improve customer relationships?
CRM software helps auto dealerships provide a more personalized service by maintaining detailed records of customer interactions, preferences, and history. This information can be used to tailor communications and offers, thereby enhancing the customer experience and fostering loyalty.
Can CRM software integrate with other systems used by auto dealerships?
Many CRM systems are designed to integrate seamlessly with a wide range of business management tools, including ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and DMS (Dealer Management Systems). These integrations allow companies to streamline operations, automate workflows, and ensure real-time data synchronization across departments. Leveraging interconnected business management tools ultimately boosts efficiency and reduces manual errors.
What should I consider when choosing a CRM system for my auto dealership?
When choosing a CRM for your auto dealership, consider factors such as the system’s feature set, ease of use, configurability, integration capabilities, and the quality of customer support offered by the provider.
How can I start using CRM software at my auto dealership?
To start using CRM software, first identify your dealership’s specific needs. Then, evaluate various CRM solutions that meet these needs and choose one that fits your requirements and budget. Many CRM providers offer free trials, which can help you test the software before committing.
What support options are available for CRM software?
Most CRM providers offer a range of support options including phone support, email assistance, live chat, and access to an online knowledge base or help center. Ensure the chosen CRM offers the level of support you need for effective use and troubleshooting.
