Looking to open your own auto repair workshop? With more and more people buying cars each year, this is indeed a venture worth exploring.

If you have no idea where to start with this project and you are looking for some helpful advice, we are here to share some simple steps and tips for you to follow.

Get the right setup 

Before you can start selling your services, it is important for you to build a workshop that feels professional. Purchasing industral whirlybirds sheds can be a good starting point, as they provide you with a sheltered area to perform your work. Once you have a decent location, you can start gathering the essential tools you will need for the repairs. 

Hire great people

People make a business. If you are looking to build a successful business, you need to hire the best people. When hiring a new member of your mechanical team, be sure to test their skills. Take the time to check if they are a good fit for the job. 

Get online

One of the best things you can do with a new business is to get online ASAP. Take the time to build a website and social media channels that link up to it. An online presence will make a huge impact on the visibility of your business as well as the reputation you gain. When people want to learn about you, they will look online. And if you don’t have a website or social media to share they won’t bother trying to learn more.

Use SEO 

SEO, or search engine optimisation, is a term used to describe how websites are viewed on the search engine. If you want your website to appear on the first page of results for your keywords, you need to optimise your content. You can get someone to help you with this. Optimising your site helps ensure that whenever someone wants to find an auto workshop in your local area, your business will pop up for them to explore. 

Think referrals 

As a business owner, one of the most effective tools you have at your disposal is word of mouth. If you are looking to make an impact in the local community you need people to talk about your services and recommend them to family and friends. An effective way to do this is to start a referral program where your customers get a reward for bringing another customer your way.

Connect locally 

Networking locally can help your business greatly. You can do this by connecting with other local businesses. You can devise a quid pro quo arrangement. You bring business their way, and they do the same for you. Facebook groups or pages for your neighborhood also offer a great avenue for connecting with the local community.

Host an opening 

For a local business, holding an opening event remains to be an effective way to drum up sales and interest. As a small workshop, you don’t need a huge event to make this happen. Inviting people for coffee and cake and a chat could be a great way to integrate yourself with the community and start making a good impression. 

Be organised 

As any repair shop owner would know, one of the most difficult parts of running a shop is staying organised. Be sure that you have a back office where all documents can be signed and scanned to make digital copies. Also, make sure every tool has a specific home in the workshop and that everyone knows where things go.

Use a scheduling app 

As the owner of a workshop, you are bound to encounter many people who will try to sneak themselves into your schedule when you are already packed to the brim with appointments. If you don’t have a system to monitor your appointments it can be easy to take on too much work and end up double booking for an appointment. This is why you need to think about using a scheduling app where every mechanic can keep track of their own appointments and you will always know what to tell a customer when they enquire. 

Ask for reviews

If you want to attract people from online, you should ask your customers to leave a review on your website or social media for others to see. The social proof will allow you to gain the trust of prospective customers. It’s an effective way to drum up business.

Manage your money 

One of the most complex parts of running a business is dealing with your finances. Every time you sell a service, pay an employee, or pay tax, you are dipping into your finances. These need to be managed effectively, so you can make sure you are able to stay afloat. Using an app such as QuickBooks to help you manage your business finances can greatly help you manage your stress levels.