Frequently Asked Questions
Which ad sites does Lot Traffic's software help me advertise on?
- Almost 200 sites including Vast, Oodle, Craigslist, Backpage, Walmart...
How does Lot Traffic increase our online presence?
- Lot Traffic helps create and rotate creative titles to increase responses and minimize flagging or ghosting
- We provide a large number of templates to enhance the dealer's marketing plan
- Our software automatically removes ads when cars are sold, preventing unnecessary sales calls
- Our software automatically updates ads when prices or photos change ensuring accuracy
- Our solution provides excellent performance reports that enable dealers to make better pricing and purchasing decisions
- Our solution provides support for custom policies. For example, dealers can post specific models in specific markets. Or, post the lowest priced items early in the day
- Our software provides spam protection to make sure employees do not have to waste time reading and removing spam
How does Lot Traffic increase the number and accuracy of on-line ads?
- The software templates quickly and easily produce professional ads, eliminating the need to build each ad manually, write html or copy and paste before posting
- Dealers save time by reducing human error
- Dealers can correct errors from inventory at any time without pulling and reposting an ad
- Ads are automatically deleted when a car sells
- One ad goes to multiple sites. Dealers do not have to rebuild a new ad for each site
- Ads can be posted consistently every day
What is flagging and ghosting? How can Lot Traffic assist with flagging and ghosting of ads?
If an ad is flagged, it was flagged by a user on Craigslist, or by Craigslist itself. This means that an ad did go live but a user thought it was inappropriate (for example, if you post an ad in the wrong city, the section was incorrect or the content of your ad appears spammy). Ads being ghosted/deleted usually occur when the content of your ad triggered a spam filter on Craigslist. Lot Traffic complies with ad site Terms of Use which reduces flagging and ghosting. For example, we limit the number of ads posted daily and the frequency in which the same ad is posted. Also, we provide the most comprehensive flagging and ghosting reporting available. You don't have to search and confirm that each ad is posted. We continuously work to update templates to reduce flagging.
Why it is important to comply with an ad site's Terms of Use?
With some sites, every time an ad is posted, you must click an "I accept" button, agreeing to the Terms of Use page. In it, the dealer agrees to pay $100 for each ad that is posted outside their Terms of Use. If a dealer is non-compliant with the Terms of Use, ads will be permanently blocked from the site. Ultimately, the sites may sue for non-compliance.
Why should the dealer install software on their computers?
The Lot Traffic software needs to be installed on a computer within the store. Craigslist does not allow proxy servers. Using them is a violation of rules and the dealer IP address could be turned off.
What can Lot Traffic software do that non-compliant posters cannot?
First, we stay abreast of Terms of Use and build our software to help automatically comply with the site's Terms of Use. For example, we make sure ads are not posted in the two different markets at the same time. Secondly, with our software, cars are automatically deleted when they are sold. Thirdly, we provide ghosting and flagging reports. Fourth, our software allows a dealer to change the content of ads once they are posted.
Can a dealer post an item in two different markets?
If their business has 90 items in stock they can post those items in up to three different local markets. However, they can not post the same item in each market, so what our software does is split the inventory into 3 groups so that 30 items will be posted in one market, 30 in the second and 30 in the third. Posting the same product, at the same time in two different cities violates the Terms of Use for ad sites.
How many cars can a dealer post per day?
There are no exact rules on this. It is our experience that craigslist does not like most businesses to post more than 30 ads per day in major markets. You will see competitors posting more, but it is our opinion that this will eventually be interpreted as spamming, and their account or IP address will eventually be flagged, ghosted or blacklisted. So therefore, we believe it is important for you to spread your ads for a single account over 7 days. For example: if you have 70 cars, you can post 10/day. If you have 140, you can post 20/day.
Can a dealer post similar cars in the same ad?
Yes, we provide this feature for our Gold and Platinum packages only.
Can a dealer see how many clicks they are getting on the ads?
Yes, we provide a report showing how many times each ad was viewed. Our reports also indicate if an ad has been flagged or ghosted. With our Platinum plan, we monitor this and assist with reposting. We also report on click stats by make, model and price so dealers can make educated buying decisions.
Can emails from the consumer go to any CRM system?
Yes, Lot Traffic can forward an email in ADF/XML as well as text format to CRM software. This is available on all packages.
How do you get access to inventory?
We work with all the major feed providers. We get data feeds from them and compose ads based on this information. We don't poll the DMS, nor can we access any files on the dealer's computers.
How often do you receive inventory feeds?
We get inventory feeds every night. Changes to inventory will show up in the ads the following day. However, ads can be updated or deleted at any time during the day in the 'Manage Inventory' area.
Can the dealer change ads before the daily feed (for example, if a product sells)?
Yes, we have the only tool that will allow you to make an adjustment to your ad in between feeds. For example, if you notice the price is wrong, you don't have to wait until the next day to make a change or you dont have to delete the ad. You can simply make a change anytime by going to 'Adjust Prices'. This change will go to all the advertising platforms in one stroke so you dont have to go one by one to make the change. This is a very powerful part of our tool.
How can the dealer view which ads are active?
Lot Traffic provides a report listing all active ads. Dealers can click directly to any ad from this report.
How are ads created?
Lot Traffic creates ads from the templates that the dealer chooses at signup. We can also create simple text ads. The dealer can change templates at any time. We also have a section in the product called 'My Profile' where the dealer puts contact names and numbers, disclaimers, slogans and titles. This information will show up in all ads and can be updated at any time.
Can you provide landing pages?
Yes, we provide landing pages for our Gold and Platinum packages. This feature is not available for the Silver Package, for this, we will link directly to the landing pages provided by the feed provider.
Can the dealer send data to AutoTrader?
Yes, if the dealer has an account with AutoTrader, we can transfer data to them.
Can the dealer send data to Cars.com?
Yes, if the dealer has an account with Cars.com, we can transfer data to them.
Does the dealer need to install any software on their PC?
Yes, in order to comply with site rules, ads have to be posted from your computer and network. We suggest that the dealer install the software on three computers. Installation is simple and takes five to seven minutes. We recommend the dealer installs the software on three computers so if one machine is turned off, your ads continue to post.
What does the dealer need to do to set up an account at each location?
The dealer needs a PC and an internet connection. You simply install our browser/application on your desktop and then just stay connected to the internet.
How will the dealer know if a computer is off?
Our customer support staff checks every day to see if a dealer's ads are posting. We send an alert to the dealer's webtop and call to help troubleshoot the problem.
Why are phone verifications necessary?
Craigslist routinely calls to verify whether or not a dealer's ads are being posted from their IP address and not a proxy server. The dealer will get an alert on their Webtop if a phone verification is needed. Our support staff will assist the dealer with the completion of all phone verifications.
Will the dealer need a separate Lot Traffic account for each location?
Yes, to stay in compliance with Craigslist's Terms of Use, each location needs to download the Lot Traffic software.
What kind of training do you offer?
We are available for training at any time. Simply send an email to
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to schedule a time.
"Our relationship with Lot Traffic continues to be profitable. Their online marketing skills, phenomenal results and excellent service have made us a customer for life! ". -Dealer Principal, Orlando, Fl.
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Have Questions?
We're here to help you find solutions to administration, inventory, craigslist, ebay questions &; more. We have dedicated eBay Motors and Craigslist specialists standing by, please tell us how we can help: Call LotTraffic Toll Free: 1-888-288-6909
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