I would be interested to see your thoughts on my previous dealership site:
New & Used Car Dealership in Kirksville, MO | Kirksville Motor Company
A Quick look at New & Used Car Dealership in Kirksville, MO | Kirksville Motor Company
Please point out all the areas I’ve got wrong so I can learn and keep in mind I’m just typing as I go and some of these topics like images, and press release I wrote extensive step by step articles about but can't find the content, so I briefly talk about them but I have a lot more information on them somewhere.
I’m going to make mistakes, miss things, and misunderstand how the dealership works so keep me honest and call me out on my mistakes and misunderstandings.
And to test this stuff you might want to use another domain name with the intent of making it outperform your current website.
Because it requires a total rethinking of how the site is setup and it could backfire.
The late Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen recommends a “disruptive jiu-jitsu” or “learning from the competition, then deliberately disrupting one’s own business model to stay ahead of others and preventing your own business from being disrupted by someone else.
I’m not going to get into load times or coding errors because we already talked about those and this one isn’t much better, I can’t believe the developer put a <p> tag as a child of a button, or a label as a descendant of an element, or <a> as a descendant of an element, developers really should take a minute to validate their code.
It’s a big site and an old and established site.
How many people live in Kirksville, MO
17,000?
And how many dealerships are in Kirksville, MO 7, 8?
What other cities are near and around Kirksville, MO that you could target?
Novinger, Greentop, Sperry, Millard, Yarrow, Youngstown, Schuyler County, Lancaster, Queen City…
Let me think about about this for a minute and I’ll come back around to some ideas on how you could target them.
There is a lot going on, on the home page.
I can’t help but wonder what would happen if you dropped the top menu down to say five links, I mean a lot of studies have shown the more information you give people the more overwhelmed they become and the less likely they are to make a decision.
I’m just guessing but it seems like when they land on the site they are either looking to buy a vehicle, looking for parts or service.
I wonder what would happen if you just had five options.
Sell, Buy, Parts, Service, About.
Financing seems like it would come up after they found a vehicle they liked and the blog should be about driving traffic to the site, you want those articles to rank, drive traffic to the site, and then get them to looking at either selling what they have, buying a vehicle or scheduling some service work.
Of course for SEO purposes you would want descriptive links like Vehicle Inventory and then later on the page you could have New Chevy Trucks Inventory, New Buick Inventory, and so on.
Maybe I can through a quick home page together to better show you want I’m thanking.
The main idea is that a streamlined menu prevents visitors from becoming overwhelm and keeps the focus on your highest priority areas and you can still cover all the other stuff below the fold.
And you want to put the most important pages at the beginning of the menu so maybe put Buy Vehicles before Sell Vehicles and you want to try and use your main keywords in the menu and focus on your most important pages.
You could also link out to pages below the fold on the home page like “Why Choose a Chevy” or “Financing Your New Chevy”.
This is already a big site and that gives you a lot of control of the flow of the internal link juice, whenever you add a page it has to start with some amount of Google link juice for ranking purposes, so say it starts with .005 percent, when you link to another page some of that link juice will flow to that page.
So the bigger the site the more link juice you have to flow, this means by adding parts to the site you not only have more link juice to flow but you also have parts to sell. It’s not about price, or even selling the parts, its about the flow of the link juice and the selling of the parts would be a bonus but you don’t need to worry about competing on price.
People buy from you for a lot of reasons and only one of those reasons are price.
You’ve got your top of the funnel keywords which is important for attracting high-quality, low-competition visitors, even in a crowded automotive marketplace. Your site’s size, strategic link-building, and dedicated content creation all play pivotal roles in reaching Chevy, GMC, Buick, or Toyota enthusiasts and potential customers.
One major hurdle is contending with well-established, high-authority websites that dominate high-intent automotive keywords. Terms such as “Chevy New Car Sales”, "Chevy car accessories", "Chevy parts," or "Chevy service centers".
Even niche keywords like "Buick Envision break pads" or "2021 Buick® Enclave Premium maintenance tips" can face stiff competition from these established giants.
So ranking for these bottom-of-the-funnel (BOFU) keywords can be especially challenging in the short term.
As a dealership involved in automotive sales and service, you operate in a “Your Money, Your Life” (YMYL) category—where customers’ financial and safety decisions are at stake. Ensuring that potential buyers have access to safe, reliable, and high-quality Chevy products is critical. Google scrutinizes these sites rigorously, prioritizing expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness (E-A-T).
Meeting these standards means investing in premium content, acquiring backlinks from respected automotive experts, and optimizing your site for a seamless user experience.
