When buyers want information about a particular car or a certain dealership, the first place they turn is to Google. As such, your dealership’s success is largely dependent on your Google visibility. Search engine optimization (SEO) is the field devoted to getting better Google rankings, yet for many dealers, SEO can seem incredibly complex, even impenetrable.

With that said, there is some rhyme and reason to how the Google algorithms work. The placement of any website comes down to a number of ranking factors, some of which are more important than others. And Google is actually pretty forthcoming about what those ranking factors are.

So what are the critical SEO components your dealership should focus on in 2018? Here are some of our top recommendations, based on Google’s stated SEO standards.

Key SEO Ranking Factors for Your Dealership Website

Quality Content

There’s an old saying in SEO circles—content is king. That’s as true today as it’s ever been. Ultimately, Google rewards sites that provide the end user with real, substantive information—and that means filling your website with well-written content that answers your buyers’ questions. Always make content the cornerstone of your SEO efforts.

Mobile-friendliness

These days, most online searches happen from mobile devices, as opposed to laptops or desktops. As such, Google actively rewards sites that have a strong mobile presentation, while penalizing sites that are not optimized for these devices. If your dealership website doesn’t have a mobile version, now’s the time to change that.

Security

Search engine users want websites they can visit securely, without any risk of data theft or other cybercrimes. Google, of course, wants to accommodate those wishes. As such, it’s worth noting that the majority of page-one-ranked sites have HTTPS security coding—something to consider for your own dealership page.

User Experience

When Web designers talk about user experience, or UX, they’re talking about the ease with which your website users can access the page and find the information they’re looking for. A clear layout and intuitive navigation are two components to consider for your dealership website.

Site Speed

Nobody wants to wait very long for a website to load. In fact, most users are unwilling to wait more than two or three seconds. Google penalizes sites that take longer than that to load, so it’s worth taking the time to check your site on different browsers and devices to be sure it’s loading the way it’s supposed to.

Develop a Website That’s Made to Rank

A good website is an invaluable marketing asset for your dealership—and Get My Auto can help you get your site totally up to speed. Contact us to learn more about how we help dealerships design websites that rank well. Reach out to Get My Auto today!

Selling used cars is increasingly competitive—and if you want your dealership to stand out from the competition, it’s generally best to partner with a marketing company. Not all automotive marketing companies are created equal, however, and it’s important to choose a trusted ally with whom you feel fully confident. As you interview potential marketing teams, here are some of the key questions you should be asking.

What channels will you use to market my dealership?

It’s not enough to have a marketing strategy that focuses merely on SEO, or solely on AdWords; it’s important for your dealership to have a branded presence that spans the consumer journey, and that means a multi-channel approach. While there’s no one right answer here—it varies according to the needs and objectives of your dealership—we’d certainly recommend a company that focuses on Web development, Facebook Ads, and Craigslist.

What kinds of technology will you use to help me sell my inventory?

Technology automates the marketing process, and makes it easier for you to move units—period. The question is, what sorts of technology can your automotive marketing company offer on your behalf? Look for things like website building platforms and Craigslist adautomation, both of which can deliver real results.

How will you communicate with me?

In working with a digital marketing team, you’ll need to be in constant dialogue to make sure your marketing efforts are aligned with your sales goals. As such, you should always ask how your marketing team will contact you, and how often. Don’t settle for anything less than regular updates and meetings—once or twice a month at a minimum.

How will you prove that you’re getting results?

It’s only fair that your marketing company provide you with evidence that they are getting results, moving the sales needle at your dealership—and that means clear reporting. Ask your marketing company about the data and analytics that will be provided to you, and make sure you have a clear understanding of the metrics you’ll be given.

What kind of results should I expect to see?

A good marketing company will be upfront with you about when you can expect to see results, and what those results might look like. On the one hand, you’ll want to avoid agencies that float false promises or set up lofty expectations—but at the same time, you should be wary of marketing companies that won’t commit to any clear signs of progress.

As you seek the dealership marketing company that best meets your needs, make sure you give us a call. Get My Auto works only with used car dealerships, and we’d love to answer any questions you have about our investment in technology, our commitment to data, and beyond. Reach out to Get My Auto to learn more!

Craigslist may not be flashy or new any longer, but it remains a top online shopping destination—and one that auto dealers cannot afford to ignore.

