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Landscape Marketing Strategies to Grow Your Business

Ryan — Thu, 18 May 2023 15:02:10 +0000

Landscape Marketing Strategies to Grow Your Business

Boost Your Landscape Business: Unleash Powerful Marketing Strategies for Growth

By Jared J.

Introduction

Growing a landscape business requires more than just excellent service and a talented team – it demands strategic marketing. A well-executed marketing plan can attract new customers, foster loyalty among existing clients, and set your company apart in a competitive industry. Let’s explore several effective online and offline marketing strategies that can propel your business forward.

Online Marketing Strategies

Website Optimization: Your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. Ensure it’s clean, modern, and easy to navigate. Highlight your services, share images of your work, and make your contact information readily available. A well-designed, SEO-optimized website will also rank higher in search engine results, increasing your visibility to potential clients.
Social Media Presence: Leverage platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, which are visual by nature and perfect for showcasing your landscaping projects. Regular posts of completed work, in-progress shots, and even team member highlights can engage your audience and showcase your services.
Online Advertising: Consider pay-per-click (PPC) advertising on search engines or social media platforms. While there’s an upfront cost, these ads can effectively target potential customers in your local area and drive traffic to your website.
Email Marketing: Regular newsletters or updates can keep your company in the minds of your clients. Provide useful content like lawn care tips, seasonal reminders, and special promotions. Make sure to have a sign-up feature on your website to grow your email list.

Offline Marketing Strategies

Direct Mail: Despite the digital age, direct mail can be surprisingly effective, particularly for local businesses. Consider sending postcards or flyers showcasing your services to homes and businesses in your area.
Community Engagement: Participating in local events, sponsoring a local sports team, or volunteering for community projects can boost your company’s visibility and reputation. It shows that you’re invested in your community, which can attract like-minded clients.
Networking: Attend local business events and join local business organizations. This can not only help you get your name out there, but also potentially lead to partnerships with complementary businesses, like home improvement stores or real estate agencies.
Yard Signs: Ask satisfied clients if you can place a sign in their yard after completing a project. Neighbors may take notice and reach out for their own landscaping needs.
Vehicle Branding: If you have company vehicles, use them as mobile billboards. Well-designed

Conclusion

Marketing your landscape business requires a balanced blend of online and offline strategies. By making the most of both, you can reach a wider audience, highlight your services, and establish a strong reputation in your local community. Remember, effective marketing is about building relationships. Listen to your customers, understand their needs, and communicate your value. This way, you’ll not only attract new customers but also create loyal clients who will advocate for your business.

Claim your free property sqft tool here.

How Landscaping Increases Home and Property Value

April 8, 2020 No Comments

Did you know that landscaping can increase your property’s value by 12%, but only if done right? I know it’s a cliche, but when it

Free Property Sqft Tool

Ryan — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 20:12:22 +0000

Why Understanding Square Footage is Essential for Field Service Industry Owners

By Jared J.

Claim your free property sqft tool here.

The field service industry relies heavily on accurate job site estimations. To maximize efficiency and profitability, it is crucial for industry owners to understand how the size of a property impacts their operations.

In this article, we’ll explore the relationship between square footage and field service operations, and explain how our free property sqft tool can help industry owners optimize their operations and improve their bottom line.

The Relationship Between Square Footage and Field Service Operations

The size of a property is a critical factor in determining the efficiency of field service operations. A larger job site requires more time and resources to complete, and can lead to higher labor and transportation costs.

In contrast, a smaller job site may not provide enough space to complete the project effectively. For example, a lawn company that needs to service a large commercial building would require more resources and time to complete the job compared to a smaller building.

How the Free Property Sqft Tool Can Help

Our free property sqft tool can be a valuable resource for field service industry owners looking to estimate job site sizes accurately. By inputting the property address and answering a few simple questions, the tool can provide an estimate of the property’s square footage.

This information can help owners optimize their operations by ensuring that they have the necessary resources on hand for each job. For example, the lawn care company mentioned earlier could use the tool to estimate the square footage of the commercial building lot, ensuring that they have the necessary information required to complete the job efficiently.

Example Uses

Numerous field service industry companies have used our free property sqft tool to their advantage. For example, a landscaping company was able to use the tool to estimate the size of a large estate before beginning work. This allowed the company to allocate resources efficiently and complete the job in less time than anticipated, leading to increased profitability.

Similarly, a sweping company was able to use the tool to estimate the size of a job site accurately, leading to a more accurate estimate and a higher rate of customer satisfaction.

Common Misconceptions and Pitfalls to Avoid

Despite the benefits of using a property sqft tool, there are some common misconceptions and pitfalls that industry owners should be aware of. For example, owners may assume that the tool is always accurate, when there is always a margin of errof. To avoid these issues, it is essential to double-check the results and creation of the geofence provided by the tool and ensure that all relevant factors have been taken into account.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the relationship between square footage and field service operations is essential for industry owners looking to maximize efficiency and profitability. By using our free property sqft tool, owners can estimate job site sizes accurately and optimize their operations accordingly. However, it is important to avoid common misconceptions and pitfalls and double-check the results provided by the tool to ensure accuracy.

At Nektyd, we’re committed to providing valuable resources for the field service industry. To request free access to this tool, provide your email below.

Claim your free property sqft tool here.

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20 Lawn Mowers of 2022 That Are Worth Every Cent

Ryan — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 23:16:33 +0000

20 Lawn Mowers of 2022 That Are Worth Every Cent

By Ryan Pfeifer

Buying a new lawn mower is a serious investment, especially if you’re running a business. You want to be sure the product you go with is neither chintzy nor ritzy.

The ideal product for lawn mowing companies is one that’s reasonably priced and more than able of getting the job done.

Unfortunately, finding such products isn’t easy. You have to spend a lot of time researching hundreds of products to distinguish the economical mowers from the overpriced ones. Luckily, you don’t have to go through all that trouble. I have done all the research for you to compile a list of the top twenty lawn mowers of 2022 — each one is worth every cent!

