Americans bought almost 15 million vehicles in 2021, which results in a nearly constant need for service and repairs. What can service center owners do to get into the market and strengthen their customer base? While numerous strategies exist, none are as powerful as SEO. Below, business owners will find some search engine optimization tips for auto shops.
Although auto repair centers don’t offer digital services and products, they still need a viable web presence. Even the best SEO strategies are useless without a website. Not having a website is like going on a trip with no destination. To take advantage of the benefits of SEO, shop owners must design a site, optimize it for computers and mobile devices, and offer visitors a steady stream of relevant content that answers their questions and addresses their concerns. With this kind of help growing your auto shop business is easy.
While we’re talking about content, it must be focused on certain keywords. A keyword is a phrase or terms an internet user puts into a search engine when they’re looking for a product or a service. Finding the right keywords, however, is easier than many people think. With Google’s Keyword Planner and other great tools, shop owners can choose keywords, meta titles, meta descriptions, heading tags, image tags, and other elements that help websites appear higher in search results.
Along with avoiding unethical SEO methods, giving customers what they’re looking for is one of the best tips we can offer. If a shop owner’s strategy is focused exclusively on bringing people in without giving them the user experience they’ve been promised, it’s only a matter of time before negative reviews start affecting the shop’s search ranking. By focusing on service and giving visitors something valuable, owners can build a stronger online presence and a wider customer base.
While the search engine’s crawlers can pick up on keywords, they’re much better at reading code. That’s why schema markup, a code that explains the meaning of certain phrases and words, is such a powerful SEO tool. Unlike some of the other tools we’ve mentioned, the implementation of schema requires a degree of technical skill. If HTML isn’t your strong suit, consider hiring an expert for code deployment.
Leveraging the SEO benefits of social media is about more than being on Snapchat, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. It also requires users to have a presence on question-and-answer sites. Millions of people use these sites every day, and shop owners can create brand recognition by creating a profile and answering questions. Search engines favor authoritative brands, and solving customers’ problems will position your shop as an authority in its field.
The events of the past several years have created an economic downturn, and people are keeping their cars longer than ever. As drivers look for ways to maximize their vehicles’ lifespans, repair businesses are expected to see continued growth. With the SEO tips, any auto shop owner can gain a competitive advantage that puts them in a position to bring more customers through the doors. Call, click, or email to learn how Upswell Marketing can take your shop to a higher level.
