Dealer Alchemist leadership reflects on 2024’s lessons, emphasizing transparency and digital marketing as keys to success. They discuss essential strategies for navigating the upcoming year, urging dealers to maintain a clean online presence and embrace innovation while managing expectations. • Importance of transparency in vendor-dealer relationships • Reflection on successes and challenges of 2024 • Need for a strong, simple website foundation • Overview of OTT advertising's potential and usage • Encouragement for strategic digital marketing and advertising • Predictions for 2025’s growth and innovations • Final advice: Embrace proactive strategies and avoid reactive measures…

In this episode of Automotive Alchemy , we’re joined by Shean Kirin, the visionary founder of Dealer Alchemist, to uncover the strategies that can revolutionize your dealership’s online presence. Together, we tackle the art of optimizing new and used inventory pages, emphasizing how a seamless user experience and smart design can drive higher conversion rates and customer satisfaction. Shean shares practical insights into creating intuitive, mobile-first websites inspired by tech leaders like Apple and Tesla. We explore six essential steps to refine inventory pages, from understanding your audience and streamlining navigation to implementing transparent pricing and leveraging tools like Penny Perfect Payments to build trust. Discover how simplifying digital retailing processes and strategic button placement can transform customer interactions into meaningful relationships. Whether it’s ensuring your website performs flawlessly across devices or enhancing lead generation with transparent communication, this episode provides a blueprint for dealership success in the digital age. Tune in to Automotive Alchemy for actionable advice and strategies to take your dealership’s digital performance to the next level. Don’t miss this deep dive into the power of optimized websites and the future of online automotive sales!…

Unlock the secrets to transforming your car dealership's online presence with insights from Shean Kirin, founder and CEO of Dealer Alchemist. In this episode, Shean shares how understanding your target audience is crucial to optimizing your website for maximum conversion. Discover the power of a streamlined, minimalistic design, and learn why cluttered web pages can deter potential customers. Shean seamlessly ties these concepts to the design philosophies of leading companies, providing actionable strategies to help you craft a user-friendly and engaging online experience. Explore the pivotal role of storytelling and authenticity in crafting compelling "About Us" pages. We discuss how dealerships can leverage genuine narratives and community involvement to foster trust and establish strong connections with their audience. Hear how Subaru of Wichita and Auburn Volkswagen successfully integrated their core values into their digital presence, resulting in increased community engagement and customer loyalty. Uncover practical tips for incorporating authentic stories and conversion points into your website to enhance customer interaction without overwhelming them. Mobile optimization is no longer optional—it's a necessity. This episode emphasizes why a mobile-first approach is critical, especially when two-thirds of your traffic is likely coming from mobile users. Learn from real-world examples of common pitfalls and discover best practices for creating seamless mobile experiences. We also provide guidance on optimizing website layouts for conversion and the importance of collaboration with website providers. Don't miss this opportunity to refine your digital strategy and elevate your dealership's success with expert advice from Dealer Alchemist.…

Are vanity metrics misleading your dealership's marketing efforts? Shean Kirin joins us to reveal how focusing on superficial metrics like website visitors and social media likes can hinder true performance in automotive marketing. In this episode, you'll learn how to shift your focus to actionable metrics that directly impact your bottom line, such as lot visits and phone calls. We share real-world examples, including a Toyota dealership's misallocated advertising budget, to illustrate how meaningful metrics can lead to better decision-making and improved vendor relationships. Unlock the secrets of evaluating advertising metrics in the automotive industry. We discuss why understanding the quality of leads is far more important than just their cost and how superficial metrics can be misleading. By comparing traditional advertising methods with the complexities of the digital age, we highlight the necessity for dealerships to scrutinize their metrics and focus on actionable insights. Through humorous analogies and real-world case studies, we emphasize the importance of quality over quantity in lead generation, ultimately enhancing sales efficiency and closing ratios. Discover how Google's advancements are reshaping customer interaction insights and the significance of regularly reassessing vendor partnerships. We delve into the evolving role of metrics in automotive marketing and the benefits of transparent, formulaic approaches to vendor evaluation. As we highlight resources like Dealer Alchemist's complimentary e-books and digital marketing audits, our goal is to educate and empower dealers to optimize their return on investment. Tune in to transform automotive challenges into opportunities and gain valuable insights to drive sales effectively.…

