How Automotive Scheduling Software Can Help You Say Yes to More Customers

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January 20, 2023

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Read time: 3 min

How organized is your shop’s schedule? When you look at it, is it easy to see gaps? Is it cluttered or organized?

Appointment scheduling should be a quick, simple process that gives you and your team more time to focus on customers and their vehicles.

Automotive scheduling software gives auto repair shops the ability to bridge the gap between saying “yes” to customers, while not overwhelming their team. Although “saying yes” is a simple concept, the ability to not turn people away will have a lasting impact on your customers.

Humans are not computers. As much as we try to keep up, the impact that smart software has on our day-to-day workloads is impalpable. What may take us hours to create, log, and plan can take computers minutes, if not seconds.

Although you have the ability to plan exactly what repairs need to be done, automotive scheduling software can help you coordinate times, notes, and schedules faster than it would take with a whiteboard or pen and paper. Implementing software into your shop’s scheduling routine can significantly improve your team’s capacity.

As your repair orders (RO) start to stack up, your team will need reliable scheduling software that can keep up with your shop’s growth.

How Saying “Yes” Grows Business

According to Hubspot Research, 93% of customers are more likely to return to companies that offer excellent customer service. Let’s look at a pretty common scenario: a customer’s car breaks down just as they're headed to work, or their one mode of transportation that gets them to and from their kid’s school isn’t starting. If they walk into your shop, chances are a quick and easy fix is all they’re hoping to find. Ideally they would schedule an appointment in advance, but life doesn’t always work out that way.

The ability to say “yes” to your customers when they bring their car in, or phone the shop, is ideal. Practicing a “yes” mindset means accepting the reality that many drivers don’t have time to schedule repairs in advance, and finding a solution to help each and every guest. Inversely, if you're turning customers away, that leads to more idle time and lost revenue.

Although a, “Yes, we’ll take care of it right away” isn’t always possible due to additional work going on, it’s still comforting for driver’s to receive a simple, “We’ll get it on the calendar.” And once the customer receives the appointment confirmation on their end, they’ll be able to set that worry aside, and focus on the rest of their day.

If your shop doesn’t have the ability to say yes to every viable customer, chances are there isn’t a scheduling software in place that allows your service advisor to check into the day, week, or even month’s tasks.

Automotive scheduling software helps your team prioritize their RO’s in such a way that allows for additional walk-ins.

Benefits of Automotive Scheduling Software

The benefits of automotive scheduling software fall under three categories: service, efficiency, and focus. Tending to each of these categories is crucial in any business, especially in the auto repair industry. Automotive scheduling software will enhance your team’s ability to control the flow of work at the shop and maximize efficiency.

Rather than spending your days at the shop wondering what’s going on with so and so’s vehicle, you can simply check the status of their car under the schedule. Because automotive scheduling software enhances the service, efficiency, and focus of your shop, it will provide a shorter turnaround span on ROs. And the less amount of time it takes for your team to work on getting a car in and out, the more time you can focus on maintaining and fostering customer loyalty.

1. An Improved Customer Service Experience

First impressions have a major impact in this industry. According to the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Aftermarket Service Index (ASI) Study, customer satisfaction is heavily dependent on quality work done promptly, explained clearly, for a fair price, and delivered with excellent customer service.

The study involved 8,148 vehicle owners and was conducted between July and October of 2020. A key finding in this study was that, “Among customers who said they waited three minutes or more—which ranged from 27% to 39%—satisfaction scores declined as much as 219 points.”

Automotive scheduling software grants service advisors the ability to quickly greet customers thanks to its easy navigation system. Rather than spending time trying to find the right button or detail, service advisors should feel like they have a clear picture of what each day entails in your shop: which technician is at each car, the parts that are ordered for ROs or canned jobs, and, of course, which customer is returning or stepping foot in your shop for the first time.

2. A Smooth Start Leads to an Efficient Repair Process

Starting off on the right foot will greatly impact the rest of the repair process. Our motto here is less chaos, more structure. Auto scheduling software helps your team focus on efficiency and consistency.

