Microsites are not new, but they certainly seem to be catching on. When we discuss microsites we’re talking about websites that have unique URLs and/or are separate from a car dealer’s main website. The content for these microsites are typically much narrower in focus, and revolves around a particular product or service.
With microsites catering to a specific product or service, car dealers can easily deliver unique and targeted marketing campaigns. Microsites can benefit car dealers by providing a more targeted landing page for a new or existing paid search advertising campaign. More targeted content is also advantageous for organic search.
The real benefit of a microsite is flexibility. If you have a lucrative product, service, or profit center, why not utilize a marketing tool specifically for it? Best of all, a microsite is smaller and more manageable than a dealership’s primary website.
An example of a highly targeted microsite is one recently launched for an Ashland Ford dealer. Giving highly-targeted information regarding their maintenance-related services, the Richmond Quick Lane microsite provides Richmond-area drivers with information regarding an oil change Richmond VA, tire services, brake services, and other services that drivers may not realize were available at a Ford dealership. What makes this microsite successful is that it provides a destination that appeals to a wide range of drivers, and not just those that happen to drive a Ford.
For those looking for collision repair in Richmond Virginia, the same dealer has also produced a helpful microsite that again provides what searchers are looking for. While similar content is located on their dealership’s primary website, the microsite is tailored not only to Ford owners, but also those drivers that own other makes.
Opportunities arise with microsites because they help extend the reach of your dealership by helping you communicate with a niche audience. And because they’re so specific, microsites are a great way to optimize for a specific keyword or phrase, which is helpful for organic search as well. At the average car dealership, there are many stakeholders, including those who want to buy a car, finance a car, service a car, detail a car, etc. For those stakeholders that matter most, or for those who may otherwise would not respond to the content on your primary website, a microsite is the simple solution to drive additional leads.
Volvo Dives into Plug-in Hybrid Technology
Volvo has been struggling amid slumping global sales, but that hasn’t stopped the automaker from diving into research and development. One such as product of its R&D efforts is a new plug-in hybrid that will be due by 2012. Volvo has committed itself to producing a high mileage diesel-electric plug-in hybrid, but it has yet to confirm its plans to sell the vehicle in the U.S.
Lexus ES Still Critical to Luxury Brand Lineup
As one Lexus’ most popular models, there will be plenty of drivers that will be happy to see a revamped Lexus ES 350 coming to showrooms later this month. While it may not be a full redesign, the updating certainly brings needed enhancements.
Euro Civic Type-R Teases U.S. Consumers
In the U.S., Honda is mostly known for producing somewhat conservative, economical cars. However, the image of Honda outside of the States is far more performance oriented. This is attributed to a range of models that can be had overseas, but remain unavailable here.
