Small Business SEO
SEO Keywords for Car Dealers
Ready to start connecting with customers online?
Learn which keywords to utilize in order to drive traffic to your website
Unlock More Car Sales with the Right SEO Strategy
There is no shortcut to standing out in today’s highly competitive automotive market, but the right keywords can place your dealership at the top of Google’s search results. Your SEO strategy is only as effective as the keywords it targets. For car dealers, success comes from using a smart mix of high traffic, local, and vehicle-specific keywords to attract qualified buyers to your website.
Every month, millions of people search online for new and used cars, local dealerships, and financing options. By incorporating location-based search terms like “used cars in [City]” or “best car dealership near me,” your business can begin capturing valuable search traffic and turning those clicks into walk-in customers.
In This SEO Guide for Car Dealers, You Will Discover:
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The Top 50 SEO Keywords for Car Dealerships
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How to Select the Best Keywords for Your Inventory, Services, and Locations
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Proven Strategies to Improve Local SEO, Paid Ads Performance, and Search Visibility
Whether you specialize in pre-owned vehicles, certified models, financing services, or new car sales, understanding how your customers search online is key to standing out. It all begins with using the right keywords that match their intent and guide them straight to your dealership.
How to Choose the Best Car Dealership Keywords for Your Website
Before you begin adding every car-related phrase to your homepage, take a moment to consider a critical question:
Who Is Your Ideal Customer?
Are you targeting first-time buyers looking for reliable used cars? Do you specialize in luxury vehicles, certified pre-owned inventory, or lease options? Understanding who you serve—and how they search—is key to building a keyword strategy that attracts qualified visitors.
For example:
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A student searching for a budget-friendly option might type “affordable used cars near me”
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A family upgrading their vehicle could look for “three row SUV for sale in [City]”
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A buyer interested in a specific brand might search “Toyota dealership in [City]”
Knowing what your audience needs helps you match their intent with the right keywords and connect with them at the perfect moment in their journey.
Start with Your Core Offerings
Begin by identifying your most popular vehicle categories and services. These terms often have high search volume and should form the foundation of your homepage, service pages, and online ads.
Examples include:
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Used cars for sale near me
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New car dealership in [City]
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Auto financing available
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Trade in your car value
Once you have your primary terms, use tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to uncover related search queries with high potential and moderate competition.
Study What Your Competitors Are Doing
Check out the top dealerships in your area. What keywords are they using on their homepage and inventory pages? You can use SEO tools to identify which terms are generating traffic for them—and which keyword opportunities they might be missing. This gives you a clear path to stand out in the local market.
Use Long Form Search Terms to Capture Ready Buyers
More than 90 percent of all Google searches are specific and conversational. These longer, question-based search terms may have lower search volume, but they tend to attract shoppers who are ready to make a decision.
Some examples include:
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What is the best SUV for winter driving
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How much is a used Ford Explorer in [City]
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Where to get car loan pre approval near me
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Should I lease or buy a new car
These long form keywords are perfect for blog posts, FAQs, and landing pages, helping you drive traffic and conversions by answering the exact questions people are asking.
Ready to Improve Your Search Visibility Online? Get Your Free SEO Report!
Each report is hand-crafted by a team member at MarketKeep and comes with a customized video that walks you through your report visually. That way we can help you understand how your business is performing online, and what you can do better in order to connect with your customers in the moments that matter to them.
The Best SEO Keywords for Car Dealers by Category
Organizing your keywords into categories helps you structure your website, blog, and advertising campaigns more effectively. Whether you’re focused on new car sales, used inventory, financing, or trade-ins, a keyword strategy built around search intent will improve your visibility and drive more qualified leads to your dealership.
General Car Dealer Keywords
These are broad, high-traffic keywords ideal for your homepage, key landing pages, and pay-per-click campaigns. They capture a wide audience of shoppers looking to buy, lease, or explore options.
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car dealerships near me
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best car dealer in [City]
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local car dealership
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cars for sale near me
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new and used cars for sale
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top rated car dealers
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certified pre owned vehicles
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affordable used cars
Location-Based Keywords
Local SEO is essential for car dealers. These keywords help your business show up in search results when people nearby are ready to shop. Use them on location pages, in your Google Business Profile, and throughout city-specific content.
