Your customers’ and potential customers’ experiences when they step onto the lot at your car dealership can make or break you. To get a feel for how true this is, go to Yelp and look at the reviews for car dealerships in your area and other areas. Buying a car is a pretty hefty investment, and when someone buys a new car, they’re entering a relationship with you, their car dealership.

Chances are, these days, they’re not just going to drive off the lot and never see you again. You’ll be doing periodic maintenance for them that’s included in the warranty, and, hopefully, you’ll be doing other maintenance and repairs for them that will bring in more revenue for you because you’ve built a good relationship with them. So, how can you boost your sales through great customer service? Read on for a couple of great tips.

What Does Your Environment Say About You?

Look around your showroom and lot. Look at the construction, the layout, the cleanliness, and the inventory. Does this place say that you’re a successful dealership that will be around for years to come? Does it look like you’re in decline or on the rise? Is the décor outdated?

Take a serious look at your car dealership and answer these questions for yourself. If you find those answers are lacking, it’s time to look in the budget for some renovations. The fact is, when your customers walk in, they’re going to be judging you and your dealership. In the back of their heads, they’ll be thinking about whether or not this is a good place to have a relationship with.

How Nice Is Your Sales Staff?

People want to buy new cars. They love the smell, the look, and the feel of getting into a new vehicle. They just need you and your sales team to make them feel like they’re making the right decision. If you hire genuinely nice salespeople who you’d like to go out for a happy hour drink with, who you’d trust to walk your dog, then you’re going to sell a lot more cars at your dealership.

Hiring people who are genuine and who enjoy selling quality products will help you in the long term. They create a positive environment that breeds trust in you and your business. Your customers will enjoy coming into the dealership, which means they’ll be more likely to bring their friends and family to you, too. They’ll also be more likely to make upgrades when getting maintenance done and to eventually trade their first car in for another from you.