Motorhead Articles

Get Your Marketing in Gear

Shift Up a Gear: What Type of Digital Marketing has the Best ROI?

Barry Alt • September 1, 2023

Just like running a car, the surest way to get the most out of your business is by consistently investing in its maintenance and performance.

What type of Digital Marketing has the Best ROI?

And what’s the most direct route to getting more customers for your automotive aftermarket restoration, performance, or race shop so you can compete with other leading companies in your niche?


Through expert digital marketing that’s as badass as you are.


With so many digital marketers claiming to be the best, knowing which one will benefit your business the most in the long run can be difficult.


Let’s explore the different types of digital marketing that will help you improve your online presence, help you reach your target audience, and drive your business forward.


What should a digital marketing strategy do for your automotive business?


If you invest your time, resources, and money into marketing, you want to be sure that it will give you results.


When it comes to ROI in an effective digital marketing strategy, there are many factors to consider other than just monetary gains.


Marketing strategies should help you:

  • Generate revenue
  • Increase brand awareness
  • Grow your customer base
  • Enhance customer experience
  • Improve customer engagement
  • Position your business as experts


So, let’s get right into the most important types of digital marketing for automotive businesses you should implement into your marketing efforts that will ensure a strong return on your investment and make achieving your business goals a lot easier.

Types of digital marketing that pull their weight for auto restoration and performance shops

1.  Search engine optimization (SEO)


SEO involves optimizing your website's content and structure to improve its visibility on search engine results pages (SERPs).


In other words, it makes Google happy so your website can perform better and rank higher!  What this ultimately means for your business is that your target audience can organically discover you when searching for your automotive services online.


90.63% of businesses don’t get organic traffic on search engines, and if you haven’t invested in professional SEO services yet, you can bet that your company falls into that majority, missing out on serious opportunities.


Your website will be strategically formatted and peppered with locally targeted keywords that not only speak to Google but are also easy to read and super specific to the needs of your dream clientele.


With the help of SEO experts who specialize in your niche, you can climb ahead of your competitors on search engines and generate more high-quality, high-converting leads in the fast lane, ensuring a fantastic return on your investment in the long run.


2.  Content marketing


Content marketing is an often undervalued element of digital marketing.


However, the power of blogging, video marketing, and visual marketing messages should not be underestimated - especially in this industry.


A strong content marketing strategy can help your automotive business:

  • Rank higher on search engines
  • Engage your target audience
  • Establish customer trust online
  • Be positioned as the experts
  • Convert leads into sales


The consistent creation of high-quality content not only keeps your website fresh (which search engines love!), but you can connect with your audience by providing real value to them with content that attracts, informs, and entertains.


Blogs are fundamental to attracting organic traffic, and search engine marketing, yet according to our research, 87.8% of auto shop companies reportedly don’t have a functioning blog.


Incorporate a blog section into your website to boost your credibility, showcase your expertise in your niche, and ultimately show the real value you can offer your potential clients by providing solutions to their problems.


On top of this, companies that blog regularly get 55% more web visitors than those that don’t, offering an impressive ROI that you’ll be glad you opted for.


Top tip: You can repurpose parts of your blogs to use as engaging social media content and email newsletters!

3.  Email marketing

A powerful tool for nurturing leads and fostering strong customer relationships, strategic email marketing can offer a whopping 4,200% ROI!.


By segmenting your email lists and creating personalized and targeted email campaigns, you can create valuable communication for your customers they want to engage with.


For example, if a customer has had a specific car part in their online basket for a long time, a product they regularly purchase has just come back in stock, or items from their favorite brand are on offer, you can send them an automated helpful reminder email to gently nudge them towards a purchase.


A successful email campaign will result in high open and click-through rates, increasing conversions, and customer satisfaction. A win-win for everyone!


Still, according to the research we conducted, less than 25% of auto shop businesses have a functioning email marketing campaign despite the compelling ROI and opportunities to generate new customers. Which means there’s a real gap in the industry’s marketing efforts - which you can fill. 


4.  Social media marketing

It’s no secret that having a strong presence across social media platforms is essential to the success of any business.


But as wild as it may seem, we discovered that 20% of auto shop businesses don’t have a social media presence.


