Digital marketing has become an integral part of the automotive industry, allowing dealerships to reach potential customers through a variety of online channels. From website design and development to influencer management, there are many digital marketing terms that dealerships should be familiar with in order to effectively promote their offerings and attract more customers. In this table, we’ll explore some of the most important automotive digital marketing terms, what they mean, and how they can benefit automotive dealerships. By understanding and implementing these digital marketing strategies, dealerships can increase their online visibility, attract more potential customers, and ultimately drive more sales.
| Term | Meaning | Benefit for Automotive Dealership |
|---|---|---|
| SEO | Search Engine Optimization | Improves the dealership’s website’s visibility on search engines, increasing traffic and potential customers |
| SEM | Search Engine Marketing | Increases the dealership’s website’s visibility through paid advertising, driving more traffic and potential customers |
| PPC | Pay-per-click | A type of SEM where the dealership pays for each click on their ads, ensuring they only pay for traffic that is interested in their offerings |
| Display advertising | Advertising on third-party websites through banner or video ads | Increases brand awareness and reach, targeting potential customers who are browsing related websites |
| Retargeting | Displaying ads to people who have visited the dealership’s website before | Encourages potential customers who have shown interest in the dealership’s offerings to return to the website and make a purchase |
| Social media marketing | Marketing the dealership’s offerings through social media platforms | Increases brand awareness and reach, targeting potential customers who are active on social media |
| Email marketing | Marketing to a dealership’s email list through newsletters, promotional emails, and other communications | Increases customer loyalty and encourages repeat business, informing customers of new offerings and promotions |
| Content marketing | Creating and sharing valuable content to attract and engage potential customers | Increases brand awareness, establishes the dealership as a trusted authority in the industry, and builds relationships with potential customers |
| Conversion rate optimization | Improving the dealership’s website to increase the percentage of visitors who take desired actions, such as filling out a contact form or making a purchase | Improves the dealership’s ROI by ensuring that the website is effectively converting visitors into customers |
| Analytics | Collecting and analyzing data on the dealership’s digital marketing efforts to make data-driven decisions | Allows the dealership to understand what is and isn’t working in their digital marketing efforts and make adjustments accordingly for better results |
| Term | Meaning | Benefit for Automotive Dealership |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile optimization | Ensuring that the dealership’s website is optimized for mobile devices | Provides a better user experience for potential customers who are browsing on their mobile devices, increasing the likelihood of them making a purchase |
| Geotargeting | Targeting potential customers based on their location | Allows the dealership to target potential customers who are in their local area, increasing the likelihood of them making a purchase |
| Chatbots | Automated chat systems that can answer common customer questions | Improves customer service by providing immediate assistance to potential customers, increasing the likelihood of them making a purchase |
| Video marketing | Creating and sharing videos to promote the dealership’s offerings | Increases engagement with potential customers, providing them with a more engaging and memorable experience than other forms of marketing |
| Influencer marketing | Partnering with social media influencers to promote the dealership’s offerings | Increases brand awareness and credibility among the influencer’s followers, targeting potential customers who trust the influencer’s recommendations |
| CRM | Customer Relationship Management | Helps the dealership manage their interactions with customers, providing insights into their behaviors and preferences, and improving the customer experience |
| Chat marketing | Marketing to potential customers through messaging apps such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger | Provides a more personal and conversational experience for potential customers, increasing the likelihood of them making a purchase |
| AI-based marketing | Using artificial intelligence to automate and optimize marketing efforts | Provides more efficient and effective marketing efforts, saving the dealership time and money while increasing ROI |
| Data privacy compliance | Ensuring that the dealership’s digital marketing efforts are compliant with data privacy laws such as GDPR or CCPA | Protects the dealership and their customers’ personal information, ensuring that the dealership is operating legally and ethically |
| Term | Meaning | Benefit for Automotive Dealership |
|---|---|---|
