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I quit my Job

ChrisGav

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hi guys,

For those who don't know: I'm 21 and have started a pressure washing business in September.

I put my 2 weeks notice in at my day job. I work at a store called Fastenal.
I have now redirected my focus on my pressure washing business. Last month I made about $2,800 strictly from pressure washing. This was my queue to make the leap, I was only making $12/hour so it wasn't that big of a leap.

My next steps are SEO for my website and trying to get into the commercial side of things, or try and find another way to reach more homeowners.
Here's my website: Home - Wash Warriors feel free to check it out. Any tips/advice on SEO, marketing, or my web design would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris
 
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SEBASTlAN

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Good looking site. I would include your service and the areas you cover in the title of your homepage instead of "Home - Wash Warriors".

While the video/interactive media is great, it does slow down the site quite a bit. Can you use static imagery instead?
 

sosa067

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I think the site looks pretty good, especially the slider effect where you can drag the slider and see the difference. That's a nice touch!

There are definitely some UX issues, like when you're scrolling, there's a weird stuttering effect. The site also doesn't make it abundantly clear that you're located in Greenvile SC. For local services like these, it's extremely important to have your SEO revolve around your area.

I'd also focus on getting your social media pages set up, and get some testimonials on the site. Getting good client feedback and showcasing that feedback is super important.

Also, it's clear the site is made with Wordpress. There's a lack of consistency with the design. There are points where the site comes across as professional and well made, then on your next scroll, things break down (like your contact us icons are located all the way to the far left).

For a landing page like this, you really don't need Wordpress. Wordpress comes with a lot of baggage that affects your performance.
 
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ChrisGav

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I think the site looks pretty good, especially the slider effect where you can drag the slider and see the difference. That's a nice touch!

There are definitely some UX issues, like when you're scrolling, there's a weird stuttering effect. The site also doesn't make it abundantly clear that you're located in Greenvile SC. For local services like these, it's extremely important to have your SEO revolve around your area.

I'd also focus on getting your social media pages set up, and get some testimonials on the site. Getting good client feedback and showcasing that feedback is super important.

Also, it's clear the site is made with Wordpress. There's a lack of consistency with the design. There are points where the site comes across as professional and well made, then on your next scroll, things break down (like your contact us icons are located all the way to the far left).

For a landing page like this, you really don't need Wordpress. Wordpress comes with a lot of baggage that affects your performance.
Thank you for the feedback. I know absolutely nothing about SEO. How do I revolve SEO around the location? Specifically saying Greenville, SC on the site itself?
 

ChrisGav

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Good looking site. I would include your service and the areas you cover in the title of your homepage instead of "Home - Wash Warriors".

While the video/interactive media is great, it does slow down the site quite a bit. Can you use static imagery instead?
thank you for your feedback, I will update the title. When you say static do you mean just a stand alone picture on a slider? I thought the video would be more interactive and appealing compared to the typical slider most of my competitors have.
 

Bryan James

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My opinion:

Nice website; I'm not much of a tech or web guy myself but I especially like the before/after scrolling "toggle over the photos" option (clever and effective marketing; bravo).

Question:

Do you have a staff of employees who go out and do the work or is it just you? If your revenue and profit margins grows perhaps expansion into other locations might turn out to be a pretty fruitful endeavor if you can build a team and handle all the logistics (scale up!).

Anyway, best of luck and hope you keep any competitors scrambling to catch up. Looks like you do good really work.
 
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Sadik

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Nice site. Love the before and after pics. If you can afford it, buy @Andy Black 's PPC course to attract more people who are looking for you to your site. If you don't have a budget right now, know that the gist is that people are probably already searching for a service such as yours in your area in Google. You need to run ads to target specifically those people to increase your business.

And all the best.
 

SEBASTlAN

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Thank you for the feedback. I know absolutely nothing about SEO. How do I revolve SEO around the location? Specifically saying Greenville, SC on the site itself?

Have you made a GMB profile yet?

And yes I was referring to a standalone picture for the sake of a faster loading time. But if you can prove it converts better it may be worth considering to keep it as is.
 

