For ambitious landscapers, one of their primary goals is hopefully to build their business to be more profitable and potentially reach the point where they can consider expanding, either to take on more work within their current location or open up in another town or city. One hurdle that might stand in their way, however, is that whilst they have a huge knowledge and expertise of landscaping, they may not be as sure how to grow their business.
That is nothing to apologise for, as there are millions of businesses that have owners who are unable to take those businesses to another level as they struggle to discover how that can be achieved. Whilst we cannot outline an entire business plan for them, or specifically for any landscapers reading this, we can give you some tips that can help you start that journey towards expanding your landscaping business.
Give Sales Your Primary Focus
When increasing sales gets mentioned the automatic assumption by most is it means getting more clients. Naturally, part of it is, but that should not be the only avenue you go down. Perhaps if we amend it to ‘sales revenue’ it might become clearer that you can do so without adding clients.
Think about any additional services you offer clients. The obvious one is garden maintenance and repair services. Are you actively promoting these, or simply mentioning them in passing? How about calling all your previous clients and offering them a discount to sign up for maintenance? There are so many possibilities, so get thinking about how else you could increase your revenue.
Instigate A Digital Marketing Strategy
The internet is here to stay, and any business that has not taken advantage of it is missing out, especially if it has plans to expand. Having a digital marketing campaign specifically a search engine optimisation (SEO) campaign created by an experienced SEO consultant, allows you to target, reach out to, and connect with many of the local population who are your potential next clients. Some might not even know you exist, but they will with an effective digital marketing campaign set up. If you do not know how then hire a digital marketing agency.
Become The #1 Local Landscaping Brand
Most landscapers reading this will operate within a defined local area. If so, then one of your top goals is to become the landscaping business that everyone in that area thinks of first when the word landscaping is mentioned. The aforementioned digital marketing campaign can help towards that aim. You can also boost your branding locally using promotional material, sponsorships, and seeking positive publicity via local media.
Enhance Your Customer Service In Every Way You Can
We trust customer service is important to you, but even so, ask yourself if it is truly world-class. By world-class we mean does it ‘wow’ your clients from the moment they first contact you, through the creation of their garden, and then afterwards when you follow up with them to ensure all is ok. These and everything in between must be head and shoulders above your competition.
Get All Your Financials Aligned
Although maybe not as exciting as the previous tips, we cannot ignore the fact that for your business to progress, everything behind the scenes must be in order, especially your landscaping business’s finances. Examples include seeking to reduce fixed costs, ensuring that you actively seek client payments when due, and helping your landscaping business retain a high credit rating by paying all its bills on time.