10 Critical Steps to Drive Car Sales

by Jay Smithweck | Jan 19, 2025 | Solutions

1. A picture says it all—poor quality undermines trust, while sharp images build credibility.
2. High-quality photos are your first handshake with a customer—make it firm.
3. Trust starts with what they see; professional images create a professional impression.
4. Blurry photos? Blurry trust. Crisp images? Clear confidence.
5. Your product’s story begins with the image—make it one they believe in.
6. Customers judge quality by what they see—don’t let bad photos lose the sale.
7. In a digital world, sharp photos equal sharp credibility.
8. Good photography reflects good business—instantly earning trust.
9. When quality is clear in the photo, trust follows naturally.
10. Visual proof matters—great photos validate your product and your promise.

Why Great Photos Matter More Than You Think in Selling Cars

by Jay Smithweck | Jan 17, 2025 | Solutions

A General Manager once told me, “Price sells cars.” While price is undeniably important, in today’s digital age, this mindset misses a key component: 

Online presentation, especially photos. With 90% of car shoppers starting their journey online, your vehicle’s photos are often the first and sometimes only chance to make a strong impression.

The Power of Photos in Online Car Sales

Photos Drive Engagement:

Listings with high-quality images get 48% more clicks compared to those with low-quality visuals (AutoTrader).  

Visuals Build Trust:

Professional photos make vehicles appear more valuable and trustworthy. Buyers are even willing to pay up to $1,000 more for a car that looks appealing online (Edmunds).  

Better Photos, More Time Spent: Buyers spend 3x more time on listings with high-quality images, according to Cars.com.  

Why Photos Are a Competitive Advantage:

In a crowded online marketplace, great photos help your inventory stand out. A CarsDirect study found that listings with professional images generate 30% more inquiries than those with basic or poor-quality photos.  

Additionally, high-quality visuals create an emotional connection with buyers, something price alone can’t achieve. As Harvard research shows, 93% of consumers base purchase decisions on visual appeal.

Real Results From Better Photos  

A 2022 case study compared two dealerships:  

Dealer A used 5 low-quality images per listing.  

Dealer B showcased 15+ high-quality, professional photos.  

Dealer B saw a 25% increase in sales conversions and 40% higher click-through rates. The difference? Better photos made buyers stop, look, and act.  

Takeaway  

While price gets attention, it’s high-quality photos that sell cars in today’s online world. Great visuals create trust, drive engagement, and make your inventory stand out. If you’re not investing in professional photos, you’re leaving money and customers on the table.  

Want to boost your sales? Start with better photos in a 360Booth^®. 

No Photos, No Sales, Duh

by Jay Smithweck | Jan 7, 2025 | Solutions

The Impact of Inclement Weather on Vehicle Sales and the 360Booth  

Advantage Abstract:

This research analyzes the impact of inclement weather on vehicle sales by examining the disruption to photography workflows caused by recent winter storms in the central United States. The study highlights the advantages of 360Booth photo studios, which enable uninterrupted vehicle photography operations regardless of weather conditions.

Methodology:

Data CollectionEstimated number of dealerships affected by the winter storm in 11 states. Estimated number of dealerships within those states utilizing 360Booth studios 290. Estimated number of dealerships without 360 Booth studios (estimated based on market penetration and affected states). Estimated number of vehicles per dealership requiring photography after the storm (average of 30-60 vehicles). making it nearly impossible to catch up. Ask yourself what that costs you in sales? 

Data Analysis:

Calculated the potential number of dealerships impacted by photography delays due to the storm. Estimated the potential number of vehicles that remained unphotographed during the storm. Analyzed the potential impact on sales revenue based on the number of unphotographed vehicles and industry average sales conversion rates.

Results:

Significant Disruption:

The winter storm significantly disrupted vehicle photography operations for a large number of dealerships, resulting in a backlog of unphotographed vehicles. 

360Booth Advantage:

Dealerships equipped with 360Booth studios were able to maintain uninterrupted photography operations, minimizing the impact of the storm on their sales processes. 

