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Have you ever wondered how to run a successful lawn care business?
It can feel like a challenging journey, and the rewards can be well worth it.
We’ve got the complete guide that will show you how to grow your client base, boost profits, and run a smoother operation by:
If you want to dominate your area, you need to offer great services.
And while you should offer a few different services, the key is to specialize in a few important areas.
This allows you to offer the highest quality while also minimizing the amount of additional equipment and training you’ll need.
Not sure where to start?
Focus on what you do best:
Start with the basics and you can always expand in the future as your skills (or team) grow.
If you’ve been in the industry for a while, look for services that would be a natural add-on to what you’re already doing.
For example, if you just started with lawns, look for other places that would benefit your clients and align with your skills.
Adding flower beds is always a nice touch and you could always consider things like pest control, weed control, and fertilization too.
It is worth noting, that even if you have the best services, if they aren’t priced right, it is very hard to be successful.
While there is a lot that goes into pricing, you want to make sure you do some research.
See what your competition is charging as a point of reference.
Also, calculate your costs so you know where your margins are.
This can include:
It is also smart to think about offering package deals or seasonal contracts.
These can provide steady income and make your services more attractive to customers who want ongoing lawn care.
For example, you could offer a spring cleanup package, a weekly mowing service, or a full year-round lawn care program.
Plus, you can use lawn care software to easily manage time-clocking, GPS tracking, and time spent on jobs.
Your team is the backbone of your business, and who you hire matters.
Yes, there still is a hiring shortage out there, but good talent can still be found.
Ideally, you want people who are reliable and care about doing a good job.
There are lots of strategies for interviewing as well as writing job ads, but ultimately it comes down to finding people who show up on time and take pride in their work.
Once you have a great team, help them get even better by offering training on new techniques or equipment.
This keeps your team sharp and shows them you care about their growth and you can even send your best employees to workshops or certification programs.
Create a positive work environment with a good culture so that your team feels valued.
Simple things like team lunches or employee of the month awards can go a long way.
But don't stop there—offer competitive pay, benefits if possible, and opportunities for advancement.
Want to know the true key to success?
It all comes down to staying organized and keeping track of everything.
And while lots of companies still think a whiteboard and a few paper folders can take care of it all, you really need to choose the right software for your business.
With proven software like Service Autopilot you can:
Instant invoicing
Better scheduling
Manage your clients and employees all in one system
Additionally, Service Autopilot gives you an easy way to manage your clients.
You’ve got a single place where you can keep records, notes, and communication.
This means a better client experience and a simple way to stay organized.
When you think about how to run a successful lawn care business, you need to take a deeper look at your daily operations.
One of the things most lawn care business owners overlook is preventative maintenance.
You want to have a system in place where you take a regular look at all of your equipment to clean it and make sure it is functioning properly.
Regular upkeep of your mowers, trimmers, and other tools can prevent breakdowns and extend the life of your equipment.
It is best to create a schedule for cleaning, sharpening blades, oil changes, and other maintenance tasks.
Even if you're already an established lawn care company, effective marketing can help you grow.
Lots of companies want to overthink this and look for big agencies or complicated strategies.
The reality is that getting more leads might be easier than you think.
Before you get too far into lead generation, you need to think about your website first.
This is likely where most of your leads will land (from a Google Ad) so it’s important to make sure that you’re making a good first impression.
While you can spend lots of time and money to build your website, at the very least it should have:
After you’ve got the basics down, you’ll want to make sure your company is showing up on search engines using strategies like SEO (i.e. search engine optimization).
While there are a TON of options that could go into this, it is important to establish your Google My Business listing and make sure that you include some keywords on your site.
Your keywords should include things like the cities/areas you serve and the services you are providing (e.g. Cape Cod Lawn Mowing).
Did you know there is a free source of lead generation that doesn’t require an ad agency, marketing training, and is something you can start doing today?
If you have happy clients, they can actually be one of your best sources of lead generation.
Because chances are they have friends and family who could use your quality services.
And when it comes down to how to run a successful lawn care company you need to have a strategy to get referrals.
It could be as simple as implementing a referral program that asks your best clients if they know anyone who could benefit from your services.
You can also incentivize referrals by providing a discount for every referral or even giving them a gift card.
There are lots of other ways to get leads, and running Facebook ads is still one of the best returns on investment.
That said, paid advertising should play a part in your overall marketing strategy.
Traditional marketing still plays a strong role in brand recognition and drawing attention to your company.
Yard signs, truck wraps, and local print ads can still be effective, especially for reaching older homeowners who might not be as active online.
You can also look for ways to partner with other businesses.
Real estate agents can be a great way to get new business and in turn, you can always pass them referrals from your clients that might need their services.
While there are lots of important factors that play a role in how to run a successful lawn care business, client satisfaction is how you build a company that lasts.
Happy clients are what keep you in business and communicating with them (e.g. when you’ll arrive, what to expect, etc.) is what keeps them using your service.
If there's a rain delay or change in plans, let them know as soon as possible to prevent any misunderstandings and complaints.
One of the easiest ways to communicate delays to clients is by launching two-way texting to send automatic updates to clients.
In addition to prompt communication, always do your best work and pay attention to the little details—they make a big difference.
This might mean taking a few extra minutes to edge a lawn perfectly or cleaning up every last leaf after a fall cleanup.
If a customer isn't happy, handle it professionally, by listening to their concerns and doing your best to fix the problem.
Turning an unhappy client into a satisfied one can lead to a lifetime of loyalty.
Consider implementing a satisfaction guarantee to show customers you stand behind your work.
Remember to follow up with clients regularly. A quick call or email to check if they're satisfied with your service can make a big impression.
It also gives you a chance to address any issues before they become big problems.
Knowing how to run a successful lawn care business isn't always easy, but it can be very rewarding.
By focusing on these key areas—mastering your services, building a strong team, streamlining operations, effective marketing, and client satisfaction—you'll be well on your way to growing your business and standing out in your community.
Remember, success doesn't happen overnight, but with hard work and smart planning, you can take your lawn care business to new heights.
Be patient, be consistent, and always look for ways to improve.
With dedication and the right strategies, you can build a thriving lawn care business that not only provides a great service but also becomes a valued part of your community.
Related: Lawn Care Employee Handbook: Total Guide
Published on July 24, 2024 at 11:45A.M.
Tags: Business Operation
