Frequently Asked Questions

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Getting Started &
Working With sMedia

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  • Switching providers is straightforward and structured to keep your ads running and your historical data intact. We keep the workload light for your team across four straightforward steps:

    1. Account Setup: We set up dedicated, clean advertising platform accounts, a clean Google Analytics 4 (GA4) property, and a custom Google Tag Manager (GTM) container. We don’t require access to your current ad accounts unless you really need us to use them. 

    2. Scraper & Pixel Integration: Our development team builds and tests a custom web scraper that syncs live inventory details (New, Used, CPO) directly from your site. We also deploy our proprietary Engaged Prospect Metric (EPM) pixel via GTM.

    3. Conversion & Goal Mapping: Key conversion actions are configured, including EPM signals (30+ second VDP views), click-to-calls, and lead form submissions.

    4. Collaborative Launch Call:  On day 2-3 of your onboarding, your team will be invited to a kickoff call with your dedicated Customer Success Pod to confirm target geographic boundaries, campaign strategy, ad budgets, and schedule regular future calls.

  • Very little. To get your campaigns up and running, we just need a few quick items from you:

    • Sign the Terms of Service (TOS) and approve ad budgets in writing.

    • Complete a short onboarding questionnaire.

    • Grant access to your social media channels (e.g., Facebook Page, TikTok account).

    • Approve our request to your website provider to install our Google Tag Manager container.

    • Meet with our team for the Kickoff call & approve any ad proofs as required.

  • Unless specified under select OEM program agreements, sMedia operates on a month-to-month basis with a 30-day cancellation policy. There are no long-term contract lock-ins.

  • You’ll work directly with a dedicated team, including a Customer Success Manager, Ad Operations Specialist, and Project Manager. You also get 24/7 access to the sMedia Hub analytics dashboard and regular monthly marketing meetings to review key metrics like cost-per-sale, inventory turnaround, and overall campaign performance.

  • While automotive is our primary focus, our inventory automation, search campaigns, local SEO, and retargeting tools work just as smoothly for RV, Marine, and Powersports dealerships. Our web scrapers pull current inventory straight from your site to power tailored ad copy and direct mailers featuring specific models, options, and stock numbers.

    We also run Google Vehicle Listing Ads for RV and powersports dealers, and tools like LOTie (our Facebook Marketplace listing assistant) and Smart Offer are fully built to support non-auto inventory.

Products, Advertising & Technology

  • sMedia manages dynamic, inventory-backed digital advertising campaigns across four major platforms:

    • Google Ads: Dynamic Search Ads, Google Performance Max (PMax), and Vehicle Listing Ads (VLAs) targeting high-intent keyword searches.

    • Meta Ads: Dynamic inventory retargeting (AIA), video ads, and conquesting across Facebook and Instagram.

    • Microsoft Advertising: Dynamic search and Auto Ads reaching desktop searchers across Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo.

    • TikTok Advertising: Dynamic inventory cards paired with short-form video content targeting next-generation shoppers.

  • Our automated scrapers sync with your site daily to track active inventory, photos, pricing, and availability. As soon as a unit sells and comes off your site, our system automatically pauses ads for that specific VIN or stock number so you never waste ad spend on sold inventory.

  • The Engaged Prospect Metric (EPM) is our approach to identifying serious buyers shopping for vehicles, boats, RVs, or powersports equipment. Added through Google Tag Manager, the EPM pixel flags visitors who spend at least 30 seconds browsing a specific detail page (VDP). Instead of spending budget on broad, cold audiences, EPM builds targeted retargeting lists based on real shopping behaviour.

  • We help position your site for generative AI platforms (like ChatGPT, Gemini, and AI Overviews) by focusing on solid technical site health, clear custom content tailored to your audience, and structured local citations. A clean technical foundation and focused content help ensure AI engines cite your dealership accurately.

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  • Our SEO strategy focuses on steady, long-term organic growth so you don't have to rely strictly on paid ads. It includes:

    • Weekly technical site health monitoring and error remediation.

    • Google Business Profile (GBP) optimization and local signal management.

    • Local keyword conquesting and vehicle category landing page optimization.

    • On-page inventory optimization for active models and trims.

  • LOTie is sMedia’s Chrome extension and digital lot assistant designed to connect live dealership inventory feeds directly to Facebook Marketplace in a way that respects Facebook’s community standards. LOTie offers:

    • Inventory Publishing: Your team can publish live, feed-backed inventory listings to Facebook Marketplace in under 30 seconds without manual data entry.

    • AI Description Builder: Built-in AI rewrites description copy when multiple sales reps post the same stock unit, preventing duplicate content flags and spam filters.

    • Management Dashboard & Activity Tracking: Detect sold units from the live feed and flag them in a review tab for immediate removal + get an overview of your team’s activity and posts. 

    • Flat Pricing: $499 per month for unlimited sales representatives and unlimited inventory postings.

  • Dynamic Direct Mail connects your online traffic to physical mailboxes. When an interested shopper views a Vehicle Details Page (VDP) but leaves without filling out a form, automated triggers identify location data and send a personalized mailer highlighting the exact unit viewed, along with custom trade-in or pricing offers, right to their door.

  • Smart Offer is an on-site engagement tool that turns site visitors into leads without intrusive pop-ups or gated forms. Starting at $249/month, it lets you display targeted trade-in or special offers across any site page in minutes to encourage active browsers to reach out.

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Pricing, Fees & Programs

  • Digital advertising management fees are structured into standard, tiered spend brackets:

    • Ad Spend $0 – $4,800/month: Flat $500/month minimum management fee OR 31% of ad spend.

    • Ad Spend $4,801 – $7,499/month: $1,250/month management fee + 5.99% Tech Fee.

    • Ad Spend $7,500+/month: $1,950/month management fee + 5.99% Tech Fee.

  • The 5.99% Tech Fee supports underlying platform infrastructure, live scraping tools, data pipelines, API connections, and ongoing updates needed to run automated multi-platform ad campaigns smoothly.

    • Group Discounts: Multi-location dealership groups with 3 or more locations receive a standard 15% discount off retail pricing.

    • OEM Co-op & Program Pricing: sMedia is a Certified OEM Partner (including Toyota Canada, Lexus Canada, GM Canada, Cadillac Canada, and Kia Canada). OEM program pricing is governed by official OEM agreements, billed accordingly, and processed through available co-op submission channels.

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Have a question we didn’t cover?

Whether you’re exploring sMedia’s services, looking for the right solution for your dealership, or just need a little more information, our team is here to help.

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