Car detailers do not only clean cars: they specialize in maintaining the pristine condition of the parts of cars left uncovered by mechanics and auto repair shops. Put another way, car detailing covers the car’s details. It takes proper care of a car’s rugs, upholstery, tires, windows, chrome and paint. From inexpensive cars to luxury vehicles, car detailing has recently blossomed into a potentially lucrative industry, one that a strategic entrepreneur certainly will not ignore.
TIP 1: Start Part-Time.A strong incentive for starting a car detailing business is that it will not require a full time commitment. You can establish yourself by detailing cars during evening and weekend hours. Furthermore, car detailing requires little implementation and few supplies.
TIP 2: Start with your friends and family. Begin this business by providing detailing service to friends and family. Do so from your own driveway or travel to a customer’s home for on-site, customized service.
TIP 3: Get referrals through word of mouth. Have your friends act as a preliminary platform or “sounding board” to find out what customers want or do not want. Put client satisfaction to use by asking your customers to recommend you to friends and colleagues.
TIP 4: Get a Website made, add pictures of your work and market online. While car detailing start-up costs are limited, you will want to invest time and effort in an effective marketing strategy in order to differentiate yourself from your competition. The key is to use the Internet. Establish a simple website outlining your services, and post links to it on Craigslist, online community boards, chat rooms and even blogs. Maintaining your website and increasing its traffic will help search engines such a Google, Yahoo and Bing “find” you. The greater your online presence, the higher your “rank” in search engines, and the easier it is for potential customers to notice you.
A streamlined yet effective marketing strategy, coupled with a commitment to detail-oriented, customized service, will help foster a burgeoning car detailing business into a lucrative and worthwhile endeavour.