Hypothetically speaking, you have made up your mind to start a cleaning business. You are fired up and ready to go; with the right positivity and mindset, you will do a great job. So you go ahead and register the business, get your insurance plans, advertise, and all. You have a great idea of how to make the business a success from the start. Then, suddenly, things are not going that great anymore. Have you stopped to consider that there may be some things you are not getting right in your business? Knowing these things and trying to find a way around it might be what you need to save yourself some time, money, and even your business reputation. You do not need to do trial and error in this business of cleaning, or things may even get worse along the line.
Without further ado, let us jump straight into how one can run a cleaning business, discussing some of those pitfalls that some people do not know and others seem to neglect.
Not coming up with a marketing and business plan: Remember how we discussed that you might be fired up and ready to go? Well, making a cleaning business profitable will require more than a hardworking owner, the ability to deep clean, and a good attitude to work. A saying goes, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." This phrase has stood the test of time as it is true. Start with a mission statement to help guide you and clarify the purpose of your business. Then, proceed to draft out a good business plan.
This plan should contain a total review of your business, operation plans, products and services, market analysis, and strategies for marketing and sales.
Not building a professional website: The world has gone digital, and it is only wise that we all go with it. Having a professional website has become a key component of any successful business. With a website, you are always at work. It can be made to provide valuable information to clients and customers, add a bit of authority and professionalism, and even help you capture leads.
Some of the details of the website would be contact forms, information about the business, any special deals and regular sale prices, and also a blog. With optimized blog posts, your website can rank higher in searches, strengthening your online presence and giving you an edge over your competition. Also, prompt, courteous, and regular interaction with those that contact you online is important to create a good first impression for you and your business.
Not charging the right prices: This is one of the commonest mistakes most cleaning businesses make, and it is a big factor that should be considered. You are in the business to make a profit, right? So why undercharge for your professional cleaning services? It is understandable when you undercharge at the beginning in a bid to build your clientele list, but if you continue going that way, it could cut your profits considerably, and this would not mean well for your business.
Part of the business plan would be to take a minute and come up with prices for all your services. A careful thought process of pricing is much better than just pulling random figures from your head or trying to undercharge just to beat the competition. Instead of lowering prices to beat them, improve on your quality. You stand a better chance that way.
Not diversifying services rendered: Well, the cleaning business is becoming more competitive by the second. This means you need to stay ahead of the competition. One way to do that would be to diversify the services you render. Some cleaning businesses choose to stick with maintenance and deep cleaning regularly. However, that may be the difference between profit and loss. Offer a wider range of services to customers, and you will be able to meet increasing demand. Services to be rendered are numerous, but take it slow to avoid being 'Jack of all trades.'
In the end, knowing how to run a business is not as easy as it seems. However, when you know your problems, they are already half-solved. To know the problems associated with cleaning services, follow the solutions listed above, and you are good to go.
© How to Run a Cleaning Business