When you think about what makes the holidays a wonderful time of the year, perhaps images of spending time with loved ones, playing in the snow, and sipping hot chocolate come to mind.
Those activities are all part of the holiday spirit. But goodwill and charity also make the holidays a wonderful time of the year. And as an auto repair shop owner, you’re in a unique position to give back to your community.
There are different ways you can pay it forward—and if you end up liking how things go, you can make giving back a year-round activity, rather than just something you do during the holidays.
Partner With an Organization Like Brakes for Breasts
Brakes for Breasts is an organization that Tekmetric supports with ongoing efforts. This past October, Tekmetric donated a portion of sales to Brakes for Breasts to accelerate breast cancer research.
Brakes for Breasts specifically works with independent auto repair shops across the United States. If you sign up, a portion of your shop’s brake service proceeds will go to The Cleveland Clinic Breast Cancer Vaccine Research Fund. Partnering with an organization like Brakes for Breasts makes giving back super easy.
Help Put People on the Road
Fix it Forward Ministry is a non-profit in Minnesota that gives free cars and auto repair work to those who are homeless or at-risk. To sustain their non-profit, Fix It Forward Ministry has a business wing, Fix It Forward Auto Care. Other Tekmetric users like Turbo Tim’s Anything Automotive have non-profit branches, too.
While your auto repair shop might not have a non-profit arm, you can still join forces with a local charity to help get those in need on the road by providing free or reduced car repair services. You could even start your own internal program to help low-income individuals or people who were recently let go or furloughed from their jobs.
Give Discounts to Essential Workers
This holiday season is a great time to give back to essential workers who’ve kept communities afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. By giving doctors, nurses, teachers, grocery store cashiers, delivery drivers, and other essential workers a discount, you can spread cheer and make their lives a little easier during the holidays.
You could take a certain amount, such as 15 percent, off of the total for every frontline worker and educator who comes to your shop. Or, you could offer a specific service, such as oil changes, for free or at a discount.
Start a Holiday Donation Drive
Your shop’s way of giving back doesn’t have to be just through car repairs. You could start a holiday donation drive at your shop and encourage your team members, customers, and broader community members to get involved.
Maybe you want to focus on canned goods to give to a food bank, pet food to give to an animal shelter, or toys to give to a children’s charity. You can get your whole community involved by volunteering your shop as a drop-off center for items (but be sure to stay safe by taking appropriate social distancing measures).
If you prefer a more personalized approach to giving, you could look into “Adopt-A-Family” programs that will match your shop to a family. You and your staff will then get the family’s holiday wish list so that you can make their holiday wishes come true.
Match Donations from Staff and Customers
By matching donations, you can boost participation and give back even more. For example, if you host a holiday donation drive, you can say that for every can of food people donate, the shop will donate three.
Or, you could tell your team members and customers that they can donate to a charity of their choice from a pre-set list made by you. This way, you’ll give people an opportunity to support one of the causes they are most passionate about.
How Tekmetric is Giving Back This Month
At Tekmetric, we’re growing out our mustaches and raising money for Movember, a movement for men’s health that funds research and awareness efforts for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health.
In the world of tires and engine diagnostics, the most powerful tool in your automotive shop might not be in your toolbox—it might be online. For the modern auto repair shop, a professional website is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity. It’s your 24/7 receptionist, your most compelling advertisement, and your digital front door.
But where do you start? The world of web design can feel as complex as a modern car's electrical system. This guide will navigate you through the complexities of website building and best practices to drive customers to your shop.
Why a website is essential for mechanics
In an age where the first step to solving a problem is a Google search, your customers are looking for you online. When a check engine light flashes or brakes start to squeal, their phone is the first thing they reach for. If you’re not there to be found, you’re handing business to your competitors.
1. Building trust: A professional car repair website acts as a digital handshake. It tells visitors that you are a legitimate, trustworthy auto repair business.
2. 24/7 Marketing engine: Your shop has closing hours, but your website works around the clock. It provides essential information like your location, auto services, and phone number. You can even add online scheduling features so you never miss a customer when they are ready to book.
3. Local search and SEO: A well-optimized website is critical for local SEO optimization. When someone searches "car repair near me," search engines like Google prioritize businesses with informative and mobile-friendly websites. A strong online presence puts you at the top of those results, making you the default choice for local customers in need. More on SEO later.
Key features for your auto repair shop website
To be effective, your mechanic website needs more than just a pretty face. It requires specific features and functionality to meet the needs of your customers.
1. Contact information and hours
Your phone number, address (with an embedded, clickable map), and business hours should be prominently visible on your homepage, preferably at the top and bottom of every page. A simple and memorable automotive shop name can also help you be easily remembered when the next check engine light comes on.
