There are now over 17,600 new car dealerships across the US. Without a strong auto dealership marketing strategy, your company will fade into the background. You’ll struggle to attract buyers to your car dealership if they can’t find your business.
Here are 10 tips you can use to develop an effective marketing plan. With these tips, you can use inbound marketing to grow your business. Inbound marketing strategies are more cost-effective and successful.
Read on to learn more!
1. Establish a Brand
Your auto dealership won’t stand apart from other local dealerships if you don’t have a distinct brand. Your brand includes your:
- Core values
- Mission and vision statements
- Voice
- Tone
- Personality
- Logo
- Color palette
- Font styles
Create a document that outlines these brand elements. Establishing your brand identity will ensure your team is on the same page. Otherwise, your brand could look inconsistent across marketing channels.
Inconsistent branding can cause customers to confuse your dealership with another. They won’t remember your business or why you’re unique.
Make sure your brand matches across all marketing channels (on and offline).
Consistency could boost your revenue by 20%. Meanwhile, 46% of customers tend to buy from familiar brands. The more they recognize you, the more likely they’ll choose your dealership.
2. Update Your Website
In most cases, consumers will find your dealership online before ever interacting with you in person. Establish a strong online presence by creating a customized website for your business. Make sure your website is:
- Secure
- Mobile-friendly
- User-friendly
- Search engine optimized
- Fast
- Branded
Add your inventory to your website. Potential buyers can look through different cars before choosing your dealership. If you don’t provide examples of your inventory online, they might not visit in person.
Use search engine optimization (SEO) to rank higher on Google. When someone searches for “car dealership near me,” your website could appear. SEO can help your dealership rank ahead of competing businesses.
Claim and optimize your Google Business listing. Your listing displays your:
- Business name
- Hours
- Website
- Location/directions
- Products/services
- Customer reviews
- Phone number
Potential customers can use your Google Business listing to learn more about your dealership. Your listing will take up prominent space on search engine result pages (SERPs). Taking up space on SERPs can help you generate more brand awareness.
3. Create Content
You can improve your organic SERP rankings by creating customized blog content.
First, gather audience and keyword research. Determine what search terms people use to find your dealership online. Use your keywords to create content your customers want to read.
Strategically place the keyword into your content to appear for relevant searches.
Diversify your content marketing plan to appear in front of consumers who are at different points in the buyer’s journey. For example, you can create:
- Blog posts/articles
- Press releases
- eBooks
- Polls
- Quizzes
- Videos
- Webinars
Keep creating content throughout the year. Sharing fresh content will encourage people to keep visiting your website. Someone might realize you have the car they’re interested in after visiting your site.
Add a call to action at the end of each post to encourage people to contact your dealership.
4. Engage on Social Media
Reformat and share your content on social media. Remaining active on social media can help you generate brand awareness. Generating engagement will make your car dealership more memorable.
You can use free graphic design tools and social media schedulers to get started. Otherwise, consider working with a digital marketing agency. Professional marketing services can save you time and money.
Make sure to post consistently to remain at the top of the consumer’s mind.
Vary your content by sharing informational, humorous, or promotional posts.
5. Manage Reviews
Ask your customers to share their reviews on your Google Business listing. Positive reviews will improve your brand’s reputation.
Future customers might choose your dealership after reading reviews from other consumers.
You can create testimonial videos to share on your website or social media.
6. Share Promotions
Consider hosting events and sharing promotions to increase your online exposure. For example:
- Summer cookouts
- Charity drives
- Holiday events
- Car washes
- Safety education programs
- Test drive incentives
- Raffles and giveaways
Make sure to market your event using email marketing or social media.
7. Use SMS Marketing
SMS marketing can help you remain in touch with leads. Share new promotions to encourage people to return to your dealership.
SMS marketing is easy, affordable, and boosts engagement. It has better open and click-through rates than email marketing, too.
8. Create a Referral Program
Your existing customers can help you reach new customers. Consider creating a referral program. Reward your customers for referrals by offering a free car wash or car accessory.
You can also offer a cash bonus after a customer makes a purchase of a certain amount.
Referral programs allow you to use word-of-mouth marketing to generate more brand awareness.
9. Design Ads
Digital ads can help you generate brand awareness and website traffic.
Use Google Ads to create text and display ads. Text ads will appear on SERPs. Display ads will appear on websites within Google’s network.
You can also use social media platforms like Facebook Ads to appear on Facebook and Instagram.
When someone clicks on your ad, they’ll arrive on your website. Create dedicated landing pages with forms to generate leads.
10. Hire an Agency
If you’re struggling to use these marketing strategies alone, partner with an agency like Turnkey Marketing this year. Their marketing services can ensure your campaigns are effective. With help, you can generate more brand visibility on and offline.
As you gain more visibility, you can start attracting new customers to your auto dealership.
Use Effective Auto Dealership Marketing Today
A strong auto dealership marketing strategy is essential for small business growth. Use these 10 marketing strategies to get started. Otherwise, partner with a marketing agency to develop stronger campaigns.
In time, you’ll get leagues of competing dealerships in the area.
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