1. Toro Recycler 20339 SmartStow

With a 22-inch blade that moves in nine different positions, a 2-year full warranty, and a reasonable price tag, the Toro Recycler 20339 truly has it all!

Seriously, you won’t find a mower better than this. I absolutely love this machine because it has a durable deck, it requires no oil changes—ever—and it has a foldable design. Furthermore, it has 11-inch rear wheels. Meaning that if you come across a bumpy or uneven road, you won’t have any trouble whatsoever.

The only con I can think of is that it runs on gas. Whenever gas is low, a refill is required. If that is something that doesn’t sound like trouble to you, then this is THE mower for you.

2. Ego Power+ LM2135SP Select Cut Electric Mower

An ideal electric mower would be one that turns on with a simple push-button and has a powerful motor, 21-inch blade, 60 minutes of runtime, and a 5-year warranty. The Ego Power+ LM2135SP offers all that and more! That’s why in my opinion, it is the best electric mower in the market today.

Here are some more of its pros:

Easy to operate: The mower is really easy to use. Seriously, anyone who knows how to move a mower safely can use it without any trouble whatsoever.
Excellent customer service: Ego has the best customer service, and it’s not even a competition. They provide 24/7 support and their team is super helpful. No matter what query you have, I can bet they will clear it up for you.
Folds up for easy storage: Storing a mower can be a real pain. But that’s not the case with this one. You can simply fold it up and fit it anywhere you like.
Powerful motor: This mower cuts through grass like a knife through butter. No matter how big or rough the patch is, you can rest assured the LM2135SP will power through it.
Rapid-charging battery: As I mentioned earlier, this mower runs for one hour on a full battery. Since it only takes about 2 hours for it to be fully charged, you don’t need to plug it in for hours only for it to run out within a few minutes like most electric mowers in the market.

The only con to this mower is that some people consider its price tag of $679 to be too hefty.

3. Sun Joe MJ401E 14-Inch Electric Corded Lawn Mower

Does $500 dollar sound like an unreasonably large sum for a mower to you?

Unfortunately, that’s how much the best mowers cost. But if you’re willing to go down a little in quality for a significant reduction in price, then the Sun Joe MJ401E is the ideal product for you. At $139, this mower is only a step behind the very best high-end products in the market.

It has a 14-inch blade with three different positions, a 2-year warranty, and it runs on electricity—you don’t need to get gas refills every other day. Furthermore, it weighs only 29 pounds and can easily be carried. It is really small in size as well, so storing it is no trouble. Lastly, keeping its low price tag in mind, it is fairly durable.

The only con to this product is that it’s not suitable for big lawns due to its relatively small blade.

4. Greenworks 25022 12-Amp Corded Lawn Mower

Jule like the Sun Joe MJ401E, this mower also has a competitive price at only $199.

The reason why I really like the Greenworks 25022 is it has several cool features that can make your mowing experience enjoyable. Some of its best features include the following:

No charging: You don’t have to charge it ever.
Adjustable height: You can adjust its height to your liking. So if a project requires the device to be really low, you can easily adjust its height.
Easy maneuverability: Thanks to its small size and lightweight, this mower is really easy to move around.

The only con—which is a real nuisance—is its long cord. It can often get in the way and that ruins the experience for some people. If that doesn’t sound like something would bother you, then you will have a great time using this mower.

5. Honda Variable Speed Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

The Honda Variable Speed Mower is a high-end mower that comes with a hefty price tag of $999.

That’s too expensive, right? I know. But here’s the thing. This mower has literally everything you need. Unlike other mowers, this self-propelled product can mulch, bag, discharge, and shred grass on its own. Meaning you don’t need to purchase any extra tools for it to fix the grass in your lawn.

Furthermore, it has a superbly powerful 190 cc engine that allows it to mow through any area, including huge lawns, ruff patches, and bumpy lands.

6. Troy-Bilt 130 Gas Walk-Behind Push Mower

If I had to use one word to describe this mower, I would say affordable. At only $289, the TB-130 offers 21-inch blades that cut up to 3.75 inches of grass, a mulch kit, and a motor system that doesn’t require oil changes ever. It also has 11-inch wheels that allow it to move easily on rough and high terrains.

Furthermore, the mower is built with a high-performance steel blade that can cut through tough weeds, tall grass, and thick bushes. It also has a gas-powered engine that allows it to operate nonstop for hours. Also, it is light in weight, which makes it even easier to handle in high areas and on rough terrains.

What’s more, is that the mower comes with two spinning blades that cut grass effortlessly into fine pieces – perfect for use as compost or mulch in your lawn and garden. The overall design of the mower (with its comfortable handlebars) is built to ensure total comfort while using it at the same time making sure no accidental slips occur while doing so.

Overall, a great product for quick lawn maintenance!

7. Greenworks 40V Cordless Electric Lawn Mower

Want to chop up your lawn in a time and effort-saving manner with the use of a powerful high-performance product? Then allow me to introduce the Greenworks 40V Cordless Electric Lawn Mower!

It is lightweight, has exceptional performance, and has easy maneuverability. The easy maneuverability is thanks to its easy-to-shift wheels that help it move through tall areas of grass and other obstacles-like pesky weeds. What’s more, the product comes backed with a limited three-year warranty great for ensuring its durability against defects.

8. Toro 22” All Wheel Drive Mower

Toro 22” All Wheel Drive Mower is a good example of a heavy-duty mower that can handle different types of grasses and other types of terrain.

It is built with a steel deck, which makes it both durable and very easy to maneuver. The wheels on this machine are also made from steel, and they have ball bearing hubs for smooth turning. Another great feature of this mower is its two-blade cutting system that provides you with an even cut.

The blades on this mower are also designed in such a way that they can be sharpened easily when they become dull. The cutting height on this machine has eight different settings, so you will be able to find the right height for your lawn. There is also a handle on this mower that allows you to adjust the cutting height without having to stop and get off of the machine.

All of that makes this mower ideal for large lawns.

9. EGO Cordless Electric Walk-Behind Self-Propelled Mower

This is another great electric mower on the market today, and it is made by a company that has a reputation for making some of the best products available.

