Star Buick GMC Internet Sales: Online Marketing That Drove 111% Growth In 60 Days

Star Buick GMC doubled their internet sales in 60 days, growing from 26.5 to more than 55 sales per month.

Thanks to DealerSmart’s first-party lead system, plus a Core 3 video strategy, we turned online marketing into real appointments, retail delivery, and vehicle sales.

The same framework flexes for new vehicle sale offers, current Buick GMC lease messages, trade-in tools, and finance paths on approved credit through GM Financial.

It also adapts to EV awareness for a GMC EV dealer promoting the GMC Sierra EV, Hummer EV SUV, and Hummer EV Pickup when vehicle inventory availability allows.

Client Background

Star Buick GMC is a well-known GMC dealer with strong local awareness and a busy service center here in the US. The team wanted to scale internet sales without wasting budget.

The goal was simple. Use online marketing that reaches car shoppers fast and turns clicks into calls, messages, and showroom traffic... tangible things.

The store serves customers across truck and car segments, new vehicle and pre-owned vehicle shoppers, and drivers who are in the process of comparing true market value BEFORE they visit.

The Challenge

To increase internet sales while keeping costs in check. Many dealerships end up simply paying for views.

Star GMC wanted qualified leads, clear tracking, and a repeatable system that works whether the focus is on GMC vehicles, newer Buick models, or vehicle specials that compete well with other new GMC dealers in the market.

The DealerSmart Approach

We paired two pieces that work together for GMC vehicles and Buick models.

First-Party Lead System

Creating direct conversations with high-quality leads. Pages featured a quick credit application, value trade-in, and simple calls to action.

Shoppers could get an online quote, check the current vehicle value, and apply online for approved credit. Leads went straight to the sales team, so follow-up happened in less than a minute when possible.

Core 3 Video Pillar Strategy

1. Customer testimonials that build trust with real drivers
2. Informative clips that explain trims, financing options, current eligible manufacturer incentives, and how to request an online quote or buy offer
3. Fun content that keeps the brand approachable and memorable

Another important point, creative variations fit a broad inventory plan. So, if vehicle inventory availability called for EV awareness, the same scripts could easily be adapted to models like the GMC Sierra EV, Hummer EV SUV, or Hummer EV Pickup, making for super-fast set-up.

When the calendar leaned into monthly programs, we could quickly highlight new vehicle sale announcements, current lessee reminders, lease-based messages like lease includes and information lease pages, or a finance offer that links to full details.

How The Funnel Worked

Awareness

Short videos and display units reached local buyers on Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Messaging stayed consistent, which helped customers remember Star Buick GMC and visit the dealership site for details.

When appropriate, ads referenced GM limited-time special language or savings-based offers with discounts included and followed discounts listed on the important information page.

Consideration

Search ads and YouTube ads met high-intent shoppers who were actively searching for a specific car model. Landing pages focused on key pages that matter most: vehicle listings, vehicle detail pages, trade-in, online quote, quick credit application, and service center options.

Negative keywords reduced irrelevant searches and protected ad spend. This path supported customers in comparing the true market and true market value before choosing an eligible purchase.

Decision

Strong testimonials, clear financing language on approved credit, and easy booking moved shoppers to schedule a test drive or request retail delivery.

When lease programs were live, the copy clarified contract limited terms, eligible non-GM or current owner requirements, and that individual transactions may vary by dealership.

Conversion tracking tied every ad to real sales outcomes, including new retail delivery, lease includes rollups, and information lease disclosures.

Collaboration And Process Improvements

DealerSmart’s consultants worked with Star GMC to refine follow-up, set subject lines for emails, and keep phone calls short and specific.

The team continued to negotiate individual transactions while our media adjusted bids, ad copy, and audiences to target local buyers by zip code and interest. The dealership had visibility into Google Analytics, visitor behavior, click-through rate, and sales funnel activity.

Managers could compare January and later periods, review other offers, and keep the budget aligned with what actually moved their automobiles.

Results In 60 Days

• Internet sales increased from 26.5 per month to more than 55
• Lead generation quality improved, creating more booked test drives and retail delivery outcomes
• Video campaigns and search captured both new vehicle and pre-owned interest, then routed qualified leads to the sales team

Why It Worked

High Intent First

Search ads met online searchers at the exact moment they were in buying mode. Social media marketing amplified reach and retargeted viewers who showed interest in a specific car, truck, or EV.

One Offer, Many Placements

The same offer appeared across multiple platforms, which raised brand visibility and kept the message easy to understand on mobile devices.

Copy could align with current Buick GMC lease messaging, newer current Buick GMC inventory pushes, or vehicle specials tied to a finance offer.

Tools Customers Expect

Value trade-in, online quote, and quick credit application gave customers a clear next step. Approved credit terms flowed through GM Financial, where applicable.

Shoppers could review current vehicle information and then decide to visit for a new vehicle or a pre-owned vehicle sale.

Flexible To Programs

Creative could reference current Buick GMC lease talk tracks, GM limited-time special language, and savings-based offers.

If a store participates in the Costco Auto Program, paid ads can educate current Costco Gold Star or Executive Level Member households on how to verify eligibility, how a unique promotion code works, and how the Costco Auto Program online flow connects to the dealership.

We always point to full details and important information on eligibility, contract limited terms, and any buy offer or extra savings that apply.

What Dealers Can Learn

• Meet high-intent shoppers with Google Ads and protect your budget with negative keywords
• Use short videos and customer testimonials to lift engagement on social
• Keep landing pages focused on vehicle detail, trade-in, online quote, and quick credit paths
• Track calls, test drive bookings, and sold units, not just clicks

How DealerSmart Helps

DealerSmart runs paid ads across Google Search, Vehicle Ads, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. We provide scripts and ideas, your team captures simple clips on the lot, and we edit those into finished video ads.

We launch, manage, and optimize ad campaigns, then report what turned into qualified leads, test drives, and real sales for Star Buick GMC and other new GMC dealers. The same play supports leasing, finance offers, promotions, and center traffic for service.

FAQs

How Did Star Buick GMC Double Internet Sales So Quickly?

A first-party lead system plus Core 3 video kept the message consistent across search and social. Google Ads caught high-intent buyers, while social video and retargeting pushed viewers to book a test drive, request retail delivery, or get an online quote.

Can This Approach Work For EV Awareness, Like the GMC Sierra EV Or Hummer EV?

Yes. The creative system adapts to EVs when inventory is available. Use short informative clips about charging, trims, and incentives, then drive to an online quote or quick credit application. Availability can be limited, so always link to full details and important information on the eligible purchase requirements.

What If We Participate In the Costco Auto Program Or the Monthly Manufacturer Offers?

We can align paid ads with program windows. If your store participates in the Costco Auto Program, ads can guide qualified current Costco Gold Star and Executive Level Member households to verify eligibility, retrieve a unique promotion code, and understand how individual transactions are finalized at the dealership. For current Buick GMC lease or finance offer messages, we clarify that terms vary by market and are on approved credit through GM Financial.

Which Pages Matter Most For Conversions?

Keep the path simple. Vehicle listings, vehicle detail pages, trade-in valuation, online quote, quick credit application, and a contact page with call and chat. These pages help customers move from interest to action in less than a minute on mobile.

How Do You Protect the Budget While Running Google Ads For Car Dealers?

We target local audiences and high-intent searches, use long tail keywords for specific car terms, and maintain negative keywords to block irrelevant searches. We adjust bids as data comes in, keep ad extensions current, and ensure discounts are included or follow discounts language routes to full details so shoppers can see information, lease-based terms, and other offers with clarity.

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