Body shops are ideal for automobile mechanics with the skills to repair and fix up cars. An auto body shop may provide custom installation services for stereos, car alarms, window tinting, and aftermarket upgrades. COVID-19 has disrupted many industries, including auto body shops, as customers are re-thinking their spending habits. You can still run a successful auto body shop despite the pandemic. Take a look at some tips for running an auto body shop and how to make it through to post-pandemic.
1. Make sure you have the right expertise.
Your auto body shop is only as successful as the expertise you have to offer. A successful auto body shop has mechanics who know everything about repairs, bodywork and painting cars. Make sure that you have all the skills and training necessary to run an auto body shop. You’ll need to hire mechanics who are trained, certified, and experienced. Have all the necessary licenses and insurances in place to operate legally, including general liability protection, property coverage, and workers’ compensation insurance.
2. Develop a quality relationship with a parts supplier.
You’ll need a reliable parts supplier that you can purchase inventory from. The smart way to run an auto body business is to reduce overhead costs as much as possible. Building a reliable relationship with a supplier is a great way to secure affordable inventory, such as lifts, tools, and initial parts inventory.
Browsing an online auto auction is a great way to find the inventory you need at the prices you want. Auto Auction Mall features a wide selection of used, pre-owned, and salvage vehicles at wholesale prices. Buyers can search the online marketplace for thousands of salvage cars for sale, including salvage title motorcycles, SUVs, and compact cars. The auction’s concierge service helps you find the perfect salvage title car and will even handle shipping your car to you, even if you live outside of the United States.
3. Offer contact-free drop-off and pick-up services.
With social distancing measures in full effect, put your customers at ease by offering contact-free car drop-off and pick-up services. Ensure customers that their safety is your priority in your emails, on your website, and through social media. Create a designated area for drop-off and pick-up, ensure workers sanitize all contact surfaces before and after working, and always maintain a safe distance from customers while wearing face and eye protection.
Offering your customers clean drinking water while they wait is a small touch that shows you care. Tap water contains contaminants, particles, plastic particles, and microplastics that affect water quality. The best way to offer your customers and workers the purest water is to have bottled water on hand.
Canadian Springs is one of Canada’s premier water companies that provides a wide selection of bottled water and beverage products from major brands such as Nestle, Dasani, Evian, Aquafina, and Fiji. All bottles of water are recyclable and meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. Whether you need individual plastic bottles of spring water or mineral water, or a multi-liter plastic bottle to fit your cooler, the Canadian bottlers offer the bottled water brands to meet your hydration needs.
4. Start utilizing email marketing.
Consumers are turning to the internet for all of their informational needs and to stay connected with the outside world. Start utilizing email marketing, and leverage your subscription list to keep current and potential customers informed. Consider sending a weekly email newsletter that highlights your service specials, updated hours, useful tips, and discount offers.
Operating a business in COVID-19 times isn’t easy, but with the right updates and business focus, you can keep customers coming to you. Make sure you have the skills, products, and services that customers want, let them know you are open for business, show them you care, and keep in touch with your customers.