In today’s competitive landscape, automotive digital marketing is often overwhelming—especially when dealerships try to manage it alone. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and dealerships alike pour tens of thousands of dollars into digital campaigns every month, frequently with minimal returns. LeadLocate offers a smarter alternative. Our innovative platform is the only digital marketing solution that allows direct communication with both buyer and seller leads. With LeadLocate, you can generate more leads, sell more vehicles, acquire local preowned inventory, increase your market share, and drive qualified traffic to your store.
We specialize in targeting FSBO (For Sale By Owner) and active shopper market segments—audiences that have traditionally been overlooked but are ready to do business today. Our solution requires no hefty upfront investment, yet it delivers high-quality leads for both buying and selling. That means you’re never short on fresh conversations that can lead to real sales.
Why Most Dealerships Fail at Digital Marketing
Dealers are always searching for a “cheat code” to boost sales. Instead of refining their own internal processes or investing in robust lead-generation tools, many continue to rely heavily on third-party vendors. This not only limits their control but also contributes to the dominance of these third-party sites in the marketplace—often at the dealership’s own expense.
Adding to the challenge is the undervaluing of skilled in-house marketing professionals. While outsourcing can be an effective strategy, having an informed and loyal in-house team is essential. They provide accountability and ensure that external vendors deliver as promised.
Furthermore, most CRM systems are outdated, relying primarily on emails and manual phone calls. Salespeople find these platforms cumbersome and consider them a distraction from selling. In a fast-paced “sell today” environment, this inefficiency is a costly obstacle.
Another common pitfall? The industry’s overall lack of technological education. Many vendors exploit this knowledge gap, knowing dealerships don’t have the expertise to scrutinize their offerings. It’s time for dealers to take back control and think strategically about their digital marketing investments.
Your 24/7 Digital Marketing Department
When a customer visits your site, they’re likely ready to make a purchase—but they often need support to complete the transaction. How effectively your site connects with customers can make or break your business. That’s why outsourcing your Business Development Center (BDC) is one of the smartest moves you can make. Here are five reasons why:
#1: Round-the-Clock Lead Engagement
Imagine the number of potential leads you could capture if someone was available 24/7 to answer questions, provide assistance, or encourage customers to schedule an appointment. Our outsourced BDC offers real-time support through live chat, video calls, and phone conversations, turning casual interest into active leads.
#2: No More Missed Opportunities
An effective lead-generation system loses its value if leads fall through the cracks. Our outsourced BDC ensures that doesn’t happen. We keep your leads engaged and ready for your sales team to close, increasing conversion rates and maximizing your investment.
#3: Smarter Marketing Insights
Our BDC doesn’t just handle communication—it also gives you actionable insights. You'll receive detailed breakdowns of lead quality by marketing source, helping you understand what’s working and where your dollars are best spent. This intelligence enables you to fine-tune your strategy and make data-driven decisions.
#4: Accelerated Sales Cycles
We act as a catalyst between your internal sales and marketing teams. By reducing the time between lead capture and follow-up, our BDC shortens your sales cycle, allowing your team to close deals faster and more efficiently.
#5: Industry-Leading Expertise
When you partner with LeadLocate, you gain access to a team of seasoned professionals who understand the intricacies of automotive sales and digital marketing. Our guidance and support take the pressure off your internal teams, allowing them to focus on what they do best—selling.
Is LeadLocate Right for You?
Our approach isn’t for everyone—and that’s by design. LeadLocate is not a “magic pill” that turns anyone into a top-performing salesperson overnight. We’re best suited for experienced sales professionals who recognize the value of prospecting and are willing to put in the work. If you’re looking for a shortcut, this may not be the right solution. Success with LeadLocate requires persistence, communication, and the ability to follow through.
What You’ll Need to Succeed
· Prospecting Commitment: Our leads include motivated buyers and sellers looking to trade, upgrade, or sell their vehicles. We don’t advertise your inventory—you have to reach out and build relationships.
· Thick Skin: Not every lead will say yes. If rejection discourages you easily, this may not be the right fit. Some customers need more engagement and follow-up to close.
· Realistic Expectations: Building a strong sales pipeline takes time. You won’t sell 20 cars on your first day—but with consistency, the results will come. If you’ve been in the automotive industry, you understand that success is a marathon, not a sprint.
Why LeadLocate Works
LeadLocate is built with today’s modern sales process in mind. Our platform integrates digital dealer tools like text messaging, ringless voicemail, email marketing, and automation features. We’re constantly enhancing our technology to meet the evolving needs of automotive sales professionals.
Take the Next Step
Ready to level up your automotive digital marketing strategy and connect directly with in-market buyers and sellers? Visit LeadLocate.com to learn more and schedule a demo. Let’s build your success—one lead at a time.