Online Inventory Marketing Tool

This category was formerly known as Online Auction Listing Service. It was felt a name change was necessary to more accurately describe the wide array of services provided by many of these vendors. These providers supply the mechanism by which dealers market their inventory online. They help dealers push inventory out not only to online auctions, but also to free and paid classified sites, and many offer other online marketing services like vehicle videos, SEO and SEM.

Reflecting the same trend seen in the Internet Trainer and Web Site Design/Provider categories, the group average in this category hit its highest level ever. Every day, more and more dealers are becoming acutely aware of the need to get online exposure for their inventory. Maintaining a firm hold on the market was returning champion and current Double Diamond Award winner eBizAutos. “Our core philosophy at eBizAutos hasn't changed—provide dealers with the latest innovations in a simple, easy-to-use format that helps them maintain a distinctive edge in the online marketplace,” said Darren Haygood, director of national accounts for eBizAutos. “Let's face it, virtually every customer today utilizes the Internet prior to making a purchase decision. The dealers that combine a superior online marketing presence with consistent in-store processes are going to prevail over their competition.”

Making its first appearance in this category was Auction123, which received the Platinum Award. This year, no other provider scored above average.