The EGO Cordless Electric Walk-Behind Self-Propelled Mower has an innovative design that allows you to get up to 40 minutes of running time out of it before you have to recharge it. It also has a battery charger that can be used with other EGO brand tools, including blowers and hedge trimmers.

The handle on this mower is adjustable, so you will be able to find the right height for your comfort. The handle also folds down for easier storage when you are not using the mower.

Furthermore, it is lightweight, easy to push, and it has been designed with a power drive system that makes it easier to maneuver around your yard. You will also find this mower to be very quiet when in operation, which will make your yard work more enjoyable. All in all, a solid product.

10. Husqvarna AUTOMOWER 430X Robotic Lawn Mower

Does mowing your lawn sound like too much of a hassle? Would you rather just hire a professional to do the job? Well, here’s the thing. You don’t have to!

The Husqvarna Automower 430X Robotic Lawn Mower—as you can guess from its name—is an AI-based mower that can mow any area without any intervention. That’s right. You don’t have to drag it around or pay any attention to this machine. It works automatically and is far more precise than a person.

So you don’t have to hire a professional lawnmower. You just need to buy the 430X Robotic Lawn Mower.

The only con of this machine, as you can guess, is that it costs significantly more than manual mowers. It comes with a hefty price tag of $2,495. If paying this price seems like worth avoiding mowing your lawn yourself or hiring a professional to do so, then this is THE mower for you!

11. Husqvarna Hydrostatic 46-in. Riding Lawn Mower

Mowing your lawn doesn’t have to be a hassle. In fact, with the Husqvarna Hydrostatic 46-in. Riding Lawn Mower, it can be a breeze ( pun intended ). This machine is equipped with a hydrostatic transmission that makes it easy to operate. You just need to press down on the pedals and you will be on your way.

This mower is also designed for a comfortable ride. You can adjust the seat to ensure that you are in the most comfortable position. And, if you get too hot, you can always cool off by using the built-in fan.

What’s more, the Husqvarna Hydrostatic 46-in. Riding Lawn Mower is equipped with a number of other features that make it the perfect choice for small businesses. For instance, it has a 46-inch cutting deck, so you can get the job done quickly. It also has a 10-gallon fuel tank, so you can mow for longer without having to stop to refuel.

The only con to this machine is that it comes with a hefty price tag of $2,499.

12. Craftsman 10.5hp Gas Rear Engine Riding Mower

The Craftsman 10.5hp Gas Rear Engine Riding Mower is a great choice for small businesses. It is equipped with a powerful 10.5hp engine and a 46-inch cutting deck, so you can get the job done quickly. And, it has a fuel tank capacity of 10 gallons. Meaning you can mow for a long time without having to stop to refuel.

Plus, the Craftsman 10.5hp Gas Rear Engine Riding Mower comes with a number of other features that make it the perfect choice for small businesses.

For example, it has a comfortable seat that can be adjusted to ensure that you are in the most comfortable position. It also has a built-in cup holder. So if you want to keep your favorite drink close by while you mow, you can do so with this machine.

13. Sun Joe MJ400E Electric Walk Behind Lawn Mower

The Sun Joe MJ400E Electric Walk Behind Lawn Mower is a great choice for businesses that have a small budget.

It is equipped with a powerful 13 amp motor and a 20-inch cutting deck, so you can get the job done quickly. And, it has a grass catcher capacity of 11.8 gallons, so you can mow for longer without having to stop to empty the catcher. Plus, it also comes with a number of other features that will make your life easier, including:

A 2-in-1 mulching and bagging system
A 7-position height adjustment,
An ergonomic handle

All that and more for only $99!

14. RYOBI Electric Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower

Small businesses that have a larger budget may want to consider the RYOBI Electric Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower.

It is equipped with a powerful 24V battery that delivers enough power to cut through even the thickest grass. And, it has a cutting deck that measures 42 inches.

So with this bad boy, you’re sure to get the job done quickly.

The RYOBI Electric Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower comes with a number of other features that will make your life easier, including 3-in-1 mulching, bagging, and side discharge capabilities, a 7-position height adjustment, and an ergonomic handle—and that’s just the tip of the iceberg! This product comes with tons of other cool features that you can read about here.

15. Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 50 in. Zero Turn Mower

This mower is equipped with a powerful 24V battery that delivers enough power to cut through even the thickest grass. Plus, it has a cutting deck that measures 50 inches. So the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 50 is sure to get the job done quickly.

What’s more, this mower comes with a number of other features that will make the mowing far more pleasant and easier, including 4-in-1 mulching, bagging, and side discharge capabilities, a 10-position height adjustment, and an ergonomic handle.

So, if you’re looking for a lawnmower that can handle even the most challenging jobs, the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 50 in. Zero Turn Mower is a great option.

16. Kobalt 21-in Corded Electric Lawn Mower

This corded electric lawn mower from Kobalt is a great option for those looking for an easy-to-use, lightweight mower.

It’s equipped with a powerful motor that can cut through even the thickest grass, and it has a 21-inch cutting deck that will make quick work of your lawn.

What’s more, this machine comes with a number of cool features that will make mowing your lawn easier, including a 10-position height adjustment, 3-in-1 mulching, bagging, and side discharge capabilities, and an ergonomic handle.

So if you’re looking for an easy-to-use lawnmower that can handle even the thickest grass, the Kobalt 21-in Corded Electric Lawn Mower is a great option.

17. RYOBI 20 in. Battery Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

This Ryobi lawn mower is a great option for those looking for a battery-powered lawnmower. It’s equipped with a powerful motor that can handle even the thickest grass, and it has a 20-inch cutting deck. So with this machine, you can rest assured that mowing your lawn won’t take too long.

What’s more, this machine comes with a number of awesome features that will make mowing your lawn much easier, including a fold-down handle for easy storage, a 3-in-1 mulching, bagging, and side discharge capabilities, a push-button start, and a self-propelled feature that will make it easier for you to move it around your yard.

