As the second largest search engine in the world, over 2.6 billion people use YouTube per month. Well, that’s a lot of potential traffic your car dealership could miss out on – if your videos aren’t optimized for it.

If you’re unsure where to start, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to finally navigate through YouTube’s algorithm effectively, so read on!

1. Use keyword-rich titles and descriptions

Make sure your video titles and descriptions include relevant keywords that describe your content. This helps YouTube understand your video and makes it more likely to appear in search results. 

For example, if someone searches for “best SUVs in 2023,” including “best SUVs in 2023” in your video’s description will help YouTube match your video with that search query.

Another example is that if you’re producing a video on a particular car model, you must include the make, model, and year in the title and description. You must avoid using clickbaity titles as this can lead to viewers leaving your video early – which can also result in low retention rates.

If you’re still unsure what keywords to use, try brainstorming key phrases describing your video content. For example, if you have a video about changing a car’s oil, some relevant keywords could be “car maintenance,” “how to change oil,” or “DIY oil change.” Once you have a list of potential keywords, incorporate them into your title and description naturally.

2. Create transcripts of your videos

Search engines can index the transcript of your video, making it easier for people to find your content. In the car industry, transcribing your videos can be especially helpful for viewers researching car models or needing to find information quickly. 

To create transcripts of your videos, you can use transcription online tools like Otter.ai, Amara, and Veed.io. Once you have your transcript (.SRT), you can add it to your video file using editing programs like Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro X. 

You can also upload it as a Closed Caption (CC) track on YouTube and then add it manually. For more information on how to do this, please see YouTube’s Help Center article on adding Closed Captions to videos.

3. Optimize your thumbnails

Your thumbnail is one of the first things potential viewers see when they come across your video, so make sure it’s attention-grabbing and descriptive. You can do a few simple things to optimize your thumbnails and make them more likely to catch someone’s eye.

First, choose an image that is high-quality and visually appealing. This can be a still frame from the video or something completely different. Just make sure it looks good in a small size.

Next, consider using text in your thumbnail. This can help convey what the video is about and can also help it stand out amongst other thumbnails. Keep the text simple and easy to read, however, as you don’t want it to be too busy or difficult to understand at a glance.

Finally, remember that your thumbnail is just one part of the equation – optimizing your video for YouTube is important if you want people to watch it. Make sure your title and description are compelling and accurate, use keywords effectively, and promote your videos through other channels to give them the best chance of success.

4. Categorize your videos

To ensure that your car videos are correctly categorized on YouTube, start by choosing an appropriate title and tag. You can also use the description field to include relevant keywords to help people find your video.

When it comes to the title of your video, make it short, descriptive, and to the point. For example, “How to change a tire” is a great title for a car video. As for tags, use popular and relevant keywords that describe your video content. 

For instance, some good tags for a “How to change a tire” video could be “tire,” “change,” “how-to,” and “DIY.”

5. Convert more traffic with video landing pages

Here at Cartender; we believe that using video landing pages is one of the most highly effective strategies for driving more traffic to both your YouTube channel and official website. 

A video landing page is custom designed to match your website and can be used to present vehicle incentives, service specials, customer testimonials, and more. Increase engagement and conversion while providing a seamless experience on your dealership website with custom, video-powered landing pages.

For example, you could create a video landing page highlighting the features and benefits of a new car model, providing a virtual tour of the vehicle and demonstrating its performance on the road. You could also use video to showcase your dealership’s service offerings, giving customers a glimpse of your state-of-the-art facilities and experienced technicians. 

By using video landing pages in this way, you can increase your video SEO, build trust with your audience, and establish your dealership as a go-to destination for all their automotive needs.

6. Promote your videos on social media and other websites

Of course, after you create your car video, it’s time to share it with the world. You can promote your video on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to get more views. You can also post the video on forums and discussion boards.

Tap into Cartender’s automotive video expertise.

With these simple tips and tricks, you can start creating awesome car videos for YouTube and get the most out of them. You must remember that the key is to ensure your video stands out from all the other car videos on YouTube by providing quality content that viewers will find interesting and entertaining.

Optimizing your car videos for YouTube doesn’t have to be hard or time-consuming if you consider our advice – it just requires some knowledge and a bit of effort!

Need help creating custom videos? Cartender has you covered. To learn more, call us at (213) 545-2645 or fill out our contact form here.