WALTHAM, Mass. — DealerRater has announced the release of LotShot, a web application that helps dealership employees easily snap and share customer photos via email at vehicle delivery.

The app further cements the customer relationship post-sale and dramatically improves the dealership’s chances of receiving an online review on DealerRater, officials said. The LotShot app is accessible from any desktop computer, tablet or mobile device, and is offered as a complimentary feature for dealerships who subscribe to one of the company’s current Certified Dealer Program packages.

Shared via email, the photos capture customers as they receive the keys to their new vehicle and provide them with a keepsake of their shopping experience. The emailed photos are accompanied by a request for customers to share their dealership experience with other in-market shoppers on DealerRater.

“Collecting a steady stream of reviews is a critical ingredient for dealerships to maintain a strong online reputation and ultimately build trust with consumers,” said DealerRater CEO Gary Tucker. “LotShot adds an element of fun to the review collection process by capturing the excitement of the moment a dealer’s customer receives his or her new car.”

Data gathered from a LotShot pilot test with dealerships revealed that nearly 50% of customers who received a LotShot photo also wrote a review on DealerRater. Customers who write a review through LotShot email requests have their photos included with their story online. New- and used-car shoppers are more likely to engage dealerships featuring these photo reviews, which earn more than twice the amount of helpful votes from DealerRater users compared to plain text reviews.