Automotive dealers know that marketing is critical to success. But you can’t do it all yourself! How do you create effective marketing campaigns without exhausting your budget or compromising quality? You probably already have a solution, but perhaps you’re also wondering if it’s the most efficient or cost-effective. Or perhaps you’re wondering if your current vendor is the best option for you. Or maybe you are doing all the marketing yourself (gasp!). The truth is, that’s not a sustainable solution. You’ve got options: Hiring a marketer or marketing team internally, engaging an agency, or opt ..read more

Auto dealers must stay visible online with the most accurate information about their business. But even minor contact information errors can appear on third-party listings, social media platforms, major search engines — even your dealership website. Luckily, practicing NAPU Consistency helps ensure your dealership’s information online is accurate and consistent, which can boost your customer reputation and position in search results. NAPU consistency refers to your dealership’s Name, Address, Phone Number, and website URL. Google uses NAPU information and listings when looking for information ..read more

What dealer, when facing their annual budget, doesn’t look at the marketing line and wonder if they’re spending too much. Or even wonder if it’s not enough? No business succeeds or grows without marketing. Some amount of spend is necessary. Without it, you’d be reliant on repeat customers, word of mouth, or just capturing prospects who are driving by. However, without proper strategy and oversight, some dealerships could spend all their profit on advertising. The ideal scenario is to spend enough to be effective, place your dollars in the right channels to meet growth targets. So where do you ..read more

Today’s drivers start their car-purchasing journey online, so the value of your dealership’s website really can’t be overstated when it comes to reaching customers. For your digital content to stand out, search engine optimization (SEO) is almost a necessity. That’s why the team at AutoSweet put together five tested strategies to improve your website’s SEO. From enhancing your Google Business Profile (GBP) to incorporating local SEO best practices, the tips below are your dealership’s ticket to improved visibility in search results. Don’t feel like reading? Listen to the podcast version of thi ..read more

Growing market share as an automotive dealer is challenging – it’s tough out there! There are almost 70,000 auto dealerships in the U.S., and that number is growing. Dealers need to find new customers to hit their growth targets. Here are six ways dealers can boost market share and attract new customers. Don’t feel like reading? Listen to the podcast version of this article! 1. Target New Geographic Areas Look Beyond Your Geography Expanding your sales territory is a strategic way to broaden your customer base.  Start by conducting thorough market research to identify regions with untapp ..read more

Google’s Universal Analytics (UA) was officially sunsetted on July 1, 2023. That means the platform is no longer collecting your website data. Luckily, the recent launch of Google Analytics 4 (GA4) further enhances how dealerships can interpret their customers’ car-purchasing journeys, potentially reshaping sales and marketing strategies for the better. Don’t feel like reading? Listen to the podcast version of this article! With updated capabilities like improved reporting and analysis tools, cross-device and cross-platform tracking, and A.I.-powered predictive analysis, dealerships can furth ..read more

Effective event tracking in GA4 can significantly enhance your understanding of consumer interactions on your dealership’s website. In particular, GA4 provides multiple events you can track, such as pageviews, button and link clicks, and various form submissions. Additionally, you have the flexibility to establish custom events tailored to track dealership-specific behaviors that matter most to your business. Mastering event tracking with GA4 is important because everything is event-based instead of traffic-based as it was in Universal Analytics. This is partly because Google Analytics 4 work ..read more

While both Google Business Profile (GBP) and search engine optimization (SEO) are great ways to drive business, one has the edge in enhancing your online visibility and increasing your chances of being chosen at a more affordable price! If you’re trying to drive business on a small marketing budget, this blog is for you.  Let’s take a look at the benefits of both, and discover which gives you the edge for less.  SEO Search Engine Optimization is a method of ranking higher on search engines like Google by using keywords strategically in your internet content. The thought is that if y ..read more

The automotive industry currently faces a unique set of challenges that have left many dealership owners feeling like they are navigating choppy waters. Rising interest rates, inventory shortages, and volatile wholesale prices have created an environment of uncertainty and intensified competition.  As an automotive digital marketing company, AutoSweet understands the concerns you may have. We’re here to offer guidance on using digital marketing as a powerful tool to thrive in the current market. The Current State of the Market 1. High-Interest Rates Interest rates have been on the rise ..read more

In early July, Google officially phased out Universal Analytics for the company’s new Google Analytics (GA) 4 platform, which is already changing how dealerships understand their customer’s needs online. While GA has been a useful analytics tool for several years, many dealers are still learning how to get the most out of the platform and effectively transition their website analytics to GA4. If you’re only now considering migrating to GA4 and worry that you might have missed the opportunity, don’t fret! The AutoSweet team is prepared to support your dealership’s full integration into GA4, st ..read more