Ever wondered why some car dealerships pop up in online searches while others don’t? The key is mastering keywords for car dealerships. Today, with 99% of people searching online for local businesses, having a strong online presence is a must.

We’re diving into the word of automotive SEO, focusing on new vehicle inventory, used car sales, and auto financing. With the percentage of Google searches for local businesses skyrocketing from 63% in 2020 to an impressive 81% in 2023, enhancing your online visibility has become essential for success in the automotive industry.

Think about it: there are over 2,892 Ford Dealerships in North America alone. How do you stand out? The answer is in strategic keyword use. We’ll help you navigate automotive SEO to boost your search engine rankings.

Key Takeaways

• Effective use of keywords is crucial for car dealership visibility online
• Mobile optimization is essential with over 50% of searches on mobile devices
• Brand-specific and local search terms can help dealerships stand out
• Quality keywords drive traffic and improve conversion rates
• Automotive SEO strategies need to evolve with changing consumer behavior

Note: All facts were researched by our experts at Dealers United!

Understanding the Power of Automotive SEO

In today’s digital world, automotive SEO is key for car dealerships to thrive. The U.S. has over 18,000 dealerships, making the market very competitive. To stand out, dealerships must boost their online presence.

See our car dealer SEO audit.

What Makes Car Dealership SEO Different

Car dealership SEO uses local search and vehicle keywords. It aims to grab the interest of people looking to buy a car. With 92% of car buyers researching online, a strong online presence is crucial.

The Impact of Search Engine Rankings on Sales

Good search rankings can really help sales by bringing more visitors and leads. Car buyers spend about 12 hours online and visit 10 sites before deciding. Making your dealership easy to find online is key.

Key Benefits of Optimizing Your Dealership Website

Optimizing your website brings many benefits:

• More organic traffic and brand awareness
• Lower marketing costs
• More visibility for certified pre-owned vehicles
• Improved promotion of your service center
• More positive reviews showcased

Check our Automotive SEO Services Here 

Keywords for Car Dealerships: Essential Search Terms

Car dealerships should focus on key search terms to boost their online presence. We’ll look at high-volume keywords, local search terms, and brand-specific opportunities. These can drive more traffic to your dealership website.

High-Volume Dealership Keywords

High-volume keywords are key to attracting potential customers. Terms like “car dealership” and “car dealerships near me” get a lot of searches. Including these in your content can make your site more visible and attract more visitors.

Local Search Terms That Drive Traffic

Local search terms are crucial for targeting specific markets. Phrases like “car dealerships in [city name]” help potential buyers find your dealership easily. Optimizing for local SEO involves updating your Google My Business listing and creating city-specific pages on your website. This can significantly boost your visibility in local search results.

See also: local SEO vs general SEO.

Brand-Specific Keyword Opportunities

Brand-specific keywords offer big opportunities for dealerships. For example, “Ford dealership near me” gets a lot of searches, showing strong interest in specific brands. Combining branded terms with used car keywords, like “used Ford cars for sale near me,” can attract buyers looking for specific makes and models.

To boost your dealership’s online visibility, use these keyword types in your website content, blog posts, and metadata. Include terms like automotive trade-ins, car dealership specials, and test drive appointments on your site. By focusing on these essential search terms, you can improve your dealership’s search engine rankings and attract more potential customers.

Auto Inventory Ads keywords

Auto inventory ads keywords are crucial for dealerships to effectively target potential car buyers and improve online visibility. These keywords focus on specific vehicle details and inventory status, helping connect searchers with available cars on your lot.

