Today India is one of the biggest automobile markets in the world. Last year the automobile industry sold nearly 25 million vehicles domestically. This does not include vehicles of international brands being sold in India. We have been seeing a rise in the Indian consumer base because of various reasons such as an increase in the availability of disposable income, a younger generation of consumers and globalization.
This increase in the market size of the automobile industry has with its success given rise to various ancillary or supporting businesses. One of these ancillary businesses is a carwash or detailing business. This is one of the most trending franchise opportunities right now. There are various national brands expanding swiftly to cover maximum consumer base and create a strong presence for their brand in the early stages of the development of this business. To know more about these opportunities, visit our page and look for the carwash and detailing franchises.
Today, we will see how to gain an edge over your competitors and grow your own carwash franchise in a success. The customers nowadays are aware and expect the best services and quality and hence, it is of paramount importance that we provide them the same. Read below to find some ways you can boost sales at your carwash and detailing franchise.
1. Understand Your Customer's Requirements
Carwashing and detailing is a personal service for many customers. Customers will have different types of vehicles and they would want different services individually. Some might want to only get a general cleaning for their vehicle, while some might want more detailing like vacuuming or cleaning of the seats or de-greasing of the engine or someone might want a nanoceramic coating of paint. It is imperative that you understand the requirements of your customers and offer them services accordingly.
2. Provide an Online Booking System
This is the digital age and all customers are used to placing orders for all their needs online on an app or website. People no longer want to waste time calling and speaking on the phone for appointments or wait in line. Today, people are smart and busy and they expect a smart system to get their work done. Employing an online booking system through an app or a website will greatly benefit your carwash franchise. It will show the customers that you are a modern business and will help in gaining their trust faster.
3. Customer Service
No service or retail business can ever work with bad customer service. Customers today are pampered by large national and international level brands. They are used to feeling like the most important entity at a store and that is how you need to make each of them feel. Bad customer service stories travel faster than you'd like through word of mouth and very soon you will notice a drop in your sales. Providing a friendly and polite atmosphere for customers will go a long way.
4. Offer Bundled Packages
Conduct some research to know the popular requirements of your customers and you could create bundles of your services for them. This would entice customers with the prospect of saving some money while using a bundled package and it will provide you the opportunity to employ and earn on multiple services through bundled packages.
For example, for the car savvy customers provide a package with the intricate details and cleaning and maintenance of smaller parts as well. You could charge a premium amount for such a bundle and offer it as a high tier package. Create multiple tiers for different customer types. Some customers might want a more economic package fulfilling the basic requirements. Such tiers will cater to specific customers and will make them feel more valued.
5. Maintenance of the Physical Outlet
Humans are visual creatures, we like beautiful things and enjoy pleasant experiences. You should try to create the same for the customers who visit your store. Make sure your store is always clean and all hygiene rules are followed by your staff. Always use an air freshener to ensure that your franchise outlet is pleasant smelling. Also, make sure all your equipment is well maintained and well-oiled and clean. Nothing would put off customers more than seeing a dirty store or a store with dirty equipment.
6. Offer Pick-up and Drop Services
Customers are used to pick-up and drop services through other industries like car servicing and maintenance businesses. Similarly, you should also offer to pick their vehicles up for carwashing and detailing and drop it for them after the service has been completed. You may charge them a certain fee for this service or bundle it up with the other services they availed.
7. An Efficient and Well-trained Team
The service that your store provides is finally the factor that draws your customers to your business. If your employees do not perform these services satisfactorily, then it would be very difficult to reduce customer turnovers.
Most parent franchise companies provide ample training support to franchise partners. Make use of this support and train all your staff and ensure they all perform well. You may need to create some incentive-based system for them in order to motivate them to perform better. Small programs like the employee of the month with a prize can go a long way in motivating employees. Also, train your employees to be always courteous and humble towards the customers.
8. Show Your Team and Technology
Show your team and technology to your customers. Today's customers are interested in knowing about the technologies that they will avail in various services. Parent franchise companies ensure that you have the best of the technologies employed at your unit. Highlight these to the customers and engage and impress them with your knowledge and competency.
9. Provide an Area for Viewing
Customers who physically visit the store should be given a tour of the outlet and they should be made to wait in an area with a viewing facility. They should be able to view carwashing and detailing first hand. Watching the process with their own eyes will build their trust in you. Also, they will feel safer when they know that you are willing to show your process to them and are not secretive about any services.
10. Marketing
Marketing is one of the most important factors contributing to sales or success. In this social media age of marketing, you also need to embrace social media and create a strong and engaging social media presence. Create business pages and profiles on major social media networks, post creatives, ads, news, announcements regularly. Offer special discounts for customers on social media. You can also hire influencers to promote your business. Hiring influencers specializing in different markets will help you target different customer segments.
11. Take Feedback
Finally, always collect feedback from all your customers. This will help you in overcoming your problems and weaknesses and will enable you to focus on your strengths.
The automobile industry is one of the fastest growing industries in India and along with it, all its ancillary businesses are growing. Now is the time to invest in a carwashing and detailing franchise opportunity as it is in its growing phase now and you will get a cheap entry for high profits. It doesn't require a huge investment and can be carried successfully by following some steps like listed above. So start racing towards your dreams by starting and succeeding with your own carwash franchise.
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