Carpet Cleaning Websites

“Nielson-Online.com says 81% of customers are going to the Internet first to find out more about a business.”

Any business owner would agree that a strong internet presence plays an important role in attracting new customers. The right kind of web design can generate at least 30% more business.

The 6 Elements: Massive Traffic = Massive Profit

1. High Ranking: Can the customers easily find you on Google or Yahoo? This is primary for generating new customers. You can have the best website design on the planet, but you need people to easily find it.

2. Quick Loading: Online shoppers are not patient. If your site takes more than 5 seconds to load they will be gone. There are several techniques used to ensure quick load times.

3. Call to action: Once a visitor comes to your site, there is a point when his/her interest peaks and this is the time the call to action. Now, a lot of online business owners have website that fail in this aspect and hence they lose out on nearly 20% of prospective leads. You need to know where to place the call to action so you don’t lose any potential customers.

4. Logos & Brands: You want visitors to remember you. Logos and branding material can make a huge impact. But the way to present them to the visitor is an art, you cannot have anything placed anywhere. Professional web design companies know user preferences and can help you determine the positioning of each element on your website.

5. Colors & Symmetry: The kind of colors you use and the kind of shapes you have on your website create the first impression of your website to a viewer. You can get tons of visits to your site but dull colors and bad symmetry can nullify all efforts.

6. Content & Images: Most users have specific ideas about how content and images should be placed on a website. If your website is not meeting to their standards, they will go away.

Finally, a good web design is about getting all of the above elements together in a way that it looks attractive and also serves the business purpose. In your case the purpose is to drive massive traffic to your site and make more money.

Call Joe at 406-214-6504! I offer a free consultation and sample website so you see what you’re getting before you purchase.

Networking with other local businesses that provide services to the same clients is one of the most effective ways to generate new customers. And the best part is that its free and ongoing.

It’s all about relationship building and that means you’ll only get out what you put in. It will take some time and effort but the rewards are astounding.

Who to Network With

It is important to target who will be in your network. You don’t want to have hundreds of people in your network. It will be far more productive to have one close relationship in each industry.

The best types of businesses to network with will be those that service the same customer base and include:

• • Realtors
  • Landlords
  • Handymen
  • Home Cleaning Service
  • Window Washers
  • Pet Walkers

Painting Companies

These are just a few examples to get you started. Make a list or do an Internet search to find potential local business that you could network with.

How to Develop Lasting Relationships

Here are a few ideas:

1. Learn about their business and industry. Do an internet search for articles they may be interested in and email to them with a personalized note.
2. Become Their #1 Referrer – Before you receive, you must give. Start sending some referrals their way and they are almost sure to reciprocate.
Think about any of your clients that maybe in need of their services right now.
3. Once they give you a referral offer to give them a large discount or free cleaning. That way they will know first hand the quality you provide.

You should make a point of letting these people know what exactly you do, and also let them know that referrals are a big part of your business and that you would truly value any business that they might send your way. Let them know that you are enthusiastic about your business, and get them excited too.

Most carpet cleaners don’t have an effective network of local business referrals. Don’t miss out on this powerful way to grow your business.

Call Joe at 406-214-6504! I offer a free consultation and sample website so you see what you’re getting before you purchase.

Carpet cleaners often make the mistake of being difficult for their prospects and customers to do business with them.

Make It Easy

Do everything you can to make doing business with your company as easy as possible. Put yourself in their shoes. Maybe you can work a couple of evenings and take the mornings off. A little bit of sacrifice will go a long way.

We have all heard the horror stories from customers about how carpet cleaners don’t show up, are late or leave unfinished jobs. Don’t be that guy.

Exceed Expectations

You need to go above and beyond when it comes to servicing your customers and impressing your prospects with your eagerness to service and satisfy their wants and needs.

How convenient is your service? Can they easily find you in the phone book or online?

Always Be First

You must be ready to do business when your prospects are ready to do business. And you must make it easy for them to find you.

