The automotive industry in South Africa is a fiercely competitive market, with numerous brands vying for consumer attention. In such a cut-throat environment, partnering with a reliable and competent marketing company can make all the difference in setting your company apart from the competition. However, not all automotive marketing companies are equal in terms of capabilities, expertise, and approach. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully evaluate potential marketing partners and select one that you can trust and feel confident in.
As you begin the process of interviewing and selecting a marketing team, there are several key factors to consider. Firstly, you need to assess the company’s track record and reputation in the industry, looking at their past work and results. Secondly, it is essential to consider the team’s level of experience and expertise in the automotive industry, including their understanding of your specific market and target audience. Additionally, you should evaluate their marketing strategies and tactics, ensuring they align with your brand’s goals and values. Finally, you should also consider their communication skills, availability, and responsiveness, as a good working relationship requires open and timely communication.
By taking the time to carefully evaluate and choose a reputable and capable automotive marketing company, you can boost your chances of standing out in a crowded market and achieving your business goals.
Company’s experience in automotive
There is a dilemma in choosing between a digital marketing agency specialised in the automotive industry vs a digital marketing agency with experience in various sectors.
We recommend selecting the one that suits your company’s business needs the best. For instance, a generic digital marketing agency might focus only on website development. Furthermore, they might possess little knowledge of the automotive industry.
Automotive digital marketing agencies like CSA Sha-Izwe have an edge due to their industry knowledge. They have worked with Fuchs, AutoZone, Gabriel shocks, Warn winches, Eichlin, Willard batteries, NAACAM, and Airflow pipes to name a few. They tend to understand your business better and recommend feasible solutions.
Agency reviews
The good thing about the advancement of the internet is the concept of ratings and reviews. You should look at a company’s reviews and testimonials to find out more about how they deal with their customers or how good they are. If the automotive marketing agency does a good job, its ratings will tell you.
Some people abuse this system, but personal vendettas and fake reviews are usually shut down quickly by other loyal clients who defend their favourite agency. Also, review sites like Clutch and The Manifest independently verify reviews and curate them so that buyers know they’re receiving the best services! On The Manifest, CSA Sha-Izwe has an average review rating of 4 stars.
Contact Frequency
You’re handing over your company’s image to automotive digital marketing agencies when you hire them. The agency manages your company’s digital marketing strategy and your online image. Therefore, you should discuss the number of times in a month you can expect a meeting with them. Does once a week sound suitable? Do you want to meet twice a week or once a month? It all depends on the amount of investment you make in the digital marketing agency and your goals.
What channels they will use to market your company
It’s not enough to have a marketing strategy that focuses solely on Google Ads or merely on SEO. Your company needs to have a strategy that spans the consumer journey and includes a multi-channel approach. While there’s no one right answer —it varies according to the objectives and needs of your company—we’ll recommend a company that focuses on Facebook Ads, Web development, and Google My Business.
CSA Sha-Izwe has long-established relationships with the press and media in South Africa. They grow your presence on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For over three decades they have assisted clients with their marketing from Google Ads to digital PR.
What are the benefits of using a PR company for an automotive business?
Using a PR company can be beneficial for an automotive business in several ways, including:
- Building and maintaining a positive reputation: A PR company can help an automotive business build and maintain a positive reputation by crafting and disseminating positive messages about the business through various channels such as social media, press releases, and events.
- Increasing brand visibility: A PR company can help an automotive business increase its brand visibility by placing articles, stories, and press releases about the business in relevant media outlets. This can help the business reach a wider audience and increase awareness of its products or services.
- Establishing thought leadership: A PR company can help an automotive business establish itself as a thought leader in its industry by developing and promoting content that showcases the business’s expertise and innovation.
- Responding to negative publicity: In the event that the business faces negative publicity, a PR company can help the business respond in a way that minimizes damage to its reputation and restores confidence in the business.
- Connecting with customers and stakeholders: A PR company can help an automotive business connect with customers, stakeholders, and other key audiences through targeted campaigns and initiatives.
What SEO strategies can automotive companies use?
Automotive companies can improve the visibility of their website in the Google SERP and increase traffic by conducting keyword research, optimising website content for keywords, obtaining high-quality backlinks, optimising for local search, ensuring the website is mobile-friendly, promoting the website on social media, and creating and sharing valuable content.
Final thoughts on …
The competition is tough out there. To succeed in such an environment, your automotive business needs a digital marketing agency that can increase your visibility online and in the media. Need help in marketing your automobile company in South Africa? Talk to us here.
