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Dealership Marketing

Vehicle Ads 101: How to Promote Cars through Google

Learn more about vehicle listing ads through Google and why they can help your dealership thrive in our digital age.

Cars lined up behind glass at a dealership

No matter what question a person has in mind, their go-to place to look for the answers will surely be the internet. Whether it's about your health, proving yourself right during an argument (not saying we’ve ever done this…), or about buying a new car, you’ll find the answers you seek on the ol’ World Wide Web. Because of this, businesses truly need to adapt to the shift in browsing behaviour and utilize the digital space for their advertising efforts. Many of our dealer partners are experiencing fewer phone calls and walk-ins, and more digital discovery. Besides having a sound website, digital marketing, and SEO strategy, your online ads will also be vital to getting more eyes on your inventory.

If you sell cars, this blog post is for you. We’re discussing the value of Google Vehicle Ads (VAs) for digital marketing in the automotive space. Let’s dive in!

What Are Vehicle Ads?

Trumpeting your vehicle inventory online is a powerful tool, especially if you’re looking to engage and attract the largest growing buyer segment - Millennials and Gen Z. Aside from the growing popularity of mobile devices, you can also expand your reach to new markets. Google’s vehicle ads are a good tool for digital marketing for car dealers. It can help you find and connect with customers looking to buy, sell, or lease cars in your specific area. Similar to other shopping ads, you can get your products directly in front of the eyes of people who are looking for it, encouraging a quick and hassle-free car-buying experience.

How Do Vehicle Ads Work?

Vehicle ads appear whenever someone searches for keywords related to your vehicle. That’s how you get in front of potential buyers. When someone in your area searches for “used cars” or “pre-owned vehicles,” your ad displays at the top of the search results. This will help you drive sales to buyers who are likely to shop within your area, without paying for expensive TV or radio ad spots. Once a user clicks on your ad, they’ll be connected with your dealership so you can begin the sales process.

You can choose a listing format such as the carousel format or the headline format. When using the carousel format, your ads will show all the available car makes and models. This could be a good option if you have a wide range of vehicles to offer.

In contrast, the headline format will show a headline, a thumbnail image of your vehicle, and your listing description. You’ve likely seen this version in a lot of shopping ads. It’s been proven to be also quite effective, and it’s something modern shoppers use regularly and intuitively.

What Google Ad Features Should You Include for Your Vehicle Ads?

  1. Map Card

This feature shows your location, your hours of operation, and your contact numbers. Plus, it allows people to click on your business name.

  1. Call to Action

The call to action allows you to set a button that directs people to a particular page or website. You can also choose to have a link to your website, your social media accounts, or your contact page.

  1. Carousel Ads

A carousel ad is a format that lets you display your vehicles. You can use this format if you have many vehicle options to sell. A carousel ad will appear as cards with thumbnails of the vehicles you have for sale. When clicked on, the carousel will show more details about the car.

  1. Powered-By-Google

A powered-by-Google label lets people know which company is providing the ad. Currently, you need a Google Preferred Partner to run vehicle listing ads for you. Luckily, FlexDealer can do this for you. A powered by-Google label also indicates to users that Google has verified your business, helping build validity and trust with your audience.

How Can Using Vehicle Ads Benefit Your Business?

Aside from obviously driving people to your website, a vehicle ad will surely help you generate leads, because let’s face it - ads work! People will see your inventory, when they’re looking, in the right area, and that’s a surefire home run.

Moreover, a vehicle ad can help you promote your brand and establish a stronger brand image. When people click on your ad and visit your website, they will be able to see how your business looks, information about your products and services, your contact details, your blog, and more. Many of today’s shoppers are committed to purchasing from brands that align with their values. They care about the dealership where they’re shopping, so bringing them to your website helps you connect with them on a deeper level that will foster a positive long term relationship. 

Final Thoughts

Regardless of your business, it’s essential to learn how to advertise your products online. Understand your target audience, and use this information to tailor your digital advertising strategies. If you’re interested in driving more car sales, you can use Google’s vehicle ads to capture users’ attention, engage them, and move them further down the buying journey.

Contact us at FlexDealer for more information on ads management services for car dealers. Our team will help you access Google Vehicle Listing Ads and get ahead of your competition. Message us today to get started!

FlexDealer Team      

FlexDealer Team      

FlexDealer is a leading provider of innovative dealership inventory and marketing solutions. Our goal is to help dealerships thrive and grow in a rapidly changing industry.

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