How Mobiles Benefit Dealers and Garages as Text Messaging Turns 25

On 3rd December 1992, the simple yet festive (and currently appropriate) words “Merry Christmas” formed the first ever text message.

Now twenty-five years later, with 96 billion texts sent in the UK every day, it’s fair to say mobile technology has evolved somewhat since then. Text messages within the automotive industry have become a key point of customer contact, with MOT and service reminders commonly being sent to customers’ phones, while some dealers opt to use text messages to confirm test drives with prospective buyers.

Dragon2000 were the first company to send text messages from a dealer management system back in 1999, and over the years we have developed a number of features using integrated mobile technology that help car dealers and garages not only stay in touch with their customers, but also assist the selling process, reduce booking no-shows, and up-sell service work.

Dragon APPraise
Our mobile app is essential for car dealers and garages using DragonDMS. It is fully integrated with the DMS and is compatible with both Apple and Android mobile devices, and best of all it is available to all DragonDMS users at no extra charge.

Notable features include the ability for your sales team to use a mobile phone or tablet to appraise vehicles, record and send sales videos to customers, and create stock vehicles that feed straight into the DragonDMS. In addition, Dragon APPraise also contains a comprehensive Vehicle Health Check feature for your technicians to use within the service department.

• Send personalised sales presentation videos direct to customers’ phones
• Appraise arriving stock and part exchanges including photos
• Upload stock directly into DragonDMS on the move
• Vehicle Health Check reports with item photos and build-your-own checklists
• Technicians can record VHC videos and send to customers to explain work required

Automatic Text Message Booking Confirmations and Reminders
Within the DragonDMS, users can set up automatic text message booking confirmations and reminders, as well as sending text message mailshots and individual messages from specific records regarding stock vehicles or sales follow-ups.

Mobile Responsive Websites
Our Dragon2000 built websites are designed to work across all platforms, so when you consider that recent industry research revealed 59% of UK car hunters use their mobile devices to research and compare vehicle prices and specifications, a uniquely designed mobile responsive website is essential to capture mobile enquiries.

Google’s search index will also soon be penalising websites that are not mobile responsive (such as older websites that have not been updated for some time and some basic templates sites), as they switch to primarily using the mobile version of websites to rank sites. Don’t get left behind!

Dragon2000 have been helping dealers and garages drive their businesses forward since 1995. Talk to our team today on 01327 222 333 or email sales@dragon2000.co.uk to find out how our dealer management system, car dealer websites and mobile apps can help your business increase profits and reduce costs.