Your dealership’s reputation is created through a similar process. It is formed, piece by piece, by the quality of the experiences of your existing customers, who will communicate these experiences in detail, both good and bad, to their friends, their relatives, and the readers of their online reviews. And let’s not forget how important CSI scores are to the OEMs whose products you are selling, with bonuses for doing well and penalties for those who don’t.
Your brand is your reputation, and vice versa
The vehicles that you sell benefit from branding campaigns run by the manufacturers that produce them. Those branding efforts can make the vehicles themselves desirable to consumers, but it is your dealership’s brand that attracts those buyers to your store to buy them.
That brand is created largely through your reputation — the better that reputation, the stronger the attraction that draws potential buyers in. Nothing attracts customers more than the promise of an outstanding sales, service, and ownership experience. Perhaps the most important aspect there is trust, which ranks even higher than a good price for many customers.
All of this reputation comes at no marketing expense. It’s just good business practice. The healthy combination of reputation and revenue will be very appealing to a potential buyer.
Your customers are your greatest billboards
You can spend a fortune on advertising, telling the world how great you are. But the most powerful endorsements come from your customers. Why? Because your customers have more credibility than anyone else with their families, friends, and coworkers.
What does it take to satisfy your customers? While different people will have varying definitions of customer satisfaction, it usually comes down to how they feel at every touchpoint they have with the people who represent your dealership. Bad service is all too easy to find in this world, which means even a small gesture can stand out. Everyone at your dealership who comes into contact with a customer should provide them with an experience that leaves them saying “wow” because they’re not used to being treated that well in other situations.
Whether it is the person who answers the phone, a sales associate, or a service advisor, it is imperative that the customer be impressed by the service they receive, every step of the way. This consistently high level of service across your entire team reinforces your dealership’s brand and its values. When your customers experience this unified voice and experience that your brand represents, they will be impressed and will spread the word.
Great Reputation → Top Online Reviews → Increased Buyer Interest
Today we have to also add the effect of your online reputation. Between social media platforms and review sites like Google or Yelp, your customers have easy access to the megaphone of the internet to air both their satisfaction and their grievances.
A vehicle is one of the most important purchases a person makes every several years, so your customers are, on average, there’s a good chance that they’ll leave a review. It’s been shown that if you follow a great sales experience with a small token of appreciation — like a full tank of gas, or a free car detailing kit — customers are far more likely to reciprocate with a 5-star review, especially if you encourage them to do so.
Potential dealership buyers will definitely check your online reputation before beginning any type of negotiation, and it will affect their decision making. Anyone in the business knows that bad reviews happen from time to time, but if you can keep them to a minimum and stay close to the 4-5 star range on important review platforms, you’ll be in good shape as you enter the automotive M&A market.
