New car detailing business

[Clean and Mean Detailing]

Hi, I'm Grady and i'm in the process of starting a detailing business in the Appleton Wisconsin area. Looking for any tips or pretty much anything you can tell me. Also looking for customers.

 

 

 

 

Feel free to contact me at cleanandmeandetailing@gmail.com or take a peek at my website (under construction still) Click here to view. Happy detailing! ?

[shane@detailedreflections]

Look back through my post history and you’ll find a bunch of information. I’ve been very candid in how I started and run my business. 

[BigBlue2007]

Just a few things from your website...

 

1. Add a phone number to your website. Some people only like to call and won't use the form at the bottom. 

2. I would also add a physical business address if you have a shop.

3. Are you a mobile detailer or do you have a shop? I don't think I see it mentioned on your site.

4. You call your last process a paint correction, but mention a one step polish. Do offer multiple step polish/compound as well? If you do, I would mention it. You may want to mention paint correction is per hour fee based on the job, etc.

5. Post your business hours (if applicable)

 

Otherwise looks great and good luck. 

Edited August 27, 2018 by BigBlue2007

[RayS]

Overall the site looks nice and as recommended by @BigBlue2007 add the details on type of services, address and phone number.  You are dealing with a lot of farmers in the area, so you are going to get a wide variety of requests. Also, I recommend you spend some time going through the information that @shane@detailedreflections has provided, there is some really good info.

 

There was one price that stood on your web site:  Scratch Removal - $20 per scratch.   My brother-in-law in Chilton has a full size pickup, crew cab, long box that has a scratch from the headlight to the taillight.  First, I doubt that it can even be removed and I know it can't be done within 15 minutes or so.  Myself, I wouldn't call it a scratch, but he's a farmer so it is just a scratch according to him.   I would recommend changing the statement to Scratch Removal, quoted upon request or something similar, but I would not give a price upfront. 

 

Do you have all-weather service or an indoor facility?  I know how cold it gets in Appleton and it really sucks to have your car get wet and every door freeze shut, so an all-weather service or indoor facility would be a good incentive to use your business from October-April.  If you have mobile services, what is your service area, either list the City/towns or the counties.  If it is the counties, think about the distances that could be covered with Outagamie, Calumet and Winnebago.   I will also recommend an extension to your services.  There are a lot of campers and motorhomes in the area that are stored for upwards of 8 months a year and last summer my father-in-law,  also in Chilton, could not find a service to clean his before heading up there from Florida.  Just having a clean, washed and fresh smelling motorhome/camper is something you may find many snowbirds and year round residents interested in doing in the spring.

[rseward]

I'll start by saying I'm not a detailer, but I've owned and managed businesses and have been a consumer of goods and services for many years, and here's what I'll say about the website.

 

1.  I think you need to offer different pricing for different vehicles... For example, coupe should cost less than an a full size SUV. In my opinion at least 3 price categories are a must "Small/Compact", "Mid-Size", and Full Size (and maybe even Oversized). 

2. The interior services included with your "Basic Detail" and your "Full Interior Detail" service, are to similar. For example in your "Basic Detail" you include "Vacuum Carpets" and in the "Full Interior Detail" you include "Complete Vacuum of Carpets, floors, mats, etc... insinuating that the vacuuming included with the "Basic Detail" is incomplete? Same with Glass, interior wipe down, etc....  I would think a "Full Interior Detail" would include things like shampooing or steam cleaning carpets/floor mats, head liner spot treatment, stain removal, leather conditioning, and UV protectants, etc... 

3. You should offer add-on's like Engine Detail, Headlight Restoration, Clay Treatment, Debadging, etc...

4. You need pictures of your actual before and after work, cars you've actually detailed and when possible include you and/or your clients in the photos.

 

Also, a "Detailer" (of all businesses) should be very "detailed" in describing exactly what services they provided (avoid using "etc..."). The details are what distinguishes you from others.

 

 

Edited August 28, 2018 by rseward

[shane@detailedreflections]

I’ll also add that you should try to include what sets you apart from other detailers. Is it equipment?  Training?  Product?

 

For example we use steamers, hot water extractors, we are accredited by different manufacturers. These help set us apart from some others. 

[Clean and Mean Detailing]

Thanks for the help everyone, very much appreciated and will look into making the suggested changes! ?

Edited September 2, 2018 by Clean and Mean Detailing