A1 ADAS Cites Online Strategy as Key to National Expansion
ADAS expert says website is a ‘shop window’ for new customers
Norwich-based A1 ADAS Solutions, an ADAS, diagnostic and calibration specialist, is gearing up as it continues to expand across the UK.
Plans are underway to add more vehicles to its mobile ADAS fleet as demand grows from garages, bodyshops, and fleet companies for qualified ADAS technicians.
Iain Molloy, managing director, said: “As the latest figures from the IMI show, only two percent of technicians in the UK are IMI TechSafe registered and qualified to work on complex and potentially lifesaving ADAS systems.
“But it’s not just about sending techs to get qualified. A lot of garages don’t want the responsibility of ADAS work. They much prefer to get us in to do it for them and pass that liability on.
“And that’s a good decision. I’ve long been an advocate of ‘do ADAS right or don’t do it at all’. ADAS calibration has become an essential part of everyday vehicle repairs and we’re seeing some really frightening practices on what are essentially safety systems.”
Molloy says he’s on a mission to help workshops navigate how they can best manage ADAS work and has shaped the company’s business strategy to provide garages with solutions that are best suited to their individual needs. Within that, is an online strategy to ensure both garages and retail customers can find A1 online and seek impartial advice.
He continued: “We live and breathe ADAS, but it’s no good having all this expertise if no one knows you exist!
“Early in the business, I knew we needed a website that really worked and would show up for people looking for ADAS services. It’s your ‘shop window’ and an absolute must for getting the right customers through the door.
“Garage Services Online (GSO) were the obvious choice and the website has since made a huge difference to our business. We’ve grown a lot in the last four years and the website has grown with us.
“I’m now relying on it to specifically target the geographical areas where our new mobile ADAS vans will be based. Via the analytics, we’ll clearly see when its working and assess the ROI.
“I like working with GSO, the team is so efficient and easy to deal with. They listen to what you need and that’s it, consider it done.
“I talk all the time about using ADAS specialists and not trying to do something you’re not qualified in. Well, it’s the same for automotive websites. If you need one – and who doesn’t – GSO are the people to go to.”