Local SEO Tips to Make Your Dealership DOMINATE!
Are your competitors constantly ranking at the top of Google, while your dealership struggles to get noticed? Most car buyers begin their journey online, often searching for phrases like “car dealerships near me” or “best deals on SUVs in [City].” If your dealership isn’t ranking highly in these local searches, you’re missing out on valuable potential customers.
The good news is that with the right local SEO strategies, you can dominate your local market and drive more business. Here are some easy-to-implement tips to help your dealership climb the search rankings and attract more traffic.
Optimize Your Google Business Profile (GBP)
Why Your Google Business Profile Matters
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) serves as the digital face of your dealership. It’s often the first thing potential customers see when they search for dealerships online. Having a complete and well-maintained GBP makes your dealership look professional and trustworthy.
Action Steps:
- Claim and Verify Your Profile: If you haven’t already, claim your GBP and verify it. This gives you control over your dealership’s information.
- Complete Your Information: Ensure your business hours, address, and contact details are accurate. Inconsistent information can confuse or frustrate potential customers.
- Add High-Quality Photos: Include clear, attractive photos of your showroom, inventory, and staff. People are more likely to visit when they can visualize your dealership.
- Keep It Updated: Regularly post updates about promotions, new inventory, or special events. Active profiles are favored by Google and keep your dealership top of mind.
Personal Anecdote: A dealership I worked with was losing customers because their GBP listed the wrong hours. Once we updated their profile and added photos, foot traffic increased by 15% within a month.
Boost Your SEO with Customer Reviews
How Reviews Impact Local SEO
Customer reviews are one of the most important ranking factors for local SEO. The more positive reviews your dealership has, the better you’ll rank in local search results. Responding to reviews, whether positive or negative, shows Google and potential customers that you care about feedback.
Action Steps:
- Ask for Reviews: Train your staff to ask for reviews after each sale or service. Automated follow-up emails can also encourage customers to leave feedback.
- Respond to All Reviews: A polite response, even to negative reviews, shows that your dealership values customer experience.
- Use Keywords in Responses: When appropriate, incorporate local keywords in your replies (e.g., “Thank you for visiting our [City] dealership!”).
Pro Tip: One of my clients saw a significant improvement in their Google ranking after consistently asking for reviews and responding to them. Their foot traffic improved noticeably within months.
Use Local Keywords for Better Visibility
Why Local Keywords Matter
When people search for a dealership, they often include local terms like “[City] car dealerships” or “buy a used car in [Neighborhood].” Targeting local keywords ensures your dealership ranks for these specific searches.
Action Steps:
- Use Keyword Tools: Tools like AnswerThePublic can help identify popular local search terms used by potential customers.
- Optimize Your Website Content: Include these keywords in your website’s page titles, meta descriptions, and headers.
- Create Local Content: Write blog posts or create landing pages that focus on local topics. For example, a post titled “Best SUVs for Families in [City]” can attract targeted local traffic.
Pro Tip: If your dealership serves multiple areas, create separate landing pages for each city or neighborhood. This helps you rank for a wider range of local searches.
Build Local Backlinks
How Local Backlinks Help SEO
Backlinks are links from other websites to your dealership’s site. High-quality, local backlinks from businesses, media outlets, or community organizations improve your search ranking and establish credibility.
Action Steps:
- Partner with Local Businesses: Build relationships with local businesses and ask for a backlink. If you sponsor an event or collaborate with an auto repair shop, request a link on their website.
- Get Featured in Local Media: Reach out to local news outlets or bloggers to offer your expertise. Contributing to an article about local car buying, with a backlink to your site, can boost your visibility.
- Join Local Directories: Ensure your dealership is listed in directories like Yelp and your city’s chamber of commerce. These listings often include backlinks, which enhance SEO.
Pro Tip: One dealership I worked with partnered with a local charity event. They received backlinks from news articles and blog posts, which gave their SEO a significant boost.
Create Location-Specific Pages
Why Location-Specific Pages Boost SEO
If your dealership serves multiple areas, location-specific pages are key to targeting potential customers in those regions. These pages help you rank in searches from nearby neighborhoods and towns.
Action Steps:
- Build Separate Pages: Create landing pages for each city or suburb your dealership serves. A page titled “Best Car Deals in [City]” can target local customers.
- Use Local Keywords: Optimize these pages with location-specific keywords like “car dealership near [City].”
- Add Local Content: Include testimonials from customers in the area, or mention local events your dealership is involved with.
Pro Tip: Embedding Google Maps on each location-specific page makes it easier for customers to find you and strengthens your local SEO.
Don’t Forget Mobile Optimization
Why Mobile Optimization Matters for Local SEO
Over 60% of local searches are conducted on mobile devices. If your website isn’t optimized for mobile, you’re missing out on a huge share of potential customers. Google also favors mobile-optimized sites in local search results.
Action Steps:
- Test Your Mobile Speed: Use tools like Google’s mobile friendly testing to check your site’s performance on mobile devices. Slow-loading sites frustrate users and hurt rankings.
- Simplify Navigation: Make it easy for mobile users to find key information like your contact number or inventory. Click-to-call buttons and simple menus help improve user experience.
- Optimize Forms: Make sure your lead forms or service booking forms are easy to fill out on mobile. Complicated or lengthy forms can deter users.
Conclusion
By following these local SEO strategies, your dealership can significantly improve its online visibility and attract more customers. Optimizing your Google Business Profile, gathering customer reviews, using local keywords, and building local backlinks are straightforward but powerful ways to enhance your search rankings.