Dealer e-Process: YouTube Video Integration powered by Dealer eWeb

What is YouTube?

YouTube is a video sharing website that allows users to upload and share videos with other users. Provided that copyright, defamation and decency laws are not broken, YouTube will showcase any video that is uploaded onto its website. There are no usage fees, membership fees or video expiration dates associated with YouTube. Essentially, YouTube will accept and showcase any video, for an infinite amount of time, regardless of its length, topic or quality.

Why is YouTube such a powerful tool?

YouTube is an immensely powerful tool for several reasons, but perhaps the most relevant reasons are engagement, reach and relevance.

Engagement

YouTube fosters a genuinely user-rich experience. Instead of reading a plain, scroll-down page mottled with anchor text links and embedded advertisements, users are invited to view informative and/or entertaining video about the topics they are researching. While YouTube has not replaced the effectiveness of the written word on the internet, it certainly complements it.

Reach

In 2009, Comscore (a respected internet research company) reported that YouTube had garnered over 100 million members in 22 different countries. It is the fourth most visited website on the internet (behind Google, Yahoo and Facebook) and is gaining more popularity everyday. While one might argue that watching video content on the internet is a matter of personal preference, it is safe to say that the vast majority of internet users are trending toward the video direction. After all, how many websites can boasts nearly 20 million unique users per month with loads of new content being added everyday? Clearly, YouTube is a force to be dealt with in terms of reach and mass appeal

Relevance

In 2006, Google (in their largest acquisition to date) acquired YouTube for $1.65 billion. Two things happened with that acquisition - Google obtained the most popular video sharing website in the word and YouTube became integrated into Google's search engine. Why is this important? It changed how Google search results are populated. Today, when a person types a search query into Google's search engine, both written and video content links appear in the search results. In fact, YouTube content now accounts for 25% of all Google search results. Therefore, one can conclude that if a person, brand or company incorporates both written and video content on the web, they will most likely boost their relevance in search.

How can I leverage YouTube in my dealer website?

Leveraging YouTube in your dealer website is simple, particularly with these applications developed by Dealer e-Process:

Vehicle Inventory

Dealer e-Process has developed a way to showcase vehicle inventory on a dealer's website using YouTube as a hosting agent. By manipulating a series of images taken of a particular vehicle, Dealer e-Process has harnesses the technology to create small video clips (set to sound and/or narration) that are maneuverable by internet users. Why is this valuable? It provides a more enticing experience for a potential customer. Instead of viewing a small, static image users are invited to view an engaging video which ultimately gives them a better view of the vehicle while providing valuable information.

YouTube Vehicle Videos

Video Testimonials

YouTube Video Testimonials

Today's car consumers are cautious. Very few people will make a purchase on the fly without consulting some sort of outside resource. That's where video testimonials come in handy. While comment boxes, blogs and dealer endorsements are OK, they do not compare to the power of strong video testimonials.

Video testimonials put a real face/voice behind the endorsement of a particular vehicle or dealership. Aside from being more entertaining than a written testimonial, they tend to be more appreciated by potential customers for their believability. By using YouTube as a hosting agent, Dealer e-Process has developed a way to include video testimonials on all of the websites they build.

Meet the Staff

Most dealers strive to hire a diverse group of sales representatives that appeal to a variety of different people. If such care and consideration is taken during the hiring process of a sales staff then one could argue that equal attention should be applied in their endorsement. That's where the "Meet the Staff" application comes in handy

Using the same YouTube technology applied in the previous applications, Dealer e-Process has provided an outlet for potential customers to get personal with the sales representatives that they choose to work with. This application allows potential customers to learn about the sales representatives working with a particular dealer before they even step foot onto a lot.

Not only does this application allow users to learn specific details about each sales representative, but it also allows them to send specific questions or requests to their chosen representative. Bottom line, this technology helps potential customers get to know the sales representatives they will be working when shopping for a car. Such familiarity helps build trust and ultimately develop good business.

YouTube Meet the Staff Videos

What will I ultimately gain my integrating YouTube technology into my dealer website?

By integrating YouTube technology into your dealer website, you will enjoy the benefits of a more engaging user experience while boosting your website's relevance in search. While integrating YouTube technology might seem intimidating at first, ultimately you will be impressed by its immense reach and ease of use. With proper uploading and video search engine optimization (all implemented by Dealer e-Process) it is difficult not to see anything but positive things associated with this technology.