So if you’re looking for an easy-to-use lawnmower that can handle even the thickest grass, the Ryobi 20 Self-Propelled Lawn Mower is an ideal machine for you.

18. Mountfield Princess 34 Electric Corded Lawn Mower

This lawnmower is equipped with a powerful motor that can handle even the thickest grass, and it has a 34-inch cutting deck that will make quick work of your lawn.

It comes with a number of cool features, including a fold-down handle for easy storage, 3-in-1 mulching, bagging, and side discharge capabilities, a push-button start, and a self-propelled feature. You get all that and more for only £164. Meaning that this machine offers several high-end features for a fraction of the cost of other electric lawn mowers on the market.

19. Gardena PowerMax 1200/32 Electric Corded Mower

The Garden PowerMax 1200/32 is equipped with a powerful motor that can handle the thickest and tallest grass. Plus, it has a 34-inch cutting deck. But what’s really impressive about this machine is its incredibly precise cutting—it cuts between 20 to 60mm in 5mm increments. The height is adjustable with a simple twist of a dial, which makes it ideal for people who lack strength or dexterity.

So all in all, mowing grass with this bad boy doesn’t take a lot of time or effort.

Some more features of this machine include:

Fold-down handles for easy storage
3-in-1 mulching
Bagging
Side discharge capabilities
Push-button start

You get all that for only £108.95!

20. Wolf Garten WPCM-F Hand Push Cylinder Mower

Raise your hand if your answer is yes to the following questions:

Will your business be centered around mowing small lawns?
Are you looking for a hand push mower?
Do you want a mower that costs next to nothing?

If your hand is raised, then this is THE mower for you! Currently being sold just under a hundred bucks, this mower offers you the following features:

15-liter grass collector
A warranty of three years
Lightweight and easy to move
Front-loading grass collector catches clippings well
A low starting height of cut—which makes it ideal for small lawns

Which One Do You Like Best?

Each mower that we just discussed is worth every cent it costs. But which one is the best? Well, there isn’t one. The truth is, each mower has its own pros and cons. Each one is suitable for different purposes. The only one who can tell you which product is ideal for your business is you yourself—because you know better than anyone else what your business needs.

So which mower are you going to buy? Let me know in the comments below!

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How Landscaping Increases Home and Property Value

Ryan — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 13:47:34 +0000

Did you know that landscaping can increase your property’s value by 12%, but only if done right?

I know it’s a cliche, but when it comes to real estate, first impressions are really everything. Most potential buyers fall in love with a home the moment they pull in through the driveway.

That’s exactly why homes with pleasing landscapes sell more easily for more money. It makes sense because if you don’t like what you see, then why would you pay for it?

Real estate experts say that landscaping your home can increase its resale value tremendously. In fact, this study by Turf Magazine concludes that landscaping can increase your property value by up to 12%.

So this question must have crossed your mind by now, “how can I boost the value of my own home through landscaping?”

Sit back, relax, and make sure that you have the next 10 minutes free of any disturbances to read this post because I’m going to dive in deep to answer your question.

How Can You Increase Your Home Value through Landscaping

Before I get into how you should landscape your home to increase its value, let’s first define landscaping so that you know what we’re talking about.

By definition, landscaping is the process of molding an environment in an aesthetically pleasing way. If that’s not clear enough for you, then think of landscaping as the decorative wrapping and ribbon that packs a gift — your lovely home!

In other words, if your home is the steak, then the landscaping is the sizzle.

As I mentioned earlier, a potential buyer’s first impression determines whether he will make you a serious offer or turn away after a quick glance.

Since landscaping determines what kind of first impression your property will make on a potential buyer, you should pay attention to it for boosting the value of your home.

According to Turf Magazine, a $150,000 home with no landscaping can be worth approximately $8,000 to $16,000 less than a home with landscaping.

Now that you know what landscaping is all about and why it increases property value, let’s talk about how you can boost the value of your home through landscaping.

3 Steps to Improve Your Landscaping — for Increasing Your Property Value

Let’s start by three simple steps to help you understand the basics of how you can increase the value of your home through landscaping.

1. Plan the Overall Aesthetic of Your Landscaping

According to Apartment Therapy, even a neat and minimalistic landscaping often does not have the boosting effects of truly great landscaping — which means that it’s important to pay attention to the overall aesthetic of your landscaping.

Here are 3 things you should consider to plan the overall aesthetic of your landscaping.

Outdoor living areas: your home should have decks, gardens, and outdoor gathering areas because without them, your home is essentially a box planted in a field. According to real estate experts, cultivating those areas will not only increase the perceived “living space” of your home, but also boost its value.
Big-time features: if you want to add the “wow” factor to your home, then you need more than just a well-groomed lawn. By having exquisitely curated landscaping with evergreen plants and other such big-time features, your home’s perceived value will soar.
Harmony and beauty: on top of having big-time features, you should ensure that they all flow (match with each other) to increase the appeal of your home.

One last thing I want to mention is that the best way to plan the overall aesthetic of your landscaping is by getting a consultation from a professional landscaper.

2. Plan the Design

After planning the overall aesthetic, the next step is to create an effective design for your landscaping.

When it comes to design, the first thing you need to do is get a sense of how the other homes in your neighborhood are designed.

After that, you can either consult a professional who will give you mockups and even blueprints for how your landscaping should look.

But if that sounds too expensive, then you should try to find a landscaping company that offers a free consultation, which shouldn’t be a problem thanks to high competition these days.

Now, before you settle on a design, you should ask yourself the following questions:

What natural parts of my landscape are must-keep?
Does every feature of the landscape flow with the overall design?
What’s more important to me: money or time? Should I look around for the most cost-effective option or can I afford to spend high dollars for the very best landscapers?

Once you have planned the overall aesthetic and design, it’s time to move on to the last step.

3. Perform the Cost Analysis

When you’re calculating the cost of landscaping, one thing you may forget is that this is rather more of an investment than a luxury.

Even though landscaping can cost a lot, you should think of it as an investment because it can boost the resale value of your home by up to 12%.

Now that you understand the basics, let’s move on to some specific tips on perfecting your landscape to boost your property value.