Having an organized, user-friendly scheduling system for your shop takes away risks such as double-booking. The system you choose for your shop will show each customer, each repair—whether that be a simple oil change or something more complicated like replacing a transmission—as you book it and when you book it, which not only saves your service advisors time, but also saves them from facing frustrated customers that have been unknowingly double-booked.

Along those lines, the ability to sync your software’s calendar on any smart device allows you to maintain your shop’s workflow while away, and also provides your service advisors peace of mind if they ever need to step away from the front desk.

3. Focus on the Cars; Let the Calendar do the Scheduling

Carefully selecting the right scheduling system and software for your shop will allow your technicians to focus on the cars, rather than spending additional time writing down the ROs. Entering ROs, Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVIs), customer notes, and running the CARFAX report can all be done within minutes using the same auto repair scheduling software.

Gaining this extra time will provide peace of mind to every team member; they’ll know where they need to be, and what RO they’re assigned to, as well as any upcoming repairs. Optimizing your staff’s productivity means improving your shop’s average repair orders (AROs) and making room for new customers.

Features to Look For in Automotive Scheduling Software

A big part of transforming your shop is not only finding the right team and location but also finding the right scheduling strategies and systems that keep your shop afloat and your team sane. Automotive scheduling software can have different approaches to service, efficiency, and focus depending on which program you decide to go with.

Many modern day shops, whether independently owned or part of a chain, will be “shopping” for the same set of features that will significantly improve their shop’s environment. This includes, but is not limited to, an intuitive user experience, an easy way to set/adjust/automate appointments, and that each appointment has all necessary information presented, including vehicle, customer information, declined jobs, and customer history.

Here are five questions shop owners can ask themselves when searching for the right auto repair scheduling software:  

  1. Is it cloud-based?
  2. Does it tie into other systems? (What integrations does it have?)
  3. Does it offer streamlined customer communication tools?
  4. Does it offer trackable auto repair notes, customer notes, etc.?
  5. Can I easily migrate data?

1. Intuitive User Experience

What features do you look for when using digital platforms such as your phone or computer calendar? Whether for personal planning or work tasks, the fewer tabs to navigate through or buttons to click, the better. The quicker you can schedule an appointment, the faster you can move on.

This holds true for your shop’s scheduling software. If it’s easy to train your service advisors to use, and your technicians are able to find the RO’s that are assigned to them, then you can ensure everyone will be on the same page—or in this case, interface.

Additionally, if the scheduling software you choose has a calendar feature, it will give your team the ability to color code their calendars to their liking. Whether you color code for technicians, the type of work, or type of appointment is completely up to you.

A scheduling software worth its salt will also give your shop the ability to view the agenda for the day, the workweek, or a month overview. You’ll be able to see exactly what’s going on in your shop and when.

2. Set and Adjust Appointments

The perks of scheduling software is that you can create appointments for customers with minimal information; all you need is a name and a phone number to reserve their appointment time.

Only gathering the most important information at first prevents your team from being held back from entering a ton of information when they could be simply focusing on their customer and their vehicle. You can always gather any additional information later on when you’re checking out the customer.

3. Customer Notes

The ability to easily create and access customer profile pages will strengthen the relationship between your service writers and customers.

Look for a scheduling software with customer pages that quickly and easily display pertinent information about the vehicle and its service history, which allows service advisors to quickly determine what work needs to be done, and in turn, ensures that the processes of intaking and assigning work are done faster.

An efficient customer notes interface should lead to fewer wasted minutes, more captured revenue, and more loyal customers.

4. Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVIs)  

Along with easily accessing notes about your customer, you should also be able pull up any previous DVI’s for any specific customer. The benefit of conducting a DVI each time a customer visits the shop is that it paints a clear picture of what exactly is going on with their vehicle. For example, if their car’s brake fluid was marked as yellow (may require attention soon), the technician will know to check it during the customer’s next visit.  

