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How many 3rd party websites and API's does a dealership website need?


And how many of these could be coded into the site and would no longer need the 3rd party AI?


From AI

  • Inventory & Vehicle Listings API:
    • Function: Pull real‑time inventory data including vehicle details (VIN, make, model, year, trim), photos, pricing, and status updates.
    • Examples: Third‑party APIs like Auto.dev or MarketCheck offer these services.
    • Cost: Pricing can range from free tiers (e.g., 10,000 calls/month at no cost) to subscription plans starting around $99/mo and scaling up based on volume.
  • VIN Decoding API:
    • Function: Automatically translate a VIN into detailed vehicle specifications, which can help populate vehicle details on your site.
    • Cost: Often charged per call (e.g., $0.0015–$0.08 per call depending on whether you use a basic or enhanced service).
  • Vehicle History API:
    • Function: Retrieve detailed vehicle history reports (accidents, title issues, service records) from providers like Carfax or VinAudit.
    • Cost: These APIs can be more premium, with pricing that depends on the data depth and volume (you’d need to request quotes for precise numbers).
  • Mapping and Geolocation API:
    • Function: Integrate interactive maps (e.g., Google Maps) to display dealership locations and help customers find nearby dealers.
    • Cost: Google Maps offers a generous free tier, but costs can accrue based on usage (typically billed per 1,000 requests).
  • Lead Capture and CRM Integration:
    • Function: Capture form submissions, manage leads, and integrate with your CRM or a third‑party CRM API to handle customer data and follow-up communications.
    • Cost: There are free and paid CRM APIs available—costs vary based on the number of API calls and users.
  • Finance Calculator and Payment Integration API:
    • Function: Provide online finance calculators for loan or lease estimates, and integrate payment gateways (like Stripe or PayPal) if you’re processing deposits or payments.
    • Cost: Payment gateways typically charge a transaction fee (e.g., 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction) and finance APIs might be built in‑house or available via third parties.
  • Digital Marketing & Social Media Integration APIs:
    • Function: Connect with email marketing, social media platforms, and SEO tools to manage campaigns, track analytics, and automate marketing workflows.
    • Cost: Many of these services are offered as part of broader marketing platforms with monthly subscription fees.