ZipDeal Reputation Impact
Note: This case study was originally published as a 9-week analysis. We've added an update showing sustained DealerRater score growth through Week 16.
ZipDeal provides a structured, automated process that elevates a dealership's online reputation by consistently guiding buyers to the correct review platform at the right moment.
Why It Matters:
- Higher ratings increase customer trust
- Strong reviews improve digital conversion
- Dealers with 4+ ratings experience better closing ratios and stronger retention
Background
This dealer group already performed strongly on Google reviews, maintaining high scores and review volume across multiple rooftops. Their DealerRater performance, however, lagged. One rooftop held a sub-3.0 rating, another held only a mid-4 score, and one had no visible rating at all due to too few recent reviews. Because DealerRater remains a trusted research destination for automotive shoppers and is still referenced in OEM reputation programs, improving these scores became a strategic priority.
The Strategy
Using ZipDeal's automated customer journey, the group redirected post-sale reviews from Google (where they were already strong) to DealerRater, where improvement was most needed. The automation ensured every customer received a consistent, timely review request without relying on salesperson discretion.
The Results
Why It Worked
- ZipDeal ensured every customer received the correct review link at the ideal moment in their ownership experience.
- Redirecting traffic from a platform with strong performance accelerated momentum where the group needed improvement.
- A steady flow of new reviews diluted older negative reviews and stabilized score trajectories.
- The automation removed inconsistency, eliminating the variability of person-to-person review collection.
Industry Insight: Why Review Scores Matter
Across automotive retail, high online ratings correlate with stronger digital conversion, increased showroom traffic, and improved customer trust. Dealers with higher review scores tend to see increased closing ratios, stronger service retention, and more repeat purchases. While impact varies by dealership, the industry widely recognizes the link between strong online reputation and higher profitability. A well-maintained rating above 4 stars supports both front-end and back-end performance by increasing customer confidence and reducing friction in the buying decision.
Key Takeaway
Over nine weeks, the group's rooftops saw meaningful and sustained improvement on DealerRater. Brand #1 rose from 2.9 to 4.2, Brand #2 strengthened its already strong score to 4.8, and Brand #3 moved from having no rating to reaching 3.9. By using ZipDeal's automated review routing, the group strengthened its online reputation, supported long-term customer trust, and positioned itself for improved retention and profit growth.
Sustained DealerRater Growth Through Week 16
Originally published as a 9-week case study, this analysis has now been extended to track long-term DealerRater score performance across three brand rooftops.
The results below confirm that the early momentum highlighted in this case study was not temporary — scores continued to climb and stabilize well beyond the initial observation period.
Key Takeaways from the Extended Results
- Early gains held: None of the brands experienced score regression after the initial 9-week period.
- Stability followed growth: Once scores reached the mid-to-high 4-star range, they stabilized — a strong indicator of consistent review volume and sentiment.
- Late-starting rooftops caught up: Brand 3, which began with no meaningful rating, ultimately surpassed a 4.3-star score by Week 16.
Why This Matters
Short-term review spikes are common. Sustained reputation improvement is not.
These extended results show that when dealerships consistently engage buyers post-sale — rather than relying on sporadic review pushes — DealerRater scores improve and stay improved. This long-term stability strengthens:
- Shopper trust and digital conversion
- Sales and service department credibility
- Ongoing CSI and retention efforts
In short: reputation growth isn't just about speed — it's about sustainability.
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