Fastlane Liam

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Hey well done. Awesome, your work and efforts are paying off!
I really like the before and after pics on your website.

You said you need to reach more homeowners. How are you marketing at the moment?
 
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ChrisGav

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My opinion:

Nice website; I'm not much of a tech or web guy myself but I especially like the before/after scrolling "toggle over the photos" option (clever and effective marketing; bravo).

Question:

Do you have a staff of employees who go out and do the work or is it just you? If your revenue and profit margins grows perhaps expansion into other locations might turn out to be a pretty fruitful endeavor if you can build a team and handle all the logistics (scale up!).

Anyway, best of luck and hope you keep any competitors scrambling to catch up. Looks like you do good really work.
As of right now it’s just me doing it!
 

ChrisGav

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Have you made a GMB profile yet?

And yes I was referring to a standalone picture for the sake of a faster loading time. But if you can prove it converts better it may be worth considering to keep it as is.

I actually just got the verification code a couple days ago. Still in the process of setting it up and adding pictures etc
 

ChrisGav

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Hey well done. Awesome, your work and efforts are paying off!
I really like the before and after pics on your website.

You said you need to reach more homeowners. How are you marketing at the moment?
Thanks Liam. As of now I am getting most customers from the neighbors of people watching me do someone else’s house or referrals.

I’ve recently begun to go on Zillow and find homes for sale that look like they could use it and I call the listing agent/homeowner. Ive found that a lot of the homeowners don’t want to spend more money after the house is been listed so I need to catch them one step before the house is listed.
 
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Fastlane Liam

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Thanks Liam. As of now I am getting most customers from the neighbors of people watching me do someone else’s house or referrals.

I’ve recently begun to go on Zillow and find homes for sale that look like they could use it and I call the listing agent/homeowner. Ive found that a lot of the homeowners don’t want to spend more money after the house is been listed so I need to catch them one step before the house is listed.
Word of mouth means you're doing a great job, well done!!
Word of mouth through local facebook groups would be even more effective, maybe something to think about. Nice work though! Keep going!
 

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Great job! Hard work will pay off always!

Love the slider thing on your website! :D
 

cwalto12

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I'm curious what your pressure washing set up is.

What were the startup costs and what kind of equipment are you working with? Is the $2800 profit?

Is this something you can do year round?
 
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Visionary96

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Respect for putting your notice in man, that's awesome.

I really like the website, good colour scheme and the important info is clearly displayed. Looking forward to seeing what happens on your journey bro!
 

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hi guys,

For those who don't know: I'm 21 and have started a pressure washing business in September.

I put my 2 weeks notice in at my day job. I work at a store called Fastenal.
I have now redirected my focus on my pressure washing business. Last month I made about $2,800 strictly from pressure washing. This was my queue to make the leap, I was only making $12/hour so it wasn't that big of a leap.

My next steps are SEO for my website and trying to get into the commercial side of things, or try and find another way to reach more homeowners.
Here's my website: Home - Wash Warriors feel free to check it out. Any tips/advice on SEO, marketing, or my web design would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris

I have an idea to promote your service!
Open a YouTube Channel and post oddly satisfying videos of your work.
Your videos COULD go viral and thus it could have a rainfall on your business by making it more noticeable!
 

ChrisGav

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I have an idea to promote your service!
Open a YouTube Channel and post oddly satisfying videos of your work.
Your videos COULD go viral and thus it could have a rainfall on your business by making it more noticeable!
Good concept thanks. What kind of videos? Just me pressure washing things with some sort of dazzle to it?
 
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ChrisGav

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I'm curious what your pressure washing set up is.

What were the startup costs and what kind of equipment are you working with? Is the $2800 profit?

Is this something you can do year round?
Interesting question about year round, I'm wondering that myself. $2800 was profit as there are really no costs once you have the equipment besides gas for the machine and to get there. Seeing how it was November I was surprised it was my biggest month yet, December is slowing down slightly but have already done 2 jobs this month and have another lined up.

