Starting a lawn care business? You're out there with big dreams, ready to turn every lawn in the neighborhood into a lush, green masterpiece. But soon enough, reality hits…
Finding customers isn't as easy as mowing a straight line. You're up against seasoned pros, and standing out feels like trying to find a four-leaf clover in a field of grass.
Or maybe you've been running your lawn care business for a while, but things aren't picking up how you hoped.
Your regular customers love you, but where are the new ones? It's frustrating. You see other lawn care businesses booming, their trucks in every driveway, and you wonder, What's their secret?
Whether you're just starting or hitting that tricky plateau, growing your customer base is the puzzle you must solve.
Wondering how to get more lawn care customers without running yourself ragged? Or how to make your business the go-to for lawn care in your area? Keep scrolling, because the next part is all about answering these questions.
We're diving into simple, effective ways to grow your lawn care business, grab those leads, and keep your mowers busy. Let's make your lawn care empire flourish with less sweat and more success with these six tips.
1. Optimize your Google Business Profile
A strong online presence is crucial for any business, especially for local service providers like lawn care businesses. One of the most effective tools at your disposal in this regard is your Google Business Profile (GBP).
This free listing enhances your visibility on Google Search and Maps and serves as a first impression for potential customers researching local lawn care services. And since 87% of consumers used Google to evaluate local businesses, this is a tool you can’t miss out on.
Your GBP acts as your business's digital storefront, providing essential information such as your services, hours, location, and customer reviews at a glance.
Optimizing your Google Business Profile can greatly improve your local search engine rankings and increase the likelihood of customers finding you. A well-maintained profile builds trust and credibility, encouraging more inquiries and bookings.
Tips for Success:
- Complete Every Section: Fill out every part of your profile, including your business name, address, phone number, website, and service areas. The more information you provide, the easier for Google to match your business with relevant searches.
- Use Keywords: Incorporate keywords related to lawn care services into your profile description. Think about what potential customers might search for and use those terms naturally in your text.
- Upload High-Quality Photos: Visuals make a significant impact. Post high-resolution images of your team at work, your equipment, and before-and-after photos of lawns you've serviced. Regularly updating your photos can also keep your profile fresh and engaging.
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Collect Reviews and Respond to Them: Sometimes happy customers can still use a little push or encouragement to leave their positive review on your Google Business Profile. Respond to all reviews, whether positive or negative, in a professional manner. This interaction shows potential customers that you value feedback and customer service.
- Post Regular Updates: Use the posts feature to share updates, special offers, or tips on lawn care. Posts like this will keep potential customers who are searching for you informed about your services. And hopefully that keep your lawn care or landscape business top of mind when it comes to choosing one.
2. Join Facebook Groups
Facebook groups are a goldmine for lawn care businesses aiming to expand their reach within local communities. With over 1.8 billion people using Facebook Groups every month, there's a vast audience actively seeking recommendations, advice, and services related to home and garden care, including lawn maintenance.
You can significantly boost your business's visibility and credibility by offering valuable advice, sharing your expertise, and occasionally showcasing your work.
This approach positions you as a go-to lawn care expert and opens up opportunities for direct customer engagement and referrals.
Tips for Success:
- Find and Join Local Groups: Look for community groups, home improvement forums, or local buy/sell groups in your area. These are prime spots where potential customers might be looking for the very services you offer.
- Engage Authentically: Offer genuine advice, answer landscaping questions, and engage in discussions. Regular, helpful participation can build trust and recognition for your business.
- Adhere to Group Rules: Pay close attention to each group's rules regarding promotions. Respectful adherence ensures you remain a valued group member.
- Showcase Your Success: When appropriate, share before-and-after photos of your projects, positive customer feedback, or seasonal promotions. Visual and positive content tends to engage community members more effectively.
- Encourage Word-of-Mouth: Happy customers can be your best advocates. Invite them to share their positive experiences with your services in these groups, enhancing your word-of-mouth referrals.
- Consider Starting Your Own Group: If you're ready to take a bigger step, create a Facebook group dedicated to lawn care and landscaping in your region. It's a great way to centralize your community engagement efforts and strengthen your brand presence.
3. Start Automating Your Review Generation Engine
With 76% of consumers regularly reading online reviews when browsing for local businesses, it's clear that a steady stream of positive feedback can propel your company forward.
With an automated review generation process, capturing these crucial customer testimonials becomes a seamless part of your service cycle rather than an afterthought.
Tips for Success:
- Choose the Right Tool: Select a reputation marketing software that integrates easily with your current systems. Look for features like automatic review requests sent post-service and the ability to monitor and respond to reviews from a single dashboard.
- Make It Easy for Customers: The simpler it is for customers to leave a review, the more likely they will do it. Ensure the review process involves as few steps as possible, ideally allowing them to provide feedback with just a couple of clicks.
