Car dealerships, real estate agencies and more take their sales pitch online

It's a fairly sound sales technique: Go where the consumers are.

The ability to shop, bank, talk, rent movies, order a pizza and take college classes with the click of a mouse has local businesses from car dealerships to real estate agencies focusing their efforts online.

"It seems to be the trend to move in that direction, and I think anyone who's not already doing that is going to be on the wrong boat," says Mike Skelton, general sales manager at Cape Honda. The business launched its website about a year ago, and it's been so successful that they've taken on an Internet sales manager to handle the volume of online shoppers.

"Our traffic is continually increasing," says Skelton. "It seems to be a consistent trend."

Clients of Cape Honda can browse the site at www.capegirardeauhonda.com to view new and used car inventory, find store hours, read about sales promotions, and connect with sales associates. Online shoppers can even schedule a test drive and click links to mini-videos about the cars. Cape Honda also has an e-mail list for users to stay updated on interest rates and store promotions. Skelton adds that the Internet helps the company reach more people, especially those who are more comfortable car shopping online first.

"They're the captain of their own ship. They can move at their own pace, there's no pressure, and there is lots of information," says Skelton. He even has customers who do all their research online, and all they need to do is come to the store and schedule a time to pick up their new vehicle.

Bud Shell's Auto World in Cape Girardeau launched its site, www.budshellauto.com, about seven years ago and has seen similar results. Manager Tim Ellison estimates that 80 to 85 percent of his customers use the site before visiting the store.

"We sell quite a few cars off that," he says. "It makes it easier for customers because they can just click on a car they like and it makes our jobs easier, too, as far as sales."

Prospective customers can view the used cars for sale, fill out and send a credit application, connect with staff, and even request a vehicle without ever setting foot on the lot.

"Anyone who's busy, who works a lot, can scroll through our inventory, find a car they like, and then run CARFAX on it," says Ellison. "It's very easy. People are using it more than ever. Really I think the No. 1 thing for sales is eventually going to be the Internet."

If you're in the market for food, restaurants like Domino's, Papa John's and Jimmy John's now take online orders. Simply visit the restaurant website, where you will find a full menu, coupons, a list of store locations, and a link to order food. Orders can be made for pickup or delivery and paid for with a credit card.

Amber Rhodes, a manager at Domino's, explains that when the store receives an online order, it pops up on a computer screen along with all of their telephone orders. She says that while most of their orders are still placed via the telephone, the store does get several online orders each day.

Still hungry? Do a Google search and you're likely to find websites for all of your favorite restaurants. Sign up for e-mail lists from Applebee's and Imo's Pizza; have dessert shipped to your home from My Daddy's Cheesecake; order gift cards from Olive Garden.

It's also become very common for real estate agencies to reach potential clients through the Internet. Websites like http://realestate.semissourian.com allow prospective buyers to view a wide variety of properties and compare prices before contacting an agent. Coldwell Banker of Cape Girardeau operates a site at www.capehomes.biz, where clients can view homes and rental properties or learn about financing and mortgages. Visitors can also meet the Coldwell staff and follow links for community information like schools, hospitals, and upcoming events.

Gary Turner, broker and manager at Coldwell, says at least 80 percent of his clients use the website before contacting the agency. While he doesn't feel that the site has a positive or negative effect on sales, Turner says it definitely makes it easier for agents, homebuyers, and homeowners to connect and share property information.