The automotive industry is currently struggling to reach out to consumers. With constantly increasing car prices and numerous other challenges, targeting potential customers has become quite a hassle.
Thankfully, there are some tried and trusted automotive digital marketing trends that can help car dealerships capture their leads this year.
The following are the 4 best digital automotive trends in 2023:
1. Improved video marketing
Consumer trends in the automotive industry show that videos, especially short ones, have a much better chance at converting leads into customers.
According to Wyzowl, an automated video production company, 78% of marketers increased their overall sales by using videos.
This is because of the attention that videos and clips are able to retain. In fact, people are 4 times more likely to watch a video than read a piece of text.
There are countless video ideas that dealerships can take advantage of. These include various how-to videos, car highlights, testimonials from previous customers, etc. Another big trend currently ruling the automotive market is car dealership tours. They can be done via videos or the newest tool in the game, VR – everything’s explained below.
2. VR technologies
The metaverse is gaining ground with more money and hours being put into improving its tech. Virtuality Reality, or VR, technologies are going to play a huge role in the future. This also applies to car dealerships.
As mentioned above, recent trends in the automobile industry show that customers love getting the feel of a car, or the dealership that it’s in before going ahead with the purchase. Studies even show that many people actually feel uncomfortable walking into a dealership due to the pressure put on them by the sales team. 87% of American buyers end up disliking the buying process as a result.
This is where VR comes into play, as it can give customers a detailed overview of the car without them having to actually visit the dealership.
The automotive market trends show that the top car brands and dealerships are implementing these strategies.
3. Mobile experience optimization
Smartphones have replaced countless technologies and they’re the deciding factor when it comes to car purchases. About 51% of consumers conduct thorough research on their preferred car on their mobile phones. This means that they don’t just read about the main features, but also hunt down the best offers and dealers in their area.
Even getting those clicks and attention from mobile users is important for a dealership nowadays. Digital car market trends show that 44% of mobile-first users purchase their car within the first three months of looking at it. This is why it is crucial to have a good mobile interface for your website. Everything should be easily readable, digestible and accessible, and ending with just the right Call-To-Action (CTA).
4. Upgraded messaging applications
Chatbots and messaging solutions are some of the best technology trends that have been implemented in the automotive industry. They help dealers out with multitasking, whilst making customers’ lives easier. They’re a highly effective tool for dealing with inquiries and can provide up to 25% higher customer satisfaction.
Not only do these applications improve sales, but they also help make your dealership run smoother, as they help with staying on top of the information regarding maintenance and repair appointments.
5. Automotive CRM solutions
Of course, out of all the automotive industry trends, the implementation of automotive CRM solutions is a must for every dealership. This is because these are tools that can not only help you manage the entire dealership properly and with ease, but they also help you market it.
You can store all sorts of customer data using these systems. Then, you can utilize said information to share the best offers and deals with your clients.
Some companies offering this type software also provide digital sales platforms. These help your sales team deal with incoming leads more effectively. You’ll be more efficient in managing everything from the next test drive to any upcoming handovers.
One thing’s for sure – the existing auto trends have proven to be useful in helping to increase sales for car dealerships. Therefore, we’re definitely hoping to see many companies hopping on these trendy bandwagons to maximize their growth in 2023.