6 Tried and Tested Tips to Boost Your Property Value By Up to 12%

As I mentioned earlier, it’s possible to boost your property value by up to 12% through landscaping. So here are 6 tried and tested tips that will increase your property value.

1. Focus on Curb Appeal

One surefire way to get a return on your landscaping investment is to focus on curb appeal. You can do that by ensuring that your landscaping sublimely matches the style of your home.

For instance, someone with a craftsman-style home should opt for simple and classic landscaping containing structured bushes and shrubbery or a bed of brightly colored flowers.

On the other hand, someone with a Caesar’s Palace should go for all the modern high-end features, such as koi ponds and opulent fountains.

2. Get Big Windows and Increase Privacy

Big windows are often a big selling point for buyers because they not only provide a source for a lot of sunshine, but also give your home an expansive feel.

With that being said, big windows also mean less privacy because neighbors or anyone passing by can easily peek into your home.

So is there a way to preserve the ambiance while maintaining privacy?

Yes, there is! You should place soft, airy-textured, and glossy-leaved barrier shrubs just outside the windows over fortress-style hedges or fences to stop strangers from peaking in.

3. Seek Sophistication

According to this 2016-survey by Turf Magazine, homes with sophisticated landscaping elements, such as curved bed lines, large island plantings, large deciduous, evergreen, and annual color plants, are more easily sold for higher prices as compared to those with basic foundation planting.

Most landscaping experts recommend planting beds as the best landscaping investment for two reasons:

They create design interest by adding color and texture.
They are relatively inexpensive.

Furthermore, they are also great for defining spaces so that your lawn doesn’t appear too sparse even if the grass is tidy and mowed.

4. Go for A Year-Round Style

In spring, most homes are at the peak of their beauty because it is the time when the trees and bushes blossom. That is why homes with big gardens sell for more during spring.

But what about winter? Most buyers who were willing to pay an attractive sum for houses with big gardens in spring will not pay the same price during winter.

So the simple solution is to list your home on the market during spring, right?

Wrong.

In today’s market, you have to accept the possibility that your home may not sell right away. You may list your home during spring in hope of selling it at a high price, but it may sit on the listings for a long time.

So what’s the solution?

Simple: more strategic landscaping. By strategic, I mean planning year-round landscaping, which involves picking focal elements for each season, such as:

Bulbs for spring.
Annuals for summer.
Shrubs for fall.
Evergreens for winter.

5. Plant Trees

Did you know that planting just three trees in the correct locations around the perimeter of your home can cut energy costs by $250 a year?

Impressive, right?

If that’s not enough to convince you to add trees to your landscaping, then maybe this fact will:

Most expert landscapers agree that trees are the most affordable investment to increase curb appeal and add maturity to your landscaping.

6. Make Your Lawn Low-Maintenance

In places like California, there is a huge demand for drought-tolerant gardens because they not only help new homeowners save time and effort on maintenance, but also help cut down water costs as these gardens use very little water.

You should consult a professional landscaper to discuss how to make your lawn as low-maintenance as possible. By doing that, you will not only make maintenance easier, but also increase your property’s perceived value — especially in the eyes of people who are concerned with conserving water.

Quick Recap

To quickly recap, you should:

Focus on improving curb appeal.
Get big windows and take measures to ensure privacy.
Add sophisticated landscape elements.
Go for a year-round style.
Plant trees in the correct locations.
Make your lawn as low-maintenance as possible.

There you have it!

6 tried and tested landscaping tips — based on insight from real estate experts — to boost your property value and increase your enjoyment while you still live in it.

I’ve shared all I know about landscaping. Let me know if there’s any landscaping insight you would like to add in the comment section below.

The post How Landscaping Increases Home and Property Value appeared first on Service Software | Snow Plow Software.

How To Upsell and Cross-sell your Landscaping Services

Ryan — Sat, 14 Mar 2020 16:59:58 +0000

Acquiring a new customer can cost 5x more than retaining an existing customer.

But this begs the question: how do I grow my landscape business if the main focus is on my existing customers? The answer is simple: upsell and cross-sell.

Upselling and cross-selling to existing customers is always less expensive than acquiring a new client, and can be far more profitable if done right.

If you want to learn how to upsell and cross-sell your lawn and landscape maintenance services the right way, then read this quick post till the very end.

How to Upsell Your Landscape Services

Upselling is never easy. You can’t just go up to your client and say, “hey, we’ve got another offer for you that costs more than your current one.”

With that being said, upselling isn’t rocket science either. You’re good to go as long as you know how to persuade your client the right way.

Here are 3 great ideas on how to upsell your services convincingly:

1. Create a Case Study to Build Trust

If you have a client who is more than satisfied with one of your landscape and maintenance services, then capture their story in a case study.

Case studies are a great way to upsell because you get to use a story for informing your clients about the benefits of upgrading to one of your better services.

And as you may know: there’s nothing more engaging and persuasive than a good story, which is why we recommend hiring an expert content creator for crafting a top-notch case study.

2. Offer a Trial

Sometimes all your client needs is a trial of your service before fully committing to it. In fact, giving a free job is one of the most effective ways to upsell your services.

Depending on your business, but typically giving away an aeration or set of ‘plantings’ can build brand equity in your clients head. This is the goal of business now days, “how do I build brand equity”.

It may cost you more upfront, but you can easily make up for it in the long run. However, if giving a free trial isn’t a risk you’re willing to take, then you can always offer a discount instead, but it is highly recommended think of the easiest value you could give your client, regardless of what landscape services you provide.

3. Start a Competition Among Your Sales Staff

Keeping your sales team motivated is perhaps the most effective way to increase your sales, upsells, and cross-sells — and the best way to do that is by starting an incentive program.

