If you’re a local Chicago business owner in the automotive industry looking for ways to boost car sales, don’t look any further than out-of-home advertising (OOH), specifically local billboard advertising. When considering implementing billboards in your car advertising plans, you may wonder, “Are OOH and billboard costs worth it in a technology-driven society?” The answer is a resounding yes!
Research from Nielsen has shown that more than 90 percent of travelers in the United States take notice of out-of-home advertising, specifically roadside billboards. At the time of the study, 81 percent of adult respondents reported noticing a billboard.
The study also concluded that
Out-of-home advertising prompted 66 percent of smartphone users to take action
20 percent of travelers who saw a directional OOH ad immediately visited the business featured in the advertisement
74 percent of travelers who visited a company after seeing a directional OOH ad made a purchase
These conclusions demonstrate how effective out-of-home advertising is at reaching potential car buyers while they’re out driving. They beat an online ad any day of the week; you can’t skip a billboard or reject it with a pop-up blocker.
Our out-of-home advertising experts at View Chicago can help you engage in hyperlocal advertising to get the most out of your local billboards. We help clients consider factors like the proximity of their OOH ads to their dealership, the market in which they set their ad campaign, and more. The strategic locations we’ll place your ads in will help you reach Chicagoans in the city’s diverse neighborhoods and bring them to your dealership.
Out-of-home advertising is an asset to your local Chicago business
Chicago is a bustling hub for local brands looking to have a positive impact in the area. With The Windy City’s long-standing reputation as the top metro U.S. city for business expansion and relocation, small company owners and executives in large corporations alike want to work with the best Chicago ad agency for their local business advertising needs.
That’s where View Chicago comes in. We help businesses in all industries implement cost-effective out-of-home advertising strategies, from billboards to street furniture, into their marketing plans according to what OOH ad forms best suit the location and target audience.
Consider how common it is for millennials, students of all ages, and Chicagoans of various ages to commute by car and public transportation. You can cover a lot of ground and meet these individuals as they travel the neighborhoods by engaging in hyperlocal advertising and strategically placing several ads in spots with ideal visibility where members of your target audience are sure to see them throughout the city.
You don’t have to break the bank for the best billboards
How much do billboards cost? Billboard costs can depend on several factors, such as:
The location of the local billboards
How busy and densely populated the neighborhood is
The number of local billboards you’ll have
How long you want your local business advertising campaign to be
If your campaign is starting sooner than later or if you choose to wait until a particular time of year to begin a seasonal campaign
Your target audience members’ income and buying power
Out-of-home advertising is flexible and can be customized to suit your advertising goals and objectives, so these contributing factors cause billboard costs to vary.
Billboard costs by term. Typically, billboard pricing in Chicago works by 4-week terms. If you think a billboard quoted for $2,000 is the best fit for your budget and business plan, that price usually means it’s $ 2,000/4 weeks.
Costs by term for different ad types. Wallscapes are larger and can be quoted at $5,000/4-weeks. HotSpots, however, are smaller than traditional billboards and more cost-effective, typically quoted for $ 1,000/4 weeks. Clients can implement multiple HotSpots as local billboards displayed in several locations across the city, allowing you to reach more of your audience.
Catch Chicago commuters’ eyes with strategic OOH car advertising
Statistics show that 38 percent of people planning to buy a new car in the next year are heavy drivers, and 63 percent commute to work every day. Most people’s commutes don’t vary from day to day, so drivers in the Windy City would likely see your local billboard multiple times a week as they go to and from their destination, giving your OOH ads a chance to make a real impact.
Many commuters take major highways and expressways in Chicago, like the Kennedy Expressway and the Dan Ryan Expressway. Strategically placing eye-catching billboards along these expressways and other major, popular roadways allows Chicago local business owners to target drivers during their commute or travel. A local billboard with compelling visuals and concise messaging can effectively capture motorists’ attention as they navigate clear and congested traffic conditions.
Reach refueling and resting riders and motorists
Local billboards and other OOH ads placed near and at gas stations and convenience stores along busy commuter routes offer prime visibility to drivers refueling their vehicles. Likewise, billboards posted at rest areas along roads commonly taken by travelers and visitors to the Windy City can attract car owners and draw them to your dealership.
Strategically placing your car ad among ads that promote automotive amenities, dining options, or retail offerings allows you to position your car dealership as a necessary service to visit, influencing drivers’ purchase decisions during their commutes and road trips.
Promote your products in ways that embrace the pulse of the neighborhoods
Many people may subscribe to the idea that residents of the Windy City don’t need a car to get around, perhaps because of the notable, widely used public transportation system. As experts in the neighborhoods, however, we at View Chicago know that owning and driving a car in this city is still practical and is preferable when city dwellers want to forgo the commute to work or school, the traffic, and get behind the wheel and go cruising.
We can help you own the neighborhoods and leverage spots with scenic views by placing outdoor ads in spaces where Chicagoans go on urban adventures.
Out-of-home advertising is the medium that allows your messages to meet many traveling locals and tourists at once
Position yourself as an expert on Chicago’s many neighborhoods and the people that comprise them by considering a cultural hub like Museum Campus. This spot in the heart of the city, adjacent to the business and entertainment district of the Loop, is a magnet for both tourists and locals seeking entertainment and enrichment.
