As much of the nation is faced with another massive weather event that threatens to close commerce, many auto dealership staff members are staying home because the doors are shut at the store due to the storm or to care for children who can’t go to closed schools. So if your BDC or sales staff isn't at their desks, are they responding to live chat requests from home? And even if they are, do you honestly think it is their HIGHEST priority as the storms swirl outside and the kids are dancing on the furniture?

What about your customers? Do you just think they're watching football playoffs or The Bachelor? No, if they have power, they are likely online. How many do you think are looking for an all-wheel-drive or 4x4 vehicle while they are stranded in their homes right now?

Of course massive cold weather events and hurricanes don't strike year-round, but they do happen, and are one of many reasons a hosted live chat service should be part of your dealership website marketing strategy.  

The weather is just one reason to have your live chat handled by a quality service (like CarChat24). A few other benefits include:

• Eliminate staffing challenges (80 or more hours a week of coverage)
• Quicker response times
• No learning curve for software or conversation tactics / scripts
• Eliminate missed opportunities after hours (with 24/7 option)

If you are still trying to decide if a live chat option can benefit your dealership by increasing leads and improving car sales, here are a ways it can help your store:

• Doesn’t replace existing contact form leads
• Maximize current website investment
• Greet prospects on the website (virtual lot)
• Increase customer satisfaction (online and overall)
• More leads >>> more deals

Don't let the weather stop you from adding buyers to your sales pipeline. Leverage the full power of the internet with a quality hosted live chat option.

Tom LaPointe CarChat24 Marketing Consultant

www.carchat24.com/ 24/7 Interactive Automotive Dealer Website LIVE CHAT Solutions Managed Chat, Backup Chat Support, and chat software options 727-638-0195

A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Tom has an MBA in Marketing and is an automotive writer and author with nearly 20 years experience in virtually every aspect of the retail auto industry. He has been involved with the internet from the beginning, building websites at Johns Hopkins University in the 90's, and has been a performance leader in nearly every dealer role, from sales and service, to BDC / internet sales and viral marketing.