Keyword and Layout Strategy
- Content Hubs: Develop comprehensive content hubs focusing on various aspects of each car manufacturers ownership. For example consider hubs like "Chevy Engine Components," "Chevy Accessories & Upgrades," and "Maintenance & Repair Tips for Chevy Vehicles." Each hub should interlink with detailed blog posts, product pages, and buyer guides.
- Long-Tail Keywords: Target specific long-tail search terms such as "best GMC brake pads for Sierra 3500HD SLE" or "how to service GMC Sierra 3500HD SLE transmission" to attract traffic with high purchase intent.
- Customer Reviews and Testimonials: Build credibility by showcasing customer reviews and expert opinions on your product and service pages. Real-life testimonials about GMC vehicles and parts help establish trust with prospective buyers.
Introducing SEO Content Hubs
SEO content hubs are a powerful strategy to boost your dealership’s online authority, visibility, and ultimately, your car sales. Think of a content hub as a centralized resource where every part works together to improve search rankings and drive qualified traffic to your dealership showroom.
Understanding the Funnel and Keyword Types
Digital marketing segments the sales process into different stages, enabling you to target potential buyers effectively:
- Bottom-of-the-Funnel (BOFU) Keywords: These high-intent, transactional keywords—such as “buy GMC Sierra 1500 Denali near me” or “GMC Sierra 1500 Denali financing deals”—are aimed at buyers ready to make a purchase.
- Top-of-the-Funnel (TOFU) and Middle-of-the-Funnel (MOFU) Keywords: These keywords are more informational in nature, like “what to look for in a new GMC Sierra 1500 Denali” or “comparing GMC Sierra 1500 Denali models to other brands and models.” Although less competitive, they play a crucial role in attracting prospective buyers who may convert later.
How Content Hubs Work
A well-structured content hub revolves around a comprehensive pillar article targeting a high-priority keyword with commercial intent. Surrounding this pillar are clusters of related articles addressing various informational queries. By interlinking these pieces, you create a network that enhances your site’s authority, improves search engine rankings, and drives more qualified leads to your dealership.
Example of a GMC Content Hub:
- Pillar Article: "The Ultimate Guide to Buying a GMC: Models, Financing, and More"
- Supporting Cluster Articles:
- "How to Choose the Right GMC Model for Your Lifestyle"
- "Top Financing Tips for Your New GMC Purchase"
- "GMC vs. Competitors: A Comprehensive Comparison"
- "Maintenance Tips to Keep Your GMC Running Smoothly"
This integrated SEO strategy not only increases your online visibility but also builds trust with potential buyers—driving more showroom visits and ultimately, more car sales.
Why Content Hubs Work
- Boosted Rankings Across All Content
When the articles in your hub are tightly interconnected, search engines recognize your site as an authoritative resource on GMC vehicles. Publishing new, high-quality content within this network elevates the rankings of every page, especially your main guide on GMC purchases. Think of it as a high-performance engine—every component works in unison to drive your dealership forward.
- Improved Crawlability
An organized content hub allows search engine bots to easily navigate and understand the relationship between your articles. This structured interlinking ensures better indexing and heightened visibility in search results, helping prospective customers find you faster.
- Optimal Internal Linking
Strategic internal links guide visitors seamlessly through your site—from detailed articles on specific GMC models to financing tips and maintenance advice. This not only improves user engagement but also funnels traffic toward your central pillar content, ultimately increasing showroom visits and conversions.
By developing content hubs that address the diverse interests and needs of GMC buyers, you create an ecosystem of engaging, high-ranking content. This strategy positions your dealership as the go-to resource for everything GMC—from model comparisons and buying guides to maintenance tips and financing options.
In the competitive automotive market, SEO content hubs serve as a well-oiled machine where every article works together to boost your online visibility and drive more car sales.
This works for each make and model:
- Bottom-of-the-Funnel (BOFU) Keywords: These transactional keywords—such as “buy 2024 Toyota® Land Cruiser First Edition near me” or “2024 Toyota® Land Cruiser First Edition leasing deals”—are aimed at customers who are ready to make a purchase.
- Top-of-the-Funnel (TOFU) and Middle-of-the-Funnel (MOFU) Keywords: These more informational keywords, like “how to choose the right Toyota for your family” or “comparing Toyota models for reliability,” attract research-oriented visitors. Though less competitive, they are vital for driving qualified traffic that can eventually convert into car sales.
Example of a Toyota Content Hub:
- Pillar Article: "The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Toyota: Models, Financing, and More"
- Supporting Cluster Articles:
- "How to Choose the Perfect Toyota Model for Your Lifestyle"
- "Top Financing Options for Your New Toyota Purchase"
- "Comparing Toyota Models: Which One Is Right for You?"
