Today’s customers like fast, easy solutions to everyday problems, and dirty cars are no exception. Your express car wash location is designed to deliver a superior wash experience with little or no wait time, but your competitors also recognize the popularity of the express setup and are working hard to bring customers through their bays instead of yours.
How can you make sure your business stands out to hurried motorists? Try these top car wash marketing tips.
Map It
For express wash marketing to be effective, customers must be able to find your location. Embrace the mobile revolution with accurate business listings on sites such as Google, Facebook and Yelp. Input complete location information, and embed a map on your website. This way, mobile customers can see where you are at a glance or open your location in a navigation app to be guided directly to your car wash.
Make sure information is correct so that searches for “car wash” in your area or queries performed using virtual assistants bring your business up in results.
Personalize Your Deals
New customers will respond to different marketing messages than regulars, and you should deliver offers accordingly. For example, you may send a “thanks for trying our service” coupon to a first-time visitor but use a “we appreciate your loyalty” message for repeat customers. Use online analytics and statistics from newsletter signups or app downloads to segment your audience into specific groups, and design deals tailored to their needs.
Offer an Unlimited Wash Program
People who wash their cars a lot appreciate the ability to pay a flat fee every year and breeze through an express bay whenever they like. Consider making a program with unlimited washes part of your carwash marketing strategy. Set a price for the service, and issue a membership card or pass to make using the program as easy as possible. Marketing this service as a gift around the holidays is a great way to sell more memberships.
Have a Contest
The only thing better than a convenient yearly car was membership is free washes for a year, and everybody loves the chance to win something. Contests create memorable experiences and a mental association of your car wash location with excitement and fun. You can award the prize by:
• Having customers text a code to a special number to enter
• Offering a chance to win in exchange for downloading your app or signing up for your newsletter
• Creating a special event and offering the washes to every 50th or 100th car coming through the bays
Be Charitable
Doing something good for a cause you believe in can be uplifting, so why not host a “wash for charity” day as part of your car wash marketing plan? Partner with your favorite local charity, and pick a day on which to donate a portion of the profits from every wash. The organization will be more than happy to promote the event to members, supporters and the surrounding community, giving you a source of free advertising and associating your brand with philanthropy in your customers’ minds.
Creating a multi-faceted carwash marketing strategy draws attention to your location from the moment drivers search for a place to get their cars cleaned. Pay attention to which strategies bring in the most customers, and continue to focus on providing excellent service to everyone who drives through your bays. If you remain diligent with a combination of online and offline express wash marketing tactics, you can push your business ahead of the competition and cement your reputation as the best wash option in the area.