When it comes to marketing, used car dealerships have their work cut out for them. Start with the sheer number of competitors; it can be tough just figuring out how to differentiate your dealership from all the others. Another big challenge is earning the trust of customers, some of whom may have an innate skepticism about used car salesmen of all stripes.
To help make your marketing efforts impactful, it may be wise to partner with a team of professionals—but how do you decide which marketing company is the best fit for your dealership? Here are a few things to consider.
Pick a Company That’s on the Cutting Edge
Any automotive marketing company needs to be abreast of the latest changes in Google’s search algorithms, as well as current strategies for Craigslist and Facebook Ads. Don’t hesitate to ask a prospective marketing company what they do to stay up to date. You might specifically ask about examples of their thought leadership, such as recent blog posts, plus policies for keeping team members educated.
Seek a Company That Knows the Automotive Field
As we mentioned above, automotive dealerships face some unique marketing challenges—but also some exceptional marketing opportunities. For instance, used car dealers are poised to get great results from Craigslist, a platform that doesn’t make sense for most other industries.
Ideally, you’ll find a marketing partner that has ample experience in the automotive sector. Ask for examples of their past work in the automotive space and/or references from other used car dealership clients.
Ask About Reporting and Transparency
It’s only natural to expect real, measurable results from your marketing company. Along the same lines, you have every right to ask your team to prove they are getting results on your behalf.
Don’t hesitate to ask about reporting, including: How often will you receive reports? In what format will these reports be? What metrics will they track? And who do you talk to with any questions you may have about the reported data? A good marketing company will be happy to answer all of these questions for you.
Invest in Technology
A final consideration: When picking an automotive marketing partner, you’re investing in expertise—but also in technology that can help streamline and automate the process.
Ask your marketing partner about any programs they use, including proprietary ones—such as Get My Auto’s Craigslist Wizard app and our website building platform, uniquely tailored to meet the needs of used car dealers.
Finding the right marketing partner is critical—and a good place to start is by reaching out to Get My Auto. We’d love to tell you more about the value we bring to dealerships. Connect with us today to learn more!