5. Integrations

Modern shop management software should integrate with additional industry-leading resources so that shops can function as smoothly as possible. It is likely that your shop already has digital tools in place that you’ve become acquainted with, like CARFAX vehicle history reports, for example. If that’s the case, look for an automotive scheduling software that integrates cleanly with the digital tools you already know and love.

Most shops today utilize a customer relationship management (CRM) tool, so an example of an integration that you could look into would be the ability to sync the CRM data with your shop's scheduling software, or—taking it one step further—your shop’s calendar.

So if a customer creates an appointment on the shop’s website through the CRM, then that appointment should sync over to your shop’s calendar.  

Now that you know what features to look for in automotive scheduling software, let's go over how Tekmetric and its features can transform your shop.

Tekmetric’s Appointment Calendar

Tekmetric’s automotive repair scheduling software—better yet, the whole interface—makes saying “yes” easy by having the correct information on hand when creating any service appointment. You can easily edit or make changes by navigating to the appointment.

Ten Benefits of Tekmetric’s Appointment Calendar:

1. Manage your shop’s workflow with ease

Being a shop owner is a lot of work, and stepping away from time to time is important; but having the ability to stay connected while being physically away from your shop is always an added benefit. Tekmetric’s appointment calendar helps you manage the workflow of your technicians from any smart device.

2. Make it easier for service writers to manage schedules

Tekmetric’s interactive calendar lets you customize colors based off of employees, or jobs, as well as set specific time ranges for each RO.

3. Strengthen the relationship between clients and service writers

Tekmetric’s robust customer profile pages show new-comers and repeat customers that you know them and their car well, which in turn provides a more impactful experience and builds customer loyalty.

4. Help your team efficiently handle high-level scheduling

Tekmetric’s appointment calendar can assist your shop to the point where your service advisors are planning the week’s calendar based on jobs that are coming in the door. Tekmetric gives your team the ability to fill the calendar up with jobs, all while looking at what specific technicians will be there that day, week, or even month.

5. Drum up repeat customers and word of mouth

Ask yourself this: why do you set a reservation at a restaurant of your particular choice? Your answer is likely something along the lines of 1) you know and love that restaurant and have received optimal customer service or 2) you’ve heard it from a trusted source, aka word-of-mouth.

This is exactly the case for auto repair shops. Customers will keep coming back if the experience went smoothly, including both the customer service aspect and scheduling aspect, and they are likely to tell their friends and family, too.

6. Set a variety of appointments.

Not only can Tekmetric help your service advisors set up simple appointments, but it can also help them schedule follow-up appointments and block off specific days or times for a special event—whether that be a holiday, customer appreciation day, you name it. One of Tekmetric’s integrations that is incredibly beneficial to your shop is that if you use CRM’s that are integrated with Tekmetric, like Mechanic Advisor, your shop’s calendar will automatically sync to your appointment calendar.

7. Provide a sense of ease across the whole shop

Think back to common challenges you’ve experienced in the shop like when a customer shows up last minute. With Tekmetric, you can gauge your workload by skimming the calendar. Several varying appointment types? Tekmetric’s color coding makes it easy to scan, prioritize, and gain a general overview of what is being done and why. Say bye to stress, and hello to modernization.

8. Waste less time on tedious tasks

You no longer need to worry about manually sending confirmations and reminders to your customers. Tekmetric’s calendar feature connects all of your customers’ information, including previous notes, their vehicle history, and their preferred method of communication with a variety of integrated CRMs such as My Shop Manager, Mechanic Advisor, and Kukui. Whether it be by email or phone, these CRMs can use Tekmetric’s information to automatically send your customers a confirmation or an appointment reminder to their preferred method of communication.

9. Replace never-ending paperwork and file cabinets with data-syncing capabilities

Each appointment is fully synced and securely saved in Tekmetric’s cloud-based software.

10. Make the overall experience for both customers and your team easier

Tekmetric’s easy navigation compiles all customer notes, client management, scheduling, RO’s, DVI’s all in one space where everything is easy to search and find.