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car dealership in [City Name]
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used cars for sale in [City Name]
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new car deals in [City Name]
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certified vehicles in [City Name]
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buy a car near [Neighborhood or Area]
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[City Name] auto dealer
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best dealership in [Your County or Region]
Vehicle and Service-Specific Keywords
These keywords match the inventory and services your dealership offers. They are perfect for optimizing inventory pages, service menus, and targeted advertising.
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used SUVs for sale
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new trucks in stock
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electric cars available now
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lease a sedan near me
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car financing options
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trade in your vehicle
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schedule a test drive
Urgent and High Intent Keywords
Some buyers are ready to act right now. These terms reflect urgent searches that are ideal for homepage banners, paid search ads, or fast-loading landing pages.
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cars available now near me
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quick car loan approval
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no credit car dealer
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same day vehicle purchase
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car dealerships open today
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fast car financing in [City]
Commercial and Fleet Keywords
If you sell commercial vehicles or fleet packages, these keywords help you attract business clients, contractors, and delivery service owners.
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commercial trucks for sale
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fleet vehicles for businesses
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cargo vans in stock
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dealership for small business fleets
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box trucks for sale
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custom work vehicles available
Long Form Search Keywords for Blog and FAQ Strategy
These more specific search terms reflect real customer questions and are perfect for blog posts, landing pages, and FAQ content. They often drive traffic with strong purchase intent.
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how to finance a car with bad credit
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what is the best time of year to buy a car
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used car vs certified pre owned
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how much is my trade in worth
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tips for buying your first car
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is it better to lease or finance a car
How to Use the Top 50 SEO Keywords for Car Dealers Effectively
Once you’ve selected the best keywords for your car dealership, the next step is putting them to work across your website and online presence. Strategic keyword placement can boost your search rankings, attract more local traffic, and help turn visitors into loyal customers.
1. Optimize Your Website with the Right Automotive Keywords
Begin by integrating your most valuable keywords into key areas that Google evaluates first. Focus on:
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Page titles and meta descriptions
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Headings and subheadings (H1, H2, etc.)
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URLs for vehicle categories and service areas
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Image file names and alt text for inventory photos
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Internal links between service pages, blogs, and inventory pages
If you offer used cars, trade-in evaluations, or same day financing, include those phrases naturally in your copy. Write for people first, making your content helpful and readable, while also guiding search engines to understand what your dealership offers.
2. Create Pages for Each City or Neighborhood You Serve
If your dealership draws customers from surrounding towns or regions, don’t rely on one generic service page. Create dedicated landing pages for each location, optimized with local keywords and content.
Examples might include:
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New vehicles for sale in Sacramento
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Used car dealership serving Elk Grove
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Best car lease offers in Roseville
Each page should reflect your local presence by mentioning nearby roads, communities, or schools, and showcasing customer reviews or service history in those areas.
3. Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile is essential for appearing in the map results and local searches. To improve your local visibility:
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Use consistent business information (name, address, and phone number)
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Select categories like “Car Dealer,” “Used Car Dealer,” or “Auto Leasing Service”
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Upload quality images of your showroom, vehicles, and team
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List your services and current promotions
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Respond professionally to every customer review
When replying to reviews, try including relevant keywords, such as “We’re glad you loved your new SUV from our Sacramento location!”
4. Build Content Around Long Form Search Terms
High-intent, specific search phrases—known as long form keywords—are perfect for your blog, FAQ pages, and social posts. They tend to draw in people who are ready to buy or have a very specific question.
Here are examples tailored for dealerships:
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What is the best SUV for families under 30000
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How does trade in value affect your down payment
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Is it better to lease or buy a car
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What to bring when applying for car financing
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How to get approved for a car loan with no credit
Publishing helpful, keyword-rich content consistently shows Google that your site is trustworthy and active, which can lead to higher rankings and more traffic over time.
Ready to Improve Your Search Visibility Online? Get Your Free SEO Report!
Each report is hand-crafted by a team member at MarketKeep and comes with a customized video that walks you through your report visually. That way we can help you understand how your business is performing online, and what you can do better in order to connect with your customers in the moments that matter to them.
