An independent garage owner is advising other businesses to up their game online and show customers why they should be the first port of call for vehicle servicing and repair.
Abacus Vehicle Services in Taunton provides an array of specialist services such as ADAS calibration, advanced vehicle diagnostics, module programming, and EV servicing and repair. The garage is well placed to compete with its local main dealer; however, owner Mark Carter says the dealer is now reducing its prices to draw customers in.
“We have had cases of customers getting an initial cheaper quote with the main dealer. However, that does not always mean the final bill will be more competitive.
“As independent garage owners we need to really display our expertise and demonstrate to customers that we can match, and often exceed, what is on offer with a main dealer. Price is important to a customer, but they should be able to make an informed decision.
“That starts online. It is where the customer gets its first impression of a garage and what to expect of it. Image is so important.”
Carter says he decided to entrust Abacus Vehicle Services’ online image to Garage Services Online, the aftermarket’s leading provider of independent garage websites, after meeting MD Jim Lang at an OESAA event.
He continued: “Jim was incredibly knowledgeable about the garage sector and gave me loads of advice about websites. I remember thinking he was one of the nicest and most intelligent guys I had ever met, and that Abacus Vehicle Services really needed him and his team onboard!”
Paying off for Abacus Vehicle Services
The decision has paid dividends for the garage. Around 70% of Abacus Vehicle Services’ enquiries originate from a Google search. More importantly, they are for jobs the garage has identified as its ideal day’s work.
The ramps are now filling up with vehicles under 10 years old and the garage is also doing a lot of trade work, something Carter asked Garage Services online to focus on.
“I now want to fine tune the website to draw in even more general fast turnaround work like servicing, and fleet work too. When it does that, I will use the return on investment to take on more staff and expand.
“What is great is I can leave Garage Services Online to get on with everything, I do not even need to think about it. That is crucial for me because I am busy running the business on the ground.
“From the outset, the team proved themselves to be knowledgeable, slick and asked all the right questions. Just what us independent garages need!”
