On a Tuesday morning that started like any other, Jake Martin—owner of Martin’s Auto & Tire—was under the hood of a Ford with one hand on a wrench and the other on his phone, sorting through bills and customer reminders. For years, Jake had built his business the old-school way: quality work, honest prices, and the hope that word-of-mouth would be enough.
But lately, it wasn’t.
“It felt like I was fixing more problems in the books than under the cars,” Jake said. “We’d fix a transmission and never see that customer again. No follow-ups, no referrals. I just kept thinking—how are we this invisible?”
Jake wasn’t alone. Like many small businesses, his shop relied on regulars and referrals to keep the bays full. But with more competition and fewer return visits, even loyal customers couldn’t carry the weight. He needed a way to stay visible—especially to people who needed him the most: drivers on the road.
That’s when he tried something different.
Jake found BillboardMax.com —an online platform that let him place a digital ad on a billboard just five miles from his shop, right along the I-95 exit ramp where cars backed up daily.
“No accounts, no fancy software. I just put in my ZIP code and saw what was available right on the map. The price was up front—less than what I used to spend on flyers nobody read.”
He uploaded a simple design: his logo, phone number, and a bold line—“Check Engine Light? We’re 2 Minutes Away.”
The billboard went live in under 48 hours.
“The phone rang that same day,” Jake said. “A woman pulled over with a flashing oil light and said, ‘Saw your sign. You’re close, right?’ She came straight in.”
That one call turned into three, then eight, then a steady stream of new drivers each week. Some were local. Others were just passing through. But the visibility worked.
Jake didn’t need a national campaign or a huge marketing budget. He needed to be seen—right place, right time.
“It was the best $99 a day I’ve spent. For once, advertising felt like it was made for someone like me.”
The Takeaway
If you’re a small business struggling to stay top-of-mind, especially with people right in your area, visibility matters. And not the kind that takes six months to maybe pay off. The kind that works while your doors are open—right now.
Whether you run a repair shop, clinic, restaurant, or retail store, your next customer could be on the road right now. All they need is a reason—and a sign.
Want to see what’s available near you?
👉 Enter your ZIP code and check your price today.
No sign-up. No hassle. Just the visibility your business deserves.