Backed by Proof

Auto repair scheduling software helps your shop waste less time and add more revenue. The proof is in the pudding; let’s say your shop has a labor rate of $120 per hour. If that’s the case, every minute that a tech isn’t working on a car, that costs the shop $2 per minute in lost revenue.

Now, at first glance, $2 per minute doesn’t seem like a lot. But in a month’s span, if a shop is open for an average of 24 business days for 10 hours a day, that’s 240 hours, 14,400 minutes, or $28,800 in lost revenue.

So what seems like a minor ineffeciency can add up quickly over time. Conversely, you will be adding revenue by saying yes to more customers, which in turn, may become lifelong customers and tell their friends and family about your shop.

FAQ

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Mechanic interviews are challenging for both the employer and candidate because the right candidate has to be a fit in personality and technical ability. Plus, the numerous certification types, manufacturer nuances, and shop needs make it even more challenging.

This guide can be used to help repair shops/dealerships ask the right questions and also help technicians be prepared for questions they will likely encounter. Below you will find the most common car mechanic interview questions broken down by mechanic and service advisor level plus tips to ace your next interview.

Top mechanic job interview questions

While every auto repair shop differs in how they run their job interview process, these are some of the most common questions you can expect. Ranging from technical questions to customer service, be prepared to answer these common questions before your next interview.

An image highlighting the top job interview questions for mechanics.

General interview questions for car mechanics

These common questions cover basic automotive repair experience and relevant work history.

  • Tell me about yourself and your experience as an automotive technician.
  • Why do you want to work for our company/shop?
  • How do you stay up to date with new automotive technologies and repair techniques?
  • What certifications do you currently hold (ASE, manufacturer-specific, etc.)?
  • Are you comfortable working weekends, evenings, or overtime if needed?

Technical interview questions for mechanics

These technical interview questions cover more specific hand-on experience and tools/equipment.

  • Which repairs are you best at?
  • How much would you estimate your tool inventory to be worth?
  • What steps do you take when diagnosing a check engine light?
  • What tools and diagnostic equipment are you most familiar with?
  • Have you worked with hybrid or electric vehicles?
  • Do you believe in factory recommended vehicle maintenance intervals?
  • How comfortable are you with OEM scan/diagnostic tools?

Experience & situational questions for mechanics

These questions help employers understand how you would handle various shop situations and also helps them understand your communication skills.

  • Can you describe a time when you had to work under a tight deadline?
  • How do you deal with angry customers?
  • How do you prioritize tasks when you have multiple vehicles to work on?
  • What would you do if you made a mistake on a repair? How do you handle accountability?
  • What do you do if you encounter a vehicle with an issue you've never seen before?

Additional questions to expect

  • Are you comfortable serving those in need once a month?
  • Are you comfortable doing a DVI on the majority of vehicles you touch?
  • How do you handle a high-pressure environment when the shop is busy?
  • How do you handle a situation where you're unsure about how to fix a problem?
  • Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for a customer?

Top interview questions for service advisors

While the interview questions for service advisors will be similar to mechanics, there will be small differences. Typically, service advisors will be more customer facing and shops will tailor their questions to focus more on customer service and communication style.

General interview questions for service advisors

  • Are you comfortable selling repair services?
  • Are you comfortable working on a commission based salary structure?
  • Who do you believe has the best after market products?
  • Which shop management software is your favorite?
  • How do you deal with a customer saying that you are more expensive than their last shop?
  • How do you win back angry customers?
  • How do you handle over the phone quotes?

Technical interview questions for service advisors

  • What are your greatest strengths as a service advisor?
  • Who do you trust for moving electrical parts?
  • How do you handle working in a fast-paced environment?
  • Are you comfortable meeting sales goals and upselling services?
  • How do you stay up to date with new automotive technology and service trends?
  • How do you handle stress during busy hours?

