Landscaping is a very rewarding business, especially for those who love the outdoors and enjoy working with plants and natural materials. However, growing a successful landscaping business requires more than just a green thumb. Some entrepreneurial spirit and a solid plan for growth are essential for any business. We’ll cover the most important principles for any growing landscape company. By the end of this, you’ll understand the ten tips on how to grow a landscaping business.
12 Steps on How to Grow a Landscaping Business
1. Develop a Landscaping Business Plan
Before starting any business, the first step is to develop a clear and objective plan that outlines your goals, target market, budget, and marketing strategies. A well-thought-out business plan will help you stay focused on your goals, prioritize the right actions, and make informed decisions. Consider hiring a professional to help create a truly comprehensive plan suited for your business. Speaking with established experts in the industry can be very helpful; they are often inclined to share invaluable knowledge. It’s good practice to re-evaluate your business plan periodically to see if you need to continue or revise your strategy and goals.
2. Build a Strong Online Presence
In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is a must. Make sure you have a website that showcases your services, portfolio, and customer reviews; this is crucial to establishing yourself as a professional. Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are great ways to promote your business and engage with potential customers. They’re both free advertising and a popular resource for homeowners. Posting photos of your work will build your repertoire and add to your credibility. Utilizing online directories like Yelp and Google My Business is a great way to increase your visibility.
If you need help with your digital footprint, check out services like The Tradesmen Agency, which specializes in Google Ads and SEO for landscaping companies.
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3. Expand Your Landscaping Services
Offering a wide range of services will help you attract more customers and increase your total revenue. Consider including services beyond the basics of your business. For example, if you are primarily a lawn care company, consider adding tree trimming or irrigation services. This will not only give your customers more options, but it will also help you stand out from your competitors. Try to discover services your competitors are missing. This is a perfect opportunity for you to fulfill that need, driving demand higher. This also allows you to employ less competitive pricing, making that service more profitable.
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4. Invest in High-Quality Landscaping Equipment
Investing in quality equipment for your landscaping business will make your job easier and allow you to consistently deliver better results to your customers. Ensure you have the right tools for the job and perform periodic maintenance on the equipment you own. Nothing is worse than dragging broken or improper equipment out to a job site – it’s a huge waste of time and energy that growing businesses cannot afford. Find out the top brands of equipment you use. Better equipment allows you to work faster and more efficiently, paying off in the long run. Also, consider investing in specialized equipment that can expand your services or adding to your vehicle fleet to increase your capabilities.
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5. Manage Your Finances: Landscaping Cash Flow
Managing finances is crucial to a successful business in any industry. Make sure you have a budget and track your expenses and revenue. Implement an accurate and reliable system for both collecting customer payments and tracking employee salaries. Consider hiring an accountant or using accounting software to help you manage these finances. Applying for a business loan can help you finance your growth – but make sure the payments will be within your budget.
Use CRMs like ServiceTitan to help keep track of how much money is going in and how much is going out! Not to mention the scheduling, lead tracking, and other software
6. Create More Cash Flow Streams
Consider starting a side hustle, such as growing microgreens, to get more cash to invest in your landscaping business. The Co-Founder of Talking Tradesmen, Forrest Webber, started an eCommerce business to fund his residential service business. A side hustle is a great way to earn extra cash and help your primary business grow faster without taking out debt.
7. Successful Landscaping Business: Hire Good People
As your landscaping business grows, you’ll need to hire more people to meet the growing demand. Make sure you’re diligent in hiring reliable, hardworking employees with a passion for landscaping. Consider offering competitive wages and benefits to attract and retain top talent. You can also consider hiring interns or apprentices to help you train future employees.
8. Provide Exceptional Customer Service
Providing exceptional customer service is key to growing and maintaining your customer base. “Word of mouth” is much more than just that since customers also leave digital reviews these days. Every customer is a chance to earn free publicity and increase your credibility. If they are truly impressed with your service, they’ll let others know how great you are. Make sure to communicate clearly and really listen to their needs. Always deliver on your promises, and go above and beyond to exceed their expectations. Be careful not to oversell your services, as they may leave you feeling like you’ve missed the mark. A good rule of thumb: “Under promise, and over-deliver.” This ensures you will always exceed customer expectations – a huge part of customer satisfaction. You can also consider offering promotions or discounts to loyal customers.
Use tools like OpenPhone to offer excellent customer service with a professional business phone. It allows you to do things like set business hours, and you can make it automatically reply to missed calls or messages with specific messages, letting your customers know you’ll be available soon. Automatic messaging increases the likelihood of landing a lead when you’re not able to pick up the phone immediately.
Co-founder of Talking Tradesmen, Forrest Webber, uses OpenPhone for both of his businesses - one being a cleaning business. He is a big fan of it for new businesses and smaller existing businesses.
9. Network and Collaborate with Other Landscaping Companies
Networking with businesses in your community is very important. Even collaborating with local competition allows you to understand your market better. It provides invaluable insight and could help you grow your customer base, expand your services, or keep costs low if mutually beneficial deals can be reached. Business partnerships are typically beneficial for both parties. Also, join local business groups and attend networking events to meet other professionals in your industry. You can also collaborate with other businesses to offer joint services or referral programs.
10. Keep Up with Industry Trends
Staying current with industry trends will help you stay ahead of the competition and provide the best services to your customers. Subscribe to industry publications and attend conferences and trade shows to learn about new products, techniques, and technologies. Also, consider taking continuing education courses or obtaining certifications to improve your skills. If you have a new and hopeful talent you would like to train, consider sending them to learn and become a better asset to you and your company.
11. Keep Evaluating and Improving Landscape Company
Last but certainly not least, continuously evaluating and improving your landscaping business is key to long-term success. Much like reviewing your business plan periodically, monitor your progress and adjust your strategies as needed to stay on track. Collect feedback from your customers and employees and use it to improve your services. Listening to employees is often overlooked since they do not drive revenue as customers do, but they’re equally important and truly the heart and soul of your business. Keeping your employees happy will, in turn, help keep your customers happy, provide better employee retention, and keep your business running smoothly. Always look for ways to improve your business inside and out that will keep you competitive and meet the ever-changing needs of your clientele.
12. Transition to Commercial Work
You should look into commercial work if you’re having trouble getting more
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13. How to Grow Your Landscaping Business: Take Action!
Growing a landscaping business takes time, effort, and dedication. The 12 steps listed here will poise you and your business for future success. Remember to focus on your goals and always prioritize your customers’ needs. With hard work and determination, your landscaping business will thrive, bringing beauty and joy to your community!
