NADA dropped their 2023 Full Year Report and it shows dealers are allocating ~20% of their marketing spend to Search Engine Optimization.

Even including plugins and other website costs, that’s a BIG chunk of the budget… How does your store compare?

Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for car dealerships looking to drive more website traffic, leads, and sales. Implementing key on-page and off-page optimization strategies can help dealerships rank higher in search results and beat the competition. This article will provide an overview of the most essential SEO techniques for car dealers to boost their visibility and connect with motivated buyers.

Learn more about Dealers United’s proven SEO services for car dealers.

On-Page SEO Optimization

On-page SEO refers to optimizations made directly on a website’s pages. These strategies help search engines understand your content and determine its relevance for specific keyword searches.

Optimized Page Titles and Meta Descriptions

The title tags and meta descriptions that appear in search results play a major role in click-through rates. These should be crafted around relevant keywords and compelling messaging that captures attention.

Header Tags

Proper header tag structure (H1 to H6 tags) helps search bots crawl and index pages. Target one primary keyword per page, placing it in the H1 and sprinkling related terms in sub-headers.

Image Optimization

Images should have descriptive file names and alt text featuring keywords. This helps pages rank for related image searches.

Mobile Responsiveness

With more and more traffic coming from mobile devices, having a responsive mobile site is essential. Mobile-friendly, fast loading pages are favored by search engines.

Internal Linking

Linking between relevant pages passes “link juice” and signals page importance. This fuels rankings.

Thin Content

Avoid thin pages with little value. Put effort into content creation and provide depth on topics. Unique, useful content performs best.

Off-Page SEO Optimization

While on-page factors are crucial, off-page SEO is equally important for rankings and traffic. This refers to EVERYTHING happening outside of your actual website.

Backlinks

The quantity and quality of external websites linking back to your pages signals authority in search algorithms’ eyes. An ethical and strategic backlink building strategy is vital for car dealer sites. 

Social Shares

Promoting your content across social media platforms can expose your dealership to new audiences while also garnering backlinks which fuel organic growth.

Local Listings & Citations

Having complete and consistent NAP (name, address, phone) listings across key local business data aggregators assists with local pack rankings. This helps buyers find your dealership.

Learn more about how Dealers United will optimize and manage your local listings and off-page SEO strategy.

Ratings & Reviews

Positive Google, Facebook, and other third-party ratings and reviews build credibility. Encourage genuine customer reviews!

Choose Dealers United for Powerful Marketing Solutions

Executing technical SEO work paired with thoughtful content creation takes time and expertise. By partnering with Dealers United’s SEO experts, car dealers can tap into proven strategies tailored specifically to drive more organic visibility and traffic. 

Search engine optimization (SEO) has become an essential strategy for businesses looking to improve their online visibility and attract more customers. For car dealerships, having an effective SEO strategy is key to driving more qualified traffic to your website and increasing sales. This article explains what SEO is, why it’s important for car dealerships, and some best practices to optimize your website for better rankings.

SEO Meaning

SEO stands for “search engine optimization.” It refers to the process of improving a website to rank higher in the unpaid, organic search results in search engines like Google. The higher and more frequently your dealership website appears in the search results, the more visibility it will gain, and the more searchers will click through to your website.

Why SEO Matters for Car Dealerships

With the rise in internet usage and digital marketing, an increasing number of people turn to Google and other search engines when researching and finding their next vehicle purchase.

Recent surveys found that 84% of shoppers conduct online research before making purchasing decisions. If your dealership website does not rank well for relevant searches, you are missing out on all this web traffic and potential business.

Implementing SEO best practices helps improve your Google rankings so that your dealership appears prominently in search results for queries like “Honda dealers Dallas” or “best Toyota dealership near me.” This visibility translates to more leads and sales.

Learn more about the professional SEO services at Dealers United.

How to Optimize Your Car Dealership Website for SEO

Focusing on technical and content optimization is key for maximizing SEO success.

Here are some best practices for dealerships who want to optimize their website for SEO…

• Optimize Website Speed: Faster load times improve visitor experience and rankings. Compress images, minimize HTTP requests, and optimize code.
• Improve Mobile Optimization: With Google’s mobile-first indexing, ensure your site is easily viewable on smartphones.
• Create Link Building Opportunities: Build brand mentions, directory listings, and partnerships to earn backlinks, which help with rankings.
• Produce Relevant, Valuable Content: Blog regularly with long-form content around your products and services to attract searchers.
• Do Keyword Research: Identify high-traffic keywords potential customers use and focus optimization efforts around them.
• Fix Technical SEO Issues: Improve site architecture, URL structures, internal linking, meta titles/descriptions.
• Track Rankings and Traffic: Use Google Analytics and Search Console to measure success and identify issues areas.

The Importance of SEO for Car Dealers

With increasing competition, car dealerships cannot ignore SEO if they want to drive higher qualified web traffic. By focusing efforts around optimizing website content and technical elements for search engines, dealerships can improve visibility in organic results and connect with more ready-to-purchase customers.

Click here to learn more about our expert SEO services for car dealerships at Dealers United, tailored to help you maximize leads and sales.

