WALTHAM, Mass. -

DealerRater, a dealer review website, reached a new threshold for its Certified Dealer program while also marking a two-fold increase in the program’s  membership in the past six months.

The site now has 2,000 dealers in the fold. Officials believe such monumental growth in the number of Certified Dealers underscores the significance of the certification program as an accepted online reputation management tool for dealerships throughout North America. They also contend the growth demonstrates to the users of DealerRater the Certified Dealers’ commitment to a high level of customer service.

To recap, DealerRater introduced its Certified Dealer program in February 2008. It includes a network of dealers spanning 46 states and three Canadian provinces.

The Certified Dealer program is meant to connect dealers with DealerRater’s 3 million users while also monitoring the store’s online reputation. The site contends that Certified Dealers who are successful in establishing an online presence are committed to both asking customers to write reviews and to addressing customer feedback.

By requesting and receiving significant positive user reviews, DealerRater believes certified dealers are able to outpace the competition and leverage their online reputation to increase market share.

Officials insist Certified Dealers typically receive a 400-percent increase in visitor click traffic over non-certified dealers.

“I am pleased to welcome our 2,000th customer to our Certified Dealer program,” declared Chip Grueter, president of DealerRater.

“Our Certified Dealers understand the critical role that user reviews have in building their online brand and are dedicated to cultivating a best-in-class dealership grounded on high quality sales and service,” Grueter concluded.