It’s been proven time and time again, that money does NOT motivate. Once money is on the table, people perform worse. Typically, 20% of your sales team make 80% of the sales, and many sales programs are usually geared towards your entire sales staff. I’d recommend offering a trip giveaway to the top performers for X period of time. Or offer specific incentives to different services you sell, so a non-top performer could potentially win here or there. When I worked my last sales job, the company would offer weekly incentives to the top performers. Offering fast immediate rewards are much more enticing to get a sale today because the reward span only one week. I’d recommend offering:

Extra PTO day to whomever sells the most aeration jobs in the month of April.
Weekly gift card giveaways to the top-sellers of monthly contracts, fertilizers, landscape projects, cleanups, etc.
New phone or all expenses paid trip in the off-season to this summer’s top performing team member.

Start an incentive program among your sales staff. Offer the winner a prize, which could be anything from a bonus to a promotion, and watch your sales soar.

How to Cross-Sell Your Landscape Services

Here’s a 4-step tried and tested method for cross-selling your landscape services to existing clients:

Segment your clients: Segmenting means to group your clients based on the services they’re currently receiving as well as those they are not receiving. For instance, clients in group A are getting only the lawn trimming service. This is the #1 tip of growing and managing your lawn/landscape services.
Determine services to cross sell: After segmenting your clients, the next step is to pick the right services to cross-sell. For determining the right services, ask yourself questions such as, “what other services naturally complement the service you’re already providing to the segmented client?” Upsell that fall cleanup with an aeration or fertilizer program.
Design your plan: Now, all you have to do is pick a medium to promote the selected services. We recommended starting a text messaging, email marketing, or voice broadcasting campaign.
Follow up: In most cases, one promotional message is not enough. You should always send a follow-up to confirm whether your client is interested in the service you’re cross-selling.

One last piece of advice, always add a personal touch to your message. Sounding impersonal is the last thing you want to do when trying to cross-sell your service.

The post How To Upsell and Cross-sell your Landscaping Services appeared first on Service Software | Snow Plow Software.

How to Use Subcontractors for Growing Your Service Business

Ryan — Mon, 09 Mar 2020 17:09:46 +0000

Has your business grown so successful that your company can no longer manage all the work alone? Do you currently have issues finding or keeping staff? Are you looking for new ways to increase revenue while cutting costs? If so, then you’ve got to hire subcontractors. Subcontractors can help you increase your retention while reducing your costs of doing business.

In today’s post, I will explain how you can scale your business by hiring subcontractors, along with explaining the benefits of outsourcing your work.

Are you ready? Let’s dive in.

How Subcontracting Works

For those of you who don’t know, subcontractors are people or companies you can hire to outsource your work.

Subcontractors have a direct contract with you, not your client. This means your subcontractor receives his payment directly from you, not your client.

So you keep making profits as long as your client pays you more than you pay the subcontractor.

Why Hiring Subcontractors Is a Smart Choice

Hiring subcontractors is a smart choice because it has a boatload of benefits, among which the obvious one is you can handle more clients by outsourcing your work.

But there are some not-so-obvious benefits to subcontracting and here are the 5 most important ones:

1. Flexibility

Every industry has periods of growth and contraction. Subcontracting allows you to adapt to these varying circles of demands.

When you hire a subcontractor, their contract ends with you as soon as their assigned project is completed. So you don’t have to lay off workers.

Furthermore, when you get too much work, you can ramp up your staffing quickly by hiring subcontractors.

2. Reduce Overhead Costs

Companies that hire subcontractors don’t have to worry about paying for equipment, employee benefits, and office space for permanent workers.

So by subcontracting, you can reduce your overhead costs and increase return on investment significantly.

Furthermore, you get to hire less costly workers from less expensive countries around the world.

For instance, if you’re providing a landscape service, you can hire subs from local companies to do tree trimming to save a significant amount of money and time while making a margin on the service.

3. Subs Provide Expertise

Expert subcontractors have years or even decades of experience working in their field. So, they may have a lot more expertise to offer than you or your employees.

Since they’re more seasoned, they can get the job done not only more quickly but more efficiently as well.

However, you get to enjoy these benefits only if you hire seasoned experts. In the saturated market of today, there is a fair share of amateur subs that won’t do your business any good.

4. Increase Productivity

Increasing productivity is perhaps the biggest benefit of subcontracting because you get to assign the mundane tasks to the subcontractor.

So they handle all the boring stuff. Meanwhile, you and your staff get to focus on the core needs of your company for scaling your business.

5. Fewer Legal Obligations

According to state law, subcontractors are the owners and operators of their own business. So they are not entitled to the same legal protection as employees.

Furthermore, you (the employer) don’t have to send payroll taxes or deductions to the government, as you would for a hired employee.

Where to Hire Subcontractors

Subcontractors are literally everywhere. You can either ask around for them in your local area, or hire a vetted company nearby to do the service.

If you want help finding a subcontractor or managing all your work and subs, contact Nektyd – Nektyd helps connect companies to subcontractors while helping you manage the service, workers, and clients.

The post How to Use Subcontractors for Growing Your Service Business appeared first on Service Software | Snow Plow Software.

7 Tips for Growing and Managing Your Lawn Maintenance Business

Ryan — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 06:30:00 +0000

Running a lawn maintenance service is no piece of cake, as you have to juggle a lot when managing the day-to-day operations of your lawn maintenance business.

Whether you are just starting out or are already a seasoned veteran in the lawn mowing industry, the tips I’m about to share will provide guidance to run your business successfully.

So without further ado, here’s our list of 7 tips for starting, growing, and managing your lawn maintenance business!

1). Group Your Clients

Always group your clients based on their neighborhood or location. By grouping clients, you can easily schedule who’s living nearby on the same timeline to cut down on driving time.

This may not seem like a significant change or hard to implement – that’s because it isn’t! As your service business starts to grow, you’ll end up saving a big portion of your team’s time and your company’s expense.

2). Offer More Services

One way to grow your maintenance business throughout the year is by diversifying your services. You are 60-70% more likely to sell to an existing customer.

Instead of just offering basic services like edging or trimming, try offering services that your competitors don’t. Some services that most lawn mowing companies don’t offer but people need throughout the year are:

De-icing and snow removal
Basic landscaping and mulching – here is a guide to adding other services!
Leaf blowing and debris removal – spring or fall cleanup!

