Steve Taylor's Blog

There are a number of analytical software packages on there on the market and most of them offer an on-demand, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) version.

For those who don't know, Google offer a free way of measuring activity on your website, called Google Analytics. They offer this service for free to encourage you to advertise with them via there Pay-per-Click (PPC) advertising. [More]

BMW have integrated Google Maps, along with the local search into their range of cars. Available in Germany now and probably in the US and UK from 2009 the system will be identical to the online version of Google Maps. In addition to the maps, the driver will be able to search local businesses listed on Google Local Search which is powered by Yell.com here in the UK. [More]

After the success of the Renault Laguna website, Renault have made use of many of the same features in the new Renault Megane website. [More]

Over the last 12 months that Motors.co.uk have really started to push their website and in this months CarDealer Magazine they have started to sell the services of their sister company Auto Exposure by offering video on Motors.co.uk. Now, even though Auto Exposure offers the ability for dealers to upload there own video or even supply the video shoot as part of the service. The main problem is that video is a costly operation and if not done properly, can look amateurish. [More]

Recently I came across a set of videos on YouTube that were created by a team from Google and aimed to introduce Google and what it has to offer to dealers. The videos are short and target dealers in the US, but the information would also be considered relevant in the UK. [More]

As mentioned in one of my previous posts, the automotive industry has started to take advantage of Silverlight. The most recent release is the Perfect Car Finder - Photo Edition from Kelley Blue Book. This has been written in Silverlight 1 and utilises DeepZoom technology. [More]

Cars Online 07/08, Capgemini’s ninth annual automotive study, explores trends within the retail side of the automotive industry, focusing on consumer buying behaviour, environmental issues, web usage, lead management and customer loyalty. In total, nearly 2,600 consumers were surveyed in five countries: China, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States. [More]

Microsoft have announced it will expand its automotive offering beyond software to include services. Microsoft’s Automotive Business Unit (ABU) continues to enhance in-vehicle experiences by providing automakers with new and innovative ways to meet increasing consumer expectations. [More]

More and more dealers are moving their businesses online with the ability for consumers to purchase directly over the Internet. The Distance Selling Regulations in the UK came into force in 2000 and applies to all contracts for goods where there were no face to face contact. So this would apply to cars, parts or other products. [More]

The book is quite thin, 229 pages in total with lots of photographs and example slide designs so it didn't take long to read it, even if you only read about an hour a day like me.

The book is very well written and presented with well explained concepts. The book takes you through the main areas of presenting: Preparation, Design and Delivery. [More]