Explore strategies for maximizing your ROI in automotive digital marketing with industry veteran Shean Kirin on the Automotive Alchemy Podcast. With over 30 years of experience, Shean brings valuable insights into how transparency can transform dealer-vendor relationships. He shares real-life examples of dealerships being taken advantage of by advertising agencies and emphasizes the critical importance of verifying every dollar spent. Understand how clear, open communication can help prevent financial losses while fostering innovation and trust within the industry. In this episode, we discuss ethical practices that ensure dealers and vendors work together with transparency. Shean explains why it's crucial for dealers to fully grasp the services they receive, allowing them to contribute innovative ideas and critically assess how their advertising dollars are being utilized. We tackle the issues of fear mongering and deliberate confusion by some companies, advocating for clear, straightforward communication that builds long-term, trust-based relationships. From balancing transparency with proprietary technology to the ethical considerations of referral fees, this episode covers a wide range of topics. Shean shares compelling stories about how transparent advertising practices can build consumer trust, drawing comparisons with industry leaders like Tesla. We also explore the upcoming "cars rule" that mandates transparency and the importance of ensuring advertised prices match the actual offerings. Gain actionable insights on how to use transparency to enhance your digital marketing strategies, creating mutually beneficial outcomes for both dealers and customers.…

Ever wondered why your dealership's digital marketing campaigns aren't driving the sales you expected? In this episode of Automotive Alchemy, Shean Kirin reveals the secrets behind the conversion metrics that truly matter for car dealerships. Forget superficial metrics like clicks on directions; Shean breaks down the vital indicators such as leads, phone calls, and form fills that pave the way to real sales. Listen in as he exposes the importance of holding your service providers accountable and decoding analytics to track actual sales conversions, ensuring your advertising dollars are well spent. Imagine a dealership website that's not just sleek but also a conversion powerhouse. Shean discusses how simplifying the user interface, enhancing site speed, and selecting the right button types can transform your website's performance. Learn why excessive third-party scripts and intrusive pop-ups could be killing your conversion rates and how targeted social advertising can enhance consumer engagement. With these strategies, you can optimize your site for a user-friendly experience that leads to better sales performance. Ready to stay ahead of the curve in automotive digital marketing? Shean touches on the future trends like cookie management and native digital retailing, and how innovations like penny-perfect payment systems are setting new standards. He also shares insights into SEO's evolving landscape, emphasizing the need for technical optimization and high-quality content. Discover how leveraging data analytics to personalize user journeys can significantly boost mobile conversions. Join us as we turn automotive challenges into golden opportunities with a glimpse into the future of digital marketing and dealership success.…

What if you could revolutionize your automotive advertising strategy and leave your competitors in the dust? Jeff Clark from Dealer Alchemist joins us to explore the seismic shift from traditional linear TV to Connected TV (CTV) and Over-The-Top (OTT) media. Discover how media consumption patterns in 2023 have evolved, with streaming becoming the dominant force, and how devices like Fire TV and Roku are now household staples. We dive into the transformative impact these changes have on targeting potential car buyers, providing a more cost-effective and precise advertising method. Imagine being able to tailor your advertisements to the specific needs and preferences of a potential BMW buyer, delivering personalized content that speaks directly to them. In this episode, we break down the effectiveness of CTV advertising strategies and how they harness real-time data for unparalleled audience targeting. Jeff and I discuss the importance of understanding consumer journeys, especially for high-value purchases like vehicles, and how this personalized approach can significantly enhance customer relationships and drive sales. We also share real-life examples of local dealers outshining their larger competitors by leveraging these advanced advertising techniques. Finally, we address the pressing need for car dealers to rethink their marketing strategies and embrace modern digital tools. From creating tailored campaigns for different vehicle buyers to reimagining their approach in the face of shifting consumer behaviors, it's clear that adapting to CTV and OTT is no longer optional. We highlight the importance of making the car the focal point of marketing content and stress the necessity for continual education and adaptation. Tune in for an episode packed with insights and actionable strategies that will equip you to thrive in the evolving automotive marketing landscape.…

