Landscapers need a varied skill set. As well as understanding the environment they work in and the plants which thrive there, they must also be able to communicate well with clients and garden designers to achieve the required results. It’s also a very manual role that calls for the laying of new paving, pruning trees and carefully maintaining finished areas. The work is challenging, but with the right planning, a landscaping business can encompass both private and commercial clients to become very lucrative. Here are some ideas for growing your company and increasing your turnover.
Produce a new business plan
The decision to expand is often made as a result of a business doing well. To maximize on your success, it’s important to create a plan that takes into account your new goals. Think strategically to establish a set of clear targets. These could include the number of new customers you hope to take on, the additional hours you plan to work and the percentage increase you would like to see in your revenue. As some aspects of your plan, such as marketing, are likely to be costly, a budget is also required. Next, add a timeline to manage your overall plan. A set of weekly or monthly deadlines will provide information on your progress, so you can adjust your initiatives as and when required.
Show off your insurance certification
Primarily, the right insurance policy will safeguard your business from accidents and claims, but it can also prove your reliability to new and existing clients. Even if you are currently working as a smaller company and it’s just you at the helm, arranging cover from trusted insurance provider Next Insurance, gives you protection from unexpected losses. They work to deliver policies that are aimed at individual businesses, providing cover that’s right for you at an affordable price.
Remember that first impressions count
How you present yourself to potential clients is of key importance. Of course, you will need to be a friendly, polite and approachable person with plenty of innovative gardening ideas, but you should also be responsive to their queries. Provide a phone number and an email address, as well as a website where they can read reviews from past customers and see examples of your work. Your appearance can also have an impact on how your service is perceived. If you don’t have a van logo, then consider getting one made up to give your vehicle a professional look. This lets the neighborhood know you are running an established business and provides you with free advertising. Similarly, you could wear a uniform or even a t-shirt featuring your company logo. As you take on new staff, be sure to get them the same type of shirt, so customers know they are on your team.
Understand who your customers are
One of the most important factors in business success and expansion is knowing your target audience. You can’t create a service that people require if you aren’t entirely sure of who they are and what they want. Under the landscaping umbrella, there are services aimed at the owners of residential properties and services which are more suited to commercial spaces. You may be keen to offer premium outdoor projects or prefer working on general lawn maintenance, either way you’ll need to identify your customers in order to create worthwhile promotions and marketing.
Improve your digital marketing
Digital marketing is a sophisticated and popular tool that can help your business reach its full potential quickly. Building and maintaining a website is important, but it’s no longer enough. Your customers spend lots of time browsing for new products or services online and this means their tastes are more refined than ever. A modern website with uniform branding and design features will impress them, as will responsiveness and mobile compatibility. Having a portfolio of your previous work is a bonus and can certainly be used to your advantage, but the images will need to be high-quality. Pick out a varied selection which demonstrates your strongest skills. Then add explanations and curate them together in several labelled albums. An ordered approach allows visitors to quickly find pictures and content that relates to a project they have in mind.
Ultimately, some strategies will be more effective than others and you’ll soon learn which to concentrate on as your landscape business grows. You’ll need to be patient, but with hard work and a consistent approach, your goals will soon be within reach.
