If you run a lawn care business, you know that getting new leads and contracts is super important. Leads are like the lifeblood of your business, right? But it’s not just about attracting any leads—you want to get the good ones and turn them into clients. So, before we jump into hot tips on how to land those top-notch leads, let’s review what makes these prospects so valuable.
What Are Leads For Your Lawn Care Business?
So, when we talk about leads or job contracts, we’re really talking about potential clients who are interested in your services. These folks might give you their contact info or even reach out directly to get a quote. They could be looking for anything from lawn cutting or fertilizing and maintenance to landscaping design for a complete overhaul of their yard.
To make sure you’re getting the right kind of leads for your business, you need a solid marketing and advertising strategy. With a complete marketing strategy, you should be getting inquiries from places like:
- Phone calls from your Google My Business listing
- Form submissions on your website or social media pages
- Service requests from platforms like HomeStars
- Quote requests through your website
- Messages from homeowners on your social media
This way, you’ll have a steady stream of potential clients coming from different channels. An integrated approach is the best plan of attack every time in our experience.
How Do You Weed Out The Tire Kickers?
Getting contracts for lawn care jobs is a big deal because they set up your business for future success. You want to attract top-quality leads to increase your chances of turning them into paying clients while avoiding as many tire kickers as possible. In order to do so you need to make sure your services and expertise are clearly listed and showcased in detail throughout your website and on your Google Business Listing and other marketing platforms so that potential clients know what you offer and specialize in.
But here’s the thing: just because you get a lead doesn’t mean they’ll instantly become a customer. Many people will do their homework online first. They’ll check out the quality of your work, your availability, your estimates, your reviews, look for photos of your work, and research other important details before they decide to hire you. This is the transition phase where a lead goes from being just interested to becoming a valued customer. You have to hold their hand through it a bit.
So How Do You Get The Best Leads For Your Business?
You’ve got plenty of options on the table to help you drum up new leads but, it really boils down to how much cash you’re willing to throw at it and how much time you can spare. If you want to make life easier for yourself, teaming up with a marketing agency might be the way to go. An agency like ours not only sets up your campaigns but, monitors them constantly working to increase your leads each week while reducing your cost per lead. We also monitor what kind of leads are coming in so that we know what indicates a good lead versus a bad lead which can mean cutting the waste out of your advertising. A dollar spent on someone looking to buy a lawn mower instead of spending that dollar on someone searching for a lawn cutting company really adds up over time.
What’s The Key To Success?
PAYING ATTENTION. A good marketing plan with strong execution helps more people learn about your lawn care business, both on the internet and in your neighbourhood. Check your website – does it need a refresh? Or maybe it needs a whole new look. Have you created ads that speak to the customers you want, not just everyone in the world. Put yourself in their shoes when you’re evaluating your ads. And, make sure you respond to all online reviews – even the bad ones. It shows you care about your customer service if you try to find a solution. This all takes time but, it’s like putting reps in at the gym. You build muscle each time you do it, and it gets easier over time as you get into your groove.
Know The Importance of a Well-Designed Website
It’s important to make a good first impression in business, right? That’s why having a well-designed and functional website is key. It’s often the first thing potential clients will see about your business. A great website should be easy to navigate, look professional, and clearly show off all the services you offer. Plus, it should make it easy for visitors to get in touch, request a quote, or schedule a consultation. By making the online experience smooth and straightforward, you’ll have a better shot at turning website visitors into leads and, eventually, into happy customers. It’s also important to have conversion tracking set up in your website so that you can best optimize your campaigns for actual leads. That might mean paying a little extra for call and form tracking software but, if $99 a month, gives you a clear line of sight from click to closed customer, it’s well worth it.
Get Found Locally Through Google and Paid Search Ads
As a landscaper or lawn care professional, you’ve probably got your eye on certain neighbourhoods where you want to work. Maybe it’s close to home or your shop. To get more leads in specific areas, you need to make sure people in these areas can find you easily. When homeowners need help, they usually turn to Google. So, get your business listed there with all the right info – your number, website, reviews, etc. And hey, if you want to step it up, try some online Pay-Per-Click (PPC) ads that pop up when people in your target area search for landscaping help. It’s a great way to get noticed by the right people at the right time. And, when it comes to generating leads at speed, you get what you pay for. You don’t invest in advertising you’re spending more time putting signs up around the neighbourhood. You invest in paid search ads to come up when people search keywords related to your services instead, leads come to you more quickly. It’s crucial to be present when people are looking for you.
