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Podium — DealerRefresh Vendor Library
Podium (podium.com) is an independent, Lehi, Utah-based SaaS company founded in 2014 that provides an AI-powered customer communications and engagement…
Podium
78% · Well regarded
18 DealerRefresh discussions
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About suggest a correction →
Podium (podium.com) is an independent, Lehi, Utah-based SaaS company founded in 2014 that provides an AI-powered customer communications and engagement platform for local businesses, with a dedicated automotive dealership solution. Its core offerings for dealers include an AI BDC product called 'Jerry' that responds to inbound leads instantly across text, phone, webchat, and email; automated review management; two-way messaging; payments processing; and 200+ DMS/CRM integrations—all designed to increase lead conversion, schedule appointments, and manage reputation. In August 2025, Podium's AI Employee became available to Ford and Lincoln dealers nationwide through a partnership with FordDirect, underscoring its growing footprint in the automotive retail vertical.
What you do with it
consolidate all inbound conversations into a single AI-managed inbox that responds immediately and qualifies prospects, so they can capture more leads before a competitor responds first
When a dealership struggles to respond quickly to leads coming in across phone, text, chat, and email — especially after hours or during peak volume
automate post-transaction review solicitation across Google and other platforms, so they can build an authentic, high-volume review profile that drives showroom traffic
When a dealership wants to grow its online reputation without incentivizing fake or inflated reviews
execute messaging, payments, and bulk outreach from one platform integrated with their CRM and DMS, so they can reduce tool sprawl and close transactions faster through a single communication layer
When a dealership needs to collect payments, send follow-ups, or run text marketing campaigns without toggling between multiple tools
Community evidence → Stable
The DealerRefresh community consistently endorses Podium for review generation and organic solicitation, with members recommending it as a credible alternative to incentive-based schemes and noting it works well for capturing authentic feedback. Podium's messaging and texting capabilities have drawn enough practitioner interest to warrant multiple RefreshFriday webcasts, signaling real operator curiosity rather than passive awareness. However, skepticism exists on two fronts: at least one voice questions whether non-CRM-integrated AI offerings from vendors like Podium are genuinely viable, and a rumor surfaced in the community about Podium pulling back on client discounts and free services — suggesting concerns about pricing posture and contract flexibility. Overall, Podium is treated as a known, credible player worth evaluating, not a consensus must-have.
Review generation and organic solicitation5 mentions
Messaging and texting capabilities4 mentions
AI BDC / CRM integration viability2 mentions
Pricing and client treatment concerns1 mention
Digital payments adoption2 mentions
Vendor comparison / consideration set4 mentions
Community / webinar engagement3 mentions
18 mentions · 7 positive · 2 negative · Scored from 20+ years of candid DealerRefresh discussion. Scores shift as new conversations happen.
POSITIVE
"Jeff Kershner announces an upcoming RefreshFriday webcast featuring Steve Shannon and Ross Tinkham from Podium to discuss texting and online payment capabilities for dealerships."
Steve & Ross of Podium - Texting & Taking Payments Online →
POSITIVE
"This thread announces a DealerRefresh webinar scheduled for January 17th featuring Podium, focused on leveraging online reviews to drive showroom traffic and boost dealership visibility."
How to Drive Showroom Traffic with Online Reviews - JAN 17 →
POSITIVE
"Jeff Kershner announced a RefreshFriday webcast featuring Podium's Isaac Hernandez to discuss the company's digital payments capabilities and adoption trends since COVID-19. The session focused on messaging and texting features, with the teaser indicating strong growth in those communication channels over the past year."
Mobile. Digital. Payments. | Isaac Hernandez of Podium →
POSITIVE
"I added Podium for reviews, which works great."
Google GMB removed as in violation, no reasons given. →
POSITIVE
"While third-party tools like Podium successfully capture messages, the issue persists for other types of page interactions like posts and shares"
New Facebook Business Layout →
POSITIVE
"The emerging consensus favors organic review solicitation through tools like Podium that don't artificially suppress negative feedback, as fake-looking all-positive review profiles damage long-term reputation."
Car Dealers, are you guilty of review-gating? →
NEGATIVE
"Funny I see a Podium ad below but rumor in Utah is they're not extending discounts or doing services for free to cater to their clients."
Worried For My Clients So I'm Not Charging Them For 60 Days →
NEGATIVE
"current offerings from vendors like Podium and Impel are inadequate and only CRM-integrated systems have viability"
Post Your 2025 Predictions →
MIXED
"a new anonymous feedback feature powered by Podium (accessible via a blue circle widget) that allows lurking members to ask questions, provide feedback, or complain without revealing their identity. The discussion reveals technical issues with the widget auto-opening on Chrome/Samsung browsers and having a small close button"
Do you have a BURNING question you can't ask? →
NEUTRAL
"Matt Murray, GM of Automotive at Podium and former Cox Automotive/Dealer.com OEM partnerships leader"
Matt Murray joins Jeff & Alex on RefreshFriday →
NEUTRAL
"We have a question that came through Podium Messaging:"
Facebook Business Page Setup Help →
NEUTRAL
"Recommended solutions include CRM Suite, Podium, Birdeye, Reynolds and Reynolds, CarNow chat, and XTime for service follow-ups."
Automatic Texting →
NEUTRAL
"using automated review solicitation platforms like Podium and RepLev rather than relying on incentives"
Soliciting Positive Service Reviews →
NEUTRAL
"some chat providers (Podium, TOMA, Impel, PAM) are willing to optimize their code for speed"
Conversion vs. CWV: Finding a Chat Provider That Doesn't Tank Rankings →
NEUTRAL
"roles at Podium and currently at Vonage selling CPaaS solutions to dealerships"
New member →
NEUTRAL
"Dealers seeking to boost Google reviews discuss both third-party vendors (Podium, Vendasta)"
Google Review Success Tips? →
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