Today, your online presence is more important than ever to your dealership’s growth. The good news? Building and optimising your digital presence is completely achievable, and the return on investment is measurable.
While it may seem overwhelming at first, breaking it down into manageable steps makes the process much more approachable. Even better, there are software tools and services available to help you along the way.
Five ways you can optimise your online presence now
- Start with your website
Your website is your online dealership, your digital showroom. Just like your physical location needs to make a strong first impression, so does your site.
Think about how frustrating it is to land on a website that’s slow to load or hard to navigate on a mobile device. Today’s buyers have no patience for poor user experiences, and they’ll move on quickly to a competitor.
Your website must load quickly, look great across all devices (mobile, tablet, desktop), and be regularly updated. Outdated, unresponsive websites not only frustrate visitors but are also deprioritised by search engines like Google.
Google’s latest updates make it clear. Sites that are fast, useful, responsive, and content-rich will rank higher. User experience is now a key ranking factor, so it’s not just about looking good, it’s about functioning well too.
- Optimise your content with SEO best practices
If your website isn’t optimised for search engines, potential customers simply won’t find it.
Search engine optimisation (SEO) isn’t just about using the right keywords in your blog posts. It also includes adding proper image and video tags, writing effective meta descriptions, and using clear, structured headings and page titles.
Your content should be relevant, informative, and tailored to your audience. Include an FAQ section, a compelling About page, and write in a voice that reflects your dealership’s personality. While SEO matters, you’re ultimately writing for people, not just search engines.
Quality content matters. Use engaging images, infographics, videos, and credible outbound links. The more helpful and valuable your content, the better your SEO performance will be.
- Set up and maintain your Google My Business profile
Once your website is sorted, don’t forget your Google My Business (GMB) profile. This is often the first thing potential customers see when they search for your dealership online.
Make sure your GMB listing is complete, up to date, and connected to your website. This includes photos, business hours, location, contact info, services, and, importantly, reviews.
Respond to questions, reviews, and comments. An active GMB profile helps build trust, improves local search rankings, and gives customers the details they need to take the next step.
- Be active on social media
Meet your customers where they are, on social media. Identify the platforms your audience spends the most time on (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn) and build a consistent presence.
Keep your branding aligned across all channels, and post regularly. This doesn’t mean you need to be glued to your phone. You can repurpose content, use scheduling tools, or outsource management if needed.
Share blogs, walk-around videos, customer testimonials, special offers, and team spotlights. Always include a clear call to action, whether that’s visiting your website, booking a test drive, or sharing your content.
Engage with your audience. Answer questions, respond to comments, and show your team’s personality. Social media isn’t just a broadcast platform. It’s a relationship tool.
- Use video to drive engagement and growth
Video is one of the most effective tools to grow your dealership’s reach. It allows customers to get a feel for your vehicles and your team without visiting in person.
Walk-around videos are especially powerful. When done well, they can move customers further down the purchase path before they even set foot on your lot. In many cases, the car is already sold in the viewer’s mind.
Make sure videos are high quality, concise, and engaging. When your sales team regularly creates video content, it helps build familiarity and trust with potential buyers.
Videos can be used across your website, social media, Google My Business profile, and in direct messaging. They’re scalable, repeatable, and cost-effective.
Final thoughts
Your online presence plays a critical role in attracting and converting today’s car buyers. Start with a great website, lock in your SEO, get active on social media, and use video to bring your dealership to life online.
With the right strategy and tools, it’s easier than you think.
SalesLogs is dealership software designed to help you grow. Save time, work smarter, and move beyond spreadsheets. To learn more about how SalesLogs can help your team sell more, visit SalesLogs today.