Auto Inventory Ads Keywords

Inventory-Specific Terms

Use keywords that highlight your current stock, such as:

• “2024 [Brand] [Model] in stock”
• “Available [Color] [Make] [Model]”
• “New arrival [Vehicle Type]”

Pricing and Deals

Incorporate keywords related to pricing and special offers:

• “[Brand] clearance sale”
• “Year-end [Make] discounts”
• “Lease specials on [Model]”

Feature-Based Keywords

Target buyers looking for specific features:

By integrating these auto inventory ads keywords into your digital marketing strategy, you can effectively showcase your current stock and attract more qualified leads to your dealership 

Location-Based Keywords and Near Me Searches

In today’s digital world, local car dealerships are getting more online visibility. This is thanks to location-based keywords and “near me” searches. The search for “car dealerships near me” gets 160,000 queries every month worldwide. This is much higher than the 92,000 monthly searches for “car dealership” alone.

This shows how important local search optimization is for both new and used car dealerships.

Location-based searches are even more powerful when we look at brand-specific queries. For example, “Ford dealership near me” gets 873,000 monthly searches worldwide. Meanwhile, “Toyota dealership near me” gets 550,000 searches. These numbers highlight the need for dealerships to improve their online presence for local searches.

 

To make the most of this trend, car dealerships need to focus on local SEO strategies. A huge 97% of people look for local businesses online, and Google is the top platform in the automotive industry. By optimizing their Google Business Profiles and keeping their NAP (Name, Address, Phone) info consistent online, dealerships can improve their local search visibility a lot.

Keyword	Monthly Search Volume	Competition Level
Car dealership near me	823,000	High
Used car dealerships near me	65,000	High
New car dealerships near me	4,600	Medium
Local car dealerships	2,900	Low

The impact of good local SEO is huge. The top search result on Google gets 28% of clicks. Websites on the second page get less than 1% of clicks. By focusing on location-based keywords and optimizing for “near me” searches, car dealerships can greatly increase their chances of being on the first page of search results.

Vehicle-Specific Search Terms and Trends

In the competitive world of auto sales, knowing the right search terms is key. We’ll look at keywords that bring traffic to dealership sites and boost sales. This includes different types of vehicles.

New Vehicle Keywords

For new cars, buyers search for current models and specific features. Terms like “2024 [brand] [model]” or “new cars” are in demand. Adding these to your site can draw in people looking for the newest cars.

 

Used Car Search Terms

Used car sales are big in the auto market. The search “used cars near me” gets about 550,000 hits a month, showing local SEO’s value. Searches for “affordable used cars” and “reliable pre-owned vehicles” are also common.

Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Keywords

Certified pre-owned vehicles fall between new and used cars. Using brand names with “CPO” or “certified pre-owned” targets this market well. For example, “Honda certified pre-owned” or “CPO BMW” are searched often.

Vehicle Category	Popular Search Terms	Monthly Search Volume
New Cars	“2024 [brand] [model]”	100,000+
Used Cars	“Used cars near me”	550,000
Certified Pre-Owned	“[Brand] certified pre-owned”	50,000+

 

The above terms are very good from national perspective, we recommend always play with the above keyword but adding neighboring cities to the end of them. Each city will need its own indivual page.

Optimizing your site for these search terms can boost your dealership’s visibility. This attracts more potential buyers. Keep your content fresh to match seasonal trends, new models, and changing tastes.

Service and Maintenance Related Keywords

Car owners look for reliable vehicle service centers for auto repair and car parts. It’s key to use the right keywords to find these customers. Let’s look at the best search terms for service and maintenance.

Auto Repair Search Terms

Auto repair shops need a strong online presence to attract customers. Top search terms include “general repair,” “auto repair,” and “oil change.” Queries like “brake repair” and “transmission repair” are also popular.

Long-tail keywords are crucial for organic traffic. Terms like “24/7 auto repair,” “BMW repair shop,” and “emergency car repair” target urgent needs. These specific terms help find customers in need of quick help.

Parts Department Keywords

Car parts searches often include brand-specific terms. Focus on high-profit margin items when choosing keywords. For example, “transmission parts” might have lower search volume but could be more profitable.

