You love working on cars. And you’re passionate about making them look their shiny best. Your auto detailing business has its group of regulars – customers who come in every few months for their vehicle to be cleaned, washed and waxed – but you’d like to expand.
You’ve got room in your schedule that you’d like to translate into revenue. To accelerate your growth, you’ll need exposure to more car owners.
Marketing your auto detailing business starts with a quality website.
Create Your Auto Business Website
Other than signage at your location, your primary marketing tool is likely to be a website. Since many people start their search for professional services online, your website must be first rate in order to impress your prospects.
A marketing copywriter who understands the automotive industry as well as consumer service providers can help you create web copy that attracts more customers and takes your business to the next level.
On your website, include a menu of your car detailing services, complete with detailed descriptions.
What Content to Include on Your Website
Let’s start with the basics. A simple website for car detailing services should include the following pages:
Home – What your auto detailing business does, why you’re unique
About Us – Who you are and why you started this car detailing business
Services – A menu of your car detailing services and pricing
FAQs – Answer those questions that everyone seems to ask about auto cleaning, coating, restoration and interior detailing
Contact– Your business address, email and phone for anyone who wants to get in touch to schedule an appointment
An experienced copywriter who has automotive experience can help you write the copy for these pages. When properly written, these pages will help you convert website visitors into real-life paying customers.
Look for opportunities to get your name out in the community.
Other Marketing Tools for Car Detailing Businesses
Once you have your website online, it’s time to consider doing some promotions and alternative marketing. Other auto detailing businesses are using these methods to grow their business. You should too.
Let customers know you offer both exterior and interior detailing services.
Here are 10 quick ideas to get you started:
Email and text campaigns – Buy a list or use your existing list of customers. (Hint: It’s always easier to get more business from existing customers than to attract new ones.)
Google My Business – Claim this free listing so you come up in local search requests
Social media – Create a Facebook page, a Yelp listing and maybe an Instagram or Twitter account. Post helpful tips about auto care and promote any specials you’re offering. Also be active on any social media pages that are local to your area.
YouTube – Consider creating informative videos on auto detailing that position you as an industry expert.
Flyers / Sales Sheets – A single page that lists your services, your specials and possibly a coupon. Great for posting on bulletin boards and giving out at events.
Sales letters – Email local businesses that have fleets.
Refer a Friend program – Give your existing customers an incentive (a discount or merchandise) to refer others
Blog – Create an online blog that gives auto detailing tips. Use your posts to drive traffic to your website.
Local car meets – Go to meetups of car enthusiasts. Bring along business cards, flyers or coupons to give out.
Partner up – Team up with a sister business like a gas station or auto mechanic near by. You promote them; they promote you. Can use signage, flyers or coupons.
An experienced automotive copywriter can help you promote your detailing services and attract a steady stream of new customers.
Competition in Auto Services Is Growing Fast
Automotive research shows that the United States car wash and auto detailing industry:
Is served by 66,708 businesses
Produced $12 billion in revenue in 2019
Employed 224,874 people in 2019
Has had a 4% annual growth rate over the last 5 years
The statistics show that Americans are keeping their cars longer. According to IHS Market, the average car on the road is 11.8 years old. To keep their car looking its best despite its age, consumers are more likely to want detailing services like yours. Now you just need to let them know about your business!
Who wouldn’t want their vehicle to look showroom spiffy? Consumers need to know about your detailing services!
Work with a Copywriter Who Knows Cars
These ideas may seem intimidating at first. After all, your expertise is with detailing cars, not marketing detailing services. Connect with a professional copywriter who is familiar with the automotive industry and let her take this task off your plate. Once you get rolling on these marketing ideas, you’re going to be plenty busy taking care of new customers!