Experience & situational questions for service advisors

  • How do you explain complex vehicle repairs to a customer who doesn’t understand cars?
  • What steps do you take to build trust with customers?
  • Have you ever had to deal with a miscommunication between a technician and a customer? How did you resolve it?
  • Can you describe a time when you turned a dissatisfied customer into a repeat customer?
  • How do you handle multiple customers needing assistance at the same time?

Additional questions to expect

  • How do you explain the importance of routine maintenance to a customer?
  • What experience do you have with automotive service software or point-of-sale systems?
  • How do you prioritize repair orders and schedule work efficiently?
  • How do you explain repair estimates to customers?
  • How would you respond to 1-star reviews?

Job interview tips for mechanics

  • Research: Not all shops are created equal so make sure to research before applying to make sure they are a good fit. You can also look at online reviews to see what their customers are saying.
  • Preparation: Use the commonly used questions above to help you prepare for the interview. Practice how you would answer each question and ways you can present yourself well.
  • Attire: You have 7 seconds to make your first impression and attire is a big part of that. Dress to showcase your professionalism and experience.
  • Highlight your experience/certifications: Showcasing your certifications and experience can go a long way to in making sure you land the job.
  • Ask thoughtful questions: Some interviewers will allow you to ask questions during the conversation. Make sure you have a few questions to ask that help you learn more about the shop.
  • Follow up: if you haven’t heard back from the shop and you are still interested, give them a call and remind them of your interest in the position.

Final thoughts

Interviews are challenging in any industry but mechanic interviews can be even more challenging with the shortage of talent available. This guide will help you either prepare for your next interview or provide you with common questions to ask your next hire. Lastly, always hire for culture fit and talent second. Culture problems are a lot harder to correct than technical car knowledge.

Top Interview Questions for Automotive Mechanics

March 25, 2025

Read time: 3 min

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If you're running an auto repair shop, investing in a car lift is essential. A high-quality vehicle lift makes it easier to work on cars, increases efficiency, and ensures safety. But how much does it actually cost to install a car lift? That depends on the type of lift, installation costs, and other factors such as weight capacity and safety features. Let’s break it all down so you can pick the best automotive lift for your needs.

Do you need a car lift?

Car lifts are essential in auto repair shops because they provide mechanics with better access to a vehicle’s undercarriage, making inspections, repairs, and maintenance tasks safer, more efficient, and more comfortable. Unlike floor jacks, lifts offer a stable and elevated workspace, reducing the risk of injuries and improving workflow.

With a car lift, technicians can quickly perform tasks such as oil changes, brake repairs, exhaust system work, and suspension adjustments without having to crawl under the vehicle. This efficiency leads to faster turnaround times and higher shop productivity.

Additionally, lifts help maximize shop space by allowing vertical storage for vehicles, which is especially useful in high-volume repair shops. Overall, car hoists are a fundamental investment for any auto repair shop looking to enhance efficiency, safety, and the quality of service provided to customers.

Types of car lifts and their costs

Each type of lift has its pros and cons. Some lifts are better for oil change shops and some are better for tire or repair shops. In general, car lifts can cost between $1,000 and $20,000 depending on brand, lift capacity, lift height, and features. Here’s a comprehensive look at the most common lift options for your shop.

An image comparing the cost of car lift types.

Two-Post car lifts

A two-post car lift is one of the most popular choices for auto repair shops. They are popular because they take up less space and can be affordable depending on features. Make sure to plan out your shop layout as these lifts are permanent and cannot be easily moved. These hoists come in asymmetric and symmetric configurations, allowing flexibility based on vehicle type.

  • Price: $3,000 - $10,000
  • Best For: General repair shops working on SUVs and smaller cars.
  • Lift capacity: 5,000 - 10,000 lbs.
  • Popular brands: BendPak, Rotary, Tuxedo.
  • Advantages: High lifting capacity while saving space for smaller shops.

Four-Post lifts

A four-post lift provides greater stability and weight capacity, making it ideal for heavier vehicles. If your shop works on a lot of trucks or heavy-duty vehicles, the four-post lift might be the best lift for you. Tire and brake shops should avoid these lifts as the tires sit on the lift making it difficult to work on these areas.