This means updating your website and advertising info. Be quick to schedule a meeting with your new customer and get an estimate or proposal in their hands. You need to be first. Chances are they are shopping around. The longer
you put off scheduling a meeting, or delivering a proposal, the more likely they are to hire another service provider.

Customer Service 101

Do you know and understand what motivates your customers? What causes them to make a buying decision? What are their expectations of you as a service professional?

Customer service is huge in our industry and its not very hard to make or break a good impression. Be friendly and courteous will generate tons of repeat and referral business.

Take a few minutes and ask yourself these questions:

1. When a potential customer calls you, are they able to get information in a timely and courteous manner?

2. Are you willing to help and provide information even if it doesn’t result in an immediate sale?

3. Are you able to meet with customers and prospects in the time-frame that fits their schedules?

5. Do you consistently communicate and ask for feedback on job well done?

By making it easy and enjoyable to do business with you, you will surely attract more customers who will use your services more frequently, and who will provide you with referrals.

Call Joe at 406-214-6504! I offer a free consultation and sample website so you see what you’re getting before you purchase.

How would you like to cut your advertising costs in half?

There are two simple things you can use to accomplish this: a high ranking website with an effective call to action and a formalized referral system.

Most companies rely on referrals for somewhere between 20% to 75% of their business. Yet, these same companies give no thought to having a formal system in place to generate referrals.

The Trust Factor

The best part about referrals is they are trusting customers that know you.

Many believe that if the job quality is good, then referrals will automatically occur. This is true to some extent, but to make a true impact on your business you need a system in place.

You need a way to compel customers to happily provide their friends, neighbors or business associates names and addresses to you.

Your current customers, are the most obvious group to ask for referrals because they have experienced your services and have a first hand knowledge of how your business delivers. These people will always be your best source of referrals because they trust you.

Your Referral Program

The simplest way to gather referrals from your customers is to write a
simple letter asking them for their recommendation.

This letter should become part of your routine system and should go out immediately upon completion of a job. It can be in the form of a Thank You letter.

You do this when the customers are most happy and their carpet are still bright and clean.

Another effective method is to print up small referral cards that give discounts and incentives to new customers like: 10% off, 1 Free Room Cleaning, etc.

It also works well in conjunction with your website. Make it known that a referral program is in place. This will instill more trust with potential clients and solidify relationships with current customers.

Call Joe at 406-214-6504! I offer a free consultation and sample website so you see what you’re getting before you purchase.

What is a USP? Your USP is a simple statement that explains why your company is special and why YOU can provide greater value to your clients than your competition.

Your USP should answer this question:

“Why should I do business with you instead of any or all of your competitors?”

Your high ranking website will definitely separate you from the pack, but you also need something that says “This is why I am different.” And it must be used in all your marketing endeavors.

A truly powerful USP is in gives specific, meaningful benefits to the consumer. Not vague general statements.

Domino’s Pizza of the most famous USPs is:

‘Fresh, hot pizza delivered in 30 minutes or less…Guaranteed!” Dominoe’s has had massive success with this simple statement.

How can you do they same for your business?

It could be that you, the owner of the company, are personally involved in every job. It could be that you only use the safest eco-friendly products. It could be that you offer the strongest service guarantee in town.

Try talking to your faithful clients. See what they really like about you and doing business with your company. Make a list of possible one-sentence USPs. Include it at the top of your website and all your marketing material.

Remember, tell the customer why you are different and customers will respond.

Call Joe at 406-214-6504! I offer a free consultation and sample website so you see what you’re getting before you purchase.

When it comes to marketing, most carpet cleaners focus on the wrong things. They talk about their company, the number of years they’ve been in business, where they are located, their technology etc.

People don’t respond to this type advertising. Its time for you to change gears and start focusing on the person who is reading the website or ad. Every decision you and I make is based on emotions and then we justify it with logic, and the same applies to everyone.

Effective marketing strategies developed decades ago still hold true today, because people have, and will continue to respond to self-serving emotional appeals.

Let me explain why…
People only care about one thing: WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

They don’t really care about your company, the certifications, or how new your equipment is. What really sells prospects on your services are the benefits that you can provide to them. This especially true for a website because people get in and out so fast.