2. Add service pages
Don’t just say "we fix cars." Create distinct auto repair service webpages listing all of your car repair services: oil changes, brake repair, engine diagnostics, transmission services, tire rotation, auto care, etc. This not only informs customers but also provides valuable keywords for search engines and helps customers know if you perform the service they need. You can also include your prices if you think it is a selling point.
3. Online appointment scheduling and payments
Convenience is king. An integrated scheduling system that allows customers to select a service and schedule a time slot is a game-changer. It reduces phone tag, streamlines your workflow, and improves the overall customer experience.
Tek-Tip: Overwhelmed? Tired of boring website templates? Let Tekmetric build you a custom website that is tailored to your business. (Must be a Tekmetric customer).
4. Customer testimonials and reviews
Social proof is incredibly persuasive. A dedicated section for reviews from satisfied customers builds trust and validates your quality of work. An easy place to start is by managing and responding to your Google reviews.
5. Mobile-Friendly design
The majority of local searches happen on mobile phones rather than desktops. Your website must be optimized for mobile devices and fully responsive to provide the best user experience.
6. Blogs
Writing blogs about topics your customers care about can be an easy way to drive online engagement and new customers. Make your blogs specific to your geographical area such as “How to fix a flat tire in Houston, Texas” or “What to do when your check engine light comes on in Denver, Colorado”.
7. Search engine optimization
Stop what you are doing and search for your key automotive services in Google. Does your shop show up on the first page of Google? If not, you likely have an opportunity to optimize your SEO strategy and online presence.
8. Clear goals
Your website should make it easy for customers to contact you or to book an appointment. Whether you add a contact form or online booking functionality, make it easy for potential customers to start the process.
9. Your story
Is your shop veteran or family owned and operated? Sharing your story and what makes your shop unique can be a big selling factor for potential customers.
The best website builders for your shop
You don’t need to be a coding expert to build a website. Modern website builder platforms offer intuitive tools that make the process straightforward.
Tekmetric: If you are tired of boring website templates and are already a Tekmetric customer, Tekmetric will build you a custom website design that matches your brand and services. You can even add SEO support and online bookings so you can waste less time on marketing and spend more time with your customers. Best of all, everything syncs with your Tekmetric platform so everything stays in one place.
CAUTION: building your own website can be time consuming, expensive, and lead to poor results. Most website builders do not have automotive industry experience and may not know the best practices. Let Tekmetric build you a custom website that is tailored to your business. (Must be a Tekmetric customer).
Wix: If you want to invest the time and manpower to create your own website, Wix is known for its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface. It offers a wide selection of website templates, including many designed for the automotive industry.
Squarespace: Squarespace is another great option if you want to build your website yourself. Squarespace is known for its clean and modern website design templates.
Best auto repair website templates
Choosing a website design is about finding an aesthetic that reflects your brand and serves your customers' needs. Look for designs that are clean, professional, and easy to navigate. Here are a few of our favorite automotive websites:
The KARR website offers an engaging video on the home page paired with a bright aesthetic. It stands out to prospects with clear call-to-actions, customer testimonials, services, and contact information.
The Anderson website grabs your attention immediately with high-quality shop images with a minimalist aesthetic. We loved the easy to use online booking tool and embedded Google map for easy directions.
Hansen Auto Repair has done a great job making their website easy to navigate and incorporating clear call-to-actions. They added specific service level website pages to maximize SEO performance and even added coupons/warranty information. The theme is patriotic while also being professional.
The last website to make our list was an RV repair shop showcasing that all types of repair shops need a website to drive business. This website also stood out because they added a link to their merchandise store and helpful FAQs.
How to choose the right website design for your shop
With so many options, how do you pick the web design that's right for you?
Define your goals: What is the single most important action you want a visitor to take? Is it to call you? Book online? Visit your shop? Your entire design should guide them toward that goal.
Customer first: Are you serving busy parents who value convenience, or car enthusiasts who appreciate technical detail? Your design, from colors to fonts, should speak their language.
Brand identity: Your website is an extension of your physical car mechanic shop. If your shop is known for being modern and tech-forward, your website should reflect that. If you're a third-generation family business, your site should convey that heritage and trust.
Budget and resources: Consider both the initial cost and the long-term maintenance of the website.
Prioritize functionality: A beautiful website that is slow, confusing, or broken is worse than a simple website that works perfectly. Ensure the website template you choose is fast-loading and provides a seamless user-friendly experience for your visitors.
Final thoughts
Building a modern auto repair website is one of the single best investments you can make in the future of your automotive business. It establishes your credibility and works 24/7 to attract new clients.
Thought Leadership
Shop Management
How to Build an Auto Repair Website (The Complete Guide)
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