  • Price: $5,000 - $25,000
  • Best For: Dealerships and professional shops.
  • Lift capacity: 7,000 - 14,000 lbs.
  • Popular brands: BendPak, Titan, Tuxedo, Rotary.
  • Advantages: Heavier lifting capacity for larger vehicles.

Scissor lifts

If saving space is your top priority, the scissor lift may be your best option. They are almost invisible when not in use and lie flat on the ground to optimize garage space. Double check the lift capacity and height to make sure it can accommodate the types of vehicles you work on.

  • Price: $1,500 - $10,000
  • Best For: Quick repair shops where space is limited.
  • Lift capacity: 5,000 - 15,000 lbs.
  • Brands: QuickJack, BendPak, MaxJax
  • Advantages: Compact and cheaper.

In-Ground lifts

In-ground car lifts are a great choice for shops that work on heavier vehicles and want to save space. These lifts are the perfect balance of the space saving capabilities of a scissor lift while also providing optimal strength for large vehicles.

  • Price: $10,000 - $25,000
  • Best For: Repair shops and dealerships.
  • Lift capacity: 5,000 - 20,000 lbs.
  • Brands: BendPak, Rotary, Atlas
  • Advantages: Compact while also offering enough muscle.

Portable car lifts

If your shop layout frequently changes or you are a mobile mechanic, a portable lift may be the best option. These lifts can be easily moved around a garage or taken to a job site and are often the cheapest option. However, they can be less reliable and don’t provide the same level of strength as a stationary lift.

  • Price: $500 - $5,000
  • Best For: Home garages, mobile mechanics, DIY enthusiasts.
  • Lift capacity: 5,000 - 10,000 lbs.
  • Brands: QuickJack, MaxJax
  • Advantages: Affordable, compact, mobile.

Installation prices for car lifts

Installing a vehicle lift is not just about purchasing the unit. You also need to consider the installation costs, which can vary depending on the type of lift and garage setup. Here are the main factors affecting installation costs:

1. Concrete requirements

Most lifts, especially two-post car lifts and four-post lifts, require a thick concrete base. If your floor isn’t thick enough, you may need reinforcement, which adds to the cost.

2. Electrical setup

Lifts need power, and if your garage isn’t wired for it, you’ll need an electrician.

3. Air compressors & accessories

Some lifts require compressors and additional balancer tools for operation.

4. Professional installation

Hiring a pro ensures the lift is ALI-certified and meets safety regulations.

Choosing the right car lift for your auto repair shop

Each type of lift comes with its own advantages, making it important to choose the right one based on your needs. Here are some things to consider when making your decision:

  • How big is your shop?
  • Which repair services do you offer?
  • What is your budget?
  • Does the lift offer a warranty?
  • Will you garage layout change over time?
  • How important is a car lift warranty to you?
  • How heavy will the vehicles you work on be?
  • What is the average review rating of the lift?
  • How easy or hard is the lift to install?
  • How much will the maintenance cost?

Final thoughts

Installing a vehicle lift in your auto repair shop is a smart investment. Whether you choose a two-post car lift, scissor lifts, or portable lift, knowing the lift cost and installation costs upfront can help you budget wisely. Whatever you choose, ensure it’s ALI-certified for safety and performance. Lastly, don’t forget about regular maintenance and safety inspections to ensure your lift continues to run for many years.

How Much Does a Car Lift Cost + Installation Prices

March 21, 2025

Read time: 3 min

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Ever wonder how you could make your auto repair shop website rank in Google for “Mechanic near me” or “Best auto repair shop”? Look no further, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about search engine optimization for automotive repair shops.

Search engines play a large role in today’s buyer journey and the auto repair shop industry is no different. Shop owners are recognizing this and starting to emphasize SEO (search engine optimization) as part of their overall digital marketing strategy.