Invest In Traditional Advertising for Leads
Don’t forget about good old-fashioned traditional marketing for your lawn care business. Sure, online ads are great, but putting up signs, sending out mailers, and showing up at local events still works. Does digital produce consistent leads without putting in a ton of hours at tradeshows, yes. But, if you have the capacity to both that’s even better. It’s all about getting your name out there in the neighbourhood and meeting potential customers face-to-face. Participating in local festivals, charity events, and consumer shows tell the customer that you’re part of the community. A simple lawn sign at a finished job or a stickered logo on your work truck can go a long way. And don’t forget business cards for word of mouth advertising. They are gold! You might even add a big free estimate icon on your cards or offer a special discount for referrals. These personal touches help build trust and make people remember you when they need their yard spruced up.
Don’t Ignore Email Marketing
Don’t sleep on email marketing for your lawn care business – it’s a great way to drum up new leads. Start by building a solid list of emails from your current customers and folks who’ve shown interest. You can snag these from your website forms or when you send out invoices. Then, keep in touch with regular emails that show off your best work, offer some sweet deals, and remind people about all the cool stuff you can do for their yards. It’s like keeping your business card on their fridge – when they need lawn care, you’ll be the first one they think of.
Social Media Is The New Search Engine So Use It Wisely
How’s your social media game? When’s the last time you posted something – Mother’s Day? Yikes! Keep it fresh, my friend. A lot of the younger crowd is scrolling through Facebook and Instagram when they need lawn care, and you want to pop up with some recent stuff. Show off those pristine lawns you’ve been working on, let people know about your latest deals or when it’s time for their next treatment, and hey, why not have some fun with it? TikTok’s all the rage – maybe it’s time to bust out some dance moves while mowing? Remember, it’s called social media for a reason. A little personality goes a long way! And, socializing with your followers builds trust.
Create A Customer Referral Program
A referral program can be a game-changer for your landscaping or lawn care business. It’s all about getting your happy customers to spread the word. When someone’s friend or neighbour recommends you, it’s like gold – people trust that way more than any ad. Offer a little something to say thanks when customers bring in new business, and you’ll get folks talking about your awesome work. It’s a win-win: your current customers feel appreciated, and you get new leads without breaking a sweat. Pretty sweet deal, right?
List Your Business On Small Online Directories
Want to get more leads for your lawn care gig? Get your business listed in some Canadian small business directories. They’re not perfect, but they’re a good start to boost your online presence. Hop on Facebook too – join local groups and list your services on Marketplace. It’s a great way to connect with homeowners in your area. And don’t forget about Google My Business – that’s a must these days. Set up a solid profile with all your info, photos, and link to your website. Just keep an eye on those reviews and respond to them. Oh, and you might want to check out Kijiji, Craigslist, 411.ca, and Yelp while you’re at it. The more places people can find you, the better!
Home Improvement Websites Can Be Great Lead Generators
Want to boost your landscaping leads? Try listing your business on some Canadian home improvement websites. Houzz is great if you’ve got eye-catching photos of your work, but remember, homeowners will probably check you out elsewhere too. Jiffy’s good for smaller jobs, but keep in mind the reviews aren’t public. HomeStars is a big one – it’s like a one-stop-shop for home pros. Fill out your profile with all the details about your business, licenses, and past projects. They’ve got neat features like trust scores and verified badges that can help you stand out. Plus, they offer marketing perks like awards that can really put you on the map. Just remember, the more places you’re listed, the more chances you have of catching a homeowner’s eye when they’re looking for a landscaper.
Ready To Increase Your Leads? Call Us!
Yes, it seems like a lot and, if you try to do it all yourself, it absolutely is. That’s why we’re here. We can make your lawn care business a neighbourhood rock star and have your phone ringing off the hook. Learn more about 3SIXTY Marketing Solutions and how we can make your business boom. Give us a call today at 647-250-1494, or book a free consultation. Let’s get those leads flowing.