In fact, Get My Auto’s team endorses Craigslist as one of the truly essential dealership marketing platforms. The question is, how can your dealership ensure that its Craigslist postings are fruitful? How can you use Craigslist to truly make inroads with buyers?

Here are a few tips to consider.

Optimize the Listing

Start with the listing itself. You need a strong title to grab the attention of buyers who are just skimming through Craigslist. We recommend including the name of the vehicle as well as some key selling points, but omitting price. Also make sure you include lots of appealing graphics. The best pictures are the ones that don’t seem canned or staged; instead of snapping pics in your showroom, drive the car somewhere scenic and take some photos there.

Sell the Dealership

Something else to keep in mind is that you’re not just selling the vehicle, but also your dealership itself. Even if the buyer doesn’t want the car in question, make sure he or she keeps exploring your inventory. To do this, list some of the key trust factors your dealership can offer—some of the reasons why a buyer should buy from you, whether it’s the vehicle in the listing or another car altogether.

Include a Call to Action

All dealership marketing materials should end with a call to action—and Craigslist postings are no exception. Invite the buyer to pick up the phone and call you to learn more about the car, or to find out what else your dealership can offer. You’d be amazed how many dealerships neglect the CTA—and, how effective one can be.

Get into a Posting Rhythm

It’s important for dealerships to post new vehicles on a regular basis, but also to be strategic. Rather than flooding Craigslist with every car on your lot, have a system in place for posting the cars that you think are ready to move, or that will most appeal to your buyer demographics.

Automate the Process

One more thing: To really take Craigslist to the next level, we recommend automating everything—from the posts themselves to the lead capturing and follow-up. That’s something the Get My Auto team can help with; we recommend looking into our Craigslist Wizard app, which can remove a lot of the guesswork from the posting process, and also talking to our team about implementing a full-scale Craigslist marketing plan.

To learn more about how Craigslist can work for your dealership—and how you can automate the process, bringing in maximum ROI—contact Get My Auto today!

These days, very few consumers will visit a dealership without doing some online research first. In fact, studies suggest that the average buyer will spend several hours reading about cars online before ever setting foot on the showroom floor. This presents your dealership with a prime opportunity: If you can make your online vehicle descriptions compelling enough—more compelling than the competition’s—then you can be the one to get that foot traffic in your used car dealership.

The question is, what can used car dealers do in order to make their descriptions more impactful? Here are a few guidelines.

Tell a Story

Many dealers take the everything-and-the-kitchen-sink approach to their vehicle descriptions, essentially mentioning all the data and specs they can but not really telling a story. Yet, that story is important: The most appealing descriptions are the ones that create a narrative, and help the buyer to see how he or she fits within that narrative. By all means, include some data and specs in your descriptions—but also some rich language to connect it all and show the big picture. Tell the story of each vehicle.

Focus on High-Value Options

In keeping with that last point, you can’t always fit every last detail into your description, and certain features may not get mentioned at all. So how do you decide which features to mention, and which to omit? We recommend picking two or three really high-value features and making them the focal point of each description. To do this, go back to your buyer personas, and determine the features that will make the biggest impact on your targeted buyers.

Build Trust

It’s not enough for the buyer to like the car you’re showing them; he or she also needs to feel confidence buying that car from you. There are a number of ways to build consumer confidence through your vehicle descriptions, including third-party validations such as vehicle history information, scoring reports, accolades and awards, crash test ratings, consumer reviews, and more.

Sell Your Dealership

Remember, as you write your descriptions, that you’re not just selling a car; you’re also selling your dealership. Conveying warmth and professionalism are key. It’s also wise to make a note or two about the values unique to your dealership—whether that’s exemplary customer service, one-on-one attention, a reliable service department, or something else altogether. Make sure that, even if the buyer doesn’t like this particular car, he or she wants to learn more about you and your business.

Write Vehicle Descriptions That Get Results

Good online vehicle descriptions can earn buyer trust—and ultimately generate foot traffic in your showroom. Learn more about the most effective ways to market your inventory by reaching out to the experts at Get My Auto today!

Before purchasing a new or used vehicle, buyers do plenty of online research. They watch videos, they read reviews, they compare prices, and they consult with safety ratings before they ever commit to visiting a dealership, let alone buying a car.

