How Dealerships Get More Leads With Google Ads

Vasilios Lambos
November 07, 2024

Hey automotive leaders and marketing friends! Here are my 10 best trips to generate more leads for your dealerships with Google Ads.

Use Geo-Targeting to show ads only in the dealership's service area. This will capture a more relevant audience likely to visit.
Location Extensions display the dealership’s address, phone number, and directions, helping potential customers connect immediately.
Radius Targeting allows ads to appear only within a specific distance from the dealership, which can be especially useful for service-related ads.

Focus on Long-Tail Keywords that match specific searches like “used cars under $20k near me” or “SUV dealership in [city].” These are typically high-intent phrases from customers closer to making a purchase decision.
Dynamic Keyword Insertion (DKI) automatically inserts keywords into ad copy, making ads more relevant to specific search terms.
Use negative keywords to filter out irrelevant searches (e.g., people looking for "car reviews" rather than purchasing).

Google’s Responsive Search Ads (RSAs) let you provide multiple headlines and descriptions. Google automatically tests different combinations to find the best-performing ones.
Tailor RSAs with vehicle-specific terms (e.g., “Honda Civic specials” or “Affordable luxury SUVs”) to match inventory and local demand.

In-Market Audiences help reach people actively searching for cars, auto loans, or related services. Google identifies users in the market for specific vehicles or accessories based on their browsing behavior.
Customer Match allows uploading a list of past or potential customers (emails or phone numbers) for retargeting with special offers or reminders.
Remarketing Ads target visitors who previously interacted with the site, keeping the dealership top-of-mind and encouraging them to return.

Highlight special financing deals or discounts in ad copy to attract buyers looking for affordable options.
Price Extensions let users see price ranges for vehicles directly in the ad, attracting budget-conscious customers.
Use Promotion Extensions to showcase limited-time offers, financing options, or lease deals, which can drive urgency.

Many car buyers browse on mobile, so make sure ads are optimized for mobile devices with clear calls-to-action (CTAs) like “Call Now” or “Get Directions.”
Use click-to-call ads to allow users to directly contact the dealership from search results.

YouTube Ads can feature vehicle tours, customer testimonials, or promotional videos. This helps build brand awareness and trust.
Display Ads using remarketing or targeting in-market audiences can keep the dealership visible to potential buyers as they browse online.

Set up conversion tracking to measure actions like form submissions, calls, and website visits. This helps in optimizing ad performance.
Consider Smart Bidding strategies like Target CPA (Cost Per Acquisition) or Target ROAS (Return on Ad Spend) to automate bids based on the likelihood of a user converting.

Ensure that each ad leads to a relevant landing page (e.g., an ad for a specific vehicle should go to that vehicle’s page).
Include a clear CTA, such as “Book a Test Drive,” “Get a Quote,” or “Apply for Financing,” and make sure contact forms are short and easy to fill out.

Test different headlines, descriptions, and visuals to see what appeals most to potential customers.
Experiment with ad formats (e.g., carousel ads for multiple vehicles, image ads for brand awareness) and continually adjust based on performance data.

By implementing these strategies, dealers can create more effective Google Ads campaigns that attract, engage, and convert potential leads.