Management Software, Web Sites & Internet
Discussions about automotive shop management systems, software, websites, the internet, online purchasing, how-to, etc.
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Latest Posts
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By risingsunmotors · Posted
We use Sil-glyde , part number BK-4 , carquest has it, worldpac has it too. Jeff -
By risingsunmotors · Posted
Our techs buy their own gloves, shop supplies , nuts, bolts, chemicals , we use Imperial, Worldpac, Carquest, Autozone, Melik Global trading for wipers. jeff -
By Maria Garcia · Posted
Interactive learning actively engages the students in wrestling with the material. -
By CAautogroup · Posted
Hello all, Our current supplier for shop supplies just announced a 25% increase on nitrile disposable gloves (Ouch), as well as a 10% increase on wiper blades and metal spin on filters. I have limited to no choice in forwarding these increases to customers. However, I am in the market of seeking other suppliers. What companies do you currently use for such stocked inventory? Any recommendations? What are your thoughts in asking the techs to supply their own work gloves? Perhaps a non disposable nitrile grip? Kind Regards, Nick -
By JustTheBest · Posted
I had a chance to look at your site and here's what I found. First of all, I did see it on my desktop, but I checked it on my phone. Why phone? Because Google says 82% of searches start on a mobile device. So it's fair to say that most are going to find you first on their phone, right? So where I did that, here's what I found: Your phone is NOT a clickable link. In other words, I have to search for a pen or pencil, something to write on and then scribble down your number BEFORE I can call you. Your Phone number MUST be click to call, period. Above that, I didn't find a map, hours, reviews, or coupons. Think about this. Why would anyone search "auto repair louisville ky"? I don't think it's because they want to know how you're doing, do you? I think it's because they have a problem and the best part of that is that they have a problem and they DON'T KNOW WHERE TO TAKE THEIR CAR. Agreed? So don't make them think. That is rule #1. So I tool a little time and checked... the menu pops up. Here's what it looks like: So the entire menu doesn't show up in one screen shot, but when I checked, I didn't find any of those other things. So besides making your phone a clickable link, you should add what everyone wants to see: hours, map, reviews, coupons to name a few. Above that, I'll share this with you. It's virtually impossible to optimize one web page for more than 2-3 terms. And they should be related terms like check engine light, check engine light codes, check engine light diagnosis. With that said, if you want to win, you have to make SPECIFIC LANDING PAGES for each service. Now I haven't done any research on your market, but you must do that so you know what people are searching for. The best part about that is the tools you need to do that are FREE. (Good price, huh?) I don't want to take up a lot of time here, but I detail it all in this video on CarCountHackers at YouTube. Above that, there's page title tags and meta descriptions that should be corrected. Pictures are not properly optimized for search either. I explain that in the video above too! Ooops! Wanted to check something out and when I click your services, there's no content. Page titles need some fixing there too. Also, no schema data. That's what search engines (Google, Yahoo, Bing) use to understand who you are and where you are. If you want to come up for "NEAR ME" searched, it's critical. Anyway, hope this helps. I am not trying to dump on you - but check the video out to figure out how to get found. Matthew "The Car Count Fixer" P.S.: Subscribe to Car Count Hackers on YouTube - Follow CarCountHackers on Facebook! P.P.S.: Double Your Car Count in 89 Days - FREE Course P.P.P.S.: Want to fix your car count fast? Just answer These Thee Questions -
By Automotive Webmaster · Posted
@Mastermechanic took a peak at your site and a few things popped out. Something is up with your SSL because in google chrome your site is coming up insecure. Your repair quote form font on larger screens is too small Remove all the white space around your logo, it's way to big for a website 1500 px and causes it to be way to small in your header. There are numerous font and layout opportunities. Update your copyright to 2019 Maybe try a different wordpress theme or update this one? I edited your logo to 500px for you and have your son try that out. Its a png file like your original just cropped and resized. You'll see it'll look much better in the header. Here's a screenshot of the contact form text in Chrome, a bit small. I would also make that phone number clickable to a dialer. Kudos to your son, looks like he's learning how to use wordpress! -
By Automotive Webmaster · Posted
Your wordpress theme looks good and is pretty well optimized. Take a a look at some of minor source code errors, specifically with calling for the roboto font. Looks good and even though your wordpress theme is using Yoast SEO plugin, you have an opportunity to edit your page title tags to be more descriptive like: </script><title>Home - Walt's Garage</title> and think about adding on all pages a description tag : <meta name="description" content="A page's description, usually one or two sentences."/> For the wordpress plugin you are using, here is a guide: https://yoast.com/meta-descriptions/ but keep in mind you can now go up to around 290 characters instead of the 155 listed. Looks good and looks like a repairshopwebsites theme. They usually cover all the bases with their clients. I'm not a fan of the pages ending in .html, but that's what they do. With this type of "cookie-cutter" website (which is fine) it's important to customize text as much as possible or they allow. -
By Mail Shark · Posted
After speaking to a number of Euro & Specialty shops recently about executing targeted direct mail campaigns, I’ve realized there isn’t a clear understanding from the shop owners perspective about the capabilities and source of targeted auto lists. I hope to add some transparency to the subject here. 1. What type of targeted auto data is available? Below is a list of 6 categories available to select specific vehicles to target, with the top 3 being the most widely used. I have also attached a sample report that illustrates an example of data from a list that was run by make, model & year. 1. Make 2. Model 3. Year 4. Fuel Type 5. Auto Class 6. Auto Style 2. Where does this information come from? This seems to be the point of the most confusion. Targeted auto data is NOT available from any DMV. This is due to what is called the Shelby Act AKA Data Access Act. You can google Shelby Act and read a plethora of information about it on google. Since the DMV does not release this data, the actual data that is available is compiled using multiple sources. The following list includes the primary sources of where this data is derived from. This list includes but is not limited to: 1. Co-Registration: When someone goes to specific auto service businesses for example, they take down the vin number and car info and then sell this info the list compilers. That is just one example. Over 90% of lists will come from service industries that report the vin info. Info is lacking on new models because they didn’t go to a service provider that releases the data. 2. Responder info: Someone who fills out form from a magazine, surveys, or forms they filled out somewhere, etc. 3. Online insurance quotes 4. Warranty Companies 5. Transactional data: If the consumer has purchased something for their car such as a stereo or running boards, etc. 6. Major Car Clubs of America. 7. Aftermarket Repair Companies 8. Etc., 3. Questions to ask your direct mail &/Or List provider before purchasing a targeted vehicle mailing list. 1. Is your list triple verified? This means your list must have come from and have been verified by three sources in order for the record to be included. 2. Is your list NCOA’d? To NCOA a list means to utilize the post office data to validate that the recipient’s name matches their current address. This ensures that the owners of the vehicles haven't moved and are in fact located at the address confirmed. 3. Is your List Shelby compliant? In summation, I can tell you first hand that not all list providers are created equal. I have personally vetted over 10 of the top list vendors to choose our resource for targeted lists. Therefore, my strong recommendation is to do your research, ask all of the questions listed above and get a list count from more than one vendor to compare. I hope this helps and if there are any questions, please let message me. Targeted List Example.xls
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