AutoInc. Names Top 10 Repair Shop Websites

AutoInc., the official publication of the Automotive Service Association (ASA), recently selected its annual "Top 10 Automotive Repair Websites" honorees.

AutoInc., the official publication of the Automotive Service Association (ASA), recently selected its annual “Top 10 Automotive Repair Websites” honorees, which was published in the magazine’s January 2011 issue. Since its inception 13 years ago, AutoInc.’s annual Top 10 feature has been a guide to help shop owners understand the capabilities of the Internet in the automotive repair industry.

AutoInc.’s Top 10 of 2011 includes (in alphabetical order):
• Auburn Foreign & Domestic Complete Auto Service, Auburn, WA., www.auburnforeigncar.com
• Auto Pro To Call, Chapel Hill, NC., www.autoprotocall.com
• Evergreen Autoworks, Mill Creek, WA, www.evergreenautoworks.com
• Integrity Automotive Maintenance and Repair, Issaquah, WA, www.integrityautorepair.com
• Menke’s Automotive Repair, Newburgh, IN, www.menkesauto.com
• Milstead Automotive, Spring, TX, www.milsteadautomotive.com
• Pfefferle Tire and Automotive Service, Fairfield & Hamilton, OH, www.pfefferletire.com
• Precision Automotive Services, Spring, TX, www.carswellauto.com
• West Escondido Automotive, Escondido, CA, www.westescondidoauto.com
• Sparks Computerized Car Care, Omaha, NE, www.sparksccc.com

Each year, AutoInc. judges review scores of website submissions and narrow the field to what they consider to be the best. The goal is to help other shops employ the Internet as a powerful tool and show them how fellow shop owners use the Web to improve productivity, enhance marketing programs and, ultimately, increase their businesses’ bottom lines.

Judges use set guidelines and a scoring sheet to evaluate specific features of each site uniformly. Sites are evaluated using the following criteria:
• First impression
• Visual design
• Appearance
• Navigation
• Technical
• Consumer friendliness
• Objective/purpose
• Innovation
• Credibility
• Interactivity
• Encourages action

The entire feature, with more in-depth information about each shop’s site, is available in the January 2011 issue of AutoInc. magazine, currently available online at www.AutoInc.org. The AutoInc. website also includes winners from previous years.

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry. ASA’s headquarters is in Bedford, TX.

ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to www.asashop.org, or visit ASA’s legislative website at www.TakingTheHill.com.

You May Also Like

When Your Shop Is Worth Much More Than You Thought

Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.

Case Study: Owner of San Francisco-based Import Service Shop Delighted to Discover Just How Valuable His Business is to Qualified Buyers
I sometimes share case studies of the clients I have been able to assist in my role as an aftermarket business broker and provider of intermediary and advisory services. I do that when I think the story will provide a reader in similar circumstances with new insights or helpful information.
In the case of Cowden Automotive, Inc., I acted in a consulting capacity assisting the owner and his broker in valuing the business, creating a marketing plan, finding a qualified buyer, and arranging financing for the sale.
Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.
Needless to say, delivering that kind of good news to a shop owner is a rewarding experience. Discovering that the sale of his business would result in his retirement nest-egg being substantially larger than he had ever thought was a fitting tribute to someone who had spent his entire working career as a busy automotive service shop owner.

Will You Adapt And Cope With Changing Technology?

I remember my boss complaining that electronic ignition was going to destroy our business back in the mid-’70s. “They are taking away our tune up business,” he would say. In some ways, he was right. Technology and change are things we can’t control. In fact, “change” is perhaps the one thing we can count on. And, as in life, it’s how we deal with change that matters.

The Secret To Price Advertising

Believe it or not, price advertising is a good thing. I am sure you will agree, everyone likes to find a good value, and price advertising lets people in your community know that you are looking for ways to help them save money. The problem most shop owners come across is that they’re unsure of exactly how to price advertise.

Phone Shoppers Made Easy

Although there is no silver bullet that will allow you to bring in every first-time caller, there are a number of things you can do to get more appointments. In this article, I would like to share some of the best practices your advisors can use that will generate immediate results.

The True Cost Of Comebacks

Comebacks are a hot topic today. You need to track all comebacks, determine the reason (tech error, part error, training issue, other) and then calculate the true cost of the comeback.

Other Posts
Want To Increase A/C Sales?

Have your techs, as part of their preliminary checks, turn on the A/C and see if the system is working. Is the compressor turning on? Are all the fan speeds working? Is the system getting cold? Is there a smell from the vents?

Call For Entries For The ATMC National Excellence In Training Awards

The Automotive Training Managers Council (ATMC) has issued a call for entries for the 2014 National Excellence in Training Awards. The annual program is designed to highlight the importance of training to the success of the transportation industry by honoring highly effective or innovative training programs. The awards are open to any person or entity providing training in the industry.

CARS 2014: ‘Not Your Father’s Oldsmobile’

From ASA comes word that CARS this year “is not your father’s Oldsmobile.” This year’s CARS will be held July 30-Aug. 2 in Detroit and, for the first time, the focus will be on younger techs. Each program at CARS this year has been handpicked with an eye toward making your shop better, said Donny Seyfer, chairman-elect of the Automotive Service Association, which sponsors CARS.

GAAS Attendees Get ‘Connected’ In Chicago

Attendees of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium’s (GAAS) 2014 Connected conference were engaged in a range of high-level topics affecting the automotive aftermarket now and in the future.