If you offer year-round services, one of the best pricing strategies is to offer annual contracts for your clients. Offering annual contracts lower the churn rate for your company.

3). Focus on Long-Term Clients

The saying is that if you want to increase your business, focus on satisfying customers so they’ll always return to you.

But that’s not the only benefit of long-term clients, as they also help you create a predictable schedule that maximizes the efficiency of both cost and time, especially for yearly maintenance services.

By focusing on long-term clients and dropping the penny-pushers, your return on time will be significantly higher while building loyal customers for your business.

4). Weather the Storm

When it comes to the lawn and landscape industry, you literally have to weather the storm. Some days, you won’t be able to provide your services because of weather conditions out of your control.

The best way to deal with weather issues is not by waiting out the storm, but by weathering it. Meaning that you have to take a proactive approach to complete your work on time.

On these weathered-days, use your time to work on your business, not in it. Implementing a better estimating and scheduling process, identifying new marketing tactics, or calling long-term customers can be great ways to spend these stormy days.

5). Go Door-to-Door

We know it sounds like an old school marketing strategy but nevertheless, it works.

Going door-to-door may seem intimidating, but it’s definitely worth the hassle. You can visit a neighborhood of your choice and knock on doors to provide your flyer and answer any questions that potential clients may have.

If you can, offer an exclusive coupon or discount as a sign of goodwill to increase the chances of getting long-term clients. It could be a good idea to offer discounts for nearby lawns you already service. Find ways to work smarter, not harder.

6). Market your Services on the Right Time

There’s a right time for everything and marketing is no exception. So you have to market your maintenance services at the right time.

For instance, the best time for advertising or marketing your summer services is during spring. And the best time for marketing your winter services is during late fall, but these should be year-round practices you are always trying to improve. Join and start a Facebook or Instagram business page if you don’t currently have one.

72% of Instagram users have purchased a product from the app. Even though offering services may not be as powerful offering products, but nevertheless, these social platforms are a great way to spread the word about your maintenance services!

7). Find software to Help Manage your Services

Your company can benefit a lot from finding better ways to direct and control your maintenance services

Service Autopilot is well-known in this industry for their in-depth software. If you want every tiny detail, check them out! However, if you want a powerful, easy-to-use software to help your business tomorrow give Nektyd a look. Nektyd helps service businesses around the country simplify their business.

Nevertheless, when seeking the best software to help you manage and grow your maintenance services look for:

Automations, especially for scheduling and invoicing.
Client and worker management.
Management of estimates, scheduling, invoicing, inventory and all basic business processes.
Ease of use and implementation.
Integrations.

If you can’t add all these tactics, hopefully, you can utilize a few to help manage and grow your lawn and landscape maintenance services.

The post 7 Tips for Growing and Managing Your Lawn Maintenance Business appeared first on Service Software | Snow Plow Software.

Guide to Price Your Landscape and Lawn Care Services

Ryan — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 04:05:42 +0000

When it comes to pricing your landscape and lawn care services, you need to set a perfectly balanced rate. Otherwise, you’ll either end up either losing your clients or losing your money.

Pricing your lawn care services can be tricky business. With so many factors affecting each service you offer, it’s hard to come up with an ideal price.

What’s an ideal price?

One that ensures profitability for you and 100% satisfaction for your clients.

It’s not an easy task. But don’t worry because that’s what we’re here for! In this post, we will guide you through the process of coming up with ideal prices for all your lawn care services—no matter where you live!

Calculate Your Costs

Calculating all of your company’s expenses is the first thing you should do.

By expenses, we mean all operational costs.

When it comes to a lawn care and landscape, there are many costs to worry about, but four we’ll go into now.

1. Labor

When you’re offering a service (not a product), you need to hire laborers that will get the job done.

Labor is always the single biggest expense. So you have to know the completion time for each job. And the only way to do that accurately is by tracking your time.

While calculating the time may seem like an easy job, it’s actually (a bit) more complex than you may think, as there isn’t only one determining factor (time per job).

So what’s the factor you’re missing…

Employees per job.

That’s right. You need to know how many employees are required to get the job done efficiently, and then factor in their combined time.

Here’s an easy formula for this purpose:

Time per Job x Number of Employees = Total Time.

Using this formula, you can easily calculate the time spent on every service you offer.

Here’s an example to help you understand how this formula is used practically:

For a conventional, mow and blow of 20,000 sq. ft., it will probably take two employees around 60 minutes. So, that’s a total of 2 man hours (60 minutes x 2 employees = 120 minutes).

Now say this was in the United States, then you would probably have to pay around $20 per hour. So, the total cost for this job would be $40 in this scenario.

2. Fuel

When you’re running a lawn care service, fuel is a big expense to consider.

You need to check how much fuel your vehicle consumes. Once you’ve got an idea of how much fuel is required to reach your client’s home, then you can give them a fair price.

For calculating how much fuel your vehicle consumes, use this online calculator. Simply check your vehicle’s miles per gallon (mpg) and then check how much fuel it consumes on the calculator.

Inexperienced owners believe fuel isn’t a cost serious enough to be considered. That’s one of the many reasons why they fail and are considered rookies.

So always factor in all your expenses because even though they may not seem to make a big difference, but in the long-term, they can determine whether you’ll make profits or losses.

3. Equipment

For landscape equipment, you have to consider two costs: one for purchase and the other for their maintenance.

Properly maintained equipment lasts much longer. However, none of it lasts forever because mowing causes a lot of damage to every part of your truck including tires, blades, engines, and it even ruins your employees’ uniforms.

So you have to factor in all maintenance costs to be as accurate as possible. But maintenance cost is a bit tricky and there’s simply no way you can be 100% accurate.

That’s why it’s better to overestimate rather than underestimate. Because when you overestimate, you don’t have to worry about end up spending more than you planned.

4. Drive Time

Time is money.

As we’ve discussed earlier, you have to calculate the time it takes your employee(s) to get the job done. But what we didn’t mention was that it includes the time taken for your employee to get to the property.