In the same way, it’s important for your dealership to do its due diligence before choosing a marketing partner. After all, a lot of companies claim to help you grow your dealership through savvy online advertising—but not all of these companies are created equal. The question is, how do you choose the best marketing partner to meet your needs?

An Integrative Marketing Approach

First and foremost, seek a marketing company that takes a holistic approach. You don’t merely need search engine optimization, or social media, or Craigslist; you need all of these channels and more, united and aligned toward the same marketing objectives.

Seek a company that will offer you a big-picture view, and help you grow your dealership by using all the marketing opportunities at your disposal.

Technology and Tools

It’s also wise to look for a marketing company that has the tools and technologies you require to automate your approach, and to market your dealership as efficiently as possible.

Get My Auto, for example, is a technology company as much as it is a marketing firm, and we’ve developed tools like our website creation platform and Craigslist ads generator to help our clients be truly efficient in their marketing activities.

Custom Marketing Solutions

All dealerships are different, and what works for your competitors may not work as well for you. Be wary of any marketing company that offers a cookie-cutter approach; customized solutions are preferable.

Make sure your marketing company gets to know your dealership’s unique value proposition, its marketing objectives, and its budgetary restrictions. Don’t settle for anything less than a tailored marketing plan.

Data and Results

Every marketing firm claims that it can deliver results—but how many of them can actually prove it?

Look for a marketing company that’s committed to data transparency. Get My Auto provides dealerships with regular updates in the form of data and analytics, proving to you that we’re generating value and moving the sales needle on your behalf.

A Focus on Auto Dealerships

A final note: Don’t settle for a generalist when you could have a specialist. Used car dealerships have unique business models and particular marketing challenges. You’re better off with a firm that really understands this, and has expertise concerning used car dealerships.

Get My Auto provides marketing services exclusively for used car dealerships. We know the industry inside and out and can provide you with a tailored approach that will turn your used car dealership into a real profit center.

Learn more about the things that help Get My Auto to stand out. Reach out to us today and request a consultation!

These days, very few consumers will visit a dealership without doing some online research first. In fact, studies suggest that the average buyer will spend several hours reading about cars online before ever setting foot on the showroom floor. This presents your dealership with a prime opportunity: If you can make your online vehicle descriptions compelling enough—more compelling than the competition’s—then you can be the one to get that foot traffic in your used car dealership.

The question is, what can used car dealers do in order to make their descriptions more impactful? Here are a few guidelines.

Tell a Story

Many dealers take the everything-and-the-kitchen-sink approach to their vehicle descriptions, essentially mentioning all the data and specs they can but not really telling a story. Yet, that story is important: The most appealing descriptions are the ones that create a narrative, and help the buyer to see how he or she fits within that narrative. By all means, include some data and specs in your descriptions—but also some rich language to connect it all and show the big picture. Tell the story of each vehicle.

Focus on High-Value Options

In keeping with that last point, you can’t always fit every last detail into your description, and certain features may not get mentioned at all. So how do you decide which features to mention, and which to omit? We recommend picking two or three really high-value features and making them the focal point of each description. To do this, go back to your buyer personas, and determine the features that will make the biggest impact on your targeted buyers.

Build Trust

It’s not enough for the buyer to like the car you’re showing them; he or she also needs to feel confidence buying that car from you. There are a number of ways to build consumer confidence through your vehicle descriptions, including third-party validations such as vehicle history information, scoring reports, accolades and awards, crash test ratings, consumer reviews, and more.

Sell Your Dealership

Remember, as you write your descriptions, that you’re not just selling a car; you’re also selling your dealership. Conveying warmth and professionalism are key. It’s also wise to make a note or two about the values unique to your dealership—whether that’s exemplary customer service, one-on-one attention, a reliable service department, or something else altogether. Make sure that, even if the buyer doesn’t like this particular car, he or she wants to learn more about you and your business.

Write Vehicle Descriptions That Get Results

Good online vehicle descriptions can earn buyer trust—and ultimately generate foot traffic in your showroom. Learn more about the most effective ways to market your inventory by reaching out to the experts at Get My Auto today!

