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CDK Global has launched CDK Next Gen websites, the latest evolution of CDK's website platform, culminating a two-year mobile-first development initiative to completely redesign CDK websites to deliver the best possible online experience seamlessly across smart phones, tablets and notebook PCs, as well as future device classes on the horizon.
Mobile traffic now accounts for nearly two-thirds of web traffic to dealer websites. Further, 75% of all consumer research for purchasing a vehicle is done online, while physical dealership visits continue to decline. To help dealers compete in this environment, CDK Next Gen websites combine responsive technology with cutting-edge designs allowing dealers to differentiate their brand image and help them reach their profit objectives. Next Gen sites deliver unmatched site performance that is twice as fast and further optimized to deliver industry leading out of the box SEO performance. On the backend, Next Gen features an all new site editor that provides the speed and flexibility to make substantial site changes in only a few clicks and full site re-designs in just minutes.
"CDK Next Gen websites are a game-changer in automotive retail, providing consumers a premium mobile experience that connects them to dealers in ways never before possible. Our 100% responsive platform built on 20 years of automotive retail experience delivers the speed and flexibility needed for dealers to have their own next generation competitive edge," stated Max Steckler, Product Officer, CDK Global.
The migration of existing CDK customers to the Next Gen platform began in October 2016 and will continue through mid-2017. CDK will build dealer websites on the Next Gen platform for new customers beginning in April 2017.
These new sites feature beautiful designs on any device, learn and adapt based on shoppers online behavior, possess a clear and concise approach to displaying content, and deliver powerful analytics to help dealers refine their online strategies. The result is state-of-the-art experience that helps the consumer easily find the right vehicle and take the next steps to engage with the dealer, driving consumers to the showroom. Dealers with CDK Connected Store can even give shoppers the ability to build accurate quotes online and send them to the dealership to continue the sales process in-store.
The response from CDK’s dealer customers has been overwhelmingly positive,“We have launched three sites for our dealer group on the new CDK Next Gen platform. They are clean, contemporary and are performing well, generating action from our customers and leads to our rooftops." stated Ignazio Iacono, Vice President New Car Sales, Bay Ridge Automotive Management. "I love the full presentation of my content on all devices. My favorite stat since migration is that click-to-call on mobile is up 340% over last year for sales and 129% for service. Those calls will help drive our business."
Key features of Next Gen websites include:
• Fully-Responsive. Whether viewed on smart phones, tablets or desktop computers, CDK Next Gen websites look great on every device, every time helping dealers will stand out from the competition online.
• Contemporary Design. CDK Next Gen websites feature leading-edge design which incorporates the most up-to-date web design best practices from across the Internet, taking cues from some of the world’s most admired consumer-facing brands, and applying them in an automotive context.
• Speed and Flexibility. Next Gen websites are so simple to produce that site-wide design changes can literally be done in minutes. The all new site editor and intuitive content management tools makes CDK websites far more nimble, allowing dealers to make impactful site changes as often as desired to keep pace with the promotions running in the dealership.
• eCommerce. Next Gen websites offer CDK Connected Store, eCommerce designed for dealers. Connected Store (available at additional cost) allows consumers to start the car purchase process online and finish in the dealership, saving time and improving the car buying experience. By bridging the online and in-store experiences, Connected Store allows dealers to promote accurate lease and finance payments for every vehicle on the lot, and empowers consumers to run real credit and appraisals online, saving time in the store and driving quality leads for the dealer.
Enhanced SEO. Next Gen websites have several built-in features that help drive better indexing on search engines that help dealers rank high in key word search results. All pages are responsive, which results in prioritization by Google.
Next Gen offers dealers, dealer groups and OEMs a high performance website solution that takes full advantage of the scale and cross-industry integration and innovation that only CDK Global can provide. Complemented by integrated advertising, advanced personalization, business intelligence, and social media solutions, CDK Global websites provide the power to advance the business goals of even the most digitally-savvy dealers. CDK is innovating a full range of retailing products that connect consumers to the dealership via the website that create long term customer relationships and significant value to dealers.
About CDK Global
With more than $2 billion in revenues, CDK Global (cdkglobal.com) is a leading global provider of integrated information technology and digital marketing solutions to the automotive retail and adjacent industries. Focused on evolving the automotive retail experience, CDK Global provides solutions to dealers in more than 100 countries around the world, serving more than 27,000 retail locations and most automotive manufacturers. CDK’s solutions automate and integrate all parts of the dealership and buying process from targeted digital advertising and marketing campaigns to the sale, financing, insuring, parts supply, repair and maintenance of vehicles.
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Kyle.donash[.]cdk.com 
