Attracting new customers is critical for your dealership’s growth.   Annually, up to 15% of your consumer base may move or hire a professional landscaper. Commercial customers may retire or move to another location. However, methods to attract new customers can be very expensive. Here are a few ways to maximize your dollars.

Step 1: Look critically at your curb appeal.

Are you taking full advantage of signage opportunities to attract vehicular traffic? Make sure that your building signage and building exterior are proud representations of your business. They should attract positive attention and invite customers into your dealership.

“On-premise signage is the most effective, yet the least expensive form of advertising for small business.”  U.S. Small Business Association

Step 2: Product displays in front of your dealership should be attention grabbers.

Change them out frequently so they don’t become wallpaper to those passing by your dealership on a daily basis. Those people are prospective customers as well as prospective referrers of your business.

Step 3: While the physical presence of your dealership is important, its online presence is equally important.

However, it’s no longer enough to have a simple website with static, non-changing content. An effective website includes interactive content, customer testimonials and ways to engage, like links to email and your social media pages on Facebook and Twitter. Fresh content will invite your customers back and keep major search engines, such as Google and Yahoo, happy. If you don’t have time to update your website on an ongoing basis, assign it to someone in your business or hire a part-time college student. Also, use your website to promote used equipment and slow-moving inventory.

Step 4: Keep in mind that the best way to attract new customers is keeping your current customers satisfied.

Delighted customers will tell their friends and family about you. Your customers are the best and least expensive way to grow your business organically.

"Price is not the main reason for customer churn, it is actually due to the overall poor quality of customer service." – Accenture global customer satisfaction report 2008.

This is by no means an exhaustive list; these are just some of the most popular and easiest to implement.  If you're interested in more suggestions, feel free to comment using the form below!