- "Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Toyota Running Smoothly"
Writing Content Hub Articles
This is how I would go about creating the articles:
Step 1: Analyze Top-Ranking Content
Start with thorough keyword research. For example, search for terms like “best Toyota financing deals” or “how to choose the right Toyota for your family.” Then analyze the top-ranking articles by focusing on the following:
- Examine Structure:
Look at how the content is organized—identify the subheadings, the flow of information, and how the article addresses various buyer concerns.
- Identify Value Points:
Determine what makes the content engaging and useful. This might include detailed how-to guides, side-by-side comparisons of Toyota models, or authentic customer testimonials about their buying experience.
- Note Featured Snippets and FAQs:
Pay attention to questions that appear in Google’s featured snippets or FAQ sections. These often highlight what potential Toyota buyers are asking and the type of clear, concise answers they’re looking for.
By crafting well-formatted, informative, and mobile-friendly content, you increase your chances of being featured in search snippets. This not only boosts your dealership’s visibility but also helps convert online visitors into loyal customers ready to drive off in a new Toyota.
Step 2: Create Key Takeaway Sections
Add a Key Takeaways or Quick Summary section at the top of your article to provide readers with an immediate overview of your content. For example:
Key Takeaways:
- Purchasing a new Toyota from an authorized dealership can secure the best financing and service packages.
- Regular maintenance with genuine Toyota parts extends your vehicle’s longevity and reliability.
This quick summary improves user experience and aligns with Google’s focus on delivering fast, actionable answers and helps AI easily show your answers in their content.
Step 3: Use H2 Subheadings to Structure Your Content
Organize your article into clear, digestible sections with H2 and H3 headings. For instance:
H2: How to Choose the Right Toyota for Your Lifestyle
- H3: Evaluating Toyota Models: Compare performance, features, and suitability for different lifestyles.
- H3: Considering Your Budget: Explore pricing options, incentives, and long-term ownership costs.
H2: Step-by-Step Guide to Financing Your New Toyota
- H3: Understanding Financing Options: Break down lease vs. purchase, credit requirements, and promotional deals.
- H3: Tips for Securing the Best Offer: Highlight negotiation strategies and timing for optimal deals.
This structure not only makes your content more engaging for readers but also helps search engines index your pages more effectively.
Step 4: Optimize Your SEO Elements
Once your article is complete, ensure that key SEO components are optimized to boost your online visibility:
- Title Tag: Incorporate your primary keyword naturally (e.g., "Top Tips for Buying Your New Toyota").
- H1 Tag: Align your H1 with the title (e.g., "How to Buy Your New Toyota: Expert Tips for a Smooth Purchase").
- URL Slug: Keep it short and keyword-focused (e.g., /buy-new-toyota-tips/).
- Meta Description: Craft a compelling summary (e.g., "Discover expert tips for buying your new Toyota. Learn about financing, model comparisons, and maintenance advice to make an informed purchase.").
By following these steps, you'll create high-quality, user-focused articles that are fully optimized for search engines. This strategy will boost your dealership’s online authority, attract more targeted traffic, and ultimately drive more car sales.
The Importance of Backlinks
After publishing new content, it’s essential to interlink it with existing pages and promote it externally. Timely and strategic backlinks are crucial because they:
- Enhance your website’s domain authority.
- Improve search rankings, making it easier for potential buyers to find your dealership.
- Drive targeted traffic directly to your Toyota-related content.
Seek backlinks from trusted automotive sites, local business directories, and industry influencers to further bolster your site’s credibility. This ongoing strategy not only improves your SEO performance but also increases your dealership's visibility, ultimately leading to more inquiries and car sales.
Why Backlinks Matter for Toyota Dealerships
- Signals to Google:
When your Toyota dealership website earns backlinks shortly after publishing new content, it sends a strong signal to Google that your content is valuable and shareable. For example, an article like “How to Choose the Right Tires for Your Toyota” will gain more credibility if trusted automotive blogs and local news outlets quickly link to it. This signal reinforces your site as a relevant, high-quality resource for prospective car buyers.
- Compounding Results:
As your Toyota-related content continues to earn backlinks over time, its visibility and search rankings steadily improve. This creates a virtuous cycle: higher rankings attract more organic traffic, which in turn leads to additional backlinks and further enhances your dealership's online presence. Ultimately, this increased visibility drives more qualified leads into your showroom.
Step-by-Step Backlink Outreach for Toyota Dealership Content
Step 1: Identify Link Prospects
Begin by identifying websites likely to link to your Toyota dealership content. Focus on sites that already cover similar topics in the automotive space:
- Analyze Competitor Links:
Use SEO tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to analyze where competitors—especially other Toyota dealerships or automotive review sites—are getting their backlinks. Look for pages with multiple backlinks (e.g., 50+ referring domains) that indicate strong relevance to Toyota topics.