Auto Repair SEO 101

SEO for automotive repair shops is a marketing tactic designed to influence how your website ranks in Google and other search engines. When done correctly, SEO efforts can create more website traffic and ultimately, generate more customers for your auto repair shop.

However, search traffic is becoming more competitive and other shops are likely aiming for the same keywords as you are. Utilize this guide to see how you can improve your website traffic and search engine rankings for your auto shop.

Tek-Tip: Curious how you rank for important keywords? Simply open an incognito tab and search for keywords you want to rank for. Incognito tabs remove location and search history bias from your search.

Image showing 5 steps to better SEO for auto repair shops.

Why is SEO important for Auto Repair Shops?

More traffic equals more customers

Search traffic is high-intent traffic which means that people who are searching for “mechanic near me” and similar queries are indicating that they are ready to make a decision. Social media and other traffic forms may bring in traffic but rarely are they ready to make a decision that day. Capturing more search traffic almost always leads to more conversions. Think about it, when you start looking for a service where do you start your search?

Brand awareness

Even if the customer is not ready to make a decision that day, being visible for relevant keywords is important (and free) brand awareness. Ranking well will help your shop stay top of mind for future automotive repair needs and build your online presence. Just like we remember a billboard or business logo weeks later, being visible in search engine results leads to better brand awareness and online visibility.

Cost effective

Unlike paid advertising, SEO efforts are free if you do them in-house. All you need to get started is this guide + a few YouTube videos and you can make a big difference in your website traffic and online conversions.

Local search

Search engines can use mobile device locations to help match customers with a shop that is nearby. Part of this guide will walk you through how you can indicate to Google where your auto repair shop is located and capitalize on local search traffic.

5 Steps to Improve your Rankings and Website Traffic

1. Quality content

Helpful content: Google loves fresh content and companies who regularly publish helpful content. Strategize what type of content will resonate with your audience and don’t be afraid to test new ideas. Consider removing or updating out-of-date content that is no longer relevant for your audience.

Content calendar: Creating a content calendar for your shop can help you strategize which topics you want to cover each month and who will be responsible for the project timeline.

2. On-page SEO

URLs: Did you know that Google uses the words in your url to help understand what your content is about? Avoid generic URLs like www.Yourshopname.com/blog/23trk and start using keyword-rich URLs like www.Yourshopname.com/blog/houston-tire-store. A simple optimization that can lead to better rankings.

Keyword research: Organic search is no longer about stuffing your content with every keyword you can find but keywords still play a part in how Google ranks content. Keywords are the terms searchers type into Google like “Tire shop near me” or “Brake service shop in Houston”. Other common auto repair keywords include “auto repair shop near me”, “best mechanic in (insert city)”, or "(insert service type) near me”.

You can use a free tool like Google Search Console (more info on tools later on) to explore which keywords you are ranking for and strategize how you can include those terms in your content/website. You will also want to research keywords that you do not currently rank for but want to in the future. Don’t forget to look at competitors and see what they are ranking for to help you locate your target keywords and form your overall strategy.

Internal linking: If you think of the internet as a spider web, each piece of content has internal and external links that help connect related content. These internal links help search engines crawl your website and find all the other content your website has to offer. Aim for at least one internal link in each article you write.

Meta Descriptions: As the name suggests, meta descriptions inform readers on what they can expect your content to cover. This is a great place to highlight keywords you think searchers might use to find your content.

Avoid click-bait strategies but try to make your meta description attractive and keyword dense. This will lead to better click-through-rates and better rankings. Aim to use 150 characters or less in your meta description so Google doesn’t cut it off.

Meta Titles: Think of a meta title as the headline or title tag for your content. This is a great place to showcase what your content offers and what it covers. You also want to feature your top priority keyword in the title to make sure Google (and users) know that it matches what they are searching for.

A picture showing how title and meta description tags appear in Google search.

3. Technical SEO

Tek-Tip: Warning: this section is more technical and may require the assistance of a website professional. We recommend Shopgenie to help with all of your website/SEO needs.

