You will probably have taken the step to move your automobile business online in order to scoop up additional sales from potential customers that live outside of your local vicinity, and if you haven’t, you really should. Of course, it isn’t as easy as just putting up a website; you are also going to need the help of some professionals to boost your online visibility and actively put your business in front of as many people searching for vehicles as possible.
However, in order to get these individuals, as well as those within your local area, to part with their hard-earned cash and pass it on to you, you will have to include a few additional services that they may find useful.
#1 Collection and delivery services
Offering a delivery and collection service to your potential customers could be a way forward to encouraging them to spend money with your company. This will mean that those who have little time to wander around car showrooms will be able to shop in the comfort of their own homes (especially if you offer video tours of the cars that you have for sale) and will be able to have their chosen vehicle delivered directly to their door.
If they want to put their current vehicle in part exchange for the one they are purchasing, you will be able to collect this at the same time as dropping their new one-off. This makes the transaction even more feasible, especially when using specialized car transport such as a trailer for your car shipping purposes. It is, of course, up to you whether you want to offer this as a free service to your customers or whether you are going to charge them for the convenience, but it is wise to check out what your competition is offering in this respect first.
#2 Finance options
Not everyone is in the sort of financial position where they can pay cash for a car straight up. Offering in-house finance options may save a deal that otherwise could be walked away from. This is because, as with most purchases of this nature, the decision to buy comes from the heart, especially if the buyer has fallen in love with the vehicle.
Having that person walk away before a deal is done could mean that they find the same attraction elsewhere or are provided with enough time to either reconsider the purchase or be talked out of it by another individual. Being able to offer finance there and then can be the difference between making that sale or having the vehicle left on your forecourt waiting for another buyer to come by.
#3 Vehicle wrapping service
A lot of people like the idea of having their vehicle look as individual as possible; some opt for re-sprays, while others are happier with a cheaper option of vehicle wraps. Of course, these are also something that appeals to businesses as a form of additional advertisement.
Offering a professional wrapping service for vehicles is not just something you could offer to those purchasing vehicles from you but also as a stand-alone service altogether. Whether you choose to offer a bespoke experience and introduce designers to work closely with your company on an outsourcing basis for when their services are required or whether you are thinking of offering a more off-the-shelf product, the decision is yours to make.
#4 Additional accessories for vehicles
Of course, with this, you could also expand your reach to include selling all accessories for cars and other vehicles. This could be very profitable, especially when considering selling them online as well as in your sales rooms. Well-fitting seat covers in desirable colors and materials would certainly fit your market, as well as mats and whole vehicle covers. While adding in a choice of vehicle enhancements such as mods and body kits for your customers to purchase could inspire individuality while increasing the sales of those vehicles that are well-known for their improved versions.
A few final thoughts
Just because you are selling used cars or other vehicles doesn’t mean that is all you can sell. Taking your business online will open up your customer base, especially if it is done properly. Allowing you to sell far and wide and not just whole vehicles, mods, and body kits are very much desired for certain makes and models of car, while the addition of car seat covers to hide stained or sun-bleached seats have always been in demand.
Choosing to supply vehicle wraps and offering a wrapping service could have your workshop brimming with paying customers, or if you choose, you can offer a delivery and collection service to your paying customers so that they can relax while their new vehicle is delivered directly to their door for their convenience.