Here are 2 Examples:

Joe’s Carpet Cleaning

• Powerful Truckmount System
• In Business for 15 Years
• IICRC Certified Technicians

or

Joe’s Carpet Cleaning

• Get the Grunge Out
• Restore Life Back to your Carpets
• Improve your Indoor Air Environment

Do you see the difference? Customers are more likely to respond the second example because they can picture the results. They don’t buy carpet cleaning. They buy fresh, healthy, clean carpets. They don’t care how you do it.

Bottom line: You need results oriented marketing! Put this concept into your website and advertising and watch the customers roll in.

Call Joe at 406-214-6504! I offer a free consultation and sample website so you see what you’re getting before you purchase.

Did you realize your most valuable clients are your current and former customers? Most carpet cleaners don’t.

Most carpet cleaners are so focused on trying to get new customers that they neglect the ones they already have.

Job Files Are Priceless

There is a goldmine lying hidden in your job files.
The fastest and easiest way massive business growth is consistently going after your past and current customers. Your customers trust you, they have faith in your abilities and they like you.

They have bought from you before and are predisposed to buying from you again. So wouldn’t it make sense to market heavily to your existing clients?
You’ll quickly find your easiest source of new profits, using this one idea. It’s so expensive to get new business, while the cost of reaching your existing customers is minimal.

A Simple Reminder

You just have to remind them that you exist.

How do you do this? You’ve got to continually follow-up your customer list with letters, newsletters, and special events. Make sure it benefits the customer and give them special offers.

Don’t give them boring sales drivel, instead educate them and let them know that they are appreciated.

Here are a few ideas for communicating with your past and current customers:

• Monthly Newsletters
• Seasonal Greetings
• Thank You Letters
• New Service or Product Letters
• Reminder Notices of Service Dates
• Informative Booklets or Reports

Marketing professionals often say that most businesses double their sales by simply contacting and making offers more frequently to their existing customer list.

Don’t overlook this powerful strategy!

Call Joe at 406-214-6504! I offer a free consultation and sample website so you see what you’re getting before you purchase.

You may be the best cleaner in town, but without effective marketing your business wont reach its full potential. It is true that quality work speaks for itself, but you need to keep yourself in front of your customers as much as possible.

Being the best just isn’t good enough. Most carpet cleaners don’t like to hear it, but effective marketing is the difference between an average income and a true high-income profit-maker.

The good news is that you can embrace this truth to transform your business in a very short time without spending a fortune.

Not for the Lazy Business Owner

To really market your business effectively you need to put in some serious work. You will need to set some goals and follow through. Its all about planning and execution. But you want to focus your time and energy on profit generating activities.

I’m not talking about posting flyers or handing out business cards. You really need to become a household name in the community you service. This takes more than fancy van graphics or catchy yellow book ads.

Lay the Foundation

The first thing you need to do is brand yourself. You probably have done this already with a logo and a slogan. How professional is it? Does clearly state what you are all about with a picture and few words? Are you currently taking advantage if the huge number of customers an effective website can provide?

Make sure that your brand is consistent across all forms of advertising and promotion. Your business cards should match your website, flyers, newspaper and phone book ads.

How to Network for Maximum Returns

Now that you have established a brand, get out let people know what your company is all about. Yes you are going to have to shake some hands. This will pay off down the road…big time!

Here are the top 3 most effective ways of networking in the carpet cleaning industry:

1. Get to know other business owners who have the same clients you do. These include: realtors, property managers, house cleaners, window washers, handymen. Cross promote with these businesses and refer each other to current clients.
2. Join and become active in local business organizations, business networking clubs, chamber of commerce, pet clubs etc. Give special pricing to other members.
3. Create a promotional program to benefit your existing clients and use your website as a platform. This includes referral cards, email coupons and helpful newsletters.

This of course is just a starting point. There many factors that a carpet cleaning business must consider to be effective in marketing, but know that marketing should be a top priority.

Call Joe at 406-214-6504! I offer a free consultation and sample website so you see what you’re getting before you purchase.