Looking to bring more foot traffic to your lot? More online traffic to your website? More inquiries? More conversions? More benefit to your bottom line? It all comes down to marketing—and for used car dealers, there are always ways to make marketing more effective. In this post, we’ll offer 10 simple steps you could take today, all of which can yield significant bottom line benefits.

10 Steps for Improving Dealership Marketing

1. Make your website mobile friendly. To accommodate online search engine users, you must have a site that’s easy to use and to navigate across all device types. Test your site today, and if it’s not mobile optimized, contact your Web developer ASAP.
2. Start using Craigslist. A well-crafted Craigslist post can be a great way to get people calling your dealership. Plus, you can use the Craigslist Wizard app, from Get My Auto, to make sure your ads are optimized for success.
3. Embrace email marketing. Start building a database of customer emails, and keep in touch with people through monthly updates. A newsletter can be effective for simply keeping your dealership visible to potential or recurring buyers.
4. Spruce up your dealership. Curb appeal is everything! Make sure your dealership looks truly welcoming. Keep it clean and well-organized, with effective lighting and signage.
5. Start tracking your results. Any digital marketing efforts—whether social media, email, SEO, or Craigslist—should be monitored and measured. Ensure you have the proper analytics in place. Note that the Craigslist Wizard comes with powerful tracking functions built in!
6. Use live chat. Help your dealership website to be useful—and human. Start a live chat function, and let interested buyers connect with customer service representatives.
7. Start a blog. Helpful blog posts, guiding buyers through the process of vehicle ownership and maintenance, can go a long way toward building trust and instilling consumer confidence.
8. Use video. Like blogs, videos can be powerful ways of educating your buyers—helping them feel comfortable buying a vehicle from you.
9. Write compelling calls to action. Every page of your site should have a clear, concise call to action—inviting buyers to either call or come down to your dealership to look at vehicles!
10. Post customer testimonials. Your website needs trust signifiers—and the best ones are the ones generated by actual customers. Create a testimonials page today!

What’s the Next Step for Your Dealership Marketing?

Think about where you want your dealership marketing to go next—and if you need a consultation, don’t hesitate to call the dealership marketing pros here at Get My Auto. Our Orange County based agency works exclusively with used car dealers, and we’d love to show you how our services get results. Reach out to us today to start a conversation.

Most auto dealers are aware of the critical importance of video marketing. They’ve seen the statistics. They know fully well that the presence of video within the Facebooknewsfeed has grown by 360 percent in the past couple of years. They know, too, that videos posted to social media sites get 135 percent more organic reach than photos or text. Even knowing these things, however, dealers are hesitant to create video content for their own social media accounts.

And there’s a simple reason for it: They don’t know where to start.

But if it’s ideas you need, we can provide them. Here are five video marketing concepts that have proven effective in auto sales. Try implementing some of these strategies in your own video marketing content!

Kickstart Your Dealership’s Video Marketing

Sneak Peaks

People like to feel like they’re among the first people to know something—so let them feel like they’re part of a secret. Provide quick video tours of the latest and greatest vehicles, and build anticipation for new inventory you’re getting in. Allow your social media followers to get the first glimpse of cool new cars and trucks.

Testimonials

Every dealership can post sales copy about how great and wonderful it is, but it’s far more meaningful to potential buyers to hear it from other buyers. Ask some of your satisfied customers if you can take a video of them offering their feedback, and post the ringing endorsements to social media.

How-tos

Show off your knowledge, and provide actionable insights to your buyers! Create videos that center on practical guidance about vehicle maintenance, vehicle cleaning, etc. Empower your buyers to be better vehicle owners—and instill real trust in your dealership, to boot!

Walkarounds

Film one of your sales reps simply walking through the showroom and talking off the cuff about some of the great cars you currently have in stock. Just offer a few words about each one. Show off the diversity of your inventory, and generate some interest in visiting the lot.

Behind the Scenes Footage

Roll back the curtain and let buyers see what life’s like at your dealership day-to-day! Interview sales reps, show off the company break room—in a word, humanize your dealership. Video is a great format for this.

Video Done Right

When done right, video marketing can be tremendously beneficial to your dealership. Use these ideas as launching points, but also brainstorm some content ideas of your own—and if you need an assist, don’t hesitate to call the digital marketing experts at Get My Autotoday ! We’re professionals in the automotive marketing sphere, and we know what it takes for dealerships to move inventory. Contact our team right away to begin the process.

