September 2011 Newsletter
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Your Dealership
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Written By: Jared Stika
Things have changed. Advertising in the Yellow Pages and newspaper are no longer
effective because people have simply stopped using them. Today more than 90% of
consumers use online search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo to quickly and
easily find out information about local businesses with just a few keystrokes. It
is important for dealerships to understand that search engines like Google, Yahoo
and Bing, drive the majority of traffic to their websites. The higher your dealership's
website ranks for important keywords, the more traffic it will receive. 95% of all
search engine traffic goes to the first five websites that appear at the top of
the search results, so it is very important that your website ranks well for highly
searched local terms. It is important to view search engines as "Influence Engines"
because they influence the user as to which businesses they eventually will contact
and conduct business with. Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of getting
your dealerships website to the top of the search engine results for the most important
keywords and search phrases related to your dealership.
Why should dealerships invest in SEO?
A well designed website can be your dealerships most effective tool for marketing
its vehicles and services as well as acquiring new leads and customers. The problem
is, most dealers invest very little time, effort and resources into maximizing the
potential of their website. SEO is your chance to showcase your most appealing products
and services to potential customers that are actively searching for the exact products
and services your dealership offers. A targeted SEO campaign focusing on the right
search terms can generate thousands of additional unique visitors to your website
each and every month. Every time your dealerships website is displayed at the top
of the search results, its serves as a direct doorway that potential customers can
take to find out more information about your dealership. SEO is a cost effective
way to steadily increase visitors to your dealerships website, which will lead to
a significant increase in phone calls, form leads and walk-in traffic to your dealership.
How do I know if my website needs SEO?
Search the following term in Google: Used Cars
<insert your city>
. Where does your dealership's website rank for this search? Try it with a few
more searches such as: Used
<your brand><Your City>
or
<your brand> Service Coupons <Your City>
. These exact search terms and others like it are being searched thousands of
times a month by shoppers and potential customers in your local area. Do your competitors
rank higher for these key search terms? If your business isn't listed on the first
page of Google and other search engines, it is time that you investigate the many
benefits of SEO for your dealership.
With 90%+ of all new and used car shoppers using the internet for research and information,
you cannot afford to ignore the fact that a well executed SEO campaign should be
integral part of your overall marketing strategy.
Jared Stika is the President of iMotive Consulting and Spotlight Local SEO. You
may contact him at info@autopeople.com
or visit his website – www.imotiveconsulting.com
For more information about Autopeople, please go to www.autopeople.com or email
us at info@autopeople.com
