Starting a Cleaning Business
Many commercial cleaning businesses are starting in the United States daily with the majority of these companies being private. Individuals and families are the more interested in starting such businesses due to the ease of starting and the low capital required. It is no wonder to see many cleaning service personnel darting from one office block to another.
Before you start your cleaning service business, an analysis of the business environment is necessary. It is essential to do a thorough study of the business landscape and of the target market you intend to do the business in. Much data is available both online and offline thus an appropriate method for getting the right statistic about the business environment is vital.
The most important information that one needs is about the competitors involved in the business. Just like the rest of the country, Lake County, Illinois has a number of cleaning services companies. There are companies that have been in the business for many decades and have run successful businesses. In addition, your target clients may be the same clients that these older companies have been providing services. This information will provide you with the weaknesses and strengths of your competitors and maybe help you find a competitive edge. Find out the rates at which they charge their clients, the quality of service and the time of operation.
Once you know your competitors, look to find out the unique that they are offering the clients. It is common knowledge that a business with several clients must be offering a unique product or feature. Assess the effect that these unique features have towards the operation of the business. If it is possible, find out form the clients how much they value the competitor due to these unique features in their products.
The internet is a good source for this information. In most cases, Company website will contain this information with the hope of attracting more clients. Visit these websites and take notes of how the developed companies put attract clients. Use this knowledge to structure your online marketing strategy and remember to point out the unique feature about your cleaning service. The services should also be competitive in terms of the rates charged and the quality of service provided. Business in the United States is purely competitive and good products will find clients.
It is also important to note that the internet is a changing environment where companies are constantly changing their competitive content. It will be important that the information you provide on the website up to date and in tandem with the changes in the industry. Knowledge about new products will make the clients prefer your company to others. It will also keep the visitors to your website educated and will pass this information to potential clients by word of mouth and reference to your website. Once you have set up your website, finding clients is next hurdle. Putting a classified advertisement has proved to be a good point for adverting a staring business. List the services the company offers to the clients with the rates the company charges. You could also to print advertisement for staffing your company.
Whether the company you intend to start is individual, partnership or family, then follow the entire requirement for starting a company as provided by the laws of Illinois. Ensure you have the necessary equipment and a van will come in handy. Register with the state directory to put your business on the map.
References
http://www.thesearchagency.com/search-marketing-glossary/competitive-landscape.html. Retrieved October 20th , 2011, from www.thesearchagency.com.
http://www.startacleaningbiz.com/. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20th, 2011, from Startacleaningbiz.com.
Morse, M., & Jorstad, L. (2009). How to Start a Home-Based Housecleaning Business,. Globe Pequot.
