Facebook is the most popular social media network — by far. It also happens to be an easy-to-use platform for nearly any marketing message.

Whether you’re trying to sell specific vehicles or promote a storewide event, Facebook ads (especially carousel ads!) should be a key part of your automotive marketing strategy.

Here’s why and how to use Facebook carousel ads for your dealership.

Why Are Automotive Facebook Ads So Effective?

Facebook is one of the most inexpensive and effective forms of digital advertising available for auto dealers. You can reach shoppers at every stage of the automotive sales funnel.

Car shoppers do their research prior to investing in a vehicle, and information available online can strongly influence purchase decisions. In fact, 19 of the 24 actions that the average car shopper takes on their path to purchase are digital.

At 9 Clouds, we have extensive experience (and success!) creating Facebook ads for our auto clients. We even wrote a book featuring our best automotive Facebook ad recipes, so we really know what we’re talking about here.

Get your copy of Facebook Advertising: A Field Guide for Auto Dealers »

Top 5 Strategies for Facebook Carousel Ads

Facebook offers tons of different formatting options for ads, but the carousel ad remains one of our favorites.

Carousel ads showcase two or more images, all with different text and landing page links, within a single ad unit. The ads direct people to specific locations on your website.

Here are five different ways to employ Facebook carousel ads and see results.

1. Feature Used Vehicle VDPs

Do you have a few used-vehicle stragglers waiting to be discovered by their next owners? Promote those used vehicle detail pages (VDPs) with a Facebook ad. Include information potential customers want to know, like mileage or monthly payments.

2. Feature New Vehicle VDPs

Similarly, if you have an overstock of new vehicle models on your lot, promote them with a Facebook carousel ad.  Add lease information or a call-to-action (CTA) button, like “Shop Now,” for extra detail and engaging material.

3. Promote an Upcoming Event

Have an event going on at your dealership? Spread the news with a Facebook ad (and be sure to inform your audience of the end date for added urgency).

4. Promote a Service or Sales Special

Since Facebook ads are great for limited-time promotions, be sure to promote service or sales specials that last anywhere from a week to a month.

5. Highlight a Specific Car Model

Have an overstock on a particular car model? Promote the vehicle in a creative way to generate interest and sell more cars. Use vivid imagery, and link CTA buttons to appropriate landing pages on your website.

Get More Help with Automotive Facebook Ads

We hope these ideas for great automotive carousel ads on Facebook inspire you to create your own!

Setting up Facebook ads with concise copy, compelling images, and links to relevant landing pages is only half the battle. Think of who you want your target audience to be and how much budget is necessary for the ad. Update the ad at least once a month to keep things fresh and interesting.

A Facebook ad can and will increase traffic to your website. Take the time to utilize this powerful medium and integrate it into your car dealership marketing mix.

Our clients have experienced great success with Facebook ads — which we detail in our new Facebook advertising field guide. This little book is full of our tried-and-true recipes for ads that really convert.

Want to learn even more about creating and maintaining an effective Facebook advertising strategy for your dealership? Watch season one of 9 Clouds Live, our free video series all about Facebook ads for auto dealers.