Are your car sales stuck because you have an inventory but are located in first gear? It will take more than a dealership website to be competitive in today’s digital marketplace. To create more leads, increase visibility, and convert window shoppers into car buyers, you’ll have to devise a strategy that is smart, effective, and results-oriented.
This is why you’ll want to go digital. With the right digital marketing tactics, along with help from an automotive digital marketing agency, you can set your dealership apart from the competition in a crowded marketplace. Here are six marketing strategies dealerships should implement.
1. Responsively Designed, High-Performance Website.
Your website is your digital showroom. If your website is outdated, slow, or not mobile-friendly, you will lose all of your leads before they even contact you. An automotive web design agency can ensure your website is modern, user-friendly, and responsive across all viewing platforms. From easy inventory browsing to embedded finance calculators and tools, an effective design will engage users and promote action.
2. Leverage Local SEO to Attract Nearby Customers
The majority of car buyers begin their search for a new car online, and many look for a dealership nearby while conducting an internet search. Local search engine optimization is what will put your dealership in front of those internet users when they search for phrases such as ‘dealers near me’ or ‘used car dealer’ in their city. Local SEO tactics include optimizing your Google Business Profile, using relevant local and location-based keywords, and being included in numerous online directories.
3. Set Up Targeted Advertising Campaigns
Paid search ads are useful for targeting buyers with high intent – when they type in queries such as ‘used SUV near me’, or ‘best deals on new trucks’. These are general searches that indicate intent at a high level. Your ads should be set up to target these buyers at the moment they are deciding to engage with a deal; however, using call extensions and location targeting, you can also drive leads back to your showroom or sales line.
4. Retargeting Owned Website Visitors Via Display Ads
Not every visitor to your dealership’s website will convert on their first visit. Still, through retargeting, you can bring back those who have visited your dealership and re-engage them through display ads while they browse websites and applications after leaving your site. You will feature display ads of the vehicles they viewed, the special financing offers, and the limited-time discounts you have presented.
5. Build Trust Through Online Reviews and Reputation Management
Most buyers will check online reviews before visiting a dealership. One positive review can build confidence, but unanswered negative reviews are a red flag. Ask all satisfied customers to leave reviews, know how to respond to all reviews professionally, and monitor your ratings. Many automotive marketing services offer reputation management, allowing you to stay on top of it.
6. Create Lead Generating Content and Landing Pages
Educational content, such as a car-buying guide, maintenance guide, and car model comparisons, can attract organic traffic while creating pearls of wisdom that help your dealership become a valuable resource. Combine this with optimized landing pages for booking test drives, evaluating trade-ins, financing, and other key stages of the buyer journey, so you can capture leads at every stage of the buyer’s journey.
Conclusion
As more car buyers start the buying journey online, it is more important than ever to increase your awareness of automotive digital marketing. Utilizing an experienced automotive digital marketing agency, investing in smart automotive marketing services, and collaborating with a professional automotive web design agency can transform your dealership’s online presence into a lead-generating machine. Start by implementing these seven tactics and get your digital marketing strategies into 5th gear.
