Riccardo

Bringing back customers in 2026 is becoming less about discounts and more about staying connected. The most successful shops seem to have systems that automatically remind customers about maintenance, follow up on deferred work, request reviews, and reach out to customers who haven't visited in 6–12 months.

With AI becoming more mainstream in 2026, I'd look for a company that goes beyond website design and actually helps automate parts of the customer journey. Things like AI-assisted content creation, reputation management, customer communication workflows, lead tracking, and performance reporting can save a lot of time while keeping marketing consistent. I'm curious what others are using. Are shops seeing better results from traditional marketing agencies, or are more people moving toward AI-powered platforms and automation tools that help them manage marketing in-house? That's where I think the industry is heading.

You brought up a good point about looking beyond just the processing rate. A lot of business owners focus on the percentage fee, but things like contract terms, equipment costs, software integrations, support, and hidden fees can end up having a bigger impact over time. I also like the idea of having the POS system connected to inventory management. Anything that reduces manual work and helps keep operations organized can save a lot of headaches as the business grows.

I actually think that's a great idea, especially since your biggest challenge seems to be visibility rather than reputation. If people who've lived nearby for years don't know you're there, getting them onto the property could make a real difference. A family-friendly event with food, local vendors, kids' activities, and a charity component sounds like something the community could get behind. Even if it doesn't bring immediate repair work, it helps people connect your shop's name with a positive experience.

Being hidden behind a gas station seems like the bigger challenge here. A billboard might help solve that by simply letting people know your shop exists and where to find it. My only thought is that with a town of 25,000 people, repetition is probably more important than a complicated message. Most residents are going to see the sign multiple times, so something simple and memorable would likely have the biggest impact.

It sounds like you're already taking some good steps, especially with reactivating past customers. In my experience, that's often one of the highest-return activities because you're reaching people who already know and trust your shop. Before increasing ad spend, I will look at where your current customers are coming from. Are you tracking referrals, Google searches, repeat customers, and online reviews? Sometimes the biggest opportunity isn't finding new channels-it's getting more from the channels that are already working.

If I were opening a brand-new shop in 2026, I'd focus on trust before advertising. I'd make sure my Google Business Profile was fully optimized, collect reviews from every customer possible, create a professional website, and have plenty of photos showing the shop, team, and work being performed. For marketing, I'd start with local search visibility and community involvement. When people need a repair shop, they're usually looking for someone nearby that they feel they can trust

I have heard mixed experiences with programs like this. Some shops seem to get a lot of value because they take advantage of the training, networking opportunities, and business tools, while others don't see much impact beyond the warranty coverage. It may be worth reaching out directly and asking for a breakdown of all available benefits. Sometimes a fresh conversation with a different representative can uncover resources that haven't been discussed at the store level. I'd be interested to hear what other members are using regularly and whether they've seen measurable results.

Pomp's Tire & Service - Trusted by Your Community.

I've looked at platforms like Lighthouse 360, and one thing I'd focus on in 2026 is integration rather than features alone. Most CRMs can send reminders, follow-ups, and marketing messages. The real question is how well it connects with your shop management system, inspection process, and customer communication workflow. I'd be interested to hear from anyone currently using it, has it actually reduced manual work and improved retention, or is it just another platform to manage?

My first thought is that $140/month doesn't sound unreasonable if the site is generating legitimate business. The bigger question is whether the website is helping you attract the type of customers you want. Since you've recently started focusing on marketing, I'd probably spend some time optimizing what you already have before replacing it. Fresh photos, updated service information, customer testimonials, and helpful content can make a noticeable difference without starting over.

I'd be interested in hearing recommendations as well. One thing I've found is that the best automotive content writers usually have some understanding of the repair industry, not just SEO. Customers can tell when an article was written by someone who actually understands vehicle maintenance versus someone simply targeting keywords. Are you looking for educational blog content, service pages, or something more focused on local SEO?

If I had that kind of daily exposure, I'd think beyond traditional advertising. Every vehicle stopped in traffic is getting repeated impressions of your business. Clean signage, reader boards, community involvement, and even seasonal maintenance messages can help keep your shop top of mind. One thing I'd be curious about: do you know how many people drive that route repeatedly every week? Familiarity can be a powerful form of marketing when people see the same business day after day.

We've had good success with simple referral programs that reward both people involved. For example, when a customer refers a friend, the new customer gets a discount on their first service, and the referring customer receives a credit toward a future repair. It's easy to explain, easy to track, and customers immediately understand the value. The simpler the program, the more likely your team and customers will actually use it.

There are so many local advertising options available now that it's becoming harder to justify any platform that doesn't provide clear ROI. Between Google Business Profile, Local Services Ads, targeted social media campaigns, and review-driven marketing, shop owners have more choices than ever. For those currently using Yelp PPC, are you seeing consistent new customers, or are most of your best leads still coming from Google searches and referrals? That's the comparison I'd want to make before investing heavily.