When people talk about the modern world and how it’s different from days gone by, they usually focus on the technological improvements that have made things faster and more efficient than ever before.
But there’s another way in which the modern world is different, too: it’s significantly cleaner. You can probably get a sense of that just by looking, but if that doesn’t do it, then the data will. Today, the cleaning market has a valuation of some $450 billion, and that number is expected to jump to a staggering $730 billion by 2032.
That’s good news for society, since a clean world is generally a healthier world, and especially good news for cleaning businesses. There is, and will be, plenty of work to go around.
With that said, the cleaning industry is also competitive, so while you can expect some clients just by existing, it’s only the cleaning businesses that go above and beyond that can expect to reach their full profit potential.
In this post, we’ll run through a few effective ways to attract more clients and give yourself a solid foundation for long-term success.
Update Your Website
Every cleaning company knows that they need a website, but that’s not actually correct. A website alone won’t help; in fact, in some cases, it might hurt. To get ahead, your business needs a good website, one that’s modern, sleek, and informative. Doing so allows you to make a great first impression on your potential customers and sets your business apart from the competition. Look at including before/after photos, client reviews, and the capacity to book appointments through an online portal.
Focus on Local SEO
It would be nice if someone on the other side of the planet came across your website and liked what they saw, but really, that’s not going to do much for your bottom line unless you’re running an international operation. You’re not trying to attract the whole planet; you’re trying to attract potential clients within your local area.
For that, you’ll need to invest in your website’s local SEO, which will increase the chances that nearby customers find you when they make relevant searches. You can do this by optimizing your Google My Business page and targeting local keywords, such as ‘commercial cleaners in [city].’
Encourage Reviews
Reviews can be instrumental in a client’s decision-making process. Don’t believe us? The next time you’re searching for a service, pay attention to how much of an impact a company’s reviews have. People are naturally much more likely to work with a business that has dozens of five-star reviews, rather than one that is hovering around the 3.5/5 mark.
Some clients will automatically go out of their way to leave a happy review, but most will likely need a little encouragement, so look at politely asking your happy clients to leave a rating and a few words. Most will be happy to do so!
Partner With Real Estate Agencies
Partnering with real estate agencies might sound like a strange tip, but it can be a game-changer for your bottom line. Many real estate agencies need professional cleaners to help make a home presentable before selling, which can lead to steady — and often well-paying — work if you can form a partnership.
Make Yourself Available For More Jobs
In some cases, cleaning companies miss out on clients for the simple reason that they’re simply unable to complete the task. This can happen for a number of reasons, including not having staff available, not having certification to take on jobs in certain environments, or not having the working processes that allow them to take on last-minute jobs.
Missing out on all these types of jobs means leaving a sizable chunk of revenue on the table. Happily, they’re usually easy to correct. It’s mostly about identifying which jobs you’re currently unable to take on, and then taking steps to ensure you can do so in the future.
Hiring more employees so that you can take on bigger jobs, obtaining an online WHMIS certificate so that you can work in healthcare facilities and manufacturing plants, and providing a 24/7 emergency cleanup service can make a huge difference. These types of jobs are usually better-paying, too, and can have a big impact on your bottom line.
Upgrade Your Cleaning Equipment
There are a few key reasons why it can be worthwhile to upgrade your cleaning equipment. Like above, it can simply allow you to take on more complicated cleaning jobs. The other is that it allows you to work more quickly and efficiently, which can lead to improved customer satisfaction levels and also frees up time to take on other jobs. Don’t have the capital required to get the game-changing equipment you need to reach the next level? Look at leasing, rather than buying. That’ll give you access to the equipment you need while preserving your cash flow.
Street Marketing Ideas
You’ll hear a lot about the importance of digital marketing when you’re trying to get more clients for your cleaning business. Still, while this is one aspect of your operations that you’ll very much want to invest money and effort into, it can also be worthwhile exploring non-online marketing approaches, too. Distributing flyers around town and hanging posters can be a good way to generate interest in potential clients who need cleaning services, but aren’t quite aware of that fact enough to make searches on Google.
Put Together Packages
Finally, remember that a customer who comes back to you time and time again is just as valuable as getting a new customer. Actually, it’s arguably even more valuable, since you won’t have to spend as much money on acquisition as you would for a new client. The best way to get them to come back to you is to do an excellent job, but it’s also worthwhile putting together packages that offer discounts and additional services if they book multiple sessions. This approach can also help with cash flow and budgeting.