- Time Your Requests Wisely: Send review requests shortly after completing a service while the positive experience is fresh in the customer's mind. Automated systems can help schedule these requests at the optimal time.
- Personalize Your Requests: Even though you're automating the process, personalization can still play a big part. Use the customer's name and service details in your review request to make it feel more individualized and genuine.
- Monitor and Engage: Use your automated system to collect reviews, monitor them, and gain insights. Engaging with reviews by thanking customers for positive feedback or addressing concerns raised in negative reviews shows you value customer input and are committed to service excellence.
- Incentivize Your Team: Encourage your team members to collect reviews by recognizing and rewarding those who consistently receive positive feedback. NiceJob has a team leaderboard feature that shows which team members are generating the most business reviews as well as the best (or not-so-best) star ratings. This not only motivates your team but also ensures high service standards.
4. Turn Existing Customers into Ambassadors
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Happy customers who spread the word about your lawn care services can dramatically increase your client base with minimal effort on your part.
Considering that 90% of consumers trust word-of-mouth recommendations, leveraging the power of satisfied customers can be a game-changer for your business.
Tips for Success:
- Deliver Exceptional Service: Make sure every customer interaction is top-notch. Exceptional service naturally motivates customers to share their experiences with others.
- Ask for Referrals Directly: Sometimes, all you have to do is ask. Encourage your happy customers to recommend your services to friends and family. Be direct but polite in your approach.
- Offer Incentives for Referrals: Create a referral program that rewards customers for every new client they bring in. Whether it's a discount on their next service or a small freebie, incentives can significantly boost referral rates.
- Make Sharing Easy: Provide satisfied customers with the tools to share their experiences easily. This could be a link to your Google Business Profile for leaving a review or social media share buttons for posting about your services.
5. Use Online Classifieds
Online classifieds are a valuable but often underutilized channel for lawn care businesses looking to expand their reach.
Local business directories and websites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and local online classified platforms can connect you directly with individuals in your community searching for lawn care services.
The cost of digital classified advertising is lower than other strategies, and it allows you to target consumers who are more likely to make a purchase. With millions of users browsing classifieds daily for various services, tapping into this resource can significantly increase your visibility and attract new customers.
Tips for Success:
- Craft Clear and Compelling Ads: Your ad should succinctly convey the services you offer, any special deals, and why customers should choose you over competitors. Include clear, high-quality images of your work to grab attention.
- Update Regularly: Ads can quickly get buried under new posts on platforms like Craigslist. Regularly updating your ad or posting new ones can keep you visible to potential customers.
- Target the Right Categories and Locations: Ensure your ad is placed in the most relevant category and targets the specific locations you serve. This increases the chances of your ad being seen by interested local customers.
- Include Contact Information: Make reaching you easy for potential customers. Include your phone number, email, and links to your website and social media handles in the ad.
- Monitor and Respond Promptly: Keep an eye on your ads for inquiries and respond quickly. Prompt responses can distinguish between winning a new customer and losing them to a competitor.
6. Revisit Your Family and Friend Pool
Tapping into your personal network of family and friends can be a powerful and often overlooked strategy for growing your lawn care business. Those closest to you can be your biggest advocates, spreading the word about your services within their own networks.
Considering that personal recommendations from friends and family are the most trusted advertising channel, leveraging your personal connections can significantly boost your client base.
Tips for Success:
- Communicate Your Business Goals: Share your ambitions and the services you offer with your family and friends. A casual conversation at a gathering or a post on your personal social media accounts can alert them to how they can support you.
- Remember to Ask: Don't shy away from directly asking your close contacts to refer your business to anyone they know who might need lawn care services. Emphasize the quality of your work and your commitment to customer satisfaction.
- Offer Special Discounts: Consider providing a special discount or incentive for family and friends who use your services or successfully refer new customers to you. This can motivate them to spread the word more actively.
- Utilize Social Media: Encourage your network to share your business page or specific promotional posts on their social media profiles. This can significantly increase your reach and attract customers who trust word-of-mouth recommendations from people they know.
Grow Your Lawn Care Business with NiceJob
Boosting your lawn care business and getting more customers doesn't have to be complicated.
From making the most of social media and lawn care business software to asking friends and family to spread the word, there are several simple yet effective ways to help you stand out. But remember, a good reputation is key to attracting more customers.
That's where NiceJob comes in.
Our reputation marketing platform makes it easy for you to get more reviews from your happy customers. And more reviews mean more people hearing about how great your service is, and more people who want to experience that service for themselves!
Home service business owners who use NiceJob win 4x more online reviews
Ready to see your lawn care business flourish? Try NiceJob and watch your customers grow.
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