However, it’s important to stay consistent in also attracting new customers rather than relying solely on the group of existing customers you build up as your shop expands its reputation for good repair work.
While walk-ins are certainly a thing, it isn’t the best bet to depend on them as your sole way of getting new customers. Instead, take proactive approaches to gain a steady stream of new customers coming through your doors.
Community work allows you to not only expose the business to potential new customers but also make a positive impact on the people and places you call home.
Do something good by feeding the homeless, supporting your city’s high school, or raising money for a local nonprofit, like Casey’s Automotive did for Ellie's Hats.
Partner with an adjacent local business, like a car wash or detail facility to establish a flow or referrals between your business and theirs.
According to Mary, advertising locally is one of the most effective techniques to draw new customers into your shop.
Some reliable local advertising mediums include local papers, school mailers, sports programs, small magazines, or even something as simple as hanging up flyers at adjacent businesses.
Running special promotions is a great way to attract new customers. Haglin Automotive provides first-time customers with an oil change special or $25 off a repair each quarter with a seasonal savings card sent to every customer.
A few examples of social media auto repair promotion ideas include both sponsored content and visual advertisements.
When you advertise your auto repair shop on social media, make sure you consider:
A strong automotive SEO strategy will help make your business appear higher in the Google listings when someone searches a keyword in your area.
Pro-tip: the first step you should take to improve SEO is to list your business on Google, then regularly update your website with new content.
Always remember the customers who have been visiting your shop since the beginning. As Mary says, you’ll also want to employ strategies that help retain existing customers and increase loyalty.
Vehicle maintenance can become less of a priority for customers who don’t set their own personal reminders on vehicle maintenance.
By investing in a shop management system that gives you and your team full visibility into what repairs customers have had previously and exactly which repairs they’ve declined, your service advisors have the opportunity to remind them of repairs and maintenance work that may be needed soon, saving them money on what could become more expensive repairs later on.
Your customers will appreciate that you are looking out for them and their vehicles amidst everything else they have to manage, and you can bring more revenue into your shop, too.
One aspect of marketing that Mary prioritizes at Tekmetric is the reliable information that the customer success team provides to Tekmetric users. Implement Digital Vehicle Inspections into your technician’s processes.
With Tekmetric’s DVIs, you can attach images and videos along with your findings, building trust with customers while clearly showing them what’s going on with their vehicles.
Giving small gifts to your customers during holidays, birthdays, or other celebratory times of the year is a great way to show customers that you appreciate their business.
A simple coffee mug with your logo on it could spark the next conversation about your shop when they have their friend over for coffee.
Never underestimate the power of word-of-mouth auto repair shop marketing.
Provide your loyal customers with a gift showing how much you appreciate them.
Implementing a loyalty program in your shop will offer your customers important benefits that keep them coming back.
Or, for returning customers, one of the best ways to give and receive is to create a referral challenge that incentivizes existing customers to refer people to your shop for a reward.
Make your program attractive to customers and easy to track.
Upping your social media game can sound intimidating at first, which is why Mary recommends making it fun.
Consider sharing testimonials from satisfied customers, posting “day-in-the-life” or “behind-the-scenes” looks at what goes on in your shop from your perspective or the perspective of a technician, sending out e-newsletters with fun shop updates and vehicle knowledge, or making applicable “how-to” videos for sticky situations such as flat tires.
No matter what auto repair promotion ideas you put into place at your shop, you’ll want to track what works and what doesn’t.
With regular, careful analysis of the results, you’ll put your shop in the best possible position to generate more profits as cost-efficiently as possible.
Selecting a shop management system that allows you to track your auto repair shop marketing strategies will provide you with insights into who your most loyal customers are, how they found your business, and why they keep coming back.
Tekmetric's former Marketing Coordinator Mary Payton had the chance to share these go-to marketing strategies to attract new customers and retain existing customers with Vehicle Service Pros. Access her full piece here.
Mechanics need the best tools to perform repairs efficiently and safely. With so many brands in the automotive industry, it can be hard to sift through the noise to find the right automotive tool brand for you. Whether you are a beginner or an expert mechanic, this guide will help identify the best brands for you.
Below, we have highlighted the top automotive tool brands to help you select the best tools for your needs. We have hand-selected these brands to provide a variety of price points and quality levels. Each brand has something unique to offer and we hope this guide helps you narrow down your choices.
While every mechanic tool brand has something unique to offer, these high-quality brands stood out to us based on value, reviews, durability, and performance. Tekmetric reviewed these brands without any affiliate commission to remove bias.
Matco is a prominent brand in the automotive tool space because of its reputation for durable and reliable products. Featuring a wide variety of hand tools (and apparel) at reasonable prices, Matco has become a leading brand. Products include wrenches, sockets, ratchets, screwdrivers and more. This brand is a great option for mechanics looking for quality tools that are built to last.
Kobalt has become a popular choice for mechanics looking for professional-grade tools without breaking the bank. They have found the perfect balance of quality and price. Plus, they are easy to find and readily available at Lowes and Amazon. However, if you are looking for highly specialized tools, Kobalt may not offer every tool you need. In addition, you may find better quality from other brands but quality comes at a cost.
Wright is an innovative USA tool supplier that has created a reputation for quality long-lasting tools. Wright features an extensive product range including wrenches, sockets, hammers, tool storage, screwdrivers, and more. Wright is a great option for those looking for innovation and American-made tools.
Snap-On has become synonymous with exceptional quality, precision, and durability, making it a preferred choice among professional automotive mechanics. The premium pricing will be easily justified by professional mechanics and those looking to make an investment but may not be the best choice for casual or DIYers. Snap-On is a great choice for those looking for top-notch quality and performance.
