Alex

Let's keep this topic going here. I'm refreshing it, as it's a month old now and we have only a few votes for this. What would be a good time for everyone to meet online in a chat session? Please post your thoughts on this . Thanks.

Almost every major search engine (Google, MSN, Yahoo) lists results from a colaboration of online business directories and website directories at premium top spot positions, when searching common key words such as: auto repair, mechanic, etc. More and more people are Google'ing their local location searches these days. Example: "auto repair paramus nj". What you'll find when the customer searches these keywords are: Local business results for auto repair near Paramus, NJ right at the top of the page! Even if your website keywords are optimized to give you top placement, these directory listing are at the top. As a business owner, those days of turning down a major yellow pages ad that gives you online inclusion should no longer be over looked. Those companies are what feeds these results. I'm also going to give you some links to check and see if you are listed. These also feed most online searches. Online Business Directories: http://www.google.com/local/add/lookup?hl=en-US&gl=US http://listings.local.yahoo.com/ https://llc.local.live.com/BusinessSearch.aspx http://www.infousa.com/ http://corporate.wcities.com/ http://www.discoverourtown.com/ http://www.insiderpages.com/ If you have a website, make sure you are listed in these directories and search engines: http://www.dmoz.org/ http://www.google.com/addurl/ http://search.yahoo.com/info/submit.html http://search.msn.com.sg/docs/submit.aspx

Welcome to AutoShopOwner!

Joe is talking about this: http://www.technetprofessional.com/

That is very impressive. Are you part of any tire/automotive banner programs? Goodyear, Firestone, ACCC, etc..

Hi Mark, I'm glad you found us here. We are aware of the typo in the article...hopefully everyone will be able to find us here. My suggestion would be to start a new topic for: Incentive programs that are a win-win for sales people, managers and techs in one of the forums. Welcome Aboard!

We here at AutoShopOwner.com are thinking about introducing a chat area where we will hold an online chat meeting per scheduled time and with scheduled topics . We'd like to know if you are interested in seeing something like this? This will be only for members of AutoShopOwner.com Your opinion and feedback counts!

Is anyone part of the Tirestarz program? Some articles: http://www.bridgestone-firestone.com/news/...id=2002/021015b http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_go14...211/ai_n7260264 Dealer Program: http://www.tirestarz.com/dlrprogram.aspx

ASE’s toll-free telephone registration for Spring 2008 testing opens TODAY! Toll-free registration is available 7 am - 7 pm Central Time Monday - Friday, and 7 am - 5 pm on Saturdays. Testing will take place May 8, 13, and 15, but you must register by March 31st. Call 1-866-427-3273 to register. TIP: Test Centers are available on a first-come-first-served basis, so register early to better ensure the center of your choice. http://www.ase.com/template.cfm?Section=Home

Thanks for the feedback, we are a very new site and are looking forward to more participation from our current and future members.

What do you think about the article below: How to start an auto repair business Starting any business takes time and management. When it comes to auto repair there are a many items that you need to consider before venturing out. Auto repair to most people might seem hard, but as long as you have the experience and know what you are doing you should be all set. If you don't plan on being hands on in the business itself, you are going to want to hire qualified mechanics. Doing this is probably going to be one of your most difficult feats when it comes to the business. Start interviewing possible candidates before you open your doors. Take the time to make those phone calls to verify a resume. Read More

Here is another site that may be of some interest: http://www.uslegalforms.com/automobiles/?p...CFQPslgodpjIMew

Well that would be interesting, we could use a businessman in office!

Online Automotive Training: Do you have the time? With the availability of automotive repair and business courses online, do you and/or your technicians find the time to complete any online courses? Do you have a training policy in place that requires your associates to take online training? What are your thoughts/feedback about online automotive training? Here are some industry leaders: http://www.amionline.org/ http://www.elearners.com/courses/automotiv...d-mechanics.htm http://www.autoshop101.com/ http://www.carquest.com/proCTI.html

Thank you Tony, for taking part in what we think, will be the premier online network for automotive shop owners. We wanted to create an environment where shop owners could work together towards a common goal and help one another be as successful as possible.