The 50 Best SEO Keywords for Car Dealers – 2025
| Keyword | Avg. Monthly Searches | Competition |
| car dealerships near me | 823,000 | High |
| auto dealers near me | 823,000 | High |
| auto dealerships near me | 823,000 | High |
| car traders near me | 823,000 | High |
| ford dealership near me | 673,000 | High |
| honda dealership | 673,000 | Medium |
| used vehicles for sale near me | 673,000 | High |
| used auto sales near me | 673,000 | High |
| dealer ford near me | 673,000 | High |
| ford car dealers near me | 673,000 | High |
| used cars for sale | 550,000 | High |
| toyota dealership | 550,000 | High |
| pre owned cars for sale | 550,000 | High |
| used auto sales | 550,000 | High |
| toyota dealer near me | 450,000 | High |
| dealerships near me | 450,000 | Medium |
| car dealership | 368,000 | Medium |
| ford dealership | 368,000 | Medium |
| honda dealership near me | 368,000 | High |
| chevy dealer near me | 368,000 | Medium |
| car dealer | 368,000 | Medium |
| dealer honda near me | 368,000 | High |
| honda car dealer near me | 368,000 | High |
| dealer car | 368,000 | Medium |
| nissan dealer near me | 301,000 | High |
| toyota near me | 301,000 | High |
| nissan car dealership near me | 301,000 | High |
| cars for sale near me | 246,000 | High |
| jeep dealership near me | 246,000 | High |
| nissan dealership | 246,000 | Low |
| chevy dealership | 246,000 | High |
| used car dealerships near me | 246,000 | High |
| jeep car dealerships near me | 246,000 | High |
| buy here pay here near me | 201,000 | Medium |
| buy here pay here | 201,000 | Medium |
| kia dealership near me | 201,000 | High |
| kia dealership | 201,000 | High |
| used cars for sale near me | 201,000 | High |
| hyundai dealership | 201,000 | High |
| dodge dealership | 201,000 | High |
| GMC dealer near me | 201,000 | High |
| mazda dealership | 201,000 | Medium |
| dealership | 201,000 | Low |
| dealerships | 201,000 | Low |
| buy here pay here cars near me | 201,000 | Medium |
| kia car dealership | 201,000 | High |
| second hand cars for sale near me | 201,000 | High |
| kia motors near me | 201,000 | High |
| mazda car dealership | 201,000 | Medium |
| dodge car dealership | 201,000 | High |
The 50 Best SEO Keywords for Car Dealers – 2023
| Keyword | Avg. Monthly Searches | Competition |
| car dealers | 823,000 | Low |
| car dealership near me | 823,000 | High |
| cars for sale near me | 301,000 | High |
| ford dealership near me | 673,000 | Medium |
| toyota dealership | 673,000 | Medium |
| honda dealership | 550,000 | Medium |
| ford dealership | 673,000 | Low |
| toyota dealership near me | 550,000 | High |
| carmax near me | 201,000 | Low |
| honda dealership near me | 368,000 | High |
| chevy dealership | 246,000 | High |
| dodge dealership | 368,000 | Medium |
| used car dealerships near me | 301,000 | High |
| nissan dealership | 246,000 | Low |
| buy here pay here near me | 165,000 | Medium |
| jeep dealership near me | 301,000 | High |
| chevy dealer near me | 450,000 | High |
| kia dealership | 246,000 | Medium |
| kia dealership near me | 301,000 | High |
| buy here pay here | 135,000 | Medium |
| nissan dealer near me | 246,000 | Low |
| used car dealers | 246,000 | High |
| toyota near me | 135,000 | High |
| car lots near me | 135,000 | High |
| dodge dealer near me | 201,000 | Medium |
| hyundai dealership near me | 301,000 | High |
| jeep dealership | 201,000 | High |
| honda near me | 74,000 | High |
| subaru dealership | 165,000 | Medium |
| mazda dealership | 135,000 | Medium |
| chervolet dealer near me | 165,000 | High |
| ford near me | 60,500 | High |
| used car lots near me | 74,000 | High |
| kia near me | 74,000 | High |
| hyundai near me | 60,500 | High |
| chervolet dealership | 165,000 | Medium |
| subaru dealer near me | 165,000 | High |
