How to Advertise Your Car Dealership

Used car sales are booming in the UK, likely due to the cost of living crisis as people are no longer looking for brand-new cars with large upfront costs. Sales of motor vehicles grew by 4.4% in 2021 and we are likely to see this increase. This means that there is no better time to start your own car dealership and here are some key ways to advertise your business.

Offline marketing

Offline marketing still stands as a highly effective marketing method, especially if you are looking to advertise in a public space. High-quality banners are a great way to catch the eyes of passers-by who could turn into potential customers. You should be sure to perfect your branding before purchasing any signage, so ensure that your branding and logo are consistent with any other advertising strategies that you are using. This will help your brand to become memorable to potential customers as many will recognise a logo rather than remember a company name.

For car dealerships, radio could also be a good advertising medium. As many of us listen to the radio while driving, placing an advert during a radio station break can help you target any drivers looking to buy a new used car.

Virtual reality

Sophisticated virtual reality (VR) technology is being increasingly integrated into a range of commercial campaigns. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, VR has become a key way for customers to trial potential purchases from the comfort of their own homes, and within the context of buying a used car, this could be very effective. While in-person browsing experiences are important too, offering both could widen your customer base.

VR technology is highly beneficial for both car makers and dealerships as it saves money, and time and can allow some of the more tech-savvy dealers to offer a test drive before the release of the physical car.

Social media

75% of car buyers say that internet research, including review sites and social media, is the most helpful medium when selecting a car dealership. As such, to improve the likelihood of success for your car dealership you should ensure that you have an up-to-date website and social media profile for potential customers to browse.

Instagram and Facebook are two of the key social media sites you may use. On these profiles, you should interact with customers, share industry news and promote any offers or information that would be helpful to those browsing. You may also encourage customers to share any successful purchases on their social media accounts with links to your business. This will help to reinforce the validity of your business as 92% of consumers hesitate to make a purchase from a company with no customer reviews.