TCS says its Facebook app ties tire dealer websites with social media fans?to increase traffic to stores and boost sales.
TCS Technologies, a provider of technology solutions to the tire and auto service industries, has introduced a Facebook application which ties tire dealer websites with social media channels.
The TCS "Like Us and Save" app asks the user to 'like' a tire dealer's page and in return the new-Facebook fan receives a fan-exclusive offer from the tire dealer. Offers are changed monthly or quarterly, and in-store conversions compared to the amount of new fans derived from the app are tracked.
"A lot of tire dealers view their social goals and website goals in silos, often times managed by two different companies, which results in a disjointed experience for the online visitor," says Marek Cerney, TCS director of Web development.
TCS says Tire Pros of Frederick and Epperly Tire and Auto are examples of tire dealers who are using the app to tie website and social strategies together.
Tire Pros of Frederick highlights an offer for a $10 oil change on its website's homepage and throughout the site. The offer links to the TCS app which requires the visitor to 'like' the dealer's Facebook page to reveal the coupon for the $10 oil change.
"I have found strong oil change offers are an effective way to increase foot traffic and hook a customer into visiting your shop every three to six months," says Bo Cavell, owner of dealership, which is a subsidiary of Hi-Lo Auto Sales of Maryland Inc.
"At the same time, I am a new tire dealer and quickly learning the importance of 'being social' on the internet. It is a cost effective way to educate my community about my shop and constantly stay in front of customers to promote my products and services.
"By pointing my website visitors to my Facebook page and encouraging the visitor to 'like' me to receive the oil change offer is the best of both worlds. I get what I want, a new Facebook fan and potentially a new customer, and the shopper gets a strong offer."
Epperly Tire & Auto Centers converts tire shoppers into Facebook fans. Visitors to the company's website, www.epperlytire.com, see an offer to "Get a Quote & $10 Off" displayed next to each tire presented in the search results.
When visitors click on the offer, a quote form requires them to submit their name, email and phone. Upon submission, the user lands on a confirmation page presenting the option to "Schedule Now for an Additional Savings!" or "Like Us on Facebook & Get Additional $10 off a set of Tires or Service Work."
Additionally, an email is immediately sent to the user with the same offers and messaging. The Facebook page of the family-owned dealership, which has three stores in Columbus, Ga., gained over 300 new fans over the last 90-day period.
"Customizing our website to include a Facebook-only offer was an excellent move for us, says David Epperly, owner. "By asking website tire shoppers to like us on Facebook to receive additional savings on tires, we not only grow our fan base but increased sales as well."
In addition to the Like Us and Save app, TCS has a Tire Finder app which offers Facebook visitors the same tire shopping experience on Facebook as on a tire dealer's website.
