News

I hate to waste time but there are some things that you have to plan for just in case they happen.  Life insurance is one of those things that needs advance planning.

For Automotive SEO being the first to act can often be tipping point for success.  This is one of those times where car dealers who act now, may be rewarded this summer with greater organic search traffic.

If you have not been paying attention to the Cash for Clunkers legislation that is being considered in Washington, you should start reading.  You can visit www.cashforclunkersfacts.com  and read the news posts on the website for a quick briefing.

Since the bill is not assured of passing, you have to decide if you want to invest a little time to start to optimize your website for the eventual searches that will take place if the bill passes.  If the bill passes, it is estimated that there will be a surge of new car sales ; 1.4 million cars are some estimates being tossed around.

Survey of Consumer Interest

From the chart below, Toyota, Honda, Ford and Chevy dealers already have a considerable edge in consumer interest. The Toyota and Honda rankings did not surprise me but I was pleased to see that Ford and Chevy are the 3rd and4th most popular brands consumers are interested in if the bill passes.

If you are one of these four dealers, there are many clear reasons why your website should start talking about this legislation.  You can use the data on this chart to start a content marketing campaign that says that consumers are acknowledging your brand’s success in creating fuel efficient cars that people want to buy.

If you are not selling one of the top four manufacturers consumers are considering, if they will get a $4,500 cash voucher, then your attack plan is different.   The real question is that if you have 30-60 days in advance of the bill being signed, what will you do to educate consumers that your brand sells fuel efficient cars that qualify for this voucher.

Cash For Clunkers Dealer Badge

Consumer interest is high so I thought that I would share this insight with my blog readers so at least a group of car dealers would be prepared, if the bill is signed.  I have created a Cash for Clunkers Participating Dealer badge which you can add to your website and blog to start to create an awareness with consumers who visit your website.

To get the code to add the badge to your website, follow this link:

http://www.cashforclunkersfacts.com/bill/dealer-cash-for-clunkers-badge

This badge can be linked to a page that you create that outlines your support of the bill and that consumers who want assistance with purchasing a new fuel efficient car should contact you.   Your dealership should be the FIRST in your area to call yourself a participating dealer which will start to raise questions about the bill and how you can help.

If the bill never passes, you will still be capturing new leads from consumer searches about the bill in your state if your content is optimized properly.  If the bill passes, a flood of new cars sales will be up for grabs and who is going to get the most sales, depends on your readiness.

Car dealers looking for a boost in new car sales, may just have their prayers answered. Honda, Ford and Toyota dealers may get an even bigger bonus if early consumer data holds.  As we look at the proposed bill, the bigger question is what should car dealers do to prepare if this bill is signed into law.

According to data published on May 9, 2009 on the Cash For Guzzlers website, Honda, Ford and Toyota are the top three manufacturers that would benefit from the Cash For Clunkers legislation.

If I was operating a Honda dealership in the US I would be all over this data and updating my website with content about the program.   Read Full Story

Cash For Guzzlers Attracting Consumer Interest

In the first week of operation of www.cashforguzzlers.net, Honda car models were the top inquiry for consumers interested in purchasing a fuel efficient car with the government’s proposed voucher program. The Honda models of interest were the Honda Accord, Honda Civic and Honda Fit, the nearest competing brand by number of inquiries was the Ford Motor Company.

Ford Motor Company was the most popular US company from consumer price inquiries. Interest in a wide range of Ford models topped GM and Chrysler models by a 4:1 margin. The data showed that consumers have a strong interest in the Ford Fusion Hybrid and select Ford cars and trucks.

Of the Big Three automakers, data suggests that Ford has done the best job at educating US consumers that the Ford Fusion and the Fusion Hybrid is a fuel efficient car that is priced right for the market.

Consumers indicated that their third most compelling brand of fuel efficient cars were Toyota’s. Interest was strong for the Toyota Prius and Yaris; but early data gives Ford car an edge over the Toyota Prius.

Car Dealer Websites

If early demand is any indicator, car dealers should start writing additional content on their websites that addresses the Cash for Clunkers program and to strengthen their organic search visibility in their PMA.  If the bill is passed and signed into law by President Obama, there will be a flood of searches on this topic.   Car dealers who prepare in advance will be rewarded.

If you need any assistance preparing your website, writing press releases or leveraging social media on this program, give us a call or send me an email:  brian@paschconsulting.com