This was an opinion that was stated back in 2001. Here is the article: http://www.matisse.net/opinion/internet-alive.html

GM GoodWrench (Free site) http://www.techinfo.gmgoodwrench.com This second General Motors site is devoted to providing technical collision repair information for a number of late model GM vehicles. Note that the information on this site is from the NACE publications and is not maintained. http://www.goodwrench.com/gmgoodwrenchjsp/...epair_index.jsp

http://www.bmwtechinfo.com The BMW site provides information on vehicle service, technician training, bulletins, etc. Subscription rates are available for one day, one month, or one year. The system requirements for the web site include Windows operating system with Netscape 6.0 or higher or Explorer 5.0 or higher. Subscription Rates: 1-Day (24 hour) Subscription: $30 1-Month (30-days) Subscription: $250 1-Year Subscription: $2500 http://www.bmwtechinfo.com/

This Mercedes-Benz site contains online service and training information, as well as bulletins and information on tools and equipment. Contact information is also given for ordering manuals on CD. Subscriptions are available by the day, month, or year. STAR TekInfo is an official Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC site for hosting service and repair technical documentation for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The site is provided by the MBUSA Dealer Workshop Services Department at MBUSA's Montvale NJ headquarters. Dealer Workshop Services Mission: To be the source for timely and high-quality workshop support services that includes information on repairs, tools, and equipment. http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/index.jsp

This Mazda site provides information on electronics, diagnostics and programming, service tools and equipment, obtaining printed manuals, etc. Subscriptions are available for one day, 30 days, six months, or one year. It includes all models from 1996 to present for service manuals and 1990 to present for all technical service bulletins (TSBs). Mazda (Pay site) http://www.mazdatechinfo.com/home/cataloghome.asp

Tire Business - The Tire Dealer's No. 1 News Source Founded in 1983, Tire Business is an award-winning newspaper written for independent tire dealers and others in the tire and automotive service industries and automotive aftermarket. Tire Business is published every other Monday with news updated daily online. Its in-depth news stories, engaging features and relevant special reports reach more than 30,000 print subscribers and thousands more online. Besides reporting on breaking news, Tire Business also compiles numerous rankings and industry statistics relating to the North American tire and automotive service markets, independent tire dealers, tire manufacturers, tire retreaders and the global tire market. Tire Business is owned by Crain Communications Inc., which publishes 29 U.S. and international business and consumer publications, including Rubber & Plastics News, European Rubber Journal, AutoWeek, Automotive News and Advertising Age. Crain's editorial tenet-that published material must be of real importance to the reader and facts given accurately and fairly-distinguishes the company from its competitors. Subscribers to Tire Business enjoy 26 print issues a year plus access to all areas of tirebusiness.com. Online-only subscriptions also are available. www.tirebusiness.com

I can also vouch for R.O.Writer as I used it in a shop that I came from about 3 years ago. R.O.Writer is owned by the Midas group. http://www.rowriter.com/index.aspx

Here is an interesting article: Southfield (WWJ) -- High fuel prices and falling home prices are starting to affect the auto industry. General Motors reported an 11% drop in U.S. sales for November, citing "softening industry demand" and reductions in low-margin business with car-rental companies. Sales analysis manager Mike DiGiovonni says because of the problems in the housing market, he doesn't expect things to pick up significantly before the middle of 2008. Chrysler reported a 2% decline in sales compared with a year ago. "Despite consumer concerns, Chrysler LLC sales are off only 2 percent showing customers are still purchasing quality and value. High fuel prices and falling home prices continue to impact vehicle sales in November which remain below trend," said Darryl Jackson, Vice President - U.S. Sales. The bright spot for Chrysler was the Sebring Convertible, which saw a sales increase of 946% in November. High fuel prices impacted Jeep brand results which were down 2 percent versus November of last year. Ford reported a slight increase, .4% for November, ending a yearlong string of year-over-year losses. "It is encouraging to see our newest cars, crossovers, hybrids and industry-first SNYC technology resonating with customers," said Mark Fields, president, The Americas. In the first quarter of 2008, Ford plans to produce 685,000 vehicles in North America. In the first quarter of this year, the company produced 740,000 vehicles. Toyota continued its drive to overtake Ford this year as the No. 2 automaker by U.S. sales, outselling Ford by nearly 15,000 vehicles. Toyota's sales were flat for the month compared with last November, with a 4 percent increase in car sales offset by a 5 percent drop in sales of trucks and sport utility vehicles. "Rising fuel prices and sliding home values delivered a one-two punch," Toyota sales executive Jim Lentz said in a statement. Nissan said its sales were up 6 percent over last November, largely on the strength of the new Rogue crossover and the Versa subcompact, which saw sales jump 67 percent. http://www.wwj.com/pages/1278641.php

I found this hunting around on the web, http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/aos/525934738.html Wow, great idea. Craigs List is free and if you just put one ad a day into your area, you can generate some interest with free advertising. So many people are online these days. Here is a copy of the ad this person put in: We can do any kind of repair on your car or truck. So come on down, check us out - and we'll take 10% off the cost of your car repair ... plus we include a free multi point car inspection with each visit 707 Auto Repair 707 Santa Rosa Avenue Santa Rosa, CA 95404 707-526-8920 Give Us A Call At 526-8920

We've created this section here for you to post your shop website. This is a great way to get some feedback and suggestions from your peers. Please post relevant automotive shop websites only. Any posts including non automotive shop websites will be moderated and removed. Thank you.