Craftsman is another popular choice for mechanics looking for quality tools without the premium price tag. Craftsman offers a wide variety of tools including sockets, torque wrenches, and ergonomic power tools. Craftsman is a great choice for those looking to find a balance between price and quality. Craftsman is available at most of the large retailers including Amazon, Lowes, and Home Depot.
OTC is a reputable brand offering specialty equipment for mechanics. OTC specializes in jacks, diagnostics and speciality equipment. They do not offer every tool you will need but they have select specialized tools that can be hard to find elsewhere. OTC is a great choice for mechanics looking for technical products or needing specialized equipment.
Husky is a big name in the automotive tool space because they have found the right balance of quality and price. They have a large selection of tools and back them up with a lifetime warranty. Products include mechanic tools sets, wrenches, sockets, and more. Husky is easy to find at Home Depot, Amazon, and other large retailers. Most users will like Husky but if you want to make a larger financial investment, you can find higher-quality brands elsewhere.
Proto is a reputable brand in the automotive tool industry, offering durable, high-quality tools that are often favorably compared to other brands. Products include adjustable wrenches, combination wrenches, screwdrivers, and more. They offer innovative designs and competitive pricing which make them a viable option for professional mechanics.
Blackhawk is another specialty brand offering jacks, stands, ramps, creepers, and shop equipment. While they do not sell every product mechanics need, they specialize in a few key products and have made a good name for themselves. Blackhawk is available at some major retailers including Amazon and Northern Tool.
Milwaukee is a big name in the tool space in general and has been building its presence in the automotive space. Milwaukee offers a wide variety of tools including power tools, lighting, safety equipment, mechanic tool sets, wrenches, and more. They specialize in innovative cordless power tools and can be found at Amazon, Ace Hardware and Home Depot.
DeWalt is a large supplier of automotive tools and typically caters to both DIY and professional mechanics alike. They offer a comprehensive product line featuring wrenches, power tools, tool kits, storage, hand tools, and more. DeWalt is a great option for those looking for a reputable brand that is easy to find at Amazon, Lowes and Ace Hardware.
Mac Tools is a leading brand in the automotive space and is recognized for durability and quality. They offer almost every tool a mechanic will need but they are not available at most retailers (buy from a franchise or their website). Despite being harder to locate, Mac Tools is included in this list for a reason and has a lot to offer mechanics looking for professional-grade tools.
Makita is a reputable automotive tool company specializing in power tools and batteries. If you stay within the Makita ecosystem, their batteries can power over 325 different tools. Power tool products include drive impact wrenches, grinders, lighting, and more. Makita is a top choice for mechanics looking for cordless power tools at a good price.
With over 100 years of experience, SK has created a reputation for delivering quality tools that last. SK offers mechanic tool sets, sockets, ratchets, wrenches, screwdrivers, tool storage, and more. You can purchase SK Tools on their website, Amazon, and other popular retailers. SK is a great choice for those looking for quality tools at an affordable price point.
Price, durability, warranty, and brand reputation are some of the biggest factors when looking for the best tool brand for you. When selecting your brand, make sure it meets your specific needs, budget, and has a strong reputation.
Price is an important factor to consider when looking for the best mechanic tool brand. Consider if it is worth it to purchase a higher quality brand to ensure your tools last longer and need to be replaced less frequently. Lastly, consider additional costs such as batteries, electricity, and storage.
When selecting your brand, durability is an important factor to consider. Some brands are cheaper but will cost you more over a lifetime if you have to replace them regularly. If the tool has an active lifetime warranty, then this factor holds less importance. Lastly, consider how much you use your tools. Every day? Once a month? If you use tools every day, the extra expense of quality tools may be justified.
When looking for the best mechanic tool brands, warranties can be one of the most important factors to consider. Some brands offer lifetime warranties, others offer limited warranties or no warranty at all. Replacement costs can be substantial so make sure you research beforehand.
Reviews offer first-hand perspectives of how the tool performed for others. Research each tool and also research the brand as a whole and see how other mechanics are liking the tool/brand.
Every automotive mechanic should have these hand tools to assist with common repairs and streamline their workflow. While not exhaustive, this list will handle the majority of common car repairs.
Choosing the right mechanic tool brand is essential for maximizing performance and efficiency in your work. You can make an informed decision by considering your specific needs, researching brand reviews, and finding the right warranty. Our top brands mentioned in this blog have earned the trust of professionals for their reliability and durability, so invest wisely in the one that best suits your needs.
Transparency within the auto repair invoice process goes a long way. Most customer will feel uncertain about approving expensive repairs if they don't truly understand the need for them. That's why it's up to your shop to foster a trusting relationship by clearly showing customers the issue, and the need for a repair.
The right invoicing system will improve your shop’s workflow, save your team time, enhance your customers’ experience, and provide you with peace of mind.
Here’s how Tekmetric’s Cloud-Based Shop Management System provides seamless shop management that leads to frictionless payment processing:
After a job is completed and payment is received, all the details from the invoice and repair order become part of your reports and customer history in Tekmetric.
Tekmetric’s cloud-based automotive invoice software has designed the entire process to reduce bottlenecks, build trust, and ensure that customers know exactly what to expect.
By moving smoothly from one step to the next, your team will be able to boost their efficiency, manage their workflow, and spend the extra time building rapport with customers and getting their cars back to good working order.
July 25, 2024
You’re looking for the right tool for your shop: something that can manage your shop's workflow efficiently, free you up to spend your time on important shop decisions, and grow your bottom line.
How do you know if a system is designed to grow your business? At the very least, it must measure your business. If a shop management system cannot accurately measure shop performance, it can’t tell you whether or not using that system has improved your business.
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