Cobalt Newsroom - Press Release

The Cobalt Group announces next generation of Nitra website solutions to help dealers generate more leads, retain more customers and monitor the performance of their online retailing programs

October 26, 2005

Cobalt SearchStream™ maximizes search engine results

SEATTLE — The Cobalt Group, the leading provider of marketing services for the automotive market, today announced the launch of Cobalt SearchStream™ a new website feature that works with interactive Flash® technology to create a lasting impression on car buyers and prospects while maximizing search engine results. SearchStream™ is the first in a series of search optimization enhancements coming from Cobalt.

Cobalt SearchStream™ works in conjunction with next generation Nitra™ website designs and interactive inventory features to ensure that major search engines like Google and Yahoo are able to "crawl" dealer websites and deliver higher search engine rankings without dealer editing or customization. All Cobalt dealer customers who are currently using the Nitra™ website platform can take advantage of SearchStream™ at no additional cost.

"The increasing use of search engines has created new opportunities for dealers to reach potential customers," said Scott Mathews, General Manager of Cobalt's Applications Business Unit. "With 70% of car buyers starting their buying process with search engines, Cobalt dealers will benefit by ranking higher with popular sites like Google, Yahoo, MSN and Ask Jeeves."

"Cobalt now offers dealers the best of both worlds: interactive design with search engine friendly content," said Jeff Walker, Group Product Manager of Online Retailing Solutions. "New Flash® designs are both professional looking and functional, with interactivity designed to pull consumers into dealer websites to submit a lead. SearchStream™ ensures that search engine spiders can index dealer website content, resulting in higher search placement and driving more customers to dealers using Cobalt Nitra website technology."

SearchStream™ is included in the following new website features:

  • All Nitra™ websites now include SearchStream™, making Cobalt websites organically search engine friendly with no extra effort from the dealer.
  • New Digitalis website designs?Digitalis designs make a big impact with widescreen resolution, interactive content, animated effects, and rotating vehicle images. Integrated dealership contact information and lead forms make it easier for customers to submit a lead inquiry. All Digitalis designs include SearchStream™ to optimize search engine rankings.
  • Interactive Flash Showroom?Promotes new vehicle models with attractive graphics and animation, while providing online shoppers with one-click access to available inventory or quote forms to encourage more leads.

Cobalt dealer customers can get better optics into how SearchStream™ is boosting their website performance and visibility by using the following new performance measuring tool:

  • Dealer Dashboard

Consolidates important performance metrics from Cobalt websites including search and inventory trends, email leads and Media Tracker phone-ups. Side by side phone lead and email lead information shows the true ROI of dealership websites. Search trending helps dealers make informed advertising decisions. Graphical dashboard displays allow dealers to easily understand and improve retailing processes and make informed decisions on how to get more, high quality leads at a lower cost.

Contact Information

Amy Hatch
Email: ahatch@cobalt.com
Phone: 206-219-8132

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