We get that looking for a new shop management system can be overwhelming. There are a lot of options to wade through, and a lot of features you need to learn about. But most are probably of you are probably thinking “can this tool do what I need it to?”
To help you wade through all the options out there, the best way to find the right tool for the job is to look for information from the people using those tools every day. That means shop owners, general managers, service advisors, and technicians.
Of course, word of mouth is great, and it's always awesome to get the chance to talk to shop owners and workers in person at industry events, but you don't have to wait. With so many resources at their disposal, we wanted to help shop owners looking for a new shop management system leverage the wealth of information out here like online reviews, user groups, and case studies to help them make the best decision for their team.
Finding the Best Online Shop Management Software Reviews
The best part about the internet is just how much information you can find! But you gotta know where to look. And while you might not be too familiar if you haven't made a software purchase before, we've got you covered.
G2 Reviews
The beauty of G2 is the dedication to creating a resource for business owners, managers, and workers just like yourself and your team.
Users, like shop owners, service managers, or even technicians, can log onto G2 and write reviews of their experience using different tools and platforms.
These reviews help G2 put together an overall score for each specific platform, making it easier for buyers to learn more about the tools they're shopping around for, before buying, with insight only from actual users.
We're a big fan of G2 in particular. And we can't lie -- transparency is part of our game-- we're a little biased… because of how much our users on G2 love us. Check out our highlights from the Summer and Fall of 2023!
Google Reviews
The most obvious source for reviews would be Google. Simply because the majority of people use Google to find and review businesses, they'll use Google to review their shop management system.
Just like how you'd look for reviews for your local pizza place, search the company’s name, and the reviews will pop up in the company’s business profile.
At a glance, you’ll be able to see the overall rating users have given the company, and can get more specifics by clicking on the reviews.
However, you might start to see why G2 is such a great resource. While Google reviews are the easiest to find, they’re not necessarily going to be the most in-depth.
Users will generally leave a sentence or a paragraph describing their experience without the larger context around who their business is, what their role is, and how their shop uses their platform.
Company Case Studies
Auto repair shop software companies frequently publish customer case studies that elaborate on how their customers have benefited from their system, as well as how they’re using it.
Case studies can give you the most in-depth information because they are based on detailed interviews the company conducts with its customers.
By reading case studies, you can identify shops that have had similar challenges to you.
See how Sam strategically leveraged Tekmetric to elevate his customer experience, yielding remarkable results in average repair order, customer feedback and more.
What to Look For in Automotive Repair Shop Software Reviews
Whether you turn to software review sites, Google, case studies, or a mix of all of these sources, there are several general things you should look for when you’re reading automotive repair shop software reviews.
What to Look For
Why It Matters
Desired features in a shop management system
Look for reviewers who mention specific features to guage the quality of the system.
Reviewer tenure
Longer tenure generally means a better udnerstanding of the pros and cons.
Reviewer's job title
Different reviewers (shop owners vs service advisor vs technician) will have different perspectives.
Likes and dislikes
Knowing what reviewers don't like is just as important as what they do like.
Ease of transition
Smooth onboarding is important to get up and running quickly and efficiently.
Customer support experience
Good customer support is crucial for quick issue resolution and business operations.
Of course, there are some specific types of phrases you should look for as well, based on what you want to prioritize from a shop management system. Here’s a rundown:
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Next Steps for Finding the Right Shop Management System for You
After reading multiple automotive repair shop software reviews, you still might want to gather more information before you set up a demo with the company.
You can get that information from various sources:
Reach out to the reviewers themselves
Ask your existing network
Join coaching groups
Read industry publications
Follow shop management systems on social media
Protip: Try to look out for user-groups!
The Tekmetric User Group is an amazing resource for all things Tekmetric and shop management. This dedicated Facebook group is exclusively for current Tekmetric users, where they can provide feedback or ideas, ask questions and network with other shops. Plus you'll get extra insights on new releases and upcoming updates!
Questions to Ask When Searching For Automotive Repair Shop Software
After you’ve narrowed down your search, you might decide it’s time to schedule a demo with the team behind the shop management system you’re considering.
Here are some good questions you can ask during a demo:
“Who makes up your leadership team—any former shop owners?”
"What specific features do you have to help me boost my shop’s profitability?”
“What specific features do you have to make my team’s operations smoother?”
“Do you offer email and text notifications as part of your communication tools, so we can reach our guests more effectively?”
