- Introduction
- 1. How Can Auto Dealerships Attract MORE Customers? 5 Ways to Get Leads
- 2. Optimize Your Website for Local Searches
- 3. Use Social Media to Connect and Engage
- 4. Invest in Video Marketing
- 5. Run Targeted Digital Ads
- 6. Follow Up Quickly with Leads
- 7. Tips for Attracting More Customers
- 8. Conclusion
How Can Auto Dealerships Attract More Customers? 5 Ways to Get Leads
Did you know that 95% of people who are looking for a car start their search online before they even visit a dealership?
Before choosing which dealership to visit in the age of technology, practically every customer searches for vehicles, watches videos, and reads reviews.
If the marketing strategies you use for your car dealership don’t reach these customers where they are, you’re losing out on a ton of possible leads and sales.
Car dealerships are more than just places to buy a car—they’re the bridge between car buyers and the perfect vehicle. In today’s world, attracting customers means being online, being helpful, and being easy to find.
With the right strategies, you can turn online shoppers into loyal customers.
Many dealerships struggle to get noticed online, find new customers, and turn website visitors into leads. Some common pain points includes:
- Not enough foot traffic: Fewer people walk onto the lot without doing research first.
- Missed online leads: Dealers lose up to 37% of online leads because of slow follow-up or poor customer relationship management
- Hard to stand out: With so many dealerships using similar ads and promotions, it’s tough to be unique.
But there are proven ways to attract car buyers online, boost your lead generation, and grow your business.
A dealership in Texas started using video marketing and social media strategies for car dealerships.
By posting regular test drive videos and customer stories, they saw a 40% increase in website traffic and a 25% jump in leads within just three months. This shows how powerful digital marketing for car sales can be.
Optimize Your Website for Local Searches
Why it matters:
Most car buyers start their search online, and the majority look for dealerships close to home. If your website doesn’t show up in local search results, you’re invisible to most potential customers.
- Update your Google My Business profile Make sure your dealership’s name, address, phone number, and hours are correct. Add high-quality photos and encourage customers to leave reviews.
- Use Local Keywords: Include phrases like “cheap car dealerships near me,” “car dealership marketing strategies,” and “how to get leads for car dealerships” in your website content, titles, and descriptions.
- Create Location Pages: If you serve multiple cities or neighborhoods, create a dedicated page for each area. This helps you rank for local searches in each location.
- Build Local Citations: List your dealership on local directories and business listings. This helps Google see your business as trustworthy.
- Make Your Website Mobile-Friendly: Most local searches happen on phones, so your site must work well on mobile devices.
- Publish Helpful Content: Write blogs and guides that answer common questions from car buyers, like “How to find a budget-friendly car” or “What to look for in a used car.”
Why it works:
When buyers search for dealerships, they want to find one close by and trustworthy. A well-optimized website helps you get found by more local shoppers and builds trust before they even visit your lot.
Use Social Media to Connect and Engage
Why it matters:
Social media is where car buyers spend a lot of their time. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok let you share photos, videos, and special offers—and connect directly with your audience.
- Post Regularly: Share updates about new arrivals, special deals, and customer stories. This keeps your dealership top-of-mind for followers.
- Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments and messages, and run polls or Q&As to find out what your audience wants.
- Show Behind-the-Scenes Content: Give followers a peek at your team, your process, and the fun side of your dealership.
- Encourage User-Generated Content: Ask happy customers to share photos or videos of their new cars and tag your dealership.
Why it works:
Nearly 1 in 3 car buyers share their new ride online, which means your customers can help spread the word about your dealership. Social media also helps you build relationships and trust with potential buyers.
Invest in Video Marketing
Why it matters:
Video is one of the most powerful tools in the automotive marketing funnel. Shoppers love to see cars in action before they buy, and video content is highly engaging.
- Post Test Drive Videos and Walkarounds: Show off your inventory with videos that highlight features, performance, and styling.
- Share Customer Testimonials: Let happy customers tell their stories and share their experiences with your dealership.
- Create Behind-the-Scenes Content: Show your team at work, your service department, or special events at your dealership.
- Use Video Ads: Run video ads on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram to reach more people and drive traffic to your website.
Why it works:
Watch time for test drive videos on YouTube has grown by more than 65% in the past two years, and 40% of car shoppers discover new vehicles thanks to video marketing. Video content is also more likely to be shared, which helps you reach even more potential customers.
Run Targeted Digital Ads
Why it matters:
Targeted digital ads help you reach the right people at the right time, so you’re not wasting money on ads that don’t convert.
- Use Google Ads and Facebook Ads: Target people searching for cars in your area, and retarget visitors who have already shown interest in your inventory.
- Highlight Special Offers and Financing Options:: Use your ads to promote special deals, low-interest financing, or trade-in offers.
- Test Different Ad Formats: Try carousel ads, video ads, and lead forms to see what works best for your audience.
Why it works:
Targeted ads help you reach the right people at the right time, which means more leads and less wasted money. Retargeting also helps you stay top-of-mind for shoppers who have already visited your website.
Follow Up Quickly with Leads
Why it matters:
Getting leads is just the first step. You need to follow up fast to turn them into customers.
- Respond to Online Inquiries Within Minutes: The faster you respond, the more likely you are to close the sale.
- Use a CRM System: A customer relationship management (CRM) system helps you track leads and conversations, so nothing falls through the cracks.
- Personalize Your Messages: Address leads by name and reference their specific interests or questions to make them feel valued.
Why it works:
Nearly a quarter (23.5%) of dealer leads miss a 24-hour follow-up, and many leads are lost because of slow response times. Quick, friendly follow-up helps you close more deals and build lasting relationships with customers.
Tips for Attracting More Customers
While the five strategies above are essential, there are even more ways to attract customers and stand out from the competition:
- Offer Online Scheduling: Let customers schedule test drives, service appointments, or consultations online.
- Provide Virtual Showroom Tours: Use video or 360-degree photos to give shoppers a feel for your dealership and inventory.
- Host Events and Promotions: Organize special events, sales, or community gatherings to bring people to your lot.
- Leverage Online Reviews: Encourage happy customers to leave reviews on Google, Facebook, and other platforms.
- Partner with Local Businesses: Collaborate with other local businesses to cross-promote and reach new audiences.
Conclusion
Attracting more customers to your car dealership starts with strong car dealership marketing strategies.
By optimizing your website for local searches, using social media to connect and engage, investing in video marketing, running targeted digital ads, and following up quickly with leads, you can increase car sales leads and grow your business.
Looking to bring in more leads and ready-to-buy customers? Try these digital marketing strategies to boost your dealership’s results
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