Mobile Car Wash Marketing Analysis

Advertising, as you can see from the list above, is just one activity in your overall marketing plan. Advertising is the process of getting your message out to potential customers. For your mobile car wash business, your essential advertising should include:

• Print advertising in yellow pages and local newspapers
• Online advertising with your business website
• Highly conspicuous signage; preferably on your truck or van
• Word of mouth
• Cold call selling (oh how we hate thee!)

Although all marketing activities are important, effective advertising will be your first priority right before opening your doors. Since you will have limited funds available, prioritizing your advertising dollars will be crucial. You will want to spend your advertising budget only on proven, lower-risk options. You can always experiment with new ad concepts - just wait until you have a steady revenue stream!

The types of advertising you should really focus on are:

Website
The first advertising activity you should complete is to build a basic website. Initially, your website will educate potential customers on the different services you offer, your pricing, and the benefits of using your services. You will also list hours of operation and your contact information.

As your business grows you may want to expand the features of your website to include an online reservation system. Customers can actually reserve a wash or detailing appointment and pay online.

You don't need to have any experience in website design to get a website for your business. There are a ton of website design firms that will build you a very professional, entry-level website for a couple hundred dollars.

Just because you have a website, this doesn't mean that your customers will flock to it. In fact, you will have to advertise your website as well. Ask your website design firm about locally targeted online ads.

You should build your website first since you will use the website extensively as your online calling card and brochure. As is the case with any marketing collateral, take time to proofread the content on your website. Spelling and grammar errors will send the wrong message about your attention to detail.

Yellow Pages
Take out an ad in your local Yellow Pages located in the car wash section. Include your company name or slogan, description of services, phone number and website address. You should expect to receive quite a bit of phone and web traffic from this one ad. You can also list your business contact information online through several leading online Yellow Pages.

Conspicuous Signage
Dress up your car, truck or van with signage that advertises your business. After your initial expense for printing and signs, this is free advertising. Your signage will not only be seen when you are driving to and from jobs, you will get quite a few curious onlookers when you are on the job.

Print Advertising
Print advertising in local newspapers and periodicals can bring in good quality leads if done properly. However, we recommend starting with your website, Yellow Pages, and signage first. As you start to build up a steady stream of business, then pursue other print advertising channels.

Print advertising usually must run several times before you start to see demonstrable results. Don't get frustrated if you don't see a lot of leads the first time your ad is out there. On the other hand, don't let your ad run indefinitely with only mediocre results.

Word of Mouth
Word of mouth advertising is one of your cheapest, yet most effective forms of advertising possible. Customer referrals will go a long way to building a successful mobile car wash and detailing business.

Consider offering dual discounts to any existing customer who refers a new customer your way. In exchange for a referral, you will give both the existing customer as well as your new customer discounts on their wash or detailing purchases.

Cold Calling
You could argue that cold calling is actually a form of selling but we will include it in the marketing section anyway. The way you will use it, cold calling will actually be a form of both marketing and selling.

For your commercial prospects, the best way to get your name out and try and make the sale at the same time is by calling potential commercial clients. These clients might include:

• Office parks
• Shopping malls
• Airport parking garages
• New and used car dealerships

When calling, ask to speak to the general manager or property manager. Explain your business clearly and try and make a sale! You may feel clumsy at first but don't give up. Just one big commercial contract can really help take your business to the next level!

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