Consider this hypothetical situation: A 26-year old millennial named Bill who knows little about the inner workings of his car (or just about any car) experiences an issue with his ride. It's not the end of the world, but he does need help fixing it. So, like many others young adults in his position, he turns to the one friend he can always count on, Google.
It's pretty safe to say that this, or something very similar to this, happens every single day. For auto repair shops, it's right at this pivotal moment when one of two outcomes can occur:
A) You could potentially earn this customer's business.. OR
B) ..you do not earn this customer's business, and it might be because of the worst reason of all - you were never even considered.
Here are three reasons why auto repair shops should use Google My Business:
1) Establishing and maintaining an online presence. When customer Bill Googles "auto repair shops" and "car repair shops," if your business isn't listed, he won't even know it exists. Sure, there's the chance he saw an ad on the train that morning or that he remembers a part of your business's name from a discussion with his colleague two years ago, but these off chances aren't the ones upon which you want to stake your business's profitability. Without your information showing up alongside the dozens of alternatives at his fingertips, your chances of being considered are already drastically reduced, possibly to all the way down to zero. Google My Business gives you the opportunity to show up front and center on the internet's favorite search engine.
2) Providing convenience. Put yourself in your customer's shoes. Despite how simple the concept is, many auto repair shop owners fail to ask themselves questions like, "What would I do if I needed to find a car repair shop, and what kind of online experience would I appreciate?" It's 2020, and the experience customers want is fast and efficient. Using Google My Business allows you to display your business hours, phone number, and directions on Google Search and Maps right off the bat. The best part is that you can edit all your info instantly from one place, whether it's for a temporary change in business hours or shift to a new location.
3) Building a reputation with online reviews. Bill typically doesn't visit a small business unless it already has multiple legitimate online reviews. This rule applies doubly to industries that he knows very little about, making his decision to trust others even more important. Visible confirmation that others have visited your shop and had a positive experience gives him the peace of mind that he's likely to receive the same great service. This is your opportunity to stand out among the competitors, and if you know you provide top-notch service, then you can feel comfortable asking your customers to review you on Google. They will have no problem returning the favor!
Even with a lot of competition out there, it's never too late to get started. In fact, many auto repair shops are still playing catch up themselves. Google My Business gives you the opportunity to stand out among the competitors. Remember, your top priority should be on providing the maximum amount of information to both your existing and potential customers with the minimum amount of effort exerted on their end. Getting started is free, and it takes only a few short steps. What are you waiting for?
