What does it really take to create a dealership website that performs in 2025? In this episode of Automotive Alchemy, Dealer Alchemist’s Chief Revenue Officer, John McAdams, unpacks the essential components of a high-converting digital showroom—rooted in decades of hands-on retail and e-commerce experience.

Listeners will gain clear, actionable insights into what separates top-performing websites from those that simply look good. From the non-negotiables of mobile-first design to the strategic use of AI, dynamic inventory tools, and behavioral lead generation, McAdams emphasizes the importance of simplicity, speed, and user intent. He also challenges outdated design trends and discusses how dealerships can align digital marketing with real operational goals.

This episode covers:

• Why mobile-first is no longer a trend—it's a requirement
  
  
• The dangers of website friction and how to eliminate it
  
  
• Smart strategies for real-time inventory and ad targeting
  
  
• How behavioral intelligence can enhance lead generation
  
  
• The ROI pitfalls of outdated digital practices
  
  
• Conversion benchmarks and what success really looks like
  
  

Whether you're rethinking your current site or planning a full redesign, this episode delivers practical guidance for turning website visits into revenue—backed by one of the most experienced voices in automotive digital strategy.

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While tariffs dominate the headlines and stir anxiety across the automotive industry, the best operators know that real growth comes from mastering the controllables. In this high-impact episode of Automotive Alchemy, automotive veteran and Dealer Alchemist CRO, John McAdams, brings three decades of front-line experience to the table to talk about what dealers can still control—regardless of market disruptions.

With the spotlight on resilience and strategy, this episode dives deep into the profit centers that remain fully within a dealership's command: used inventory, fixed operations, and website conversion. The conversation covers tactical insights into sourcing vehicles smarter and faster, improving service retention, preventing customer defection, and converting more of the traffic dealerships are already earning—organically and through paid efforts.

Beyond best practices, the episode also delivers perspective. John discusses the dealer sentiment he's hearing on the ground—fatigue, frustration, and determination—and offers grounded advice on how to stay focused, sharpen your operations, and avoid overreacting when the industry throws its next punch.

Whether you're trying to adapt your go-to-market strategy or just need a reminder of what really drives sustainable growth, this episode is packed with clarity, confidence, and dealer-tested wisdom. Because when chaos is loud, control becomes your competitive edge.

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In this episode of Automotive Alchemy, John McAdams, Chief Revenue Officer at Dealer Alchemist and a 30-year automotive industry veteran, dives into one of the most powerful (and often overlooked) drivers of consumer behavior—online reviews. Whether you’re a single-point store or a publicly traded dealer group, your online reputation is no longer a side note—it’s a make-or-break factor in dealership growth.

John shares practical, battle-tested insights from both retail and vendor perspectives, including:

• Why reviews now rival personal recommendations in consumer trust.
• How a few bad reviews (or a lack of new ones) can derail sales and service retention.
• The Four Seasons approach to responding to feedback—what to say, what NOT to say, and how to elevate every customer touchpoint.
• The three metrics every dealer should track: response rate, review growth rate, and sentiment analysis.
• How AI is helping (and sometimes hurting) reputation efforts.
• Why Fixed Ops is your biggest untapped opportunity for positive reviews.

If your online reputation feels more dumpster fire than five-star, this episode offers a clear starting point and a strategic path forward. With John’s sharp advice and deep experience, you’ll walk away with actionable ideas to turn customer reviews into a true growth engine for your dealership.

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The evolution of dealership websites has reshaped automotive retail, yet one fundamental truth remains—conversion is the key to success. In this episode of Automotive Alchemy, John McAdams, Chief Revenue Officer at Dealer Alchemist, brings decades of experience from both the dealership and vendor sides to break down the state of dealer websites, digital strategies, and the critical factors that drive real results.

John shares his journey from running dealership operations—including turning around struggling stores—to leading digital strategies that fuel sustainable growth. He dives into the biggest mistakes dealers make with their websites, why conversion rates are often ignored, and how to leverage technology to create a competitive edge. The conversation covers everything from the role of AI in marketing to the importance of balancing fixed and variable operations in a dealership’s growth strategy.

If you're looking for unfiltered insights on website performance, lead generation, and the future of automotive digital retailing, this episode delivers. Whether you're a dealer principal, GM, or marketing professional, you’ll walk away with actionable takeaways to optimize your dealership’s online presence and drive measurable success.

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Dealer Alchemist leadership reflects on 2024’s lessons, emphasizing transparency and digital marketing as keys to success. They discuss essential strategies for navigating the upcoming year, urging dealers to maintain a clean online presence and embrace innovation while managing expectations. 

• Importance of transparency in vendor-dealer relationships 
• Reflection on successes and challenges of 2024 
• Need for a strong, simple website foundation 
• Overview of OTT advertising's potential and usage 
• Encouragement for strategic digital marketing and advertising 
• Predictions for 2025’s growth and innovations 
• Final advice: Embrace proactive strategies and avoid reactive measures

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In this episode of Automotive Alchemy, we’re joined by Shean Kirin, the visionary founder of Dealer Alchemist, to uncover the strategies that can revolutionize your dealership’s online presence. Together, we tackle the art of optimizing new and used inventory pages, emphasizing how a seamless user experience and smart design can drive higher conversion rates and customer satisfaction.

Shean shares practical insights into creating intuitive, mobile-first websites inspired by tech leaders like Apple and Tesla. We explore six essential steps to refine inventory pages, from understanding your audience and streamlining navigation to implementing transparent pricing and leveraging tools like Penny Perfect Payments to build trust.