So every minute your employee is driving or stuck in traffic takes dollars out of your pocket. And that’s exactly why you need to keep your routes tight and dense.

Now, these 4 costs should be factored into every service you offer to get a better idea of your estimated profit before the job starts. It is recommended to use software to aid you in automatically calculating and tracking these costs.

Know Your Competition

Great! You’ve got enough information to calculate the amount each service you offer costs.

Now, all you have to do is put a few extra bucks on it and make loads of profits, right? Not so fast…

First, you have to check up on your competition and see how much they’re offering for the same services. The amount you’ll get will (of course) vary depending on your location.

Once you’ve got their price, don’t be a rookie and simply go lowballing a few extra bucks below them.

Instead, start…

Experimenting Your Prices

Most lawn and landscape business owners have a simple two-step method for setting their prices:

Calculate all costs
Add a few extra percents to make profits

And that’s exactly why most of them fail in the long run.

You know the savvy-owners who are crushing their competitors? Well, their secret is simple: they experiment prices until they come up with a perfect plan.

And that’s exactly what you need to be doing.

Most owners are afraid to try out new things. But if you want to succeed, then you have to put on your brave hat and take a step further than the rest.

You have to… charge more than your competitors!

It may not sound like a good idea, but if done right, it’s the best route to take for your business.

Instead of joining your competitors and low balling each other, you can take the high road and do something they won’t:

Increase your prices and offer the most compelling services in your area.

But you have to be smart and set some ground rules:

Don’t price your services unreasonably high.
Always raise money on unprofitable clients first.
Test your prices on a small group of clients first.

But here’s the thing: clients won’t simply pay you more because you say so. You have to offer them something extra. Something that they really want but your competitors don’t promise.

You can beat the low ballers in your area by promising the following perks that your competitors don’t offer:

Offer premium services.
Offer coupons and discount on small jobs to attract new clients.
Hire the best employees in your area and make sure this fact is properly marketed.
Market your service better than the rest to build your brand and increase credibility.
100% on-time project completion. And if you want to go a step further, offer a money back guarantee for a missed deadline.

Even if you’re offering only a few of these, your clients will know they’re getting a good value for the extra cost. So both you and your clients are satisfied.

And last but not least:

Refuse Cheap Clients

Experts agree that long-term clients are the ones who bring in the vast majority of profits.

That’s why it’s important to stay away from cheap clients. Because in the long run, you may end up making no profits from them or worse some loss.

So, it’s best to turn away cheap clients and let the low ballers in your industry handle them.

In conclusion, you need to build your brand by promoting your lawn care service as the best in town to attract high-paying clients—the ones who make your business worthwhile.

The post Guide to Price Your Landscape and Lawn Care Services appeared first on Service Software | Snow Plow Software.

Landscaping and Lawn Care Archives | Service Software | Snow Plow Software

Landscape Marketing Strategies to Grow Your Business

Landscape Marketing Strategies to Grow Your Business

By Jared J.

Introduction

Online Marketing Strategies

Offline Marketing Strategies

Conclusion

Claim your free property sqft tool here.

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Free Property Sqft Tool

Why Understanding Square Footage is Essential for Field Service Industry Owners

By Jared J.

Claim your free property sqft tool here.

The Relationship Between Square Footage and Field Service Operations

How the Free Property Sqft Tool Can Help

Example Uses

Common Misconceptions and Pitfalls to Avoid

Conclusion

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20 Lawn Mowers of 2022 That Are Worth Every Cent

20 Lawn Mowers of 2022 That Are Worth Every Cent

By Ryan Pfeifer

1. Toro Recycler 20339 SmartStow

2. Ego Power+ LM2135SP Select Cut Electric Mower

3. Sun Joe MJ401E 14-Inch Electric Corded Lawn Mower

4. Greenworks 25022 12-Amp Corded Lawn Mower

5. Honda Variable Speed Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

6. Troy-Bilt 130 Gas Walk-Behind Push Mower

7. Greenworks 40V Cordless Electric Lawn Mower

8. Toro 22” All Wheel Drive Mower

9. EGO Cordless Electric Walk-Behind Self-Propelled Mower

10. Husqvarna AUTOMOWER 430X Robotic Lawn Mower

11. Husqvarna Hydrostatic 46-in. Riding Lawn Mower

12. Craftsman 10.5hp Gas Rear Engine Riding Mower

13. Sun Joe MJ400E Electric Walk Behind Lawn Mower

14. RYOBI Electric Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower

15. Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 50 in. Zero Turn Mower

16. Kobalt 21-in Corded Electric Lawn Mower

17. RYOBI 20 in. Battery Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

18. Mountfield Princess 34 Electric Corded Lawn Mower

19. Gardena PowerMax 1200/32 Electric Corded Mower

20. Wolf Garten WPCM-F Hand Push Cylinder Mower

Which One Do You Like Best?

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How Landscaping Increases Home and Property Value

Did you know that landscaping can increase your property’s value by 12%, but only if done right?

How Can You Increase Your Home Value through Landscaping

3 Steps to Improve Your Landscaping — for Increasing Your Property Value

1. Plan the Overall Aesthetic of Your Landscaping

2. Plan the Design

3. Perform the Cost Analysis

6 Tried and Tested Tips to Boost Your Property Value By Up to 12%

1. Focus on Curb Appeal

2. Get Big Windows and Increase Privacy

3. Seek Sophistication

4. Go for A Year-Round Style

5. Plant Trees

6. Make Your Lawn Low-Maintenance

Quick Recap

How To Upsell and Cross-sell your Landscaping Services

How to Upsell Your Landscape Services

1. Create a Case Study to Build Trust

2. Offer a Trial

3. Start a Competition Among Your Sales Staff

How to Cross-Sell Your Landscape Services

How to Use Subcontractors for Growing Your Service Business

How Subcontracting Works

1. Flexibility

2. Reduce Overhead Costs

3. Subs Provide Expertise

4. Increase Productivity

5. Fewer Legal Obligations

Where to Hire Subcontractors

7 Tips for Growing and Managing Your Lawn Maintenance Business

1). Group Your Clients