| mazda dealer near me | 135,000 | High |
| bmw near me | 60,500 | High |
| lexus dealer near me | 90,500 | Medium |
| dealership | 165,000 | Low |
| bmw dealership | 110,000 | Medium |
| nissan near me | 40,500 | Low |
| audi dealership near me | 74,000 | High |
| volkswagen dealership | 90,500 | Medium |
| automall | 4,400 | Low |
| lexus dealership | 110,000 | Medium |
| bmw dealership near me | 90,500 | Medium |
| volvo dealership near me | 74,000 | High |
| acura dealership | 74,000 | Medium |
| subaru near me | 40,500 | High |
| cheap cars for sale near me | 40,500 | High |
The 50 Best SEO Keywords for Car Dealers – 2022
| Keyword | Avg. Monthly Searches | Competition |
| ford dealership | 550,000 | Medium |
| car dealership near me | 450,000 | Medium |
| used cars near me | 368,000 | High |
| car dealerships | 368,000 | Low |
| honda dealership | 450,000 | Low |
| Toyota dealership | 450,000 | Low |
| ford dealership near me | 368,000 | Medium |
| dodge dealership | 246,000 | Low |
| chevy dealership | 346,000 | Medium |
| buy here pay here | 165,000 | Medium |
| jeep dealership | 201,000 | Medium |
| used car dealership near me | 201,000 | Medium |
| chevrolet dealer | 201,000 | Medium |
| honda dealership near me | 201,000 | Low |
| used car dealerships | 165,000 | Medium |
| used cars for sale near me | 135,000 | High |
| toyota dealership near me | 201,000 | Medium |
| carmax used cars | 110,000 | Medium |
| hyundai dealership | 165,000 | Low |
| chevy dealer near me | 201,000 | Medium |
| mazda dealership | 110,000 | Low |
| buy here pay here near me | 90,500 | Medium |
| jeep dealership near me | 165,000 | Medium |
| dodge dealership near me | 165,000 | Medium |
| bmw dealership | 110,000 | Low |
| carmax near me | 90,500 | Low |
| nissan dealership near me | 110,000 | Medium |
| car lots near me | 74,000 | Low |
| audi dealership | 74,000 | Low |
| kia dealership near me | 90,500 | Medium |
| toyota near me | 60,500 | Low |
| hyundai dealership near me | 90,500 | Medium |
| used car lots near me | 60,500 | Medium |
| acura dealership | 74,000 | Low |
| subaru dealer near me | 110,000 | Medium |
| vw dealership | 49,500 | Low |
| dealerships | 40,500 | Low |
| volvo dealership | 60,500 | Low |
| mazda dealership near me | 60,500 | Medium |
| honda near me | 40,500 | Low |
| bmw dealer near me | 49,500 | Low |
| tesla dealership | 40,500 | Low |
| infiniti dealership | 60,500 | Low |
| ford near me | 27,100 | Low |
| bmw near me | 27,100 | Low |
| acura dealer near me | 49,500 | Low |
| buick dealership | 40,500 | Low |
| used trucks for sale near me | 27,100 | High |
| lexus dealer near me | 40,500 | Low |
| audi dealership near me | 40,500 | Low |
| affordable auto | 14,800 | Low |
| mercedes benz near me | 12,100 | Low |
Ready to Improve Your Search Visibility Online? Get Your Free SEO Report!
Each report is hand-crafted by a team member at MarketKeep and comes with a customized video that walks you through your report visually. That way we can help you understand how your business is performing online, and what you can do better in order to connect with your customers in the moments that matter to them.
Using the Top SEO Keywords for Car Dealerships Effectively
Mastering SEO for car dealers goes far beyond adding keywords to a few pages. Ranking well in search results depends on multiple foundational efforts. When these are done right, your dealership becomes more visible to shoppers at every stage of the car buying journey.
Here are the seven most important elements to help your keywords drive real traffic and results:
1. Make Sure Your Website Is Mobile Friendly, Fast, and Secure
Car shoppers are constantly browsing on their phones. A website that loads quickly, looks great on mobile devices, and uses HTTPS security builds trust with users and search engines.
