Body repair shops also need a web presence
In the normal scheme of things, an auto body shop should have some form of advertising to make its services known to as many potential customers as possible. In the past, it was through newspapers, magazines, and of course, word of mouth. Word of mouth advertising is one of the best forms of advertising because it is an endorsement from a trusted person. However, as a business owner, you can’t sit back and wait for that trickle of customers to turn into a steady stream. And joining an insurance company or car club is no easy feat. You must show knowledge, experience, consistent quality, and the right team to win your business. Even then, a misstep or two could cause you to lose endorsement or affiliation with these groups just like that.
Today, marketing experts in the auto body and collision repair industry say that an internet presence is a must for any garage business. As one expert in the business explains, marketing your auto body repair business on the internet is not just a matter of putting up a website with an address and phone number. It’s a trust building game where a person who visits your site can collect information about your services and see that your store is a place where they will pamper their vehicle. The best sites have samples of past work, endorsements from an auto organization or respected personality, and a mix of articles that show the depth of your commitment and knowledge.
In many collision repair cases, clients will be limited to a few options given by their insurance company. Even if you’re on a list of reputable stores, you can’t sit idly by for a phone call requesting a quote. Increasingly, customers will see a store’s online presence, which will be the first impression those customers will have of your auto body shop. Your web presence becomes even more important when you don’t have the accreditation of an insurance company to rely on for a constant stream of clients. Choose a web designer who knows what kind of images and colors to use on your site. Different colors have been found to work for different regions and your designer should be aware of this. Search engine optimization should also be part of the package.
Another avenue of advertising you can use is pay-per-click ads on a variety of websites, not just auto-related, to drive traffic. This option is inexpensive and will put your body shop’s name on many different sites, which can generate leads from many different places.