“How can I best save time at my shop by using your shop management system?”
During the demo, take notes and ask follow-up questions if needed. If you can, try and schedule a second demo with a few of your service advisors and technicians.
Find the Right Shop Software For You and Your Team
Tekmetric is the cloud-based shop management system designed for Auto Repair Professionals who are driving the industry forward.
Every element of your team is critical, from the technicians who complete the repairs to the service writers who assist customers and keep repair orders flowing through your shop management system.
They’re the people who are responsible for directly communicating with guests or working on vehicles. They're the core of your everyday operations, ensuring cars are brought in, estimates move along, and repairs are completed on time.
It is absolutely critical for great shops to start with great talent!
With the power of cloud-based shop management systems, auto repair shops can build the best team possible with the right mindset, culture, and approach to hiring and retaining the best talent.
As the world around us is constantly evolving, so is the auto repair industry.
An auto repair shop that stays stagnant and sticks to the status quo could be losing out on profits, reputation and valuable time.
Without a growth-focused mindset or the right forward-looking strategies, your shop could be missing out and fall behind others.
Fortunately, implementing a modern shop management system and standardizing your shop’s processes can help unlock your shop's full potential.
Break The Status Quo
Rapid advancements in technology are changing every industry around us, and because of this, customer expectations are higher than ever.
However, making changes to a process that you’ve had in your shop for years can seem like a daunting task.
These days, the best tool a shop can have in their back pocket is a shop management system. The right system should provide you with the tools to increase your bottom line, your reputation with customers and your overall productivity.
Implementing a quality shop management system can be a game-changer for shops when it comes to growing profits.
Systems such as Tekmetric help their users streamline processes, optimize workflow and enable shops to repair more vehicles in the same amount of time it was previously taking them.
Most importantly, the simple act of integrating a shop management system can increase your shop’s bottom line.
As a result, these shops are building a loyal customer base, leading to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth which promotes growth of the business.
Customer trust can lead directly to your shop's financial gain, so it's important to ensure you're using tools, like Tekmetric, to increase customer trust and loyalty.
Gain Back Time
Finally, it's important to recognize whether some of your most time-consuming tasks can take up less time in your day by being automated through a shop management system.
Think about the tasks that you spend the most time on in your shop.
By using a shop management system to automate tasks such as appointment scheduling, inventory management and invoicing, shop owners can reduce both the time their team spends doing simple tasks as well as manual errors.
When less time is being spent on these important yet time-consuming tasks, the time shops get back can be spent on repairs, putting more money in everyone’s pocket as a result.
Breaking the status quo and unlocking your shop's full potential by implementing a shop management system is made easy by systems like Tekmetric.
This, in turn, can increase your shop's revenue and efficiency, build customer trust and satisfaction and provide valuable time and cost savings.
Tekmetric is the perfect solution for shop owners looking to take their business to the next level.
If you’re an automotive shop owner or service advisor looking to upgrade your system, you’ve likely encountered the name Tekmetric. Like any smart shopper, you are looking for a free trial of Tekmetric before you purchase. Below, you can find a few options to test drive Tekmetric for free.
Option 1: Free Tekmetric Trial
To access your free Tekmetric self-guided trial, you can use this link here. It will walk you through the key parts of the Tekmetric software, customer experience, estimate building, customer approvals, digital vehicle inspections, and more. Afterwards, you can book a demo to chat with our sales team and start the onboarding process.
Option 2: Personalized Demo with Tekmetric
If you prefer to chat with a Tekmetric employee, you can book a demo here and ask any questions you have. We will show you how Tekmetric can maximize your efficiency, improve your customer experience, and boost sales. We will also talk about your shop's needs, goals for your business, and what gives your shop a competitive edge.
Option 3: Case Studies and Customer Reviews
We think our customers are the best sales team. So, we have provided our customer success stories, real customer reviews, and G2 rankings to aid in your decision-making process. This is a great place to see the ROI Tekmetric can provide for your shop.
Tek-Tip: Ask ChatGPT or Gemini for a summary of Tekmetric and how it could be a fit for your business.
Final thoughts
Whichever option you pick, we hope you will give Tekmetric a try. Built by a former shop owner, Tekmetric understands the importance of finding the right software for your shop. Tekmetric offers month-to-month pricing options in addition to discounted annual plans to fit any budget. Unlimited users, unlimited RO's, unlimited support, no hidden fees. Are you ready to take your shop to the next level?
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