Discover how simplifying digital retailing processes and strategic button placement can transform customer interactions into meaningful relationships. Whether it’s ensuring your website performs flawlessly across devices or enhancing lead generation with transparent communication, this episode provides a blueprint for dealership success in the digital age.

Tune in to Automotive Alchemy for actionable advice and strategies to take your dealership’s digital performance to the next level. Don’t miss this deep dive into the power of optimized websites and the future of online automotive sales!

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Unlock the secrets to transforming your car dealership's online presence with insights from Shean Kirin, founder and CEO of Dealer Alchemist. In this episode, Shean shares how understanding your target audience is crucial to optimizing your website for maximum conversion. Discover the power of a streamlined, minimalistic design, and learn why cluttered web pages can deter potential customers. Shean seamlessly ties these concepts to the design philosophies of leading companies, providing actionable strategies to help you craft a user-friendly and engaging online experience.

Explore the pivotal role of storytelling and authenticity in crafting compelling "About Us" pages. We discuss how dealerships can leverage genuine narratives and community involvement to foster trust and establish strong connections with their audience. Hear how Subaru of Wichita and Auburn Volkswagen successfully integrated their core values into their digital presence, resulting in increased community engagement and customer loyalty. Uncover practical tips for incorporating authentic stories and conversion points into your website to enhance customer interaction without overwhelming them.

Mobile optimization is no longer optional—it's a necessity. This episode emphasizes why a mobile-first approach is critical, especially when two-thirds of your traffic is likely coming from mobile users. Learn from real-world examples of common pitfalls and discover best practices for creating seamless mobile experiences. We also provide guidance on optimizing website layouts for conversion and the importance of collaboration with website providers. Don't miss this opportunity to refine your digital strategy and elevate your dealership's success with expert advice from Dealer Alchemist.

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Are vanity metrics misleading your dealership's marketing efforts? Shean Kirin joins us to reveal how focusing on superficial metrics like website visitors and social media likes can hinder true performance in automotive marketing. In this episode, you'll learn how to shift your focus to actionable metrics that directly impact your bottom line, such as lot visits and phone calls. We share real-world examples, including a Toyota dealership's misallocated advertising budget, to illustrate how meaningful metrics can lead to better decision-making and improved vendor relationships.

Unlock the secrets of evaluating advertising metrics in the automotive industry. We discuss why understanding the quality of leads is far more important than just their cost and how superficial metrics can be misleading. By comparing traditional advertising methods with the complexities of the digital age, we highlight the necessity for dealerships to scrutinize their metrics and focus on actionable insights. Through humorous analogies and real-world case studies, we emphasize the importance of quality over quantity in lead generation, ultimately enhancing sales efficiency and closing ratios.

Discover how Google's advancements are reshaping customer interaction insights and the significance of regularly reassessing vendor partnerships. We delve into the evolving role of metrics in automotive marketing and the benefits of transparent, formulaic approaches to vendor evaluation. As we highlight resources like Dealer Alchemist's complimentary e-books and digital marketing audits, our goal is to educate and empower dealers to optimize their return on investment. Tune in to transform automotive challenges into opportunities and gain valuable insights to drive sales effectively.

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Explore strategies for maximizing your ROI in automotive digital marketing with industry veteran Shean Kirin on the Automotive Alchemy Podcast. With over 30 years of experience, Shean brings valuable insights into how transparency can transform dealer-vendor relationships. He shares real-life examples of dealerships being taken advantage of by advertising agencies and emphasizes the critical importance of verifying every dollar spent. Understand how clear, open communication can help prevent financial losses while fostering innovation and trust within the industry.

In this episode, we discuss ethical practices that ensure dealers and vendors work together with transparency. Shean explains why it's crucial for dealers to fully grasp the services they receive, allowing them to contribute innovative ideas and critically assess how their advertising dollars are being utilized. We tackle the issues of fear mongering and deliberate confusion by some companies, advocating for clear, straightforward communication that builds long-term, trust-based relationships.

From balancing transparency with proprietary technology to the ethical considerations of referral fees, this episode covers a wide range of topics. Shean shares compelling stories about how transparent advertising practices can build consumer trust, drawing comparisons with industry leaders like Tesla. We also explore the upcoming "cars rule" that mandates transparency and the importance of ensuring advertised prices match the actual offerings. Gain actionable insights on how to use transparency to enhance your digital marketing strategies, creating mutually beneficial outcomes for both dealers and customers.

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Ever wondered why your dealership's digital marketing campaigns aren't driving the sales you expected? In this episode of Automotive Alchemy, Shean Kirin reveals the secrets behind the conversion metrics that truly matter for car dealerships. Forget superficial metrics like clicks on directions; Shean breaks down the vital indicators such as leads, phone calls, and form fills that pave the way to real sales. Listen in as he exposes the importance of holding your service providers accountable and decoding analytics to track actual sales conversions, ensuring your advertising dollars are well spent.

Imagine a dealership website that's not just sleek but also a conversion powerhouse. Shean discusses how simplifying the user interface, enhancing site speed, and selecting the right button types can transform your website's performance. Learn why excessive third-party scripts and intrusive pop-ups could be killing your conversion rates and how targeted social advertising can enhance consumer engagement. With these strategies, you can optimize your site for a user-friendly experience that leads to better sales performance.

Ready to stay ahead of the curve in automotive digital marketing? Shean touches on the future trends like cookie management and native digital retailing, and how innovations like penny-perfect payment systems are setting new standards. He also shares insights into SEO's evolving landscape, emphasizing the need for technical optimization and high-quality content. Discover how leveraging data analytics to personalize user journeys can significantly boost mobile conversions. 

Join us as we turn automotive challenges into golden opportunities with a glimpse into the future of digital marketing and dealership success.

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