Cycle Trader Enhances Virtual Retailing Solutions for Dealers During COVID-19

Cycle Trader introduced a series of virtual retailing tools and services designed to enhance leads, streamline the lead management process and provide multiple channels for connecting with in-market consumers online. Additions include new functions created to encourage consumers to make an offer on or request a video of a motorcycle, increased communication with the addition of video and live chat as well as a texting option, upgraded lead management tools and the new Lead Enrichment feature, offering industry-first consumer shopping activity insights.

“During this pandemic, we have seen the increased need for more robust virtual retailing tools and our teams are working tirelessly to ensure we help drive our dealers’ businesses forward during this unprecedented, ever-evolving environment,” said Lori Stacy, CEO at parent company Trader Interactive. “In light of COVID-19, we have shifted our entire business to deliver the right solutions to support a virtual retailing model for our customers, and as online shopping increases, we saw the need to provide our dealers with even more opportunities to connect with their buyers online.”

The virtual retailing collection of tools includes:

Make an Offer – This new feature expands a dealers’ ability to start transactions online as consumers can now initiate a pricing offer within the Cycle Trader marketplace or on the dealers’ website with the simple click of the Make an Offer button.

Request a Video – Potential buyers can now indicate that they are interested in seeing a video of a particular unit by clicking the Request a Video button and completing a lead form.

Video Chat – Customers can now request a video chat on the dealers’ website or on Cycle Trader’s marketplace to interact with dealers directly. This addition gives dealers the opportunity to not only create a one on one personal connection with a potential buyer, but also enables them to take customers out on their lot to provide virtual video walkthroughs if they cannot shop in-person.

Lead Enrichment – Cycle Trader’s new Lead Enrichment tool provides dealers with deeper insight into potential buyers’ shopping patterns on their marketplace. For each individual lead that comes through the site, dealers will now receive a real-time notification email with the following information on that specific consumer: time in market, high and low price range they have been searching in, total listings viewed and latest units viewed.

Lead Manager – This new tool gives dealers more control and insight into the leads they receive and gives them the power to assign and monitor the progress of their dealership within TraderTraxx, Cycle Trader’s dealer platform. Within Lead Manager, dealers have the ability to access their leads, inventory management, performance metrics and more all within one easy-to-use system.

SMS Texting – In addition to connecting by email or phone, buyers can text dealers about units of interest directly from the relevant Cycle Trader listing. A dealer simply indicates a mobile phone number where they would like to route text messages.

Live Chat (free through May 2020) – To help dealers increase response time, Cycle Trader offers Live Chat. With Live Chat, potential customers can interact with someone at a dealershipwithin a matter of seconds, or whenever the dealer designates themselves as ‘available’, through a pop-up window. This tool allows dealers to offer real-time, on-screen assistance the moment the consumer has a question about a piece of inventory.

All of the solutions mentioned above are available for free to Cycle Trader dealers immediately.

In addition to providing a variety of virtual retailing solutions, Cycle Trader has also created a Virtual Retailing Resource Center to provide dealers with a library of valuable insights and tools to support their business during coronavirus. The library includes information on federal emergency funding options, industry trends, videos, and articles such as Navigating Disruption: How Your Dealership Will Survive COVID-19, all designed to assist dealers as they navigate the business challenges presented by the spread of COVID-19.

Cycle Trader’s Virtual Retailing Resource Center can be found here: https://cycletradermediakit.com/.

To learn more about Cycle Trader’s virtual retailing tools or for more information on the Virtual Retailing Resource Center, contact [email protected].

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.