Recent data compiled by Babcox Research shows the number of independent repair shops utilizing social media to market their businesses today.
 
In 2011, Babcox Research has conducted a survey titled “B2B Information Delivery Methods” across a random sample of readers from Brake & Front End, ImportCar and Underhood Service magazines, using two methods: fax and email. The following information reflects 411 Babcox TechGroup magazine reader respondents from the June fax survey and 228 from the October email survey.
 
While 97 percent of respondents to the email survey and 86 percent of respondents to the fax survey say they have Internet access in the shop, it is not being utilized as a marketing tool for most. As the chart above illustrates, roughly three quarters of shops surveyed say they do not use any social media outlets for promoting their businesses. Of those that do, Facebook was most popular. Roughly one-quarter said they use Facebook to communicate with customers.

Stay tuned for more data on Internet and social media usage by independent repair shops in future editions of The Pulse.
 
For more information about Babcox Research, click here.