The DOs and DON’Ts of an auto body shop website

As one of your greatest sales tools, it’s clearly very important to maintain an equally great website for your auto body shop.  Pretty much every business these days at least has a website, but too many businesses—shops included—put very little thought and effort into their sites.  That lack of effort will translate into fewer potential website visitors, leads, and, ultimately, customers. 

Are you currently struggling with your collision repair website? 
Perhaps you’re just getting started with your business or maybe you’re a shop that’s been around for decades, but you’re ready for a much-needed update to your online presence.  Whatever the case may be for your shop, it’s always a good idea to take a step back and see how you can improve your digital marketing. 

To help you determine your next steps, here is our list of DOs and DON’Ts for collision repair websites:

DO invest in an appealing website design.
When it comes to website design, don’t be cheap.  Hiring your nephew’s friend to throw something together for you is probably not a good idea (unless the friend is a professional designer, of course!).  Your website is your shop’s online calling card.  It is the first impression you give to anyone searching the web for auto body shops in your town, so make the best impression you can.  Plus, if you invest in a great, clean design today, it will likely last you some time.  Poor quality websites look outdated instantly.

DON’T forget about SEO.
SEO stands for “search engine optimization” and that means you need to make sure your site is prepped to be picked up by Google and other search engines.  A great design without the right keywords in place won’t bring you a large number of visitors. 

DO use lots of images.
When you add photos to your website, they bring your site to life.  So, hire a photographer to capture high-quality photos of your shop, equipment, staff, waiting area, and so on.  Not only will this enhance the visual quality of your site, but it will give your visitors a glimpse into what kind of environment your shop is.  People like to know what they’re walking in to, so images would provide a little familiarity to people who haven’t been to your shop before.

DON’T forget to blog.
One of the best things you can do for your website and lead generation is to develop a great blog.  It helps to turn your site into a resource for visitors, while also getting more of your keywords out into the web for search engines to pick up.

DO call in the professionals if you’re in need of help.
If you’re looking for a digital marketing agency to take your website to the next level, at Stratosphere Studio we can develop the perfect strategy for your auto body shop.  We can produce a comprehensive digital marketing proposal for you or provide individual services, such as website design, blogging, search engine optimization, and more.  We are offering low-cost trial packages that can match any shop’s budget.  We specialize in auto body shop marketing and work with some of the top shops across the country.  If you’re ready to bring more business to your shop, contact us today!