Especially in the automotive industry, where the potential to showcase your attractive range of performance-enhancing parts and the impact of your expert services is hugely beneficial.


Not only is it a great space to visually attract your audience, but it also offers an invaluable space to connect with and engage your audience.


Potential customers can interact with your content, send you messages, and get to know your brand on a human level while sharing it with their network in an instant.


Social media also allows you to target your dream clients and build an online community with influencer marketing.


And with over 4.8 billion social media users globally, the potential market to tap into is vast and diverse.


With a little effort, regularly posting and maintaining a solid social media presence can deliver a high ROI in no time.

So, what should you adopt into your digital marketing strategy?


While many types of digital marketing channels deliver results, the best ROI depends on factors unique to your business.


Digital marketing strategies should be tailored to your company's goals and customers' needs for the best success.


If you’re interested in adopting a strategy that incorporates all of the types of digital marketing mentioned above that will result in a high ROI for your business, then you’ll love our
Marketing Maximizer program.


It’s a monthly service done with you that helps you grow your online presence, target your dream customers, and convert them into sales through expert search engine optimization, professional content marketing, social media marketing, mobile marketing, and so much more.


Ready to fast-track your way to success in the automotive repairs and performance industry?


At Motorhead Digital, we’re just as car-obsessed as you are.


That’s why we want to help you get ahead.


Our team of dedicated, results-driven marketing professionals can help you take your business up a notch by merging our unique and exclusive knowledge of both the marketing and automotive industries to create truly effective solutions.


Book a free strategy call
today to get started.

5 Digital Tools to Boost Your Efficiency | Motorhead Digital
By Barry Alt February 6, 2025
Boost your shop’s efficiency with these 5 must-have digital tools! From inventory management to marketing automation, discover the best solutions to streamline operations, reduce manual tasks, and enhance customer satisfaction.
US Election’s Impact on Auto Industry: Dodge's Dilemma in 2025
By Keith Bourgeois January 13, 2025
Explore how the 2025 US election reshapes the auto industry, with a focus on Dodge and Stellantis facing challenges from EV mandates and changing EPA standards.
Building a Content Strategy for Auto Restoration and Performance Shops
By Barry Alt January 1, 2025
Discover how to craft a winning content strategy for your auto restoration, performance, and restyling shop. Learn tips for engaging your audience, optimizing social media, and driving leads through consistent, high-quality content.
Transforming Customer Testimonials Into Business Growth
By Barry Alt December 1, 2024
Boost your automotive restoration and performance shop's credibility and attract high-value projects. Learn how to leverage authentic customer testimonials to build trust, differentiate your brand, and drive success.
The 4 Pillars of Business Marketing | Motorhead Digital
By Barry Alt November 12, 2024
The 4 pillars of auto restoration, performance, racing & restyling shop business marketing. Learn about their benefits & how to implement them in your shop.
Boost Your Auto Shop's Visibility with Blogging & Guest Posting
By Barry Alt November 1, 2024
Learn how automotive restoration and performance shops can use blogging and guest posting to build authority, drive traffic, and reach a broader audience. Discover key strategies to boost your online presence and attract high-value projects.
The 4 Pillars of Business Marketing
By Barry Alt October 29, 2024
The 4 pillars of auto restoration, performance, racing & restyling shop business marketing. Learn about their benefits & how to implement them in your shop.
Use Analytics for Your Digital Marketing
By Barry Alt October 1, 2024
Get more out of your digital marketing campaigns by using the power of analytics. Learn how to use analytics in your digital marketing in our blog. Read it now!
Engaging Your Auto Shop's Audience Online
By Barry Alt September 1, 2024
Boost your auto restoration, performance, racing, or restyling shop's online presence with these 7 winning strategies for engaging with your customers online.
Earth Tones and Patina: A Recap of the 2023 SEMA Show
By Keith Bourgeois August 22, 2024
The 2023 SEMA show was spectacular this year regarding the quality of cutting-edge automotive builds, the innovations and the attendance. The aisles were just as full as they were pre-covid if not more. Enthusiasts and industry professionals packed the halls to witness the unveiling of the latest products, technologies, and designs that are shaping the future of the automotive world. This year, a distinct theme emerged as earthy tones, patina finishes, and an increasing electric vehicle scene arose.
Show More
Share by: