As long as there are cars, auto repair shops will always be in demand. However, more and more auto shops have begun springing up, so it’s important that your auto repair shop take extra steps in marketing and promotion to stay competitive. Here are three main strategies you can employ in order to effectively promote your auto repair shop:
#1 Service-Based Promotion
Consistent High-Quality Work. The best way to promote word of mouth is to let your work speak for itself. No matter how much you invest in marketing, if you do a poor job at repairs or customizations, it would all be for naught. So make sure you employ skilled auto mechanics and invest in good quality equipment such as Baileigh roll bender machines. Marketing may rake in new customers, but good quality work creates loyal ones.
Loyalty Programs. Loyalty programs don’t only help you keep your current clients, but the presence of loyalty programs and promotions may help sway even potential customers. Loyalty lets your existing customer know that you appreciate them doing business with you by providing freebies or free services after a set amount or number of services have been performed.
#2 Online Marketing
Website and Car Advice Blogs. Many of your potential customers have access to the internet, and most consumers nowadays look up products and services online instead of going on paper ads and yellow pages. As such, it’s important that you make a website for your auto repair shop, featuring basic information such as your brand, contact number, and address. Your website should be free from advertisements and should be aesthetically pleasing and easy to use. You can add car advice (repair, maintenance, and performance tips) in order to show customers that you have professional expertise and a blog presents a way to market your auto repair shop as well. You should also make sure to have an active social media account, as well as to register your auto repair shop on online maps like Google Maps and aggregate websites such as Yelp.
Online Feedback. Majority of customers shopping for products and services online rely on unbiased reviews from customers. As such, it’s important for you to remind satisfied customers to leave a review online either through your website or social media page or in aggregate review websites.
#3 Traditional Advertising
You should provide as much effort in marketing your auto shop online as you do through more traditional means such as print media and other forms of physical marketing.
Logo and Slogan. Don’t skimp out with your logo, and make sure that your slogan is catchy and easy to remember. A good and well-designed logo somehow reflects your auto repair shop’s quality, so a poorly-made one may not only be forgettable but might even deter potential customers. Your slogan should be well thought-out to ensure that anyone that reads it in passing can remember your brand and slogan if ever they need their car repaired.
Print Advertisements. There are numerous ways you can advertise your auto repair shop on print: You can start off by registering it in the yellow pages, buying advertising space in the local newspaper, or handing out brochures with discount coupons. You could even print your logo, brand, address, and contact information at the side of your personal and/or business vehicles. Handing out business cards are also a good way of providing your auto repair shop’s contact number and address to people you meet.
Partnering with Local Businesses. Another effective way to promote and market your auto repair shop is by partnering with local businesses. You can ask them if you could post advertisements or leave brochures in their business’ front desks and/or bulletins and, in return, they can place advertisements or brochures of their business in your auto shop as well.
Conclusion
There are indeed many ways you can tackle the promotional aspect of your auto repair shop business, and you can even use all of them if you can. Whichever methods you choose, it’s always important to uphold high-quality work as it can make or break your business. If you’re too busy or prefer to have professional assistance, there are always marketing firms that can help you out in promoting your auto repair shop.