My set-up is a Northern tool industrial grade pressure washer. 4,000 PSI, 3.5 GPM cost me $1,200. Also Got a surface cleaner disc for the driveways, as well as an extension wand that goes up to 18 Feet.
 

ChrisGav

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Word of mouth means you're doing a great job, well done!!
Word of mouth through local facebook groups would be even more effective, maybe something to think about. Nice work though! Keep going!
I like your idea of Facebook Groups. I'm in a Facebook group that is a buy/sell group in my local town. Maybe offering people free Driveway cleanings for them to post ads in the group or something along those lines?
 

cwalto12

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Interesting question about year round, I'm wondering that myself. $2800 was profit as there are really no costs once you have the equipment besides gas for the machine and to get there. Seeing how it was November I was surprised it was my biggest month yet, December is slowing down slightly but have already done 2 jobs this month and have another lined up.

My set-up is a Northern tool industrial grade pressure washer. 4,000 PSI, 3.5 GPM cost me $1,200. Also Got a surface cleaner disc for the driveways, as well as an extension wand that goes up to 18 Feet.
Good stuff man. A TON of your business will come from referrals if you are good. Impress a few customers and it could spread like wild fire.

Homeowners will start saying "I have this friend that owns this business and he would love it to be pressure cleaned..." that could be your ticket into commercial.

Flyers are another great way. You can always pay someone on Fiverr to make a nice, professional one. Go into a nice neighborhood door to door and leave them on the porch with your website name on them.

Do you have a trailer with all of your equipment or working from your car? That could also be a next step.
 
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Lee Ashby

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Great work, Ive always liked the idea of a pressure washing business, its actually quite relaxing / therapeutic as well sometimes, when I'm cleaning out the paths and such things around the house.

I agree that the 'oddly satisfying' video and before / after stuff is a good tactic, its very visually pleasing and will cause people to look at their own grimey driveways etc.

I'm no psychologist - (but am doing some work in a related area) - But one tactic could be to somehow start a job, or do one part of a house / business for free, or something, people with OCD or just a bias of somesort will want the job complete. no one likes the feeling of a job left unfinshed, so that could be a legit tactic (brain hack) that might work well. The key will be in the execution.

Another idea could be about 10% off discount if the client shares the pic on their instagram or fb feed.
Another idea could be about 5% off each for multiple adjoining houses, up to a max of x %. so if 5 neighbours get together, they can each save 25% off their bills. This means less travel for you, and you can knock over 5 joints in one day, or turn up with 2 guys and smash it out.

Lastly as you grow it could be a good business to add in some humour / story telling to build a memorable and likeable brand.

bonus idea - as the trust gets built you will be in a position for addon sales and services, for other related businesses or referral type things - such as surface painting, landscaping, outdoor lighting, letterbox guy, etc.

Good luck!
 

Fastlane Liam

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I like your idea of Facebook Groups. I'm in a Facebook group that is a buy/sell group in my local town. Maybe offering people free Driveway cleanings for them to post ads in the group or something along those lines?
Sure, and even ask your customers who want to leave a review to post on Facebook how good of a job/how impressed they are with your work
 

liero1

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impressed by website, nice and easy, should convert well.
put more keywords AND location (!!) into the title.

if you need new business do local facebook campaigns, broad targeting, older (home owners), say how hyper local you are, etc. should work well. Can test this with like 10 quid a day to see if you get responses, maybe do messenger button instead of website link so people click ad and message you directly. have a fantastic facebook page as well, so people like your page and stay connected.
 

Santi M

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Good concept thanks. What kind of videos? Just me pressure washing things with some sort of dazzle to it?
Hi Chris, I like @francevalue 's idea.

I think you could record with a camera the front of the pipe while washing (as you did in the video on your web) and maybe upload the video in a time-lapse so it goes faster. And then exposing at the end of the video the difference before/after.


I can imagine the video as one of those that goes viral cuz it's like comfortable to see.

Good luck!
 

francevalue

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Good concept thanks. What kind of videos? Just me pressure washing things with some sort of dazzle to it?
Maybe some unedited videos in the beginning and after more elaborate videos!
 

francevalue

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