Posted by
ericacaldon 5 days ago
Driving Digital Excellence Across Multiple Dealerships
Achieving a standout customer experience while managing multiple dealerships with varying needs is no small feat. Dan Plumlee, Chief Marketing Officer for Walnut Ridge Family RV and Primeaux RV, faced these challenges head-on. His story of streamlining operations, cutting unnecessary costs, and leveraging RV-specific digital marketing tools highlights how innovation and the right partnerships can transform businesses in this unique industry.
Awarded the prestigious Sherman Goldberg Award for Digital Excellence at the RVDA Expo, Dan’s success underscores the pivotal role of InteractRV in reshaping his dealerships’ digital presence. Let’s explore how Dan overcame operational hurdles, enhanced customer experience, and achieved significant growth by partnering with InteractRV.
The Headache of Manually Managing Multiple Websites
Overseeing more than four RV dealerships across different states is no small task. Dan’s role involves managing the marketing for Walnut Ridge Family RV with locations in New Castle and Memphis, Indiana, as well as Primeaux RV’s dealerships in Carencro and Alexandria, Louisiana. Add to this a fifth dealership he advises, and it’s easy to see the complexities of these day-to-day operations.
However, the core challenges went deeper than mere logistics. They included:
- Disjointed Websites: Managing fragmented strategies across four dealership websites meant increased costs, inefficiencies, and headaches for his team.
- Non-RV-Specific Vendors: Working with third-party vendors unfamiliar with the RV industry required Dan to repeatedly explain basic industry-specific needs, wasting valuable time.
- Inefficient Customer Experience: Outdated platforms led to clunky navigation, slow performance (especially on mobile), and subpar online interactions, detracting from the shopping experience.
With expansion plans in motion, Dan needed a partner who truly understood the unique demands of the RV industry—a one-stop digital solution to enhance both his team’s efficiency and customer engagement.
An RV-Centric Approach
Dan found his answer in InteractRV, a platform designed specifically for the RV industry. The partnership provided him with tools and resources tailored to the unique needs of RV dealerships, simplifying operations and creating a seamless customer experience from the website to the physical showroom.
Why InteractRV Worked:
Consolidated Vendor Management: By transitioning from six vendors to a single provider in InteractRV, Dan reduced costs and eliminated communication hurdles, freeing him up to focus on creative marketing strategies.
RV-Specific Expertise: Unlike generic providers, InteractRV’s deep understanding of the RV industry meant fewer explanations and faster implementation for processes like pricing rules, PPC campaigns, and website layout.
Streamlined Operations: Transitioning from four separate dealership websites to just two streamlined platforms simplified backend tasks, making updates quicker and web maintenance less cumbersome.
Improved Performance Tracking: Another benefit of transitioning to a single provider is the ability to easily track and compare performance and trends at a glance.
Dan recalls, “It was like night and day. InteractRV’s team not only spoke my language but also helped us improve our processes dramatically. Tasks that would have taken days were now done in minutes.”
Significant Improvements in Leads, Traffic, and More
The partnership with InteractRV was a big win for Dan. He saw solid results in key areas, smoothing day-to-day operations and finding new ways to grow.
Significant Increase in Traffic and Leads
- Leads increased by 200%.
- Website traffic saw substantial growth, largely driven by effective PPC campaigns.
- Automated email marketing helped reach audiences that were previously untapped.
Dan notes, “PPC traffic has tripled since switching to InteractRV. We don’t even care what the previous provider was missing—we’re just celebrating the incredible increase in leads.”
Enhanced Customer Experience
The improved website platform—with a smoother, mobile-responsive design—ensured a more intuitive shopping experience for RV buyers, from researching products to booking services. Customers frequently pointed out how much easier it was to browse inventory and make decisions. At RV trade shows, competitive shoppers remarked that Walnut Ridge’s website was leagues ahead of other dealerships.
Tools like the “Shopper’s Guide” personalized user journeys, turning first-time buyers into confident RV owners.
Simplified Multi-Store Management
Moving from four disjointed websites to two centralized platforms significantly reduced time spent on website management. Even sales teams found the new platform invaluable, using it as a tool to assist with both in-person sales and online inquiries.
Dan and his team now focus on meaningful tasks, including showroom upgrades and customer experience innovations.
Operational Efficiency
With InteractRV taking on a larger role in handling PPC, Facebook ads, automated emails, and newsletters, Dan has reclaimed valuable hours each week. No longer bogged down by backend website management, he is free to invest in initiatives that drive growth.
Why InteractRV Stands Out
InteractRV provides more than just the tools for the job; we’re a strategic partner built specifically for RV dealers. Our extensive experience in the industry, coupled with cutting-edge software, makes us the ideal solution for dealerships looking to elevate their game. Dan chose InteractRV because of:
Industry Expertise: With deep roots in the RV world, InteractRV understands the unique challenges dealerships face. From MAP pricing to tailored marketing strategies, we provide solutions that just make sense.
End-to-End Services: From website development to PPC campaigns and email marketing, InteractRV manages all aspects of a dealership’s digital presence, offering a unified and streamlined process.
Ongoing Support: Dedicated teams ensure every dealership receives the support they need, from onboarding to ongoing adjustments.
Dan’s advice to others considering InteractRV? “Just do it. They’ll make the transition easy, and you’ll wonder why you didn’t make the switch sooner.”
The Future with InteractRV
For Walnut Ridge Family RV and Primeaux RV, the future is bright. With InteractRV’s tools in their arsenal, Dan’s team has already begun exploring advanced marketing opportunities like automated customer journeys and specialized Facebook ad campaigns.
While some businesses may view managing digital tools as a burden, Dan sees them as an opportunity growth in today’s RV market.
A Final Word from Dan
“Our experience with InteractRV has been nothing short of excellent. From simplifying our operations to dramatically improving our online customer experience, they’ve transformed how we run our business. If you want to elevate your dealership, they’re the partner you need.”