Electric cars are becoming more popular all the time.

There are several factors that contribute to this. One is that electric car prices are falling. A second is that government incentives make electric vehicles even more affordable. And in addition to all of that, increased environmental awareness makes consumers eager to curb their reliance on fossil fuel.

Electric cars are also getting better—more powerful, more practical, more innovative. No matter how you slice it, the market for electric cars is looking better and better. Even so, it might surprise you to learn exactly who is showing an interest in electric vehicles.

Who’s Looking for Electric Cars?

A recent Dealer Marketing post looks at recent Google search data for the term “electric cars”—and the findings are noteworthy.

For example: Hawaii, which has notoriously high gas prices, boasts the most electric car searches of any state. Washington, California, and Oregon all trail close behind it.

Orange County residents may be especially interested in unpacking the California data. The article notes that, in California, “the popularity of the keyword has fluctuated greatly from No. 1 in 2016 to as high as 48 in 2010, but has remained in the top five since 2012.”

Who’s NOT Looking for Electric Cars?

On the flipside, there are some places where interest in electric vehicle ownership is simply very low.

Virginia, New York, Louisiana, Mississippi, and West Virginia, for instances, are all states that register consistently low search volume for electric cars. There are many other states where interest ebbs and flows, fluctuating significantly over time.

What This Means for Your Dealership Marketing

This data can be helpful to dealerships who might want to know how heavily they should be marketing their electric car offerings—if they want to market them at all.

Even beyond this search data, however, it’s worth noting that things really are looking promising for the electric car market—with overall U.S. sales just climbing higher and higher.

Steady Google search trends suggest a sustained interest in electric vehicles—not just a passing fancy. As prices continue to come down, that interest will likely become more pronounced—and contribute to stronger and stronger sales.

To learn more about marketing electric cars, we invite you to reach out to the team at Get My Auto today. We can provide tailored marketing strategies in California—electric car country—and beyond!

As you’re no doubt aware, Google is the biggest search engine in the world—but do you know which search engine ranks as #2? This may shock you, but the answer is YouTube. And, as online consumers increasingly favor video over other forms of content, YouTube’s market share is likely to expand further and further.

Video is a Natural Fit for Used Car Dealerships

This alone makes it a platform your used car dealership should consider. In addition, video content is a natural fit for the used car industry. Just think of the compelling ways in which you might use video:

• Providing a tour of your showroom and highlighting current inventory
• Showing some basics of vehicle maintenance or repair
• Explaining some of the available options for financing

The bottom line: Video can humanize your dealership, earn buyer trust, and showcase your products in a way that’s fun and easily digestible.

Producing and Optimizing Your Videos

Creating videos to post on YouTube doesn’t require you to book a Hollywood movie studio; in fact, there’s plenty you can do with a simple iPhone and the most basic video editing software. (YouTube even offers its own, online video editing platform, if you want to start at square one.)

A key part of this process is optimizing your videos. Remember: YouTube isn’t just a content platform, but a search engine! Your videos won’t do you much good if they can’t be found by search engine users.

Some basic guidelines for YouTube SEO:

1. Make sure you include keywords in the titles of your videos. Place your keywords toward the beginning of your title; for whatever reason, YouTube favors this form of keyword placement.
2. Write a good video description, telling YouTube’s algorithms what your video content is about. Judicious keyword placement is a must! Also, summarize your video content without totally giving away all your key points.
3. Include a call to action at the end of your video. Make it as specific as possible. Rather than asking viewers to leave a comment, give them a specific question or topic to comment on.
4. Try to make your videos longer, whenever possible. YouTube wants to hold viewers’ attention for as long as possible, so the 8-15 minute range is the sweet spot!

One final tip: Remember that you’re not just selling cars. You’re selling your brand. Make sure your videos speak to the professionalism and trustworthiness of your dealership.

Get Started with YouTube Marketing

YouTube provides a number of opportunities for your dealership—but to take advantage of those opportunities, you may wish to work with marketing professionals.

Get My Auto partners exclusively with used car dealerships, and we can help you develop a plan to build a strong online presence—using YouTube along with other key platforms. Give us a call today, and let’s start the discussion about your dealership’s marketing plan!