2. Integrate Your Keywords Where People Search for Car Dealers
Place your top keywords where they naturally fit in search-related content. Think about category pages for inventory, vehicle descriptions, and financing pages—not just your homepage.
3. Optimize Your Onsite Content and Metadata
Use your keywords in title tags, meta descriptions, page headers, and internal content. If your dealership specializes in electric vehicles or offers certified pre-owned models, be sure those terms are represented in your core pages.
4. Fully Complete and Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile helps you show up in local search results and the map pack. Use the correct business name, address, and phone number (NAP), and select the right categories such as “Car Dealer” or “Used Car Dealer.”
5. Maintain Consistent Listings Across Online Directories
Claim your dealership on platforms like Yelp, Bing Places, and local auto listings. Use the same contact information across every listing to help Google build trust in your business data.
6. Build a Keyword Rich Blog
Blogging is one of the best ways to target long form keywords that your customers are actively searching for. Write about topics like car buying tips, leasing advice, new model reviews, or comparisons between popular vehicles.
7. Use Optimized Photos and Videos
Shoppers want to see the vehicles before they visit your lot. Optimize every photo with a descriptive file name and add keyword rich alt text like “2024 Honda Accord for sale in Miami.” This not only helps with image searches but also improves page relevance.
Local SEO for Car Dealerships
Be Discovered by Shoppers in Your Area
Most car buyers search for nearby dealerships, which makes local SEO one of the most important strategies for your business. People often type in phrases like “used cars near me” or “best car dealership in [City].” The goal is to appear in the top three local listings on Google Maps when these searches happen.
How to Improve Your Local Visibility
Claim and Optimize Your Google Business Profile
This is often your first digital impression. Make the most of it by:
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Using accurate and consistent contact details
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Choosing relevant categories like “New Car Dealer” or “Car Leasing Service”
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Uploading professional photos of your inventory and showroom
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Writing a business description that includes location-based keywords
Stay Active with Regular Updates
Google favors businesses that post updates often. Share limited-time offers, promotions, dealership news, or seasonal buying tips to keep your profile fresh.
Ask for and Respond to Reviews
Encourage happy customers to leave positive reviews and always reply with gratitude. This builds trust and helps you rank higher in local search.
Example:
“Thank you for purchasing your new Toyota Camry with us here in San Diego. We appreciate your trust!”
Get Listed in the Right Directories
Submit your dealership to high-traffic auto directories and local listings, including:
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Cars.com
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Autotrader
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Edmunds
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Yelp
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BBB
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Apple Maps
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Local business chambers and industry organizations
Build Pages for Each City or Market You Serve
If your dealership attracts buyers from surrounding towns, create unique pages for each location. These should include:
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Localized keywords like “Used Cars in Fort Lauderdale”
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Customer reviews from that region
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Inventory highlights or featured vehicles for buyers in that area
These local landing pages increase your visibility and demonstrate that your business is connected to the local community.
On-Page SEO for Car Dealerships
Make Your Website Easy for Google to Understand and Hard for Shoppers to Ignore
On-page SEO plays a crucial role in how your car dealership shows up in search results and how effectively it converts visitors into leads. When your site loads quickly, is easy to navigate on mobile, and contains the right keywords in the right places, both Google and potential customers are more likely to trust your business.
Where to Use SEO Keywords for Maximum Visibility
To maximize the impact of your keywords, use them in high-visibility locations across your website, such as:
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Page Titles: Use clear, location-based titles like Car Dealer in San Diego | Jackson Auto Group
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Meta Descriptions: Write concise summaries with strong keywords, such as Shop affordable used cars in Orlando today
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Headings (H1, H2): Include phrases like New Honda Inventory in Tampa or Trusted Used Car Dealer in Charlotte
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Body Text: Use keywords naturally within your main content. Be helpful and consistent without overloading each paragraph.
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URLs: Keep your links clean and descriptive, like /used-cars-orlando
Create Individual Pages for Each Automotive Service
Instead of crowding everything into a single page, give your major services or offerings their own space. This approach helps users and search engines clearly understand what you provide and allows your pages to rank for specific searches.