| Online reputation management | Monitoring and managing the dealership’s online reviews and reputation | Helps the dealership maintain a positive reputation online, attracting more potential customers and retaining current customers |
| Website design and development | Designing and developing the dealership’s website | Provides a user-friendly and visually appealing website that attracts and retains potential customers |
| Landing pages | Web pages designed specifically to capture leads or drive conversions | Increases the likelihood of potential customers taking desired actions, such as filling out a contact form or making a purchase |
| A/B testing | Comparing two versions of a web page or ad to determine which performs better | Improves the effectiveness of the dealership’s digital marketing efforts by identifying what works best and making data-driven decisions |
| Call tracking | Tracking and analyzing phone call data from marketing efforts | Provides insights into the effectiveness of the dealership’s marketing efforts and helps optimize for better results |
| SMS marketing | Marketing to potential customers through text messaging | Provides a more direct and personal way of reaching potential customers, increasing the likelihood of them making a purchase |
| Voice search optimization | Optimizing the dealership’s website for voice search queries | Provides a better user experience for potential customers who are using voice search, increasing the likelihood of them making a purchase |
| Virtual and augmented reality | Using virtual and augmented reality to provide a more immersive experience for potential customers | Increases engagement and provides a more memorable experience for potential customers, increasing the likelihood of them making a purchase |
| Chat marketing | Marketing to potential customers through messaging apps such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger | Provides a more personal and conversational experience for potential customers, increasing the likelihood of them making a purchase |
| Term | Meaning | Benefit for Automotive Dealership |
|---|---|---|
| Online scheduling | Allowing potential customers to schedule appointments or test drives online | Provides a more convenient and streamlined experience for potential customers, increasing the likelihood of them making a purchase |
| Data-driven targeting | Targeting potential customers based on their online behaviors and preferences | Increases the effectiveness of the dealership’s digital marketing efforts by targeting potential customers who are most likely to make a purchase |
| Customer segmentation | Dividing customers into groups based on shared characteristics or behaviors | Allows the dealership to tailor their marketing efforts to specific customer groups, increasing the likelihood of them making a purchase |
| Reputation marketing | Using the dealership’s positive reputation to attract more customers | Increases the dealership’s credibility and attracts more potential customers who trust the dealership’s reputation |
| Online sales and financing | Allowing customers to complete their vehicle purchase or financing online | Provides a more convenient and streamlined experience for customers, increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty |
| Online vehicle configurators | Allowing potential customers to customize and build their own vehicle online | Provides a more engaging and interactive experience for potential customers, increasing the likelihood of them making a purchase |
| Data visualization | Using visual aids to display and interpret data | Provides insights into the effectiveness of the dealership’s digital marketing efforts in a more accessible and easy-to-understand format |
| Influencer management | Managing relationships with social media influencers to promote the dealership’s offerings | Helps ensure that the dealership’s influencer marketing efforts are successful by effectively managing relationships with influencers |
| Social listening | Monitoring social media channels for mentions of the dealership or their offerings | Provides insights into customer sentiment and allows the dealership to respond to customer concerns or feedback in a timely manner |
Please rate this post
With over 20 years of experience in the car business, I’ve navigated the evolution of the industry from traditional sales to the dynamic digital age. My journey through various roles in both sales and management has endowed me with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in automotive sales today.
As the founder of Shawn Ryder Digital, I combine my extensive background in technology with my deep understanding of the automotive industry. This synergy allows me to craft digital marketing strategies that are not just effective but tailored to the specific needs of each dealership. My commitment is to drive your sales, enhance your brand awareness, and ensure your dealership thrives in the digital landscape.
Here at Shawn Ryder Digital, we’re not just about providing services; we’re about building partnerships. As I often say, “In the fast-paced world of digital marketing, staying ahead isn’t just an option; it’s a necessity.”
Together, let’s embrace the challenges of the digital age and turn them into opportunities for growth and success. Join me in redefining the future of automotive digital marketing. Let’s accelerate your dealership’s journey to the top.