When customers replace their tyres, for many their first port of call is to search via the internet. The general ease as opposed to searching through the yellow pages means it saves time and hassel and many garages give you the option of contacting them via email. So with more and more people opting for the internet to purchase new tyres why is it only 58% of independent garages run a website?
Earlier this week, the Independent Garage Association (IGA) shows that while Independent garages are beginning to adopt the use of websites, progress is still slow and a high percentage of its members are not taking advantage of the opportunities a website could offer.
The report surveyed over 2000 IGA members. When reviewing those with websites by region:
- The region with the highest percentage of members with websites is Northern Ireland at 80%.
- The region with the lowest percentage of members with websites is Wales at 39.5%
Stuart James, Director of the Retail Motor Industry Federation’s Independent Garage Association, commented: “Recent statistics indicate that consumers are using the internet as a reliable tool to research which garage they will next use. With the increased use of internet marketing by businesses and sites such as Facebook and Twitter being used as advertising tools it is more important than ever that independent garages move into the technological age.”
He continued, “By modernising the way they portray themselves to customers, independent garages can begin to move away from more old fashioned practices to ensure they stay competitive.”
Of course, we must be aware that some garages are not yet equipped to move into adopting the use of the web, but it is relatively easy to do so. Instead of bearing the heafty costs of paying someone to build a website, many garages are opting to use TyreQuote.com as they get the ability to quote users online and offline and their very own landing page.
With more and more consumers using the web, and in the midst of a recession, its never been more vital to make sure garages are making the most of the web and expanding potential business avenues.