When it comes to running a profitable cleaning service, you need to know how to differentiate your small business from the competition. Failure to recognize and develop your company’s competitive advantage is a guaranteed recipe for financial disaster. Here are seven ideas to help you build a successful commercial or residential cleaning business.
1. Figure out your cleaning business niche
“Not every cleaning business is the same.
Do you want to do house cleaning? Apartment cleaning? Carpet cleaning? Window cleaning? Short-term rental property cleaning? Boat cleaning? Environmentally friendly cleaning (also known as “green cleaning”)?
Each kind of cleaning business has different requirements, advantages and disadvantages. Some types of cleaning businesses require larger operations or business insurance to get hired.
Spend time researching online to see what other house-cleaning businesses in your area offer and what clients want. Then, create a niche for yourself where you’ll be the most competitive.”
Source: Next Insurance
2. Tap all your resources
“A wide range of associations serves various aspects of the professional cleaning industry. These groups can help with operational, marketing and management issues. Many state and government agencies also offer support and information for small businesses.”
Source: Entrepreneur
3. Create a referral program
“Referral programs can have a significant impact on your business. Research shows that 92% of people trust recommendations from friends and family over any other type of marketing. It’s the perfect way to earn new cleaning clients without having to put in much effort.
With a referral program, your existing clients “sell” your services for you. For instance, consider offering your clients a discount or free services for every referred client. You can create offers like “Receive 20% off your next cleaning for every referred client” or “Get a free carpet steaming for each referred client.”
In turn, your clients will keep you top of mind and mention your company to friends, family, and other businesses.”
Source: Yelp
4. Launch enticing specials to get new customers
“Some people may need a reason to try out your cleaning services. Others may need to be tempted away from their existing cleaners. Give new customers a compelling and enticing reason to try out your business. For example, you could offer a steep discount for a first-time cleaning or give a gift to clients after their first three cleanings.
Whatever you offer, the goal here is to convince people to become your clients. Once they do, it’s up to you to deliver such an exceptional service that they’ll never want to work with another cleaner again.”
Source: CMM
5. Get support for managing your digital marketing
“If you want to grow your business, you need to harness the power of the web to reach more customers. After all, there are currently more than 3.73 billion people using the Internet. To do that, consider buying into a franchise that will help manage your digital marketing for you.
A franchising company can help you manage your website by doing things like ensuring that it’s SEO optimized, keeping it up to date — and this makes digital marketing easier for you, so that you can focus on running your business well and naturally attracting more clients and customers.”
Source: Stratus Building Solutions
6. Get your name out there – advertising
“Your budget will have an impact on what you can or can’t spend in terms of advertising; however, there are cost-effective ways to spread the word. While print ads may be cheap, you have little control over who receives the ad. With digital advertising, your budget can be used more effectively.
Yelp paid listings make it easy to get started with a small investment. The paid listing automatically brings your business to the top of a page, ensuring that curious customers see your services.
Google AdWords and Facebook Ads are other great platforms for advertising but more complicated. Most of these digital marketing tools are PPC (pay per click) so you’re only paying when people are actually being led to your site.”
Source: Thimble
7. Upsell add-on services
“Another way to increase sales for your cleaning business is to upsell add-on services. Typically most people you talk to about your cleaning services will be inquiring about a single service you offer. However, this doesn’t mean that they won’t be interested and open to hiring you to perform other services.
While most people may just be reaching out to you to learn more or to request an estimate on general cleaning, they could benefit from many other services you offer. This is especially true if you are a commercial cleaning business and offer many specialty services.
For example, most people will be looking for a full-service cleaning company and sometimes even building maintenance and facility services as well. Business owners that hire your cleaning services typically have a lot on their plate.
The last thing they want to do is to have to hire several cleaning companies just to get all of the specialty services they need. Most would rather hire one cleaning company that can handle everything.”
Source: Marketing Systems by Design
Need Funding for Your Cleaning Business?
At First Union, we want your cleaning business to thrive. We offer many loan products so you can get the cash you want for marketing, expansion, equipment, or any other needs. Even if you have bad credit or don’t have collateral, we will work with you to find the best financial solution. Funding can take as little as two days. Call 863-825-5626 today to get started!