Old habits are hard to break, especially when it comes to the physicality of handwritten notes.
A pen and a piece of paper can provide a better sense of security—they’re tangible and tactile. In our minds, we view paper as something we “own”, which makes it seem more reliable and easily obtainable.
But is pen and paper more reliable than digital tools?
Although the trusty pen and paper method does have perks, there’s a time and a place for everything. Which leads us to paper’s modern day competitor: digital software.
Switching paper out for a modern, digital format will enhance legibility, make archiving far easier than having file cabinets full of papers, and will strengthen collaboration across your team. Not to mention, you don’t run the risk of a fire or flood destroying your shop’s backed up data the way a natural disaster would with paper files and documents.
Now, this isn’t to say that digital software will replace every single piece of paper; however, software can successfully improve the efficiency of projects—especially when it comes to running an auto shop.
Let’s bring it back to the initial question: is automotive work order software a replacement for pen and paper? The rough answer is "yes," although there may be times where you still want to have paper as an option.
But many pen and paper tasks can be replaced, and should, for better productivity and organization. Automotive work order software can astronomically enhance your shop’s productivity and organization in ways that traditional methods cannot.
In your personal life, paper can take precedence in whichever way you wish. But in your shop, opting in for a digital system instead of pen and paper has more pros than cons.
Pen & Paper vs. Software
Let’s look at the data on why software has the ability to replace pen and pen and paper: A study conducted by Deloitte in 2019 found that 85% of all SMBs (small and medium-sized business owners) report that the digital tools they are using have helped their business in some way.
The study gathered 1,000 SMBs to take part in the survey. Here are the key findings:
Businesses with advanced use of digital tools are five times more likely to reach new customers than their less digitally advanced counterparts.
Tech-savvy businesses are three times more likely to create new products and services and are two times more likely to create jobs than those that don’t rely on technology as much.
Businesses that leverage digital tools are three times more likely to experience revenue growth and twice as profitable.
Writing things down on a piece of paper definitely has its benefits, and shouldn’t be ridiculed as a form of notetaking. In fact, many individuals opt into pen and paper when they’re either in a hurry, or need to focus and want to prevent any distractions.
I’m sure you’re thinking to yourself, “Why is a digital software company telling me this? Aren’t they selling software?” Well, you’re not wrong, but our team at Tekmetric believes in highlighting all aspects of auto repair shops—and although modernizing your shop is an ideal way to make strides in the auto repair industry—traditional mediums shouldn’t be completely eradicated.
So, before we get into the benefits of software, let’s take a look at when handwritten notes make for an ideal option.
When the Good Ol’ Pen and Paper Still Comes in Handy
Ask yourself when was the last time you used a pen and a piece of paper to jot something down. There’s a good chance it was because of one of the following scenarios:
You were in a hurry,
You needed to focus, or
You wanted to make a note-to-self.
These reasons for taking handwritten notes can also be applicable in your shop. Whether you’re a technician, service writer, or shop owner, focus and efficiency are key components of your day.
Although you may have your habitual way of jotting down thoughts and reminders, where pen and paper are lacking is filling out work orders (or Repair Orders) in your shop. Manually writing down an RO for a customer, even on a templated piece of paper, will get in the way more than it helps.
That’s why creating room for a more secure, efficient, and clean form, like digital work order software, will enhance your shop in more ways than one.
6 Ways Digital Software will Enhance your Auto Repair Shop
A huge part of auto shop’s are the work orders created, under way, completed, and archived. Having the ability to not only make the process easier for your team, but also streamlining the work order life cycle is a shop innovation you won’t regret.
1. Effective Collaboration Across the Board
Think of how many moving parts there are in the work order process: technicians collaborate with the service writers on parts needed, repairs completed, and any additional findings that need to be addressed; service writers collaborate with both the techs on in-progress work orders and customers on where their car is at in the repair process; and customers collaborate with the service writers by having to sign off on repairs.
With pen and paper, the above steps require quite a bit of juggling. The technician might be trading sticky notes with the service writers, and service writers would need to get customers to sign off on estimates, invoices, and repair orders.
At the end of just one repair, your team might have used four or five sheets of paper and a half-dozen sticky notes! With so many pieces of paper shuffling between hands, there is a lot of room for error and inefficiencies.
With automotive work order software your team can track and collaborate on the same platform.
Every person is seeing the same information on their screen, so there is far less room for misinterpretation, error, or lost sheets of paper. Create repair orders, access notes, findings, part orders, and write up the customer with just a few clicks.
Common features include:
Built-in DVI’s
View employee schedules across the shop
Send job statuses to customers via SMS or email estimates/invoices
Easily search saved vendors by name, phone, email, or website
Give customers the ability to make mobile payments with Tekmerchant
View real-time reports of your shop anytime, anywhere you have internet access
Tek-Tip: work order software isn’t the only advantage of Tekmetric. Here are additional features that will enhance your shop’s collaboration even more.
