General Questions
Who can sign up to use AWE?
Anyone needing to service automotive dealers' web needs can use AWE. Our database and export functions are not set up for other items such as real estate or items, so these cannot be managed.
My dealers are outside the U.S., can I still use AWE?
Currently, we are only set up for U.S. dealers and exports. We are working on systems for other countries though and hope to launch these in the near future.
API Usage
What can I do with the API?
Currently our API allows for searching through dealer inventory, sending email leads, showing photos and data. We are slowly releasing more and more API functionality.
What if I don't know how to program for API's?
We have developed a PHP5 script for dealer web sites, mobile sites, and a WordPress Plugin. Installation is very simple and they can be incorporated into just about any design. You just need to make sure your host/server has PHP5 running. No database is needed.
Dealer & Reseller (Broker) Admin
Can I develop my own admin via the API?
Very soon you will be. Currently we do not support it, but it is being developed.
Can I rebrand the admin for my dealers?
Yes. You can show your own company name, phone, and email within the backend, which only your dealers will see. We do not post "Auto Web Engine" or any other company name in the dealer admin. Even our admin url is hosted on a separate domain using Domains by Proxy. Your dealers don't know about us unless you want them to.
Is there a limit to the amount of dealers I have?
Not at all. Our system is fully scalable and can handle as many dealers as you need. If you ever need any custom additions, we can add these as well.
Vehicle Data Imports
Can a dealer manually add vehicles?
Yes, your dealer has full control over their inventory and can make any manual changes they want.
What data file import types do you support?
We realize that there are hundreds of different services and applications out there, all with different data file types. We developed a unique mapping system to allow us to add just about any file types in a matter of minutes and have it available to the dealer. The data file needs to be a standard data file of .txt, .asc, .csv, etc.
Do you offer DMS polling?
We used to, but decided we would rather focus on web development rather than DMS data polling. For that reason, we recommend a very good service provider that can grab a feed directly from the dealer's DMS and feed the data directly to us, to your dealer account.
Export Locations
What free sites do you export to?
All our automated exports go out daily. We submit to all the major sites like Oodle.com, Vast.com, and Google Base, where the inventory then goes out to hundreds others. We also have sites that grab our feed from us. We then have Broker accounts running their own classified sites via our API, where the inventory is automatically fed to as well.
What paid sites do you export to?
Provided the dealer has an account, we can export to Autotrader.com, Cars.com, Vehix, Cobalt, AutoMart.com, and others. We also add new locations as needed.
Do you automatically submit to Craigslist?
Regardless of what "other" sites claim, no one can auto submit to Craigslist, they do not allow or have functions for it. Someone, at some point, is submitting the vehicles by hand. We have two tools available to help dealers get their cars on Craigslist.
Can I get my own dealer feeds?
Yes, you can have any of your dealers' inventory fed to yourself, for backup, or whatever you need, on a daily basis.
Prices
What are your prices?
We realize our mention of prices is fairly vague, but it is tough to have set fees for the number of different user types we have. Typically, a Broker account will pay $49 a month per dealer if they are just using the import and export functions to get their dealers data everywhere. If they need to use our API for web site display, etc, we offer support for our code and functionality and the Broker supports their dealers for about $79 a month per dealer. Then for those who need full support for the sites and their dealers, we typically charge $99 a month per dealer. For those Brokers with many, many dealers, we offer bulk pricing as low as $25 a month.