Welcome back to our continuing series on starting a home based commercial laundry business. In our previous post, we examined the steps necessary to start your business off on the right foot. From utilizing local entrepreneurs as resources, to creating your business and working with your homeowners' insurance to make sure your business is covered, taking the necessary steps to give your business a strong foundation is key to its success.
In this post, we will help you refine the other details of your business. Service area, pricing, logistics, payment, and marketing, all of these are essential details that must not be overlooked when you are beginning your business.
- Defining your service area is important if you intend to offer pick up and drop off service as a part of your business. Decide what the additional charges will be for pick up and drop off and set policies to protect yourself in case a customer's laundry is stolen or damaged from being left for either pick up or delivery. If you are not offering pick up and delivery service, be prepared to give your customers accurate information to help them locate your home and explain what the policies are for early morning or late pick ups.
- Develop a pricing schedule for your services. Make sure to include things like pretreating, sorting, hanging items, sock matching, etc. All of the things that will require additional time, resources or supplies need to be considered when you set your pricing.
- Create an incentive or rewards program. You want to keep your customers coming back, and you want them to tell their friends about your service. Utilizing an online rewards tracking program can help your customers know when they are getting close to earning a free service or a discount on their next drop off. Incentivize your customers to refer friends and family by offering a referral discount.
- Choosing an online payment processor can be tricky. Look for a company that offers your customers the ability to pay online as well as in-person with their credit or debit card. Ensure that you have the ability to issue receipts for cash transactions and decide whether you will accept personal checks or not. Many small businesses will not accept checks as payment because of the risk of fraud or insufficient funds.
- Keep your customers in the know with monthly email newsletters. Advertise specials, remind them of closures due to vacation or other events, and inform them of new policies or services.
- Set up your social media. Many consumers now rely on social media to locate businesses near them, read reviews, interact, and learn about specials. Keeping your social media up to date keeps your business looking professional and is an excellent way to connect with and find new customers. Consider hiring a professional photographer to help you take promotional images or buy stock photos from a professional image site.
- Develop a website that allows your customers to do business with you anytime. Whether it is to schedule drop offs, arrange pick ups, or pay their bill, having a fully functional website gives your customers additional conveniences and makes your business stand out.
Don't Waste Time With Wascomat Dealers in Raleigh, NC
When you're ready to purchase the equipment you need for your home-based laundry business, give T & L Laundry Equipment a call. We're not Wascomat dealers in Raleigh, NC, but we offer great options for Speed Queen and Continental. Our professional staff will arrange an on-site visit to measure the space you have for your machines and make product recommendations. Ask about additional products for your business like adjustable folding tables and laundry carts, in-house financing and scheduled machine maintenance services. Find out why T & L customers are the happiest customers in the commercial laundry business, call for your appointment today!