Get on the road to revolutionizing automotive dealership advertising with Jeff Clark of Dealer Alchemist, who joins the podcast to explore the merging lanes of OTT media and car sales. Get ready to unlock the secrets of harnessing streaming platforms and Connected TV for precise, effective marketing strategies that resonate with today's 'cord cutters.' Jeff brings his seasoned perspective to the table, highlighting the importance of personalized messaging and the potential for targeted ads to drive actual sales over traditional vanity metrics like CPM. Listen closely as we navigate the often-overlooked opportunities and pitfalls within the OTT/CTV landscape. We tackle the challenge of marketing fraud head-on, discussing the importance of smart investment and a commitment to media that yields verifiable results. Jeff's insights and personal experiences shine a light on the importance of consultative dialogue with dealers, ensuring that advertising budgets are not only spent wisely but are fully optimized to engage the modern consumer effectively. Our journey through automotive marketing doesn't end at the local dealership; we also cast a line into the future of advertising technology. From the unique regional nuances in consumer behavior to the strategic timing and placement of ads, we dissect the dynamic nature of today's market. With Jeff's expertise, we chart the course for embracing new technologies, setting aside budgets for experimental marketing, and the continuous evolution of digital advertising. Fasten your seatbelts for an episode that promises to drive your dealership's marketing strategy into the fast lane.…

Discover keys to revolutionizing your dealership's advertising strategy as Shean Kirin peels back the layers of marketing success. Our latest episode packs a punch with critical insights on when to cut ties with traditional advertising and how to embrace a data-centric digital approach. The automotive industry is changing, and so must our tactics. We'll show you why betting big on your own website and analytics can drive your sales further than any third-party platform. Gear up for a high-octane discussion where we put the pedal to the metal on the effectiveness of analytics in car dealership advertising. We tackle the conundrum of quality versus quantity in lead generation and the art of finessing third-party partnerships to optimize your advertising dollar. With our strategic advice, you'll learn how to navigate the complex analytics that should be the backbone of your marketing decisions and pump the brakes on inefficient spending. It's time to shift gears and race ahead of the competition with precision targeting and smarter budget allocation. Rev up your engines for a glimpse into the future as we charge into the electric vehicle market and the digital shifts transforming car sales. The showroom isn't going anywhere, but the way we interact with customers is driving into a new era. We explore the balance between the digital and personal touch, breaking down how the decline of cookie tracking and rise of personalized data will turbocharge your marketing efficiency. Fasten your seatbelts for a journey into the heart of data-driven decisions and how they will define the road ahead for car dealerships.…

Embark on a journey through the GA4 maze as Shean Kirin, the dealer alchemist himself, sheds light on the transformative power of Google Analytics 4 for car dealerships. This episode dives into the intricacies of GA4, from setting up to dissecting conversion tracking, ensuring your dealership harnesses the true potential of data-driven decisions. As the automotive industry faces the seismic shift from Universal Analytics to GA4, we provide a compass to help you focus on the conversions that truly matter, from phone calls to form fills, and explain why the partnership and transparency in advertising are more critical than ever. The auto world has been buzzing with talk of Google Analytics 4, but what does it really mean for your dealership? Shean Kirin dissects the common pitfalls in the GA4 conversion setup and offers solutions that will keep your analytics engine running smoothly. He emphasizes the importance of simplicity in analytics to make your data actionable, and the critical role of regular maintenance to avoid tracking inaccuracies. Understanding the impact of each conversion on your bottom line has never been more essential, and we're here to help you navigate these changes with clarity and confidence. In the dynamic arena of automotive sales, the power of data is undeniable. This episode not only explores the foundational conversions within GA4 but also peers into the vital engagement metrics that inform your marketing strategies. Learn how to analyze user behavior beyond the superficial, and understand why a social media 'like' may have less impact on your sales than a completed trade-in tool form. With our expert guidance, you'll be equipped to make informed decisions that drive your business forward, leveraging the potent combination of GA4 setup and management for success in the digital age. www.dealeralchemist.com…

