How to Rank Automotive Websites on Google
Here are some SEO strategies that are specifically tailored for automakers, automotive parts manufacturers, tire manufacturers, automotive electronics companies, automotive software companies, car-sharing services, automotive logistics companies, automotive finance companies, automotive insurance companies, automotive consulting firms, automotive advertising agencies, and other automotive companies.
We've grouped them into technical, on-page, and off-page suggestions.
1.) Technical SEO Tips for Automotive Companies
Technical SEO refers to optimizing your automotive company website's infrastructure so it can be properly crawled and indexed by search engines, which includes aspects like site speed, mobile optimization, XML sitemaps, and structured data markup. This ensures search engines can easily access, understand, and rank the website's content.
We can help out with all of these items and more, or you can handle them on your own:
- Ensure that your automotive website has a responsive design that works well desktop, small laptop, tablet, and mobile devices. There are a lot of screen sizes out there to accomodate. On a desktop computer, you can resize your browser window from large to small to see how different layout elements adjust for smaller screen sizes.
- Check your automotive website's speed using a tool like Google PageSpeed Insights. Don't get caught up trying to pass Core Web Vitals. It isn't always possible on complex websites and might not be worth the investment. Instead, try to fix simple things to get a score of 60+.
- Use HTTPS encryption to secure your automotive website. Most hosting companies offer free SSL certificates that you can use.
- Create an XML sitemap for your automotive website and submit it to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools to help search engines crawl and index your website better.
- Implement schema markup to help search engines understand the content on your website.
- Use canonical tags to avoid duplicate content issues if you have the same content available on multiple URLs of your automotive website.
- Regularly monitor your automotive website's crawl errors and fix them promptly. You can find such errors in Google Search Console.
2.) On-Page SEO Tips for Automotive Companies
On-page SEO involves optimizing each page of your automotive compoany website to rank higher and earn more relevant traffic in search engines. This often focuses on elements like keyword presence, meta tags, quality of content, user experience, page organization, and internal linking.
We can help out with all of these items and more, or you can handle them on your own:
- Create high-quality, original automotive-related content that targets your audience's search intent. While ChatGTP is a popular content writing tool, don't rely solely on AI content. It is often generic, repetitive, and/or inaccurate. Be sure to proofread content before you post it.
- Include relevant automotive-related keywords in your website's page titles and meta descriptions.
- Optimize the headings and subheadings on your automotive website with relevant target keywords.
- Use automotive-related target keywords in image alt tags to provide context for your website's images.
- Use internal linking to help search engines understand the structure and hierarchy of your automotive website.
- Use descriptive URLs that contain relevant automotive-related keywords on your website.
- Display customer reviews and testimonials prominently on your automotive website to build trust and credibility.
- Scan your automotive website for broken links and fix them immediately. You can use this free tool from Ahrefs to scan for broken links.
3.) Off-Page SEO Tips for Automotive Companies
Off-page SEO involves all the actions taken outside of your automotive company website to impact your rankings within search engine results pages (SERPs). This includes strategies like link building, social media marketing, and reputation management. Such efforts help increase your website's reputation, authority, and visibility online.
We can help out with all of these items and more, or you can handle them on your own:
- Build quality backlinks from relevant automotive-related websites, such as auto enthusiast blogs or auto directories.
- Create and maintain a strong presence on social media to engage with customers and build brand awareness.
- Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on Google My Business and other relevant review sites.
- Collaborate with other businesses in the automotive industry to cross-promote services and build backlinks.
- Create listings in automotive industry directories and citation sites to increase your website's visibility.
- Create informative and shareable content related to the automotive industry or car-related topics that your customers would find interesting.
- Make videos to showcase your automotive company and build engagement with customers. Be sure to optimize the video content with relevant automotive-related keywords.
- Monitor your automotive company's online reputation and respond promptly to customer feedback and reviews. Even negative reviews should be responded to appropriately.
We can review your website and rankings, then provide a recommendation on which areas of technical, on-page, and off-page search engine optimization need the most attention. This will help establish a budget and scope for ranking you higher in search results!
Alternatively, if you don't need help improving your rankings, check out this guide on DIY SEO!
A Few of Our Experts
SEO Cost Calculator
Answer a few questions to see estimated pricing, then call 800-796-8263 or send us an email to get started!
Top Keywords for Automotive SEO
Looking for suggested keywords to target within the SEO campaign for your automotive company? Whether you plan to hire us, or optimize the site yourself, we've got you covered!
Before starting an SEO service for an automotive company, we like to scan the website and see what you've got to work with for content and link authority.
From there, we'll check to see what types of automotive services you offer. Maybe you specialize in selling new or used cars, or perhaps you provide auto repair and maintenance services.
Having this information helps us determine what types of keywords to focus on for content writing and link building.
Focus Keywords for Automotive Companies
- New cars for sale [city/area]
- Used cars for sale [city/area]
- Auto repair [city/area]
- Oil change [city/area]
- Brake service [city/area]
- Car detailing [city/area]
- Tire shop [city/area]
- Auto body shop [city/area]
- Car rental [city/area]
- Transmission repair [city/area]
- Car dealership [city/area]
- Car financing [city/area]
- Auto parts [city/area]
- Car auction [city/area]
- Car leasing [city/area]
- Car inspection [city/area]
Keyword Tip #1: Automotive companies often target keywords related to their specific services and location. This helps you attract local customers who are searching for automotive services nearby.
Keyword Tip #2: You should consider targeting long-tail keywords, which are more specific and less competitive. For example, "affordable oil change in Atlanta" may be easier to rank for than just "oil change".
Hear what our customers are saying
Sarah Grantham
Corey was absolutely amazing in helping me with my issue. He was encouraging as we worked through things that to me were huge, but he made them seem small. Will definitely use WebCitz again!!!
Jeff Ring
This company is just a thrill to work with. Everyone is so friendly and eager to help even with the smallest items. They are always very accommodating when you stop by to look at the magnificent fish tank and will greet you with a warm cappuccino.
Josh Coonen
Highly recommended WebCitz!
Very impressed with their work and professionalism. Their website design exceeded my expectations and I'll definitely consider them for additional services.
C. Vicki Gold, PT, MA
I couldn't be much happier with WebCitz than I am today. Compared to previous web services I have experienced, the WebCitz team has been the most responsive and effective. They were patient as they helped me develop my current website, and they are always available when I have questions or want to make changes. Having that kind of personal service is extremely valuable and appreciated when you're a small business owner like me. :-)
George Ormond
Corey was extremely helpful and spent a considerable amount of time going over my difficulties with a newly created website put together by someone else. I was under a very stressful deadline and he was extremely considerate and helpful. He managed to fix the problems that I was experiencing with my website. I had reached out to a number of website developers for help but only heard back from WebCitz and Corey got back to me within minutes!
Tara Candland
Incredibly responsive, fast, and professional. They quickly understood the issue we were having with our site, which was fairly complicated, and were able to resolve it. They kept us updated in lay terms along the way so that we could understand how the issue was progressing.
