The pandemic’s effect on the supply chain has created shortages in pool materials like PVC, plastic, concrete, and more to cause construction materials to go up 31.3% from 2020 to 2022. To top it off, a fire in Louisiana prompted a trichlor chlorine shortage, and inflation has risen sharply. With all of these factors in play, it’s more critical than ever for businesses to find ways to save money and generate more revenue. Keep reading to discover how to grow your pool service business during this unique time in the industry.

4 Things To Consider Before Learning How To Grow Your Pool Service Business

Are you ready to handle more customers?

Consumer expectations are at an all-time high, especially for convenient and timely service. If you can’t currently meet the expectations of a growing number of customers, you should first put a plan in place to better position your business to take on new clients before you start figuring out how to grow your pool service business. For example, do you have efficient software and systems in place to help your team save time and ensure record-keeping accuracy? Are basic daily tasks quick and easy to execute? Is there clear and consistent communication with field technicians? Can customers use their preferred payment method online or through mobile? If the answer to any of these questions is “No,” take a look at pool service business software like RB’s to see how you can set your business up for growth, success, and satisfied customers.

Are you focusing on retail sales as well as service work?

Your service work is the foundation of your business, but there is a major opportunity to grow your pool service business with extra revenue from retail sales and upselling. Since your service team interacts with customers daily, why not help them get the most out of their pools with supplies and accessories?

Should you buy an extra route or grow organically?

There are three primary ways to find more customers to grow your pool service business:

1. Partnerships with apartment/hotel owners, builders, and property managers.
2. Purchasing pre-existing pool servicer routes from brokers or other pool service businesses.
3. Using marketing and word-of-mouth to grow organically.

There’s no wrong answer to this, and you should choose what’s right for your business. For example, if you already have solid marketing tools/software and don’t want to spend the money on an existing route, you may want to grow your pool service business organically. On the other hand, if your marketing capabilities are underdeveloped and you want a quick, targeted way to bring in more customers, buying a route may be better.

Either way, you should ensure that you have the right software and tools to support your efforts. Route optimization, which is built into RB’s pool service software, is the best way to ensure that your field technicians maximize their time and can complete as many jobs as possible in one day. It also stores customer preferences so you can always send their favorite technician at the right time, providing the best possible experience with your business. RB also offers a host of marketing features and tools that make running sales, loyalty programs, and marketing campaigns easier than ever.

Do you have software that can grow with your pool service business?

RB software is designed specifically for pool service businesses, so it includes a host of features that work together to make growing your business easier, faster, and more effective. It’s also easy to implement and add to new locations as you grow your pool service business.

How Do I Promote My Pool Service Business?

Experiment with Promotions and Sales

RB’s pool business software provides several features to make it easy to run a sale or track the impact of advertising efforts. The Event Planner lets you set sale prices at specific dates, so they are automatically applied at checkout. This can be a huge time-saver and makes sales much easier to execute. The software will also log data that helps you determine which products should go on sale and when to maximize the profitability of margins.

The Sign Design module is integrated into the Event Planner and Inventory components, so inventory and sale savings information is automatically populated for quick and easy sign creation. Track how new customers have heard of your company and which advertisements or coupons they used during a transaction to see which promotions are most popular. These features make it easier to try out new promotions and run sales so you can identify the most effective ways to draw in new customers and boost revenue.

Offer A Loyalty Program

If you don’t have a loyalty rewards program, now is the perfect time to start one. Customers appreciate the extra opportunity for a deal, and your pool business benefits from the uptick in repeat customers (often the most profitable segment.) Our software makes it easy to create and manage a loyalty program. It tracks purchase history to determine which customers are at risk, which are most loyal, and how to adjust your marketing tactics to improve results continuously.

Price matching with gift cards is a powerful sales tool and is well-received by customers, keeping profits closer to your target. RB’s software has a built-in gift card program that allows for price matching and event promotions.

Don’t Miss Upselling Opportunities

RB software provides upselling alerts that remind staff to talk to customers about products they may also want or need. The software identifies products related to items currently in the shopping cart, so there’s no guesswork or training required for employees to reach for the upsell.

Plus, our software associates items, tracks inventory locations, and allows communication between multiple locations. These are all essential tools for assisting employees trying to make a sale. To further encourage staff to pursue upselling opportunities, consider creating incentives for high-performance sellers. Create a sense of competition that tracks sales daily, weekly, or monthly (remember to keep it fun and lighthearted) — our software makes sales numbers per associate quick and easy to track.

Offer Mobile Service Reminders and Payment

Mobile commerce revenue reached $359.32 billion in 2021, increasing by 15.2% since 2020. Forecasts show that by 2025, that revenue should more than double and will account for 44.2% of retail e-commerce sales in the US. In addition to offering customers the convenience they want, RB’s pool business software can keep checkout lines moving faster in your pool retail store with a mobile option. Using mobile shopping and checkout in your store with a tablet offers better, faster service. You can also schedule and send text messages to customers to remind them of upcoming pool service appointments. The scheduling module also stores customer information and preferences, so their favorite service person arrives at just the right time.

The income potential of a pool cleaning business depends on several factors, including the client base, service pricing, and frequency of pool servicing. For instance, servicing 15 pools daily, five days a week, at an average rate of $80 per service, could generate monthly revenues of around $24,000. However, this figure is an approximation, so accounting for variability is essential. Based on data from sources like StartingYourBusiness.com, SpringBoard, and the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICSTD), annual revenues for swimming pool businesses typically range as follows:

• Lower End: $57,000
• Upper End: $124,800
• Median: $75,000

Profit margins in this industry are influenced by various elements, including the scale of your operation, geographical location, and the range of services you provide. According to GoCanvas, ICSTD, and BizBuySell, pool cleaning businesses generally see profit margins in these ranges:

• Lower Limit: 15%
• Upper Limit: 42%
• Average: 40%

For swimming pool business owners aiming to boost profitability, the key lies in increasing revenue while controlling expenses. Here are several strategies to consider:

1. Embrace Technology: Implementing scheduling software, efficient inventory management systems, and automated billing can significantly reduce labor and administrative costs, streamlining your business operations.
2. Exceptional Customer Service: Prioritize outstanding customer service and consider introducing loyalty programs and discounts. This helps retain your existing clientele, which is often more profitable than acquiring new customers.
3. Strategic Marketing: Use email marketing, social media platforms, and actively follow up on leads and referrals. Effective marketing efforts can significantly expand your customer reach.
4. Expand Service Offerings: Broaden your range of services to include pool repairs or even new pool installations. These additional services typically allow for higher markups than standard pool cleaning services.
5. Optimize Service Routes: Adopt a service routing and scheduling system to minimize travel time and fuel expenses, making your operations more efficient and cost-effective.

RB’s business software is specifically designed to position pool service businesses for growth. To discover how to grow your pool service business with our 5-star rated software, contact us to schedule a demo.