Chicago Cars.com has announced the launch of DealerSites, a powerful new Website solution dealers can use to further establish their online presence with minimal IT resources, dollars and time to market, according to the company. DealerSites is designed to provide dealers with a sophisticated yet easy-to-update Website to help market their stores and merchandise their listings.

"Dealers increasingly recognize that when prospects visit their Websites, it is the Internet equivalent of having them come into stores," said Dennis Galbraith, Cars.com's vice president of advertising products. "Operating a robust, well-designed Website allows shoppers to research the dealer and the vehicle they're considering before taking the next step toward a purchase. A weak site - or no site at all - very often leads prospects to see what the competition has to offer."

DealerSites uses rich-media technology and eye-catching templates that dealers can easily customize to feature their listings, promote their stores and include their contact information. The new site is designed to easily integrate with other Cars.com products, making it seamless for dealers advertising on Cars.com to match information on their Website with their information on Cars.com. Inventory on Cars.com is incorporated and searchable within DealerSites, and an integrated secure credit application invites shoppers to apply for financing online from either Cars.com listings or directly form the dealer's website.

Built for optimum ranking in the search engines, DealerSites also is designed to increase the dealership's online visibility. "A professionally developed Website tells car buyers they're working with a professional," Galbraith said. "While a Website may have been optional just a few years ago, car buyers consider them an integral part of the shopping process and an essential research tool. Not only do consumers want to ensure they're buying the right car, they also want to be confident they're buying from the right dealer."