DURHAM, N.C. -

Marketing company Albright Digital recently revealed a new version of its Review Management product suite, a program that aims to improve dealerships’ online reputations, as well as drive additional sales.

The company noted the new version of the program includes full Google+ Local support, “so dealerships are able to track their reviews as well as encourage customers to write reviews” on the search engine.

This may be of particular importance because Google recently launched Google+ Local to replace Google Places business pages. 

“These new pages include a new ranking system based on the Zagat 30 point scale, and additional categories for users to review dealerships,” company officials noted.

“With this launch, Google has fully integrated the Google+ Local scores into search results for Places, so these scores are front and center for prospective customers searching dealerships for vehicle purchase or service through Google,” they continued.

The company also highlighted two specific products included in the release.

First, the Competitive Review Dashboard “monitors how each dealership ranks on review sites as compared to that dealership’s top competitors, and it notifies key personnel when and where any new reviews are posted, so immediate action can be taken,” officials explained.

Next up, the Review Assist product provides what the company calls a  “user facing application” that works to actively users and encourages them to write reviews and provide feedback.

“Most progressive dealerships who have embraced the digital age realize how important it is to have a strong and positive presence on online review sites, like Google+ Local, and how online reputation drives their overall business,” said Vickie Gibbs, general manager of Albright Digital.

“Customers like University Kia started out as not scored on Google+ Local.  After using our Review Management products, they are now scored on Google+ Local and are seeing positive benefits to their website traffic and leads,” she continued.

Lastly, the company stressed just how important online reputation management is to a dealership’s success, citing a recent study.

According to a Yahoo / Cobalt E-Business Study, 73 percent of car shoppers consult online dealership reviews before making a purchase.

“In addition, the study proved that online reviews of dealerships are now more important to a buyer’s dealership choice than location or past dealership experiences,” the company concluded.

For more information, visit www.albrightdigital.com or email info@albrightdigital.com.