In today’s digital-first world, automotive dealerships need more than a good inventory and a user-friendly website to generate leads. Paid advertising can be a powerful tool for boosting traffic to your dealership’s website—but only if it’s used strategically. Whether you’re trying to increase new vehicle sales, promote a service special, or move specific inventory, knowing how to use paid ads effectively makes a difference.
Below, we break down the most common types of paid ads and how each can support your dealership’s marketing goals. Without further ado, check out our guide to using paid ads to boost dealership website traffic.
Search ads appear at the top of search engine results pages (like Google or Bing) when a user types in a relevant keyword (e.g., “used cars near me” or “Ford service specials in Phoenix”).
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Display ads are visual banner ads shown across websites in the Google Display Network (GDN) or other ad networks. They’re often used for branding or remarketing.
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Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube offer paid ad options that can be highly targeted by demographics, interests, and online behavior.
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Video ads provide a storytelling opportunity through YouTube pre-rolls or streaming services like Hulu or Roku.
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Remarketing ads target users who have previously visited your site or engaged with your content, reminding them of your vehicles or services.
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An effective paid ad strategy doesn’t rely on just one type of campaign—it layers different ad formats to reach shoppers at multiple stages of the buying journey. For example, you might use search ads to bring in high-intent traffic, social ads to build brand trust, and remarketing to close the deal.
The key to success? Know your audience, define your goals, monitor your data, and refine regularly.
Paid advertising is one of the most powerful tools in digital marketing—but only when managed with precision. At DealerFire, powered by Solera, our paid media experts specialize in crafting ad strategies tailored to automotive dealerships. We help you choose the right mix of campaigns, optimize your ad spend, and ensure every dollar is working to drive quality traffic and leads.
Ready to get more from your paid ads? Let our team help you unlock smarter campaigns and stronger results.