Local SEO for Dealerships: Position your dealership with Google My Business
20 Jan 2025
In an increasingly competitive digital world, standing out from the crowd is essential for any business, and car dealerships are no exception. Local SEO has become an indispensable tool for attracting potential customers in your geographic area. In this article, we explain how you can leverage Google My Business to improve your dealership's local ranking and increase your sales.
What is Local SEO and why is it important for dealerships?
Local SEO is the set of strategies that allows your business to appear in local searches by users. When someone searches for "car dealerships near me," you want your company to be one of the top options that appear in the results. This is crucial for:
Increasing the visibility of your dealership in your area.
Attracting potential customers who are nearby and actively searching for your services.
Standing out against local competition.
A clear example might be when someone searches on Google "used cars in Tarragona":
Benefits of Local SEO
Increase in quality traffic: Users who perform local searches have a clear intent to purchase, which translates into higher conversion possibilities.
Improvement of online reputation: A strong local presence reinforces customers' trust in your business.
Competitiveness: It allows you to compete with large brands by appearing in relevant search results for your area.
Google My Business: The key to local ranking
What is Google My Business?
Google My Business is a free tool offered by Google that allows businesses to manage their online presence on the search engine and on Google Maps. A well-optimized account can make a big difference in how potential customers find and perceive your dealership.
How to create and optimize your Google My Business profile
Step 1: Create and verify your profile
The first step is to create your Google My Business profile. To do this, you need to go to google.com/business and follow these steps:
Click on "Get started now" and then on "Add business".
Complete the basic information of your dealership, such as name, address, phone number, and business category.
Verify your profile by following Google's instructions, either by mail, telephone call, or sending a verification code via SMS.
It is important to note that the verification process can take several days, so be patient. Once verified, you can continue optimizing your profile.
Step 2: Complete all the information on your profile
After creating and verifying your profile, it is crucial that you complete all possible information to make it as attractive and useful for your potential customers as possible. Some key elements to include are:
Business hours: Be sure to include special hours during holidays or days off.
Business description: Write a clear and attractive description of your dealership, including relevant keywords like "car dealership," "sale of new and used cars," etc.
Photos and videos: Upload high-quality images of your showroom, staff, available vehicles, and special events to give users a better idea of your business. Step 3: Select the appropriate categories
Step 3: Select the appropriate categories
Choose categories that accurately represent your services:
Main category: "Car dealership"
Secondary categories: "Used car sales", "Vehicle maintenance service", "Auto repair", etc.
Step 4: Activate additional features
Google Messaging: Allow customers to send you messages directly from your profile.
Special mentions: Highlight attributes such as "We offer online appointments", "24-hour service", etc.
Strategies to enhance your Local SEO
1. Collect and respond to customer reviews
Online reviews are essential for your dealership's reputation and directly affect local SEO.
Encourage your satisfied customers to leave a review on your Google My Business profile.
Respond to all reviews, both positive and negative. This shows that you value your customers' opinions and are committed to service quality.
2. Use local keywords in your content
Incorporate relevant keywords on your website and posts:
"Car dealership in [Your City]"
"Used car sales in [Your City]"
"Vehicle maintenance in [Your City]"
This improves your ranking in local searches and attracts qualified traffic.
3. Optimize your website for mobile devices
Most local searches are performed from mobile devices. Ensure that your website is:
Responsive: Adapts to different screen sizes.
Fast: Pages should load in less than 3 seconds.
Easy to navigate: Clear menus and visible call-to-action buttons.
4. Build quality local links
Links from other local websites increase your site's authority:
Collaborate with local businesses: Exchange links or participate in community events.
Register in local directories: Ensure that your information is consistent across all platforms.
5. Generate relevant local content
Create a blog on your website where you publish:
Local news: Events in your community, sponsorships, etc.
Tips and guides: "How to prepare your car for winter in [Your City]"
Success stories: Testimonials and experiences from your customers.
The importance of online reputation for your dealership
Manage your online presence
Regularly review what is said about your dealership online.
Actively participate on social media and respond to comments and messages.
Monitor other platforms
In addition to Google My Business:
Car selling platforms: Ensure you have updated profiles on sites like AutoScout24, Coches.net, etc.
Reviews on other sites: Manage your reputation on Trustpilot, Yelp, and Facebook.
How Dealcar can boost your Local SEO
At Dealcar, we understand the importance of local SEO for your dealership. Our team of experts is ready to help you:
Optimize your Google My Business profile: We take care of ensuring your profile is complete and up to date.
Create quality content: We generate relevant content that attracts and retains your potential customers.
Improve your online reputation: We implement strategies to increase your positive reviews and manage negative ones.
Create your website with local positioning: thanks to our technology, we create your website content with a local focus.
And the best part is that we offer this service totally for free!
Continuous analysis and adjustments
Local SEO is an ever-evolving process. To maintain and improve your ranking:
Use analysis tools like Google Analytics to monitor traffic and user behavior on your site.
Adjust your strategies based on the collected data. If you notice that certain keywords are not working, try others.
Conclusion
Implementing an effective local SEO strategy is essential for your dealership to stand out in today’s market. By optimizing your presence on Google My Business, using local keywords, improving your website’s mobile experience, and maintaining a positive online reputation, you will be on the right path to attracting more customers and increasing your sales.
Are you ready to take your dealership to the next level?
At Dealcar, we are here to help you achieve it. Contact us today and discover how we can boost your online visibility and help you dominate the local market. Don’t waste any more time and join the local SEO revolution!
Frequently Asked Questions about Local SEO for Dealerships
Why is local SEO important for my dealership?
Because it allows you to stand out in local searches, attract potential customers in your area, and compete effectively with other dealerships.
What is Google My Business and how does it benefit me?
It is a free tool from Google that allows you to manage your business information online. An optimized account improves your visibility in Google searches and maps.
How can I improve my online reputation?
By fostering positive reviews from your customers, responding to all opinions, and actively managing your presence on social media and other platforms.
What services does Dealcar offer for my dealership?
At Dealcar, we offer local SEO optimization, content creation, online reputation management, and much more, totally for free!