Page speed: Search engines have started to prioritize websites that provide a better user experience and part of that is having fast page speed. You can test your website speed using this free tool. Some quick ways to improve your page speed would be to minimize image file sizes and reduce the number of third-party scripts you have on your website. You may need to contact a website developer if you want to make bigger adjustments to your website.

Link building: Search engines use backlinks as a way to identify which websites are trustworthy and authoritative. For example, if your website has a link from Forbes pointing to your blog article, it indicates that your blog has value. The more links you can gather (especially from high-quality websites) the more reasons search engines have to believe your website has value.

SEO and PR agencies can help you build your link profile. You can also contact other websites directly and do manual outreach. The best practice is to create content that people want to link to and the links will accumulate naturally. Content that typically performs well for link-building in the automotive industry includes how-to videos, guides, and tutorials.

Mobile friendly/UX: Have you ever been frustrated by a website on your phone that you can’t use because the buttons are too close together or it loads slowly? With the majority of your target audience using their phones to search for services, your SEO strategy needs to include a user and mobile-friendly website design.

Sitemaps: A sitemap is a file that you can add to your website to help guide search engine crawlers to your content. Think of it as a crawler roadmap for your website. This file can be useful if you don’t want certain parts of your website crawled or if you recently added new content and want it to be crawled quickly.

4. Local SEO

Google My Business: Google My Business (GMB) is a free Google business profile that showcases your company, services, contact info, logo, and more. An easy way to improve your local SEO is to keep this platform up-to-date with your contact information, website, and hours of operation. If a potential customer searches “auto repair shop near me” your GMB listing indicates to Google if you service that area and helps you rank for their search.

Bonus tip: Make it easy for customers to leave reviews on your GMB profile as extra proof that you run a quality automotive repair shop. Some auto shops add a QR code on the front desk or on receipts directing customers on how to leave reviews. Make sure to respond to negative and positive reviews with professionalism. First impressions matter; potential clients often research reviews before selecting a shop.

Directories: Directories are popular aggregation review platforms like Yelp, Consumer Reports, BBB, and Yellow Pages. Claiming your business profiles and updating them with your relevant information can help some potential clients find your auto repair business. Make sure your phone number, address and website are all up to date within each directory.

Location pages: Adding your address and directions to your website can help search engines understand where you are located and aid in pairing you with appropriate local queries. Another tactic is to make sure your website content mentions your city to further boost this effort.

5. SEO tools

Paid tools: There is no shortage of SEO software/tools to help you upgrade your auto repair SEO strategy. These tools typically have a free version but they are limited in functionality and you will need to upgrade if you have larger websites. Some of the top options include Ahrefs, Semrush, and seoClarity.

Free tools: If you have a smaller website you may be able to get by with these free tools. Some of the top free SEO tools include Google Search Console, PageSpeed Insights, and free versions of Ahrefs and Semrush.

Tracking/monitoring: After making updates to your website and overall SEO strategy it is important to track your progress and KPIs like clicks, traffic, impressions, CTR and others that may be relevant to your auto repair business. You can build free tracking dashboards in Google Analytics or Google Looker Studio.

Bonus tip: Google and other search engines regularly update their algorithms so keep an eye out for volatility during these updates.

How long does it take for search engine optimization to work?

While some SEO tactics will start working immediately, larger and more consistent progress will be seen within 3-6 months if implemented correctly. Typically, this progress is seen as part of a “snowball” effect where multiple small optimizations will snowball into larger results over time.

Ranking on the first page of Google can take time but it often depends on how many competitors are in your area. All worthwhile marketing strategies take time and SEO is no different.

Final thoughts

Search engine optimization is an important tactic to drive more traffic and customers for your auto repair business. Keep in mind that SEO is one of many marketing tactics and should be part of a larger marketing strategy. To be successful in automotive shop marketing you will also need to explore other channels like social media, email, paid advertising, and traditional marketing.

Auto Repair SEO: The Complete Guide for 2025

March 18, 2025

Read time: 3 min

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