Suggested dedicated pages include:
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New Car Sales
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Used Car Inventory
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Trade-In Appraisal
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Vehicle Financing Options
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Certified Preowned Vehicles
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Service and Repairs
Each page should be keyword-focused, include local references when possible, and contain a clear call to action like “Book a Test Drive” or “Apply for Financing.”
Improve Page Speed and Mobile Experience
Many car buyers browse inventory on their phones. If your site takes too long to load or is difficult to use, you could lose a lead before they even see your vehicles.
Use tools such as Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to identify performance issues. Your dealership site should:
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Load quickly on both mobile and desktop devices
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Be easy to scroll, click, and tap on phones and tablets
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Feature call to action buttons such as View Inventory or Call Now prominently on each page
Add Schema Markup to Help Google Understand Your Site
Schema markup is structured data added to your site that tells search engines what your business is, what you sell, and how people can contact you. This can improve how your listings appear in search results with added details like hours, reviews, and inventory highlights.
Use Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper to implement details such as:
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Your dealership’s name and address
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Phone number and hours of operation
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Services offered (new cars, used cars, financing, repair)
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Review ratings if applicable
Optimize Your Images for Better SEO
Great photos are essential for showcasing your vehicles and building trust with buyers, but they also contribute to your SEO performance.
Ensure that each image:
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Is compressed properly for fast page speed
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Has a descriptive file name, like 2023-toyota-camry-miami.jpg
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Includes keyword rich alt text, such as Black 2023 Toyota Camry available at Miami Auto Sales
This not only improves your search engine visibility but also helps your cars appear in Google Image results, attracting more traffic to your listings.
Off-Page SEO for Car Dealerships
Build trust, expand your visibility, and elevate your dealership’s online reputation
Off-page SEO refers to everything that happens outside of your website that contributes to your search engine rankings. When credible sources mention or link to your dealership online, it signals trust to Google, helping your business appear more prominently in search results.
How to Strengthen Off-Page SEO for Your Dealership
Earn High Quality Backlinks
Backlinks are like digital referrals. When respected websites link to your dealership, it boosts your authority in the eyes of search engines.
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Submit your dealership to trusted automotive directories such as Cars.com, Edmunds, CarGurus, Autotrader, and the Better Business Bureau
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Connect with local blogs, automotive news outlets, or community publications and offer expert content, industry tips, or dealership news
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Reach out to local event organizers or nonprofit causes you support and ask for a link on their sponsor page
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List your business in regional Chamber of Commerce directories and automotive association sites
Promote Your Dealership on Social Media
Social media can help you reach a wider audience and generate interest in your inventory, events, and promotions.
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Share high quality images of new arrivals, customer testimonials, limited time offers, and dealership updates
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Post educational content such as How to Choose the Right Used Vehicle or Tips for First Time Car Buyers
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Use location based hashtags like #UsedCarsChicago or #AtlantaAutoDeals to connect with your target audience
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Engage directly with your followers by responding to comments and encouraging satisfied customers to share their experience
Get Involved in the Local Community
Forming local connections can lead to valuable backlinks and increased brand awareness.
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Sponsor school fundraisers, car shows, or community events and request a backlink on the event page
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Join local business networks or BNI chapters that maintain online directories
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Build partnerships with nearby repair shops, insurance agents, and car rental businesses and ask to be listed as a trusted vendor or partner
Ask for Mentions from Happy Customers and Business Partners
If you’ve built relationships with local companies, influencers, or longtime customers, ask them to link to your site or mention your dealership on their platforms. These real world connections often result in some of the most valuable backlinks.
Monitor and Manage Your Backlink Profile
Keeping tabs on who is linking to your dealership helps you maintain a strong and trustworthy backlink profile.
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Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to review new and lost backlinks
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Ensure your links are coming from reputable sources
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If you find low quality or spammy links, use Google Search Console’s disavow tool to prevent any negative impact on your rankings
Pro Tip: Tie It All Together With Google Analytics
Track your performance by monitoring:
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Which keywords are bringing traffic
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Which pages get the most visitors
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What search terms trigger your Google Business Profile
By tying in tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and Google Business Profile Insights, you can refine your SEO strategy over time and continue climbing the ranks.
