Harish Makam 28 Sep 2022 2 years ago As we all now know, the COVID-19 pandemic has closed businesses and impacted many people’s lives across the globe. Sales teams are no exception – closing car deals has likely become more difficult in recent weeks. However, it is still possible to successfully close sales if you employ the right tactics. Here are 10 tips to help you keep your car deals moving forward! The Impact of Covid-19 on Car Dealerships The outbreak of Covid-19 has been hard on businesses, including car dealerships. Many dealers have had to close their doors due to the stay-at-home orders that have been put in place across the country. Even if your dealership is still open, potential customers may be hesitant to visit in person out of concern for their own safety. This means that your sales team needs to get creative in order to keep closing car deals. You’ll need to find new ways to reach potential customers and continue building relationships even when you can’t meet in person. Luckily, there are a few methods you can use to stay connected with your leads and keep your sales pipeline moving. 10 Strategies to Keep Your Car Deals Moving Forward 1. Use Video Conferencing to Stay Connected If you’re used to meeting with potential customers in person, video conferencing can be a great way to stay connected while still respecting social distancing guidelines. Platforms like Zoom, Skype, and Google Hangouts allow you to meet with clients virtually, so you can continue working on deals even when you can’t meet in person. 2. Utilize Social Media Social media can be a powerful tool for car dealerships, even in the best of times. But it’s especially useful during a pandemic when you need to reach potential customers where they are spending most of their time online. Use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to post updates about your dealership, new inventory, and special deals. You can also use social media to drive traffic to your website or online car-buying platform. 3. Keep a Virtual Inventory In order to reach potential customers who may not be comfortable coming into the dealership, it’s important to have an up-to-date website with good photos and information about your inventory. If you don’t already have one, now is the time to invest in an online car-buying platform that will allow potential customers to browse and purchase cars from the comfort of their own homes. 4. Update your website regularly As we mentioned before, potential customers will likely be doing most of their research online before making a purchase. This means that it’s important to have a website that is up-to-date and informative. Include photos and detailed descriptions of your inventory, as well as any special deals or financing options you may be offering. You should also make sure your website is mobile-friendly, as many people will be doing their research on their phone or tablet. 5. Offer Incentives for Buying Online Incentives are always a great way to close more sales, but they can be especially effective during a pandemic. Many people are hesitant to visit car dealerships in person right now, so offer them an incentive to buy a car from you online. This could be a discount, an extended warranty, or even free shipping. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something that will appeal to your target customer. 6. Exhibit you precautions against Covid-19 With so many people concerned about the spread of Covid-19, it’s important to show potential customers that you’re taking precautions at your dealership. Make sure your sales team is wearing masks and gloves, and that your facility is clean and disinfected. You can even put up signs letting customers know that you’re taking extra steps to keep them safe. 7. Get creative with your marketing Now is the time to get creative with your marketing and reach potential customers in new ways. If you usually rely on print ads or TV commercials, consider branching out into digital marketing or social media advertising. You can also use this as an opportunity to try out new marketing strategies, like targeted ads or influencer marketing. 8. Focus on building relationships Even though you may not be able to meet with potential customers in person right now, that doesn’t mean you can’t continue building relationships. Stay in touch via email, social media, or even text message. Ask them how they’re doing and see if there’s anything you can do to help. These small gestures can go a long way in building loyalty and keeping your customers coming back, even after the pandemic is over. 9. Be flexible with your financing Many people are struggling financially right now, so it’s important to be flexible with your financing options. Offer longer terms, lower interest rates, or even deferred payments to help make the car-buying process more affordable. You can also offer to work with customers who have less-than-perfect credit. 10. Keep your sales team motivated It’s important to keep your sales team motivated during these difficult times. Recognize their hard work, give them incentives, and provide them with the resources they need to succeed. With the right team in place, you can weather any storm. The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we do business, but that doesn’t mean car dealerships have to close their doors for good. By following these tips, you can keep your dealership running smoothly and continue serving your customers’ needs. Harish Makam Share this: