The automotive industry has experienced unprecedented disruptions, including constant shortages, supply chain concerns, skyrocketing gas prices, and rising interest rates. Auto dealers are also facing the challenge of record-high new vehicle prices, resulting in lower retail sales of new vehicles. Yet, there are still many ways for auto dealers to increase car sales, despite rising costs. The automotive marketing specialists at Safeguard can help with traffic-driving solutions that bring customers to your showroom.
How can I increase car sales and profits?
Being customer-centered and focusing on marketing strategies such as SEO, social media, and direct mail marketing can help auto dealers to increase sales and profits. Being well-positioned will allow you to make the most of any additional opportunities.
5 Tips to Increase Car Sales
Tip #1: Implement Search Engine Optimization Strategies
Competition for a car buyer’s attention is intensifying, and dealers must change how they market to consumers to stay competitive. The shift to online car shopping represents a tremendous opportunity for auto dealerships, providing exposure to new customers and increasing access to their available inventory. To see the greatest benefit, auto dealers need to focus on website search engine optimization (SEO).
By implementing search engine optimization (SEO) strategies, you can take advantage of the power of internet search engines, driving traffic to your business website and ultimately helping potential customers realize it’s your business they need. The key is knowing the best SEO practices to see the greatest results. Your website should:
- provide buyers with solutions to their problems
- incorporate relevant keywords
- have accurate, working links
- include updated information
Tip #2: Take Advantage of Social Media
If you’re not active on social media, you’re missing out on a powerful tool for promoting your auto dealership. Social media is a crucial marketing tool for promoting your business, keeping in touch with existing customers, and interacting with potential customers.
Auto dealerships can use social media video clips to share new car arrivals, raise awareness of limited-time offers, allow potential customers to ask questions via direct messages, and nurture leads to convert them into buyers.
Social media channels effectively engage with customers, provide information, and develop your brand. Our Guide to Social Media Marketing eBook takes a detailed look at social media basics and offers tips on making the most of social media in a way that works for your dealership.
Tip #3: Build Trust With Customer Reviews
90% of consumers read online reviews before visiting a business. Acquiring a car is a significant purchase for most consumers, motivating them even more so to view reviews from other customers before visiting or buying from your dealership. Consumers may use various sites to read reviews, including your website, social media channels, review sites, and automotive-specific sites.
As online reviews are essential for building trust with consumers, responding to those reviews and comments is important in managing your reputation and incentivizing potential customers to visit your auto dealership.
When a review is positive, take the time to thank the writer and express your appreciation. Of course, there will occasionally be negative reviews as well; take these as an opportunity for feedback to improve your business. Follow these three steps to respond to negative reviews of your auto business:
- Respond to the reviewer promptly
- Acknowledge the issue
- Offer to find a solution
To increase your number of reviews, consider incentivizing your customers through a sales discount code, prize drawing, email follow-up, or more.
Tip #4: Follow Up With Direct Mail Marketing
A well-executed direct mail campaign is an excellent way to drive customers to dealer showrooms, service centers, and websites. Use direct mail marketing to reach new markets or re-engage with former contacts. You can also use direct mail to promote upcoming events or offer special discounts.
The tactile nature of print mail leaves a lasting impact on consumers, which improves brand recall, and the physical document provides a long shelf life. Increase response rates by personalizing your direct mail piece with the recipient’s name.
Tip #5: Focus on Providing Car Buyers With a Customer-Centered Experience
Unsurprisingly, customer service plays a crucial part in the car-buying experience. Car buyers want an experience that alleviates as many pain points as possible. Buyers reported the highest satisfaction levels when the overall car-shopping experience took less time and was more efficient. Whether in person or online, every interaction between a customer and your dealership is an opportunity to provide excellent customer service.
At Safeguard, we know many ways to increase car sales and promote your business. Count on Safeguard to provide engaging and effective automotive marketing solutions for your business. Visit our site to get started.
Key Takeaways
- Focusing on marketing strategies such as SEO, social media, and direct mail marketing can help auto dealers to increase car sales.
- The shift to online car shopping means that auto dealers must focus on search engine optimization for their websites.
- Direct mail campaign is an excellent way to reach new markets or re-engage with former contacts.
- Customer experience is rapidly becoming a key differentiator among businesses, making it ever more important to deliver a customer-centered experience.
- The automotive marketing specialists at Safeguard can help with traffic-driving solutions that bring customers to your showroom.