Selling cars is a competitive business. As a car dealership owner, you need creative advertising ideas that grab customer attention in your local market. The right advertising keeps your dealership top-of-mind while bringing in qualified buyers. This article outlines a ton of advertising ideas for car dealerships along with tips for SEO and content optimization.

Social Media Video Ads are Critical

Did you know that 88% of consumers have been convinced to make a purchase after watching a brand’s video?

And 91% of the U.S. population can be reached across 5 channels – hint: they’re all social media…

Given the high social media consumption on mobile devices, video ads are crucial for dealership marketing. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:

Vehicle Walkarounds

Create short video walkarounds showing vehicle features and trims, optimizing for mobile viewing. Geo-target these locally.

Behind the Scenes

Livestream or run candid B-roll video showing behind the scenes of your dealership. This builds customer relationships.

Specials and Events

Promote current specials plus community events you are sponsoring for increased local visibility and engagement.

Learn more about how Dealers United provides car dealerships like you with full-service digital solutions, like social media advertising, PROVEN to drive results and convert prospects into customers for life.

Optimizing for Local SEO

Dealerships rely heavily on online local search, which is why it’s so important for your dealership to optimize for SEO so that you are the first result car shoppers see when searching locally.

Optimize for SEO through Google Business Listing, Schema Markup, and Local Link Building.

Google My Business Listing

Complete and regularly maintain your Google My Business dealership listing for local search visibility. This means your listing should include your dealership’s website, phone number, hours of operation, address, images, reviews, and more…

Schema Markup

Add schema markup to your site enhancing the search engine visibility of your hours, inventory, specials and reviews.

Local Link Building

Build local links, map citations and directory listings to signal relevance for local car shopper keywords and searches. For the best dealership search engine optimization, Dealers United offers comprehensive SEO services.

Location-Based Mobile Advertising

Another local advertising tactic is advertising to mobile devices near your dealership via platforms like Google and Facebook. Geo-conquest competing dealers with mobile ads triggered in their vicinity.

By mixing and matching the above advertising ideas for your local market while monitoring performance, your dealership gains regional visibility and builds consumer awareness needed to sustain sales growth.

3 Email Campaigns to Send to Previous Car Buyers

Email marketing achieves high conversion rates due to preexisting customer relationships. Tap past customers via service reminders, new arrival alerts and newsletters!

Service Reminders

Email reminders about upcoming vehicle service needs. This brings customers back to your service bays.

New Arrival Alerts

When new inventory arrives, email announcements to customers who recently purchased or browsed a similar vehicle type.

Email Newsletters

Send regular dealership e-newsletters with sale events, staff spotlights, community initiatives and light humor. Give customers a reason to keep opening and engaging.
For professional email campaign management, contact Dealers United’s automotive marketing pros.

Utilizing TV Commercials to Drive Brand Awareness

TV advertising can drive major brand awareness and sales if done right. Your dealership can maximize local TV commercials with appealing visuals, limited time offers, local targeting and easy ways to take action.

Appealing Visuals

Include eye-catching footage of your latest vehicle inventory in action on scenic local roads. This catches channel flippers’ attention.

Limited Time Offers

Run TV spots advertising seasonal sales events, holiday sales and other limited offers. Scarcity and urgency prompt viewer action.

Local Targeting

Geo-target ads so they only run in your metro area. Local relevance improves engagement and minimizes wasted ad spend.

Call-to-Actions

Close each commercial with a strong CTA like “Stop by this weekend for our Seasonal Sale!” This drives in-store traffic.

Targeted Radio Advertising

Like TV, radio advertising targets local listeners during drive times. Use these radio ad tips:

Catchy Jingles

Commission a catchy custom jingle for your dealership. Upbeat music in ads boosts brand recall.

Hyper Local Stations

Run ads on niche radio stations catering to specific towns near your dealership. Hyper local stations build localization and community trust.

Rush Hour and Weekends

Purchase ads during peak drive times and weekends when more locals are on the road, potentially hearing and responding to your ad.

Bringing It All Together for Dealership Advertising Success

Implementing a strategic mix of digital advertising gives your dealership the visibility needed to drive more foot traffic, phone calls, and website visits from car buyers in your area.

As you explore the advertising ideas covered in this article, tap into the expertise of Dealers United to execute campaigns optimized for your market…

Our full-service automotive digital solutions unite advanced targeting, creative concepting and performance tracking to achieve your dealership’s sales goals. With the right advertising plan and partner, your dealership can dominate the local car sales market well into the future.

Search engine optimization (SEO) helps websites rank higher in search engines like Google. Higher rankings lead to more site traffic and customers. An organic SEO company focuses specifically on “organic” or “natural” SEO that follows search engine guidelines. This white hat SEO helps sites rank fairly, without resorting to shady techniques.

The Benefits of Partnering With an Organic SEO Company

An organic SEO company can provide tremendous value for businesses looking to expand their online presence. There are several key benefits of working with a reputable SEO firm that uses white hat techniques:

Increased Traffic and Revenue

SEO companies like Dealers United use proven strategies to boost your search visibility. More people will find your site and convert into paying customers. Over time, minor ranking improvements compound for dramatic revenue gains.

