While most auto repair shops can be found on Yelp, the sheer number of repair facilities makes it easy to get lost in the shuffle. This is because most auto shop owners either haven’t updated their pages or aren’t sure how to effectively boost their web presence. Without guidance from agencies like Optimize, many shops are not getting the recognition they deserve.
Optimize’s partnership with Yelp gives auto shop owners access to more than just the run-of-the-mill marketing features and services.
“When we sign up a client into our dashboard, they have active support from Optimize if something goes wrong. If there's a new feature, they’re taught how to use it properly,” said Jordan Ogdahl, ads specialist at Optimize. “Optimize customers have marketing experts on their side. Their partnership with Optimize gives them access to unreleased marketing programs and promotional discounts that the average Joe wouldn’t see until much later.”
Yelp Partnership
When shop owners work with Optimize, they also benefit from its partnership with Yelp. As a Yelp Advertising Partner, Optimize gets access to a slew of Yelp benefits — bundled pricing, ad credits, special access to products and features, advanced tracking and reporting of customer listings, professional campaign management, and support from trained Yelp experts — allowing for active improvement of auto shop listings.
“Our Yelp partnership allows the client security,” Ogdahl said. “It lets them know that Optimize is utilizing every Yelp feature to the best of its ability. The partnership ensures that Yelp and Optimize are working in tandem to increase their customers’ success.”
Since partnering with Yelp, Optimize has seen an increase of sixfold in leads for its customers — 22% cheaper leads than average for auto categories — and a 30% average rise in phone calls and directions to auto businesses across current campaigns. This is a direct result of auto shops utilizing the discounts and benefits offered to Optimize as a Yelp Advertising Partner.
Sponsored Listings
When auto shop customers visit Yelp, they are usually looking for a specific auto service or part. To ensure that an auto shop’s page shows up at the top of the search list, Yelp offers different paid advertising features.
“The Yelp advertising features ensure that its sponsored listings are higher up on the search list,” Ogdahl said. “Where it sits higher on the list depends on an auto shop owner's budget and their competitors. As a Yelp Advertising Partner, Yelp’s paid features are offered to our customers in bundles or discounts, making it easier for them to access features that will put them at the top of the list.”
The different paid features Yelp offers help auto shops stand out. For example, if the shop provides specific services — like diesel — and the shops down the street don't, shop owners can highlight that.
Call to Action
With the assistance of Yelp, owners can make their shop’s phone number or address an easily accessible button.
“A lot of automotive shops want help to increase their car count,” Ogdahl said. “We tell them that any of the paid features on Yelp will allow them to put everything that makes them a great business right in front of the auto shop customer. Yelp’s paid features suggest the best matchups to customers based on what they’re looking for in a shop.”
Although Yelp’s paid features are helpful to individual customers, they are even more effective with Optimize’s expertise and continuous support as a Yelp Advertising Partner.
Ongoing Support
Optimize employees are constantly learning from Yelp professionals about the best ways to advertise customers’ auto shops.
“We're actively training,” Ogdahl said. “Every month, there are new product features that get pushed out. If you're not reading a Yelp newsletter, you won't know how to strategically be in front of the largest number of consumers.”
Utilizing Optimize for help on Yelp is a much more efficient way for auto shop owners to spend their money. By working with experts who use the platform daily, you can spend your time on other matters within the shop while maintaining an online presence.
To find out more about Optimize and Yelp’s partnership, visit: https://www.whyoptimize.com/blog/2023-02-07-improve-your-yelp-listing-through-yelp-ads