Amidst the crowds of residents and visitors, OOH advertising emerges as a powerful medium to engage drivers navigating the bustling city streets and pedestrians soaking in the sights. Picture towering local billboards that:
Have strategic positions near parking facilities or along pedestrian pathways,
Showcase irresistible deals on car leases or financing options
Contain bold visuals and enticing calls to action that pique the interest of museum-goers, jazz lovers, college students, young professionals, and families
You’ll be able to drive foot traffic and ignite the curiosity that leads to potential car purchases and increased car sales.
Likewise, consider drivers who know hangout spots and connecting roads between the Field Museum, Soldier Field, and Shedd Aquarium in the Near South Side neighborhood, roads that feel like an escape from the downtown area. Just blocks away from busy streets, some drivers may take these quieter paths to drive a little, pull over, and take in the best views of the city skyline on Solidarity Drive.
While most of this area may frequently be closed for events or used for parking, a few wallscapes in the Near South Side and South Loop areas, along routes drivers take to these spaces, can be a great way to advertise your Chicago local business and show city dwellers that you’re an expert who knows the best riding spots, resting spots, and scenic views as well as they do.
You can leverage local billboards in leisurely and luxurious locations
Turn your attention and advertising efforts toward popular neighborhoods in Chicago that house spaces where motorists can drive along at a more leisurely pace—neighborhoods like Lakeview. People from all over the city and the suburbs travel to Lakeview to experience everything it offers. With its arts and culture, tennis courts, and vibrant entertainment options, this neighborhood has a casual, welcoming feel and an atmosphere of affluence.
Winding along the picturesque shores of Lake Michigan, Sheridan Road offers a scenic backdrop if you decide your business should aim to capture the attention of affluent residents and commuters, too. With its blend of historic charm and modern elegance, this iconic thoroughfare provides fertile ground for OOH car advertising campaigns tailored to the discerning tastes of its audience.
Are you interested in introducing a line of luxury cars in your automobile business? Do you want to open an exclusive luxury dealership altogether? Visualize sleek HotSpots and Wild Postings strategically placed at key intersections, showcasing the latest models from your line. Advertise elevated driving experiences using hyperlocal advertising to align your message with the aspirational lifestyle associated with Sheridan Road. By doing so, you can cultivate a sense of desire and exclusivity, compelling potential buyers to step into the driver’s seat of their dream car.
Speak to sightseers seeking adventure on 66
Spanning across eight states, Historic Route 66 holds a special place in American folklore, attracting adventure-seekers and road trip enthusiasts from near and far. Suppose your business is nestled along this iconic highway in Chicago. In that case, out-of-home advertising presents a golden opportunity to capture the attention of travelers embarking on a journey of discovery.
Imagine a billboard adorned with captivating imagery of sleek automobiles cruising along the open road, accompanied by compelling, concise messages telling them that a trip to your auto dealership is the key to their next adventure. Strategically placing ads along Route 66 enables you to boost car sales by enticing passersby to explore your offerings and embark on a memorable road trip in style.
Aim ads at air travelers
In a city like Chicago, where people are always hustling and bustling, cars and car ads aren’t relevant only to motorists on the road. Consider the car owners and future car owners who may travel by airplane occasionally.
As gateways to the Windy City, O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport welcome millions of travelers each year, offering a prime opportunity for your local Chicago business to make a lasting impression. OOH ads placed in prominent locations within these airports can capture the attention of Chicago residents arriving home.
By leveraging the anticipation and excitement of travel, you can seamlessly integrate your car sales message into the traveler’s journey, planting the seeds for a potential purchase upon their return to Chicago. Suppose your ad is one of the first things Chicago fliers set eyes on after touching down in the city. It can make people feel that visiting your car dealership and purchasing a car should be on their to-do list once they’ve returned home, especially if they’ve been thinking of buying a car for a while.
Target transit stations through out-of-home advertising, too
Public transportation is a popular option for many residents and visitors alike. Leveraging OOH advertising in transit stations, bus stops, and train platforms enables you to reach and make future car owners out of travelers who need or want a car and haven’t yet purchased one as they navigate Chicago’s public transportation system.
Own the neighborhoods with dynamic outdoor ad campaigns that drive customers to your Chicago local business
Our variety of out-of-home advertising options at View Chicago helps clients leverage the iconic Chicago skyline and appeal directly to each diverse neighborhood’s unique fabrics and rich cultures to create impactful and memorable campaigns.
You’ll be able to harness the power of OOH advertising to reach travelers, drivers, and potential car buyers by:
Understanding billboard cost factors
Exploring the local billboard options we offer for any budget
Following a systematic approach to budget determination
Select the billboard ad format or combine the ones that’ll fit your OOH advertising campaign budget and goals, appeal to your target audience’s preferences, and reach them where they frequent most throughout the city.
Every dollar invested in your outdoor ad campaign will contribute to a visible, viable presence in the city’s heart, leading to increased Chicago car sales and a lasting position as a reputable automobile authority.