
Why Fast, Thoughtful Follow-Up Wins More Sales (and How to Find the Right Leads)
Subaru’s rise to the top in online lead follow-up is more than just a brand win. It is a clear sign of what works. Fast, personal outreach can be the difference between earning a customer and losing them to the dealer down the street. And the reason is simple: most shoppers begin their vehicle search online. They compare reviews, explore options, and narrow their choices before they ever step foot in your showroom. That is why identifying high-intent online car shoppers early puts you in a stronger position to earn their business. Subaru’s performance makes the case. Their dealers connect with online shoppers through email, phone, and text 71 percent of the time, well above the 49 percent industry average. That kind of responsiveness gets noticed. Dealerships that shift from delayed or minimal follow-up to consistent, thoughtful outreach can see up to 50 percent more sales from the same pool of leads. That’s a significant lift, with no additional traffic required. But here is something to consider, you cannot follow up with people you cannot see. Knowing who is actively shopping and what they are looking for is the first step toward turning online interest into real conversations and real sales. Turning Online Car Shoppers into Real Opportunities Every online car shoppers leaves a trail. What are they browsing? When did they enter the market? Which features are they focused on? The challenge is turning that activity into something useful. It is not about collecting names. It is about identifying who is truly in-market and understanding what drives their decisions. That is where a tool like the Active Shopper Network comes in. It helps you stop guessing and focus on the people who are most likely to buy, including those who may have never contacted your store directly. What You Can See with the Active Shopper Network: Identify active online car shoppers as soon as they enter the market. See who is researching vehicles and what they are considering, often within 24 hours of their activity beginning. Gauge shopper intent and engagement level. See how actively they are browsing, which helps your team understand how close they are to a decision. Utilizing that insight to tailor your outreach, whether it is a helpful follow-up with more info, a personalized offer, or an invite to visit the showroom. Get access to more than basic contact info. View names, emails, phone numbers, current vehicle ownership, and even details on where they are getting their vehicle serviced. Bring back service customers. Know when your existing customers are going elsewhere for service so you can reconnect with timely and relevant offers. This is not about sending more messages but showing up at the right time with something that resonates. Why This Matters for Your Team When your team knows who they are talking to and what that person cares about, conversations feel more natural and productive. There is no need to open with a general sales pitch. If someone has been researching hybrid SUVs, your team can skip straight to what matters most. For current customers, this kind of insight creates a chance to rebuild the relationship before it fades. If someone has started servicing their vehicle at another shop, a well-timed message can bring them back. With fewer dead ends and better context, your team can spend more time having the right conversations and less time chasing leads that go nowhere. What This Means for Your Store Subaru’s success shows what is possible when dealers respond quickly and personally. But identifying the right people to reach is what truly unlocks better performance. Furthermore, the Active Shopper Network gives your store a clear advantage. It allows your team to focus their energy on real buyers, personalize their outreach, and move faster with better information. It also helps you make smarter use of your marketing dollars. Many brands approve these efforts for co-op, which means you can stretch your budget further and attract high-intent shoppers without increasing your ad spend. More foot traffic, higher ROI, better closing ratios, and fewer wasted opportunities. Often, the difference between a missed lead and a closed deal is not about effort. It is about timing, relevance, and knowing who to reach. The right shoppers are already in your market, actively looking. With the Active Shopper Network, you can connect with them sooner, engage them smarter, and close with more confidence. Connect with us to see how it can work for your store.