Pros And Cons Of Advertising On Google Ads, Facebook Ads, Craigslist, Or Other Platforms As A Car Dealership.

There are a number of social media marketing platforms available to auto dealers that can be used to market their inventory and services. Some common options include Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and Craigslist. While each option has its advantages and disadvantages, it's essential to weigh all factors before deciding which platform is suitable for your dealership.

Why Advertising On Multiple Platforms Has Become A Need For Car Dealerships

In today's digital world, news and trends can spread like wildfire. One day a new social media platform is all the rage, and the next, it's a new way to advertise your business. With so many people and businesses trying to reach consumers, it's difficult to stand out. 

Especially because people have become very good at ignoring marketing messages they don't want to hear. So how can you make sure your voice is heard above the rest?

The answer is simple: advertise on multiple platforms.

Social media marketing for car dealerships on multiple platforms has become necessary because it allows you to reach your target market, where they spend most of their time. You can increase brand awareness, build trust with potential customers, and drive sales by advertising on multiple platforms. Let's explore these benefits in more detail.

• Brand Awareness

Advertising on multiple platforms helps increase brand awareness for your dealership. According to Hubspot, "brand awareness is one of the first steps in the customer journey—it happens before customers are even aware that they have a problem that needs solving." In other words, brand awareness is essential to getting your foot in the door with potential customers. 

• Build Trust

Multiple-platform advertising also helps build trust with potential customers. According to Sprout Social, 82% of consumers say that trustworthiness is the most important factor when choosing which brands to support. Furthermore, 70% of consumers say they wouldn't buy from a brand they don't trust—and 60% say they have less trust in brands overall than they did a year ago. So, it's clear that trust is essential when it comes to converting potential customers into lifelong fans of your dealership. 

• Drive Sales

Finally, advertising on multiple platforms helps drive sales for your dealership. Out of the people surveyed who said they had seen ads from various channels within the past month, 45% made a purchase (compared to only 16% who hadn't). Furthermore, those who saw an ad across four or more channels were even more likely to convert—56%. These stats make it clear that advertising on multiple platforms is essential if you want to increase sales for your dealership.

The Pros Of Advertising On Multiple Platforms

There are many options for car dealerships when it comes to advertising. You can advertise on TV, radio, print publications, or online. With so many choices, it can take time to figure out where to begin. That's why we've compiled a list of advertising pros on Google, Facebook, Craigslist, and other platforms. Keep reading to learn more.

• Google Ads

Google Ads are not only wide-reaching due to the site's popularity but also very precise. You can generate Google Ads that show exclusively to demographics, interests, and locations that you specify. 

For example, if you sell cars, your ad could target residents in your city who have recently expressed interest in purchasing a vehicle. One downside of Google ads is that they can be expensive; the cost per click (CPC) can be high depending on your industry and targeting options.

• Facebook Ads

Like Google ads, Facebook ads are also targeted and can reach many people. Facebook has over 2 billion active users, so your potential customer base is vast. The average CPC for Facebook ads is $0.27, which is cheaper than Google ads. 

• Craigslist

Craigslist is a great way to reach local customers. You can list your cars for sale on Craigslist for free in most cities. This is a great way to get people actively searching for vehicles in your area. 

One downside of Craigslist is that it doesn't offer the same level of targeting as Google and Facebook; you can't target your ads as precisely as you can on those platforms. 

• Other Platforms

You could choose to advertise on many other platforms, such as print publications (newspapers, magazines) or TV/radio. These platforms can be effective but are also more expensive than online options like Google and Facebook. 

Additionally, they usually have fewer targeting options than online platforms; for example, with TV/radio advertising, you generally have to buy ad time in specific markets rather than being able to target specific demographics or interests. 

As a car dealership, you have many options for advertising your products or services. You can advertise on TV, radio, print publications, or online. Each option has pros and cons that you'll need to consider before deciding. 

In general, though, advertising on online platforms like Google or Facebook is less expensive and offers more targeted options than traditional media like TV or radio. Regardless of your route, be sure to arm yourself with enough information to make the most cost-effective decision!

The Cons of Advertising On Multiple Platforms

If you're a car dealership owner or manager, you know that advertising is essential to driving sales. When allocating your advertising budget, there are many platforms to pick from, and it can take time to decide where to spend it. 

To help you make the wisest choices for your business, we will analyze the cons of Google, Facebook, Craigslist, and other widely used platforms below.

• Google Ads

The downside of Google Ads is that it can be competitive—especially in markets where there are already a lot of car dealerships. 

Your ad may not show up first in the search results every time because other businesses are also trying to advertise space on Google. However, if you're planning to spend some money and effort making a good campaign, Google Ads can help connect with your target audience.

• Facebook Ads

Although Facebook Ads are affordable, they can be expensive if you're trying to compete in a market with many other businesses. Also, people go on Facebook usually to talk with loved ones instead of shopping, meaning when they see your advertisement, they may want to avoid buying anything.

• Craigslist

The downside of Craigslist is that it could be more well-designed than other platforms, which means your ad may get lost in the sea of text-based listings. Additionally, because anyone can post anything on Craigslist (no matter how accurate or reliable), some users may view it as less credible than other sites. 

Additionally, Craigslist does not allow hyperlinks in postings, limiting call-to-actions in your ad. 

When choosing a platform for advertising, car dealerships should weigh all pros and cons before making a decision. Though Google Ads and Facebook Ads are more expensive, they tend to be more effective because you can target your ads specifically. Craigslist is an attractive choice because it's free, though its spammy reputation makes it less reliable.