In the past, auto dealerships relied on software solutions that were provided to them by manufacturers. It seemed to make sense – huge car companies had the resources to develop customized apps that could help dealers win more customers. It was a situation where everyone could stand to benefit.

Recently, however, more and more auto dealers have been making the switch to advanced customer relationship management (CRM) platforms like Salesforce. Along with the new features and flexibility the platform offers, it also gives dealers access to something they can license and manage on their own.

That’s a bigger deal than you might first realize. To help you understand why, let’s look at a few reasons your auto dealership needs its own CRM solution…

Having Data and Control Gives You Flexibility

You work hard to bring buyers into your auto dealership. And, you probably spend a lot of time, effort, and money toward winning their business again and again. Doesn’t it make sense for you and your team to have control of the resulting data and relationships?

By using an auto manufacturer’s proprietary software, you are ceding control of certain records and activities to them. It’s better to maintain a strong database of customer interactions in-house.

You Know Your Market Better Than Anyone Else

It probably goes without saying that you have a close relationship with your auto manufacturer. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you want them deciding which features you can and cannot have in a CRM. That’s especially true when you consider they may have designed their software with a different kind of region or dealership in mind.

With a versatile platform like Salesforce you can not only customize settings and workflows, but also decide which parts of the CRM are worth integrating. In other words, you can decide what you need to do to sell cars in your local market. That’s good news for your bottom line.

You Want to Be a Partner With Your Brand

It’s hard to feel like you’re truly partnered with an auto manufacturer when you don’t have control over customer data, marketing communications, or other key elements of your business. Even if the brand you support has the best of intentions, you’ll want to maintain control of important operations yourself.

From sales to service and even reporting, your dealership runs best when you have control. Having your own CRM makes you a good partner to your brand but not dependent on them for every aspect of your business.

Want to Learn More About What Salesforce Can Do for Auto Dealers?

You might not be familiar with Salesforce yet, but it could be the tool that’s going to revolutionize your business for years to come. To learn more about the ways leading auto dealerships are using it to increase sales and lower costs, contact the SaltClick team today to schedule a free consultation.