Service Center Optimization

To optimize your service center, use location-based keywords to attract local customers. Include terms like “oil change services,” “tire replacement,” and “wheel alignment” in your content. These phrases match common maintenance needs and can boost your search rankings.

Service Type	Popular Keywords	Customer Intent
General Maintenance	Oil change, Tire rotation	Routine upkeep
Repairs	Brake repair, Transmission repair	Specific issues
Diagnostics	Check engine light, Emissions testing	Problem identification
Specialty Services	Hybrid repair, State inspection	Specialized needs

By using these service and maintenance keywords, your dealership can attract more customers. Remember to balance search volume with profit margins and align keywords with your business goals for the best results.

Financial and Deal-Related Search Terms

When people look to buy a car, they often search for financing options. Long-tail financial keywords make up 91.8% of all search queries in the financial industry. This is also true in the automotive sector, where terms like car loans and lease deals are popular.

Dealerships offer attractive financing deals to attract customers. These deals can include low- or no-interest financing, with rates from 0% to 5%. This is usually for those with excellent credit. Consumers use specific keywords when searching for these deals based on their needs and financial situations.

• Bad credit car loans
• No credit check auto financing
• Best car lease deals
• 0% APR car financing
• End of year car deals

Dealerships need to understand the savings different incentives can offer. For example, a $3,500 cash incentive can save a buyer $1,341 over the life of a loan compared to 0% financing on a $25,000 vehicle. This knowledge helps shape effective marketing and SEO tactics.

Keyword	Search Volume	Competitiveness
Car loans	High	Very High
Auto financing options	Medium	High
Lease deals	Medium	Medium
Bad credit car financing	Medium	High

By targeting these financial and deal-related search terms, dealerships can attract potential buyers. Understanding car dealer incentives is crucial for successful negotiations. It can lead to significant savings for consumers.

Special Features and Inventory Keywords

Car dealerships can boost their online presence by focusing on unique aspects of their inventory and offers. We’ll explore key areas to optimize your dealership’s visibility and attract more potential buyers.

Seasonal and Holiday Keywords

Timing is crucial in the automotive industry. By leveraging seasonal keywords, dealerships can tap into peak buying periods. For instance, “summer clearance sale” or “Black Friday car deals” can drive significant traffic. These timely promotions align with unofficial “car-buying holidays” where buyers can find great deals.

Special Offers and Promotions

Highlighting special offers is a powerful way to attract customers. Keywords like “0% APR financing” or “cash back offers” can capture attention. Smart buyers can achieve 7.5% to 8% below MSRP by being strategic about car-buying times. Dealerships can use ad scheduling to target customers at specific times when they’re most likely to engage.

Inventory-Specific Search Terms

Focusing on popular models and features in stock helps match searchers with available vehicles. It’s crucial to remember that 97% of people start their car-buying journey online, with 70% turning to search engines first. By targeting different automotive audiences separately, dealerships can increase their chances of conversion.

Keyword Category	Example	Potential Impact
Seasonal	Summer clearance sale	Drives timely traffic
Special Offers	0% APR financing	Attracts budget-conscious buyers
Inventory-Specific	2024 SUV models in stock	Matches searchers with available vehicles

By incorporating these keywords into their digital strategy, dealerships can enhance their online visibility and attract more potential buyers. Remember, while 95% of car sales still occur at the dealership, the journey almost always begins online. Optimizing for car dealership specials, test drive appointments, and automotive trade-ins can significantly impact your dealership’s success in the digital landscape.

Conclusion

In today’s digital world, knowing the right keywords for car dealerships is key. We’ve looked at many ways to improve your online presence. With 97% of car buyers researching online first, having a strong online presence is essential.

Local SEO services is also important for attracting local customers. Since 46% of Google searches are for local info and 82% of smartphone users search for nearby businesses, optimizing your Google Business Profile is crucial. Dealerships with complete Google Business Profile listings see a 70% increase in visits. This is because Google My Business and customer reviews are 40% of local traffic for car dealerships.

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