North East garage announces “unprecedented” growth thanks to digital investment

A North East garage has announced larger than expected interim growth figures thanks to its new website launch and online market activity.

Team Valley Service & MOT Centre, based in Gateshead, specialises in providing a real alternative for vehicle repairs, servicing and maintenance to more expensive main dealers.

The business, one of the largest independent garages in the area, has seen turnover increase by £125k in just eight months .

Marvin Campbell, founder Tees Valley Service, said: “It’s estimated that 70 per cent of UK motorists would rather use an independent garage than a main dealer, and given the best way to reach those customers is online, we knew we had to overhaul our website and make it really work for us.

“The figures are there in black and white, we can’t believe it. In direct website bookings alone, we’re now doing over £1k a week. And then there are all the calls it generates and those new customers recommend us too.

“We knew the website would be a good investment but this has been beyond what we expected. I’ve had to take on three extra staff and invest in two more ramps.

Marvin continued: “Appointing Garage Services Online to design, build and manage the website has proved to be a game changer for us.

“Making the investment wasn’t a hard decision either. The amount we used to spend on advertising alone has reduced by 60 percent. That in itself has covered the website cost 20 times over.”

Jim Lang, managing director of Garage Services Online commented: “We’ve been creating websites for the independent garage sector for over 10 years and the best thing about the job is seeing the real difference they can make to businesses like Team Valley Service & MOT Centre.”