5 Digital Marketing Strategies Every Car Dealership Needs in 2025

The automotive industry has changed dramatically in the past decade. Dealerships can no longer rely solely on walk-ins, traditional billboards, or weekend newspaper ads. Today’s car buyers are more informed, more connected, and more selective than ever. In fact, over 90% of buyers research vehicles online before setting foot in a showroom.

That means the sales process begins long before a handshake with a salesperson. It starts with a Google search, a scroll through Instagram, or a quick tap on YouTube. For dealerships, this shift is both a challenge and an opportunity.

The challenge? Competition is fierce. Buyers have countless options at their fingertips.

The opportunity? With the right digital marketing strategies, dealerships can meet customers exactly where they are — online — and guide them seamlessly from browsing to buying.

1. Local SEO: Be Found When It Matters Most

Every day, thousands of car shoppers type “dealership near me” into Google. If your dealership isn’t showing up in those results, you’re missing out on ready-to-buy customers. That’s where Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes in.

Local SEO ensures your dealership appears in the places buyers are searching:

• Google Maps (where most mobile searches happen)

• Local 3-Pack listings (the three highlighted businesses at the top of search results)

• Mobile search results (critical since 70% of car-related searches happen on smartphones)

How to Optimize for Local SEO:

• Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile with accurate contact details, photos, and service categories.

• Encourage satisfied customers to leave Google reviews — they’re a powerful ranking factor.

• Create localized content on your website, such as “Best SUVs for Montreal winters” or “Top-rated used cars in Laval.”

• Ensure your dealership’s NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) is consistent across all directories and platforms.

Why it matters: Studies show that 76% of people who search for a nearby business visit within 24 hours. For dealerships, that can mean dozens of new walk-ins every single week.

2. Social Media Marketing: Build Trust and Visibility

If Google is where the car buying journey starts, then social media is where it accelerates. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have become today’s virtual showrooms. Shoppers browse videos, read customer stories, and even compare vehicles — all without leaving their feeds.

Why Social Media Matters for Dealerships:

• It creates a personal connection with your audience.

• It positions your dealership as approachable and transparent.

• It allows you to showcase vehicles, promotions, and events in real time.

Content Ideas That Work:

• Behind-the-scenes videos of your team preparing vehicles for delivery

• Customer testimonial posts (video + quote)

• Quick TikTok walkarounds of your latest arrivals

• Seasonal promotions and community events

• Car care tips and service reminders

Consistency is key. Dealers that post regularly and engage with followers see higher brand awareness and trust.

Why it matters: Shoppers who engage with a dealership on social media are 4x more likely to buy from them.

3. Facebook & Instagram Ads: Reach the Right Buyers

Organic social media posting is powerful, but ads take things to the next level. Facebook and Instagram Ads allow dealerships to target specific audiences with pinpoint accuracy.

Imagine being able to show a promotion for a 2024 Toyota Corolla only to buyers within 25 km of your dealership who are already browsing auto sites. That’s exactly what targeted ads can do.

Benefits of Paid Social Ads for Dealerships:

• Laser-focused targeting by demographics, interests, location, and behavior

• Dynamic inventory ads that showcase vehicles directly from your feed

• Retargeting campaigns to re-engage visitors who browsed your site but didn’t convert

• Lead forms built directly into Facebook or Instagram for easy test drive bookings

Why it matters: Paid social ads generate one of the highest ROIs in automotive marketing. With a well-crafted campaign, dealerships can drive qualified leads at a fraction of the cost of traditional advertising.

4. Video Marketing: Bring Vehicles to Life

Video is no longer optional — it’s essential. From TikTok reels to YouTube walkarounds, video is one of the most effective ways to connect with modern buyers.

Why Video Works for Car Sales:

• Buyers want to see and hear the vehicle, not just read about it.

• Video allows dealerships to showcase features, performance, and lifestyle appeal.

• Platforms like YouTube and TikTok give dealerships massive reach at low cost.

Types of Dealership Video Content:

• Vehicle walkarounds highlighting key features

• Test drive experiences filmed from the driver’s perspective

• Customer testimonial videos

• Service and maintenance tips (great for after-sales relationships)

• Live Q&A sessions on Facebook or Instagram

Pro tip: Keep videos short, authentic, and optimized for mobile viewing.

Why it matters: Video content increases purchase intent by 97% and keeps visitors on your site longer — boosting SEO and conversions.

5. Reviews & Reputation Management: Trust Is Everything

In today’s digital-first world, buyers trust reviews as much as personal recommendations. A dealership with dozens of 5-star reviews will almost always beat a competitor with few or negative ones.

How to Build and Manage Reviews:

• Actively request reviews after each purchase or service appointment.

• Use automated email or text follow-ups to make leaving reviews simple.

• Respond to all reviews — especially negative ones — to show transparency.

• Feature top reviews on your website and social media pages.

The Power of Reviews in Automotive Sales:

• 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as word of mouth.

• Dealerships with strong reputations close deals faster and at higher profit margins.

• Google uses reviews as a ranking factor, meaning more reviews = better visibility.

Why it matters: A dealership’s reputation can be the deciding factor for buyers choosing between you and a competitor down the street.

Bringing It All Together: The Digital HQ Advantage

Each of these five strategies — Local SEO, Social Media Marketing, Paid Social Ads, Video Marketing, and Reviews — is powerful on its own. But when combined into a cohesive digital marketing plan, they become unstoppable.

At Digital HQ, we specialize in bringing these strategies together to deliver measurable results for dealerships. Our team helps you:

• Dominate local search rankings

• Create scroll-stopping social content

• Launch targeted Facebook and Instagram campaigns

• Produce engaging video marketing assets

• Build and protect your online reputation

With the right digital partner, your dealership doesn’t just compete — it leads.

Conclusion: The Future of Automotive Marketing Is Digital

Car buyers have changed. They’re starting their journey online, researching extensively, and making decisions before they ever step onto your lot. If your dealership isn’t meeting them where they are — on Google, social media, and review sites — you’re losing business to competitors who are.

The five strategies outlined above are no longer optional. They’re the foundation of modern automotive marketing in 2025:

1. Local SEO to be discovered

2. Social Media Marketing to connect

3. Facebook & Instagram Ads to convert

4. Video Marketing to engage

5. Reviews & Reputation Management to build trust

At Digital HQ, we help dealerships turn these strategies into a growth engine that drives visibility, leads, and sales. The road ahead is digital — and the dealerships that embrace it will win.