Can you imagine a world in which your dealership’s digital advertising efforts are not only effective but also drive significant ROI? Operating in this digital era, it's crucial to understand and evaluate the various aspects and metrics involved in digital advertising. Join us, as we take a deep dive into the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing. Premier Dealer Alchemist, Shean Kirin will guide you on how to effectively allocate your ad budget, the role engagement time plays in your analytics, and why transparency and accountability are integral components of your dealership's advertising success. We recognize the challenge of grasping complex topics like cost per click, traffic attribution, and advertising budget allocation. So, we're here to break it all down for you, giving you digestible, actionable insights that are key to driving incremental business. We'll tackle the issue of frequent ad account changes and share personal experiences and insights from top-performing dealerships. Did you know that everyone's favorite model-specific paid search campaigns and social media ads can significantly increase engagement? Yes, you heard it right! We'll also explore these and many more strategies that will transform your digital advertising approach. But it's not just about effective tactics; open communication and trust form the bedrock of any successful partnership. And in this digital age, it's no different between vendors and dealers in the automotive industry. We firmly believe in the power of education - dealers who comprehend marketing strategies and data are better equipped to achieve desired results. As we wrap up, we invite you to engage with us, leave comments, or ask questions on our YouTube channel or website, dealeralchemist.com. Let's embark on this transformative journey together, one episode at a time. #AutomotiveAlchemy #DealerAlchemist #digitalmarketing #automotive…

Ever feel like you're losing money on digital advertising for your dealership? Stop the leaks and harness the power of Google's vehicle ads when you tune into this episode of Automotive Alchemy. We're peeling back the layers on this high-converting digital ad type, uncovering the complexities, and laying out the opportunities to increase your ROI. Take a deep dive with us as we discuss setting up vehicle listing ads, effectively assigning value to each type of conversion, and leveraging Google Analytics to skyrocket your conversion rates. We'll also help you navigate the challenges of exclusions and interaction rates, as well as the importance of using Google Analytics 4 (GA4) in managing your digital advertising campaigns. Our goal is to equip you – the dealers – with the strategies you need to become informed stewards of your ad budget. Finally, we can't stress enough the importance of cultivating a good relationship with your vendors. We'll explore the cost implications of digital advertising and how to get the best results by collaborating with your vendors. We'll also share strategies to run effective vehicle listing ads and how to funnel more of the Performance Max money into the ad type that works best for your dealership. So get ready to transform your understanding of vehicle ads and Performance Max campaigns, and maximize your ad budget. Tune in and let's start your journey towards digital advertising success! #dealeralchemist #sciencethatsells #automotive #digitalmarketing…

In this episode of "Automotive Alchemy," Shaun and Shean discuss the importance of Google Ads and paid search for automotive dealers. They delve into different ad types, including traditional search, display, video, vehicle listing ads and performance max. Pay attention to the discussion around vehicle listing ads in particular as this is a very important ad type for dealers. The conversation also covers the significance of transparency, understanding ad metrics, optimizing campaigns, and staying up-to-date with market trends. Overall, the episode emphasizes the need for dealers to utilize the right ad types and strategies to effectively sell cars in today's digital landscape.…

On this episode of Automotive Alchemy, Lisa Gener and Andrew Nave discuss the recently activated Google Analytics 4 (GA4). Some automotive dealers prepared for this change, but many did not. Lisa and Andrew answer some critically important questions and share insights to help dealers catch up if needed and prepare to thrive in the new era of analytics.…