Cost Effectiveness

SEO delivers results without ongoing advertising costs. The traffic keeps coming from organic searches. SEO also complements other marketing channels by making those efforts more visible.

Brand Visibility and Authority

Higher rankings lend credibility to a brand. Consumers equate top spots with industry leadership. This instills confidence in potential customers to buy from you rather than competitors.

Useful Consumer Insights

SEO experts analyze visitor data to better understand customer interests and pain points. This informs business decisions across departments. Offerings can be tailored to what searchers want.

Core Services Provided by Reputable Organic SEO Firms

A quality SEO company will provide a range of essential services to improve your site’s organic search performance. The core services you should expect from a reputable firm include…

Technical SEO Audit

Experts will thoroughly evaluate your website’s code, site architecture, page speed, and more. Technical issues that hamper rankings get identified and fixed.

Keyword Research

SEO providers research terms and phrases that customers use around your products or services. Content then gets optimized for those high-value keywords.

Content Strategy and Creation

Quality content remains fundamental to SEO success. Companies like Dealers United will produce blog posts, guides, and other assets centered on target keywords.

Link Building

Influential external websites linking to your pages signals trust and authority to Google. Ethical link building through outreach remains a potent ranking signal.

Local SEO

For businesses with a physical location, local SEO ensures you rank prominently in map packs and searches by city. This drives foot traffic.

Monthly Performance Reports

Reputable agencies provide regular reports to showcase the meaningful metrics around your SEO efforts. There are no surprises month-to-month.

Learn more about Dealers United’s organic SEO services.

Warning Signs of Potentially Shady SEO Companies

While most SEO firms uphold integrity, a minority cut corners that could get sites penalized. And you don’t want your site to suffer because of your SEO partner… Avoid companies that:

• Guarantee immediate page one rankings
  Hide their specific strategies or tactics
• Use black hat techniques like keyword stuffing or sneaky redirects
• Lack established expertise serving your particular industry

Conclusion

Partnering with the right organic SEO company like Dealers United fuels sustainable growth by prioritizing long-term rankings over quick wins. Investing in high-quality SEO conducted ethically pays dividends for years through heightened visibility and conversions. The increased exposure even bolsters additional marketing channels. For these reasons, SEO remains a smart growth strategy for serious businesses.

Off-page SEO refers to the actions that your dealership takes outside of your website to improve your rankings in Google and other search engines. While on-page SEO is focused on optimizing your actual website content and structure, off-page SEO deals with building links, generating brand mentions, and increasing authority. Mastering off-page factors is crucial for rankings, so here is a comprehensive guide…

Dealers United’s goal is to help dealerships master both on and off-page SEO. Click here to learn how Dealers United can help you with your off-page SEO.

Backlink Building

Building high-quality backlinks that point back to your website is one of the most important off-page ranking factors according to Google and SEO experts.

• There are various strategies for building links, including:
• Guest posting on authority websites in your niche
• Reaching out for backlinks from similar sites
• Creating link-worthy assets like guides, tools, and graphics
• Building cross links between pieces of content
• Promoting your content to achieve natural links

Social Media Marketing

Having an active social media presence and promoting your website content across networks like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn can boost rankings. Social shares and embeds act as backlinks, plus the brand exposure and click-throughs also signal quality to Google.

Key social media SEO tips include:

• Share every blog post across your social profiles
• Run occasional social campaigns to boost key content
• Encourage followers to like, share, and comment on posts
• Use viral content formats like quizzes and listicles
• Leverage influencer marketing if budgets allow

Social media activity sends strong quality signals and referral traffic, builds niche links, and exposes your brand – all helping lift your pages in rankings over time. Maintaining an active presence across the top channels should be a key piece of any off-page optimization approach.

Press and PR Outreach

When your brand and content get mentioned by authority sites in your space, it signals trust and authority in the eyes of search engines. Conducting press/media outreach and securing coverage by news websites and journals related to your niche can thus elevate rankings.

Effective PR outreach strategies include:

• Building an editorial calendar and pitch list
• Crafting personalized story pitches to writers
• Offering relevant data, expert sources, and exclusive info
• Sending follow-up emails if no initial response
• Developing long-term relationships with press contacts

Maintaining an active PR and press outreach strategy focused on securing wins on reputable sites can be a highly effective use of time. Just a few great links and brand mentions from news or media publications can elevate your rankings substantially over time. Treat press relationships as long-term marketing investments.

Optimization Over Time

In the world of SEO, sprouting to the top of the SERPs is not an overnight endeavor. It requires diligent effort week after week to promote your content, nurture your backlink profile, engage your website visitors, and build trust signals.

Google wants to rank pages that will deliver substantial value to searchers for many months and years to come.

So take a patient, persistent approach – overtime, the compounding benefits of your optimization work will materialize through higher rankings.

The key is to keep innovating, promoting, improving your on-site and off-site factors, and providing usefulness – both for visitors and for Google bot. By understanding and respecting how search engines evaluate pages, over time your site will ascend.