This is an industry that has no shortage of vendors. There are more choices amongst those supplying dealerships with websites than several other major industries combined. It's competitive out there, which is a great thing for dealers. Unfortunately, it can also be confusing. Who is really delivering the goods and who is peddling smoke and mirrors?

It's a challenge that I wanted to face head on when I launched my company last year. Having spent a decade on the retail side before coming over to the vendor side seven years ago, I have a perspective that can be beneficial to both sides of the table when it comes to delivering the best of the best in services and products to the automotive industry.

We decided to start cataloging those vendors who are truly making a difference, the ones who have created or innovated in a way that makes the most sense to dealers. In essence, this is like my "if I were back" list - if I were back at a dealership with the information that I now have, which vendors would I select to handle the different aspects of marketing, sales, and lead generation for my dealership?

We have already started talking to several vendors, taking notes and asking their clients about their products, services, and most importantly their delivery. It's one thing to have excellent technology, but if the customer service is lacking or the price is too high, it creates a challenge.

Dealers and vendors, we want to hear from you. Who has the goods? Who solves problems that others simply cannot? Who brings a great value to the table by offering a lot for a little. Who is under-promising and over-delivering?

It can be big companies or small. They can be new or old. If you're a vendor and you think you have what it takes to be on the list, let us see what you've got going on. If you're a dealer who has been impressed with one or two of your vendors and believe that they can be beneficial to your peers, we want to know about them.

We will be compiling and publishing the list here once all of the vetting has been completed. It's not a popularity contest - just because one vendor gets 10 dealers saying they're the best doesn't mean that they'll be rated higher than someone who self-promotes. This is about quality, not popularity. It's too easy for active vendors to get a bunch of good ratings on the review sites. We're not looking for consensus. We're looking for the best of the best that can prove it with their products, services, and results.

Who's the best? If you know of a great vendor or if you are a great vendor that can hold up to the scrutiny of a team that knows how to recognize what is real rather than what is promised in a sales pitch, let us know.

Nominations are open - only the best will be recommended.