Lost Sales Potential:

The inability to photograph vehicles promptly due to inclement weather can lead to significant delays in listing vehicles online, potentially resulting in lost sales opportunities.

Discussion:

The Importance of Uninterrupted Workflow:

Consistent and timely vehicle photography is crucial for maintaining sales. 3 to 4 days of not photographing inventory cost major disruptions in sales. 

The 360Booth Advantage:

360Booth studios provide a weather-independent solution for vehicle photography, ensuring uninterrupted operations and minimizing the risks associated with weather delays.

Value of Expertise:

360Booth offers extensive industry knowledge and support, including training and guidance on efficient photography processes, further enhancing the value proposition for dealerships.

Conclusion:

This analysis demonstrates the significant impact of inclement weather on vehicle sales due to disruptions in photography workflows. 360Booth studios offer a valuable solution by enabling dealerships to maintain uninterrupted operations, mitigate the risks associated with weather delays, and ultimately drive sales growth.

Showroom Quality Images, Anytime, Anywhere

by Jay Smithweck | Jan 6, 2025 | Solutions

In the competitive world of vehicle sales, first impressions are everything. To attract potential buyers, your vehicles need to be presented in their best light — literally. But it’s not just about snapping any photo; it’s about showcasing your vehicles with precision and professionalism, avoiding distractions like strange reflections, weird lighting, and fake backgrounds that can turn off potential buyers.

Introducing 360Booth: The Ultimate Solution for Perfect Vehicle Photography

With 360Booth, you gain access to a controlled environment designed to highlight every curve, feature, and detail of your vehicles with the utmost clarity. Professional lighting eliminates awkward reflections, ensuring your vehicle is the star of the show, not the background. Gone are the days of relying on misleading background replacement tools or dealing with distracting, artificial images.

Benefits of 360Booth:

• Enhanced Visual Appeal: Capture the true beauty and condition of your vehicles with showroom-quality images that stand out and attract more potential buyers.
• Increased Customer Confidence: With professional-quality images that showcase every detail, your customers can trust that they are seeing exactly what they’ll get, building stronger relationships and boosting sales.
• Clarity & Precision: Highlight specific features, textures, and finishes of your vehicles with images that provide a true-to-life representation, leaving no room for confusion or misinterpretation.

Don’t settle for less. Use 360Booth to take your vehicle marketing to the next level, showcasing your inventory with confidence and attracting more serious buyers. Get showroom-quality images — anytime, anywhere.

Say Goodbye to Cloudy Days: Consistent Lighting with 360Booth®

by Jay Smithweck | Jan 2, 2025 | Solutions

The Frustration of Relying on Natural Light for Vehicle Photography

Capturing the perfect shot of a vehicle is challenging enough without the added pressure of unpredictable weather. When relying on natural light, photographers often find themselves at the mercy of cloudy days, sudden weather changes, and the ever-shifting angle of the sun. These factors can lead to inconsistent lighting, poor reflections, harsh shadows, and dull images that fail to showcase a vehicle at its best.

The 360Booth Solution: Consistent, Studio-Controlled Lighting

360Booth eliminates the frustration of working with natural light by providing a controlled environment with consistent, high-quality lighting every time. Whether it’s sunny, cloudy, or stormy outside, 360Booth ensures that your vehicle photography remains sharp, vibrant, and professional no matter the weather.

Key Benefits:

• Improved Image Quality & Consistency: With 360Booth’s studio-controlled lighting, every shot captures your vehicle in its best light, ensuring a uniform look across your entire inventory.
• No More Weather-Related Delays: Say goodbye to rescheduling shoots because of unpredictable weather. The studio conditions are always perfect, so you can shoot anytime.
• Increased Efficiency & Productivity: With predictable lighting and a controlled environment, your photography workflow becomes faster and more efficient, allowing for more shoots in less time.

Don’t let weather control your photography results. With 360Booth, achieve the perfect shot every time, regardless of the outside conditions.