Used to be that auto repair shops didn’t have to think about getting new business. Cars always need repairs and maintenance, after all, it’s a given right? Kind of like the healthcare business. Well, yes and no. Mom and Pop shops of years ago did some yellow page ads, basic pennysaver ads, and the rest was word of mouth.

Today is completely different. There are too many shops. Too much competition. And with most people using the Web to find a shop, if you’re an independent auto repair shop without a good website, the harsh reality is you are not going to get the new business, because those cars will be rolling into your competitor’s shop down the street!

I’m not writing this blog post to scare anyone, but because I’ve been talking to friends who are auto repair shop owners, and hearing about how their revenue has dropped substantially in this economy. Then I talked to owners who are actually still doing very well, in spite of the recession. Guess what the difference is? The ones with the cars rolling in to get repaired have sought out the advice and services of online marketers. They have good websites that have been optimized for search engines, and have listings with Google Places, Yelp, and Insider Pages. They use the power of customer reviews. They offer specials through the Web, and have created a social media presence with Facebook and Twitter. They use email to attract new clients and to keep their current clients loyal.

Did you know that 90% of all people click links on the first page of their search results? Is your shop on that first page? And that customers use reviews as the #1 factor when considering to do business with you?

All this sound a little daunting? Auto Shop owners want to stick to running their business, like anyone else – they want to do what they do best. Most all of them tell me they just don’t have the time to do anything else.  Granted there will be some who want to take on all these tasks themselves, and if you have the drive and determination, it is all doable, believe me. But if you’re like most, and need some help implementing all or some of it, then there’s good news. There are reputable online marketers who:

• Know their business inside and out
• Know how your business works
• Will only sell you services you need
• Won’t charge you an arm and a leg!

If you have an Auto Repair Shop and are interested in learning more, check out ECommNow. From hosting and eye-catching websites and everything in between, they’ve thought of every tool needed to bring those cars to YOUR shop. And if you realize the importance of Social Media and your business, but don’t know where to start, here’s a good resource to get you on track and a step ahead of your competitors: KMBurck Please don’t discount this extremely valuable part of your online presence. If you think Social Media doesn’t matter for your business, I’m going to leave you to ponder over this video: