Responding to dealer feedback, the team that brings you Service Dealer are delighted to bring you 'Garden Trader' - a brand new website which introduces consumers to Garden Machinery Dealerships.
After receiving industry feedback from two Service Dealer Conferences of a lack of cohesion between the average consumer and the Independent Dealerships, the idea of Garden Trader was born.
Garden Trader helps the consumer narrow down the choices of Garden Machinery available to them and then points them in the direction of their local Dealership. It does not only suggest new products but also deals with repairs and maintenance too and will inform the user where their nearest service centre is. The sole idea being is to drive more footfall to the Dealers.
The average consumer has little knowledge of about garden machinery and doesn’t have the time to spend hours researching products. Garden Trader does the legwork for them.
Garden Trader and Service Dealer owner, Duncan Murray-Clarke said, "We are so pleased to offer this service to Garden Machinery Dealerships, based on the feedback we've received. The website will present the specialist trade to consumers who might not be familiar that such a service exists on their doorstep.
"We want to make the link in the public's mind that when they type 'lawnmower' into Google, there is a professional network out there waiting to help them - and not just with sales, but with aftersale care and service also. It's all about making the dealers collectively more visible."
The website launches during February 2017 where it will be initially populated with almost 1000 selected Dealerships. These have been personally selected by Garden Trader's dealer consultant Ron Miller based on their dedication to Garden Machinery. These Dealerships will experience the website free of charge until the end of the year and then they will be invited to remain online by paying a very reasonable annual subscription. There is no cost to the consumer.
"Dealers are in the process of being contacted now to try out the service for free until the end of 2017," says Duncan. "We would really encourage the selected dealers to make the most of this opportunity. The few minutes it takes to log-in and register could make a real difference in their battle against the online retailers and the sheds. It is a tool, totally independe from manufacturers which they haven't had before, and no doubt will be invaluable in the years to come.
"Also the site is great news for consumers too. By being encouraged to visit their local garden machinery specialist, they will receive a much more rewarding retail experience, end up with the right tool for their needs, and be safe in the knowledge they have local service back-up on their doorstep."
In terms of promotion, Garden Trader will be running a paid for advertising campaign from February 2017 to drive traffic to the site which includes:
- Google Text Ads
- Google Display Ads
- Remarketing
- Facebook etc
The site will benefit from sponsorship from major industry companies, with Briggs & Stratton and STIHL the first to confirm their support.
Garden trader will go live in February and selected dealers are currently being contacted by email.