- Search Manually:
Conduct a Google search with queries such as link:competitorwebsite.com to discover which websites are linking to competitor content. Focus on automotive blogs, local news outlets, and regional business directories that align with your dealership’s niche.
Step 2: Gather Contact Information
Once you’ve identified potential backlink sources, the next step is to collect their contact information:
- Use Outreach Tools:
Tools like Hunter.io can streamline the process by revealing relevant contact emails directly from the prospect’s website. For instance, installing the Hunter Chrome extension allows you to quickly gather emails from automotive blogs and local business sites.
- Manual Collection:
In addition to using tools, review the “Contact” or “About Us” sections of these sites to ensure you have the most accurate and direct contact information for outreach.
This increased online visibility will help drive more potential customers to your dealership—ultimately boosting car sales and solidifying your reputation as the premier Toyota resource in your market.
Step 3: Craft a Winning Outreach Email for Your Toyota Content
A successful outreach email is key to securing valuable backlinks that boost your dealership's online authority. Here’s how to craft one that speaks directly to automotive and local media contacts:
- Personalize Your Message:
Address the recipient by name and mention a specific detail about their content. For example, reference one of their articles on car maintenance or local automotive news.
- Highlight Value:
Explain how linking to your Toyota content will benefit their audience. Emphasize that your guide offers the latest insights on Toyota financing, model comparisons, or maintenance tips that can enhance their resource list.
- Keep It Short and Friendly:
Respect their time by keeping the email concise while clearly stating your request.
Example Outreach Email:
Subject: Opportunity to Enhance Your Guide on Toyota Car Maintenance
I’m [Your Name] from [Your Dealership Name]. I recently came across your article, “[Article Title],” and really appreciated your insights on automotive care. I noticed that one of your links directs readers to an older resource on car maintenance.
I’ve just published an updated guide titled “Top Toyota Maintenance Tips for Long-Lasting Performance” that offers fresh advice and the latest Toyota-specific insights. I believe this would be a valuable addition to your article and benefit your readers.
Would you consider adding my guide to your resource list?
Thanks for your time, and I look forward to your thoughts!
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Step 4: Send, Monitor, and Repeat
After crafting your personalized outreach emails:
- Send Them to Your Curated List:
Target local automotive blogs, regional news outlets, and other relevant sites that cover car reviews, maintenance tips, or local dealership news.
- Monitor Responses:
Keep a close eye on your inbox for replies. Respond promptly to any questions or feedback.
- Follow Up:
If you haven’t received a response within 5-7 days, send a polite follow-up email to keep the conversation going.
By following these steps, you can secure high-quality backlinks for your Toyota dealership’s online content. This not only improves your SEO but also drives more traffic and increases the credibility of your dealership website—helping you sell more cars.
Combining strategic internal linking within your Toyota content hub with targeted backlink outreach creates a virtuous cycle. Each well-placed link not only boosts your site’s authority and search rankings but also drives qualified traffic straight to your dealership’s key pages. This integrated approach enhances user engagement and increases the chances of converting website visitors into car buyers.
Leveraging Blog Content with Press Releases
To further extend your reach, consider a strategy where every 10th blog post is crafted with the dual purpose of serving as both valuable content for your audience and as the basis for a press release. This approach allows you to generate consistent media buzz while creating high-quality backlinks to your dealership's website.
- Content Creation: Write every 10th blog post with press release elements in mind—clear headlines, strong call-to-actions, and key messaging that aligns with newsworthy topics such as new model launches, special events, community involvement, or innovative service offerings.
- Conversion to Press Release: Once the blog post is published, adapt the content into a press release format that highlights the most newsworthy aspects.
- Submission for Maximum Exposure: Distribute the press release to top press release submission sites. This not only enhances your dealership’s credibility but also creates backlinks that can boost your search engine ranking.
Best Places to Submit Press Releases
- PR Newswire
- Business Wire
- PRWeb
- 24-7 Press Release
- Newswire
- EIN Presswire
- PR.com
- SBWire
- OpenPR
Something else to consider is that some of your images are not optimized for ranking in the search engines. Images are normally a lot easier to rank for than content because most people don’t set them up correctly.
- Descriptive File Names: Rename images with clear, keyword-rich names instead of generic ones. One of your images has a names like 1149176216.webp, it should have the make and model
- Alt Attributes: Provide concise and descriptive alt text that explains the image content and context.
- Folder name: If the folder that holds the image is names after the main model or make this will help rank the images as well.