Dealerfire Blog

Update for "I have returned bearing gifts..."

My gift/tip on updating your business directory via one location has been slightly spoiled by an "internal server configuration" error at InfoUSA's website, thanks Michael for pointing it out. I chatted with InfoUSA's live help on the site and they were actually helpful. They gave me a number for the Data compilation Dept which I promptly called to see what could be done to remedy the error. I talked to a gentleman named Larry who couldn't help with the server issue but did give me an email address that you can use to update/change your business listing. Just send them an email with a blank subject line containing the information you would like changed/updated and they'll take care of it. The email address is contentfeedback-at-infousa.com. The server error hopefully should be fixed shortly so bookmark the link for future reference and add the email address to your contacts as a backup. Hmmm....maybe it was the 100's of thousands of my blog readers trying to use the link at once that caused the problem.

Recycle...your old internet leads that is

Do you have some fairly recent internet leads that haven't panned out?  Update the information you have by running it through a data company. I would suggest W3 Data, the company that also does whitepages.com. Whitepages.com is a great to tool for verify phone/address info or getting an address if all you have is a phone or doing reverse phone & address lookups. Now for the recycling part..If your have a name and home address it is a one step process to get income, median home value, owner/renter and other demographic information appended that can help you zero in on the right vehicle/price point for that lead. If you have only a name and home phone number it is a two step process. First you update the name/phone list with with the address, then update the demographic data. Going through these steps allows you to get better info on a lead and turn an internet lead into a direct mail prospect as well. You can give it a look yourself at W3's website under their update customer list and profile customer lists.

I have returned bearing gifts...

I apologize for my absence and many thanks to those who emailed me about when I would post to the blog again. I have been busy with some new clients and had a mild case of writers block. The new client has been setup and is now running smoothly. The writers block has been overcome with a stronger flavor of coffee, and the rumors floating around the office/internet that it also contains Tanqueray Gin are completely false.
Now down to business...As mentioned in the title of this post, I have a gift or more to the point a tip.
A quick and fairly easy way to make sure your dealership is showing up in online business directories and to make sure that the information is correct. Instead of tracking down every possible online business directory and filling out numerous forms, you can follow the link I'll paste below and fill out one form. I found this link while digging through Yahoo's Yellopages verifying business info for our clients. The link is to InfoUSA, who provide the bulk of data and listings for online directories. They also provide business data for in-car navigation systems as well. So follow this link and update your information in one spot, http://dbupdate.infousa.com/dbupdate/index.html