If you have been reading my blog posts for a while, you will know that I repeat some of the same messages, directed at those in the traditional media space. The messages speak to what the future holds and ways traditional media can enhance their properties, to capitalize on the trends and their vested local brand awareness. I start with all of this because I recently came across an automotive site that has at least tried to incorporate some of the principals we discuss here on ‘What Little I know…’

Although it is not a newly launched website, CarSpace is worthy of discussion because of its well thought out integration of a traditional classified media vertical (automotive) and new media aesthetic and components.

The site owners themselves call it the social media site of automotive and in many ways, they are right. The site encapsulates all the elements users have come to expect with the emergence for forward thinking site design (web2.0) and functionality. The lack of serif text, large photos, colour pallets that work well with each other (although I would love to hear from the site owners the reasons for the colour choice) and the use of tasteful multi-media, can all be found on CarSpace.

CarSpace allows its visitors to do a plethora of things online, all car related, yet keeping in mind the public’s desire to interact.

Forums: here you can post to or just read the forum notes. Nevertheless, forums are categorized by make, automotive body style and theme. The forums are also a great source for car owners or perspective car owners, to ask questions. From what I could see, the quality of the responses were good.

Video: users can upload videos using all known sources, including their cell phones. Once videos are posted, users can add comments and ratings. Currently, the most popular video has been viewed over 24,000 times.

Blogs: read and or subscribe to CarSpace blogs

Guides: a lot of how to’s – very helpful!

Connect: you can connect with other site members. Your connections can be streamlined by the other person’s car interest. Nonetheless, you create a friend network on your profile. Sound familiar?

The one thing that surprised me however, was that the site was void of a marketplace ~ A marketplace where members could list their used cars for sale. It seemed to be the natural next step, allowing one stop shopping for the sites almost 81,000 car enthusiast members.

What ever their future plans are for CarSpace, one thing is for sure, they have done a fantastic job in marrying a traditional content vertical to new online media components. And if I could be so brazen as to predict the future of CarSpace myself, I believe the market place component to be only four months away. It is way too lucrative a source to not implement.  Lastly,  CarSpace will partner with niche automotive print publications and newspapers who have noticeable print car sections.   It is unclear who will engage the relationship, but I believe a marriage in is inevitable.

written by Beverly Crandon \\ tags: auto forums, Automotive, automotive blogs, automotive videos, carspace.com, social media