2. Clean and Organized Format
Keeping lists, memos, and notes organized can become a challenge, especially as work orders start to stack up. Organization is vital at any auto repair shop. Just think of how many projects go on in just a day’s time—from the creation of the work order, to the invoice payment.
Digital software eliminates the hassle of keeping paper and file cabinets organized.
Alongside that, it gives your team the ability to cleanly and quickly enter the info they need to, when they need to—whether that’s the service writer entering the customer’s information or the tech entering their findings during the vehicle inspection.
Having work order software will boost the efficiency of your team by keeping everyone on top of tasks and organized throughout the entire process.
A digital “filing” system will make it easier for you to sort, save, share, and find that work order information you’re looking for.
3. Exceedingly More Secure
Digital documents are inherently more secure than paper documents If your shop only uses paper, the risk of information being lost or damaged is inherently higher.
Let’s say an unforeseen natural disaster impacted your shop—whether a fire, flood, tornado, etc.—your data, safely stored, will not be lost. Your shop’s data stream will be backed up with Tekmetric’s secure technology and cloud-based software.
And you already know what would happen if your shop’s document system was managed primarily through physical materials.
Going digital will not only prevent data from getting lost or “stolen”, but will also—quite literally—save your shop’s finances, history, customer information, and team schedules from getting destroyed due to the unexpected.
Which leads us to another security aspect to highlight: confidentiality. Auto repair software, like Tekmeteric, ensures there is a level of security for all users—whether for your team or your shop’s customers.
And while as a leader you hire trustworthy employees, there are times when team members need to be let go.
If that’s the case, with Tekmetric you can customize permissions to prevent them from taking any personal info from customers and/or the shop.
4. Create Work Orders in Minutes
Think to yourself what all goes into creating a work order: the work order number, the description, the customer’s information, the created/completed dates, the vehicle’s history, customer notes, and so on.
How long would it take you to write down a work order with all of that required information?
Most people on average type faster than they write with a pen.
According to a study comparing typing vs. handwriting, researchers found that those who participated had a typing speed of at least five words per minute faster than writing by hand.
In addition to typing speed, the fact that digital software can pull information from reports and customer notes means a work order that would take 45 minutes to fill out by hand only takes about 10 minutes to fill out with software.
5. Legible No Matter What
One thing that makes hand-written notes so unique is that everyone's handwriting is different.
Now, while your unique handwriting might add a great personal touch to a letter or card, it might not be best suited for situations where legibility is super important—like on an estimate or work memo. And let's face it: not everyone has the cleanest handwriting.
Yes, handwritten notes have situational advantages, but an auto shop is usually not the place for that.
You’ll have to make copies, the technician’s notes might be difficult for people to read, and if any spelling errors or misreading occurs, the possibility of mistakes—whether with a customer’s car, or the shop’s operations—is unfortunately heightened.
What if the service writer was in a hurry writing down a customer’s service issues, and the tech misinterpreted what was jotted down?
Imagine how upset a customer would be if their vehicle started acting up again right after leaving the shop.
With automotive work order software you never have to worry about illegible handwriting or chicken scratch getting in the way of a job well done.
Service writers can type down the customer’s issues, assign the RO to a tech, and the technicians—simply using a smartphone, tablet, or computer—can type out their findings, with detailed photos and videos showing customers exactly what is wrong.
Tek-Tip: Do you have customers or technicians that prefer having physical copies of invoices or inspection reports? With Tekmetric, you can print inspections and repair orders for technicians, or estimates and invoices for customers on-demand. You also have the ability to control what appears on printed estimates, invoices, inspections, and ROs, including your shop’s address, phone number, email, website, and logo.
6. Schedule in Real-Time
Papers take more time to store, find, and recall. Sure, you can just start a new sheet of paper, but then you have duplicate information with various sheets of paper lying around.
And with pen and paper, you can only look at one at a time, which isn’t very manageable in the auto repair industry.
With digital software, you can look at everything, all at once.
Whether it’s pulling up one specific work order, populating all current work orders, or viewing your shop’s whole month calendar.
Having the ability to quickly and instantaneously pencil in appointments is a scheduling must when you have five work orders going on at any one time.
Service writers: let’s say you have a walk-in at the shop.
Having the ability to quickly enter their info—or if they were a customer in the past, Tekmetric will automatically populate it in the future—is the ideal scenario for both you and the customer.
Work order software will ramp up that efficiency and help you grow your business exponentially.
No Papers Lost, No Time Wasted
Think of how you’re viewing this blog: you’re either reading it from your phone, laptop, or tablet. The benefit of this being online rather than handwritten or face-to-face is that it’s 1) easy to find, 2) takes up no space, and 3) can be easily shared with other shop owners.
Accessing it digitally enhances the experience.
Just as you might be clicking one of the links embedded in the article, you can also click from one Tekmetric feature to the next. From the Job Board, to the shop’s inventory, to the BG canned jobs integration—it’s all just a click away.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Shop Management
Thought Leadership
How Much Does a Car Lift Cost + Installation Prices
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.
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.
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.
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