Link Building for Automotive Websites : Get More Leads & Sell More Cars

Think about how often people use their phones to search for a nearby car dealership.

Over 75% of local smartphone searches result in a business visit within one day.

This highlights the importance of car dealerships being visible online, particularly on search engines like Google.

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If your dealership is buried on page three of the results, potential buyers may never even be aware of your existence.

That’s where link building comes in.

A strong link-building strategy can help your dealership stand out in search results and attract more serious car buyers.

In this blog, you’ll learn how link building works for car dealerships and how you can use it to improve your online presence.

What Is Link Building and Why Does It Matter for Car Dealerships

Link building is the process of getting other websites to link to yours.

These links, known as backlinks, act as signals to Google that your website is trustworthy and valuable.

For a car dealership, this can mean getting links from local news sites, auto directories, blogs, and other relevant websites.

Not all links carry the same value.

A few links from well-known, relevant sites are worth much more than dozens from low-quality or unrelated sources.

This is why building high-quality, relevant backlinks is an important part of improving your dealership’s search engine rankings.

13 Effective Link Building Strategies for Car Dealers

1. Get Listed in Local Directories

Start by submitting your dealership to well-known directories like Google Business Profile, Yelp, Cars.com, and Edmunds.

These listings not only give you backlinks but also ensure that your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent across the web.

This consistency helps Google verify your business and rank it higher in local search results.

Don’t forget about industry-specific directories like DealerRater or AutoRepairKey. These niche platforms are especially valuable because they’re focused on the automotive market.

2. Encourage Customer Reviews

Happy customers can help more than just your reputation—they can boost your SEO too.

When a customer includes relevant keywords in their reviews, it helps your website’s SEO by making your business more visible in search results.

Platforms like Google Reviews, Yelp, and DealerRater often allow links to your website in your profile or even in the review itself.

See how AutoNation USA has linked its Google Reviews on the website to build trust and contribute to its SEO efforts.

You can also highlight customer testimonials on your site, which adds fresh content and may encourage others to link to you.

3. Create Content That Attracts Links

Publishing helpful content is one of the best ways to earn organic backlinks.

Think about what potential buyers are searching for—car buying guides, maintenance tips, or reviews of specific models.

Focus on keywords that show buyer intent, such as “used SUVs in [City]” or “2024 Honda Civic features.”

Update your blog regularly with dealership news, community involvement stories, and expert insights to keep your content fresh and link-worthy.

USA Direct Auto has a separate blog section that has contents that addresses their target audience’s concerns and pain points. These contents are valuable enough to attract links.

4. Use Guest Posting and Blogger Outreach

Reach out to popular automotive blogs or websites that focus on car buyers.

Offer to write informative guest posts on topics like car maintenance or trends in the auto industry.

These posts often allow you to include a link back to your website, which builds authority and drives traffic.

Building relationships with local influencers and bloggers can also help.

Their audiences are usually based nearby and more likely to visit your dealership.

Just by Googling the search string “Guest post + cars,” you can find sites that agree to publish your content.

Check the site’s domain authority and traffic before you choose one. Ensure the site has a higher domain authority than yours and has some good traffic.

5. Try Broken Link Building

Use tools like Ahrefs to find broken links on relevant auto industry sites.

If you find a broken link that used to point to a resource similar to something you offer, reach out to the site owner and suggest your content as a replacement.

6. Create Better Versions of Popular Content

Look at what content is already performing well in the automotive space, and then create something better.

Add more detail, update the information, and include visuals or data to make it stand out.

7. Host or Sponsor Local Events

Hosting car shows, community fundraisers, or dealership open houses can bring more than just local goodwill—they can also earn you backlinks.

Local news outlets and event calendars often link to your site when covering these events.

8. Share Webinars and Videos

Hosting webinars on topics like car maintenance or new model features can earn backlinks when other websites share or embed your content.

Videos, especially tutorials or walk-throughs, are also highly shareable.

9. Collaborate with Local Businesses

Build partnerships with nearby auto repair shops, insurance providers, or car rental companies.

You can co-create content like guides or blog posts and link to each other’s websites. This expands your reach and helps both businesses gain new traffic.

10. Encourage User-Generated Content

Invite customers to share their stories, car photos, or experiences on social media using a branded hashtag.

Highlighting these stories on your blog or website can generate backlinks from social platforms and local communities.

11. Work with Influencers and Experts

If your dealership has a great story or achievement to share, thank the influencers who’ve inspired you.

When they mention you online, it can lead to valuable backlinks.

You can also invite experts to contribute to your content or join your webinars for added credibility.

12. Share Original Data and Debunk Myths

Content that shares new data or clears up common misconceptions in the automotive industry tends to attract links.

Journalists and bloggers are always looking for credible and informative content to support their stories.

If your dealership shares original research, helpful guides, or unique insights, it increases the chances that they will refer to your content.

When this happens, your site can earn quality backlinks, which helps improve your search rankings and build trust with both search engines and potential customers.

13. Use Press Releases Strategically

When your dealership reaches a milestone, such as winning an award or launching a new service, write a press release and share it with local media.

While direct SEO value from press release sites is limited, the real benefit comes when journalists cover your story and link to your website in their articles.

14. Optimize for Voice Search and Local Questions

With the rise of mobile usage and smart devices, many people now search using voice commands.

Answer common questions like “where’s the best car dealership near me” or “who sells certified pre-owned vehicles in [City]” directly on your site. Use FAQ pages and structured data to improve your chances of showing up in voice search results.

Monitoring Your Link Building Results

Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track your car dealership website’s backlink growth, referral traffic, and rankings.

Focus on strategies that are delivering high-quality links and helping you rank for your most important keywords.

Regular reviews and updates are essential, especially as search engines and customer behavior continue to evolve.

Conclusion

In today’s digital world, link building for car dealerships is not just a nice-to-have—it’s a key part of staying competitive.

The dealerships that focus on quality backlinks, build relationships, and create useful content will continue to attract more traffic and customers.

Whether you’re optimizing directory listings or publishing helpful guides, every smart move you make now will help your dealership succeed in the long run.