How to Grow a Landscaping Business

You may have entered the landscaping industry because of your passion for lawn care and design. But once you get your company up and running, it’s time to start thinking about growth.

The reality is there’s also a lot to gain for business owners who are strategic about growth, like $500K in profits—or more—a year.

If you’re ready to net serious numbers, read on to learn how to grow a landscaping business.

What’s the Importance of Growing Your Landscaping Business?

You should always have your eyes on growth.

Why?

While there’s always demand for lawn care, your business only gets a slice of that pie. And with over 640,000 landscaping businesses in the US, you’re bound to have competition.

Focusing on growth means being strategic about your marketing, operations, and strategic planning. It means you’re always thinking about how you can:

Attract more customers
Improve customer service to keep your existing ones
Stand out in a crowded market
Reinvest in your business to make it more competitive

When you grow, you’re better able to handle ups and downs in the market, including new competition. But that’s not the only benefit of scaling. When you successfully grow your business, you can expect:

Enhanced Credibility

More landscaping projects are more opportunities to stake your brand’s sign in the ground. There will also be more chances for word-of-mouth marketing.

That means more people will hear about your services. And more people will connect beautiful lawns with your brand.

Improved Financial Stability

As a larger company with more customers, you gain peace of mind.

More customers mean more revenue. But it also means greater stability because you aren’t dependent on your small customer base. Even if the market slows, you still have enough business to pay your operational expenses and turn a profit.

More Opportunities for Innovation

One of the best parts about being one of the big landscaping companies is innovation.

You have more resources to invest in new equipment, training, and technology. You also have more freedom to hire skilled designers and contractors, enabling you to offer premium services. All of that can help you bring in even larger jobs and higher profits.

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Landscaping Business Development Strategies

The foundation of growth is strategy.

When you build strategies that will help you develop your business, you can count on everything from lower business costs to increased revenue streams.

And for small to mid-sized businesses, that means spending time and energy on:

Building strategic partnerships: Use your partnerships with local greenhouses and contractors to secure lower prices, get priority on supplies, and offer your customers customized landscape designs, including hardscaping features, decking, and patios.

Adding more services to attract customers: Why stop at lawn care and landscape maintenance? Add more services your current team can take on with minimal training, such as snow and ice removal, yard cleanup, and holiday lighting.

Utilizing technology for more streamlined operations: Technology can improve your marketing, customer communications, and your operations.

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Marketing Strategies for Landscaping Businesses

Mastering marketing will help you keep the growth momentum going.

With comprehensive strategies that reflect your audience’s pain points, you can improve your engagement, lead generation, and sales conversion rates.

Here are three powerful marketing strategies you can use to drive growth:

Build your brand on social media. Pick two to three channels your customers use, such as Instagram and Facebook. Create a strategy for posting videos and photos of completed landscaping projects and how-to content. Use social media to impress people looking for landscaping ideas to build brand awareness.
Use digital ads to target new markets. Ready to enter a new region? Have you perfected a new landscaping service? Whenever you need an extra marketing push to get the word out, launch a digital ad campaign to attract leads.
Go all in on content. Good content can increase website traffic. It can also help you build trust with your audience. Invest in a solid strategy with blog posts, email newsletters, and video content. You can also create lead magnets, such as e-books and guides, to encourage people to sign up for your email list.

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Financial Planning for Landscaping Business Growth

Financial planning is what you need to sustain business growth.

It’s one thing to build a successful landscaping company that brings in hundreds of thousands a year in profits. But sustaining that level of success and reaching the million-dollar mark requires a sound financial plan.

Here are three tips to get you started:

Improve your cash flow. One way to improve your cash flow is with invoicing software. Use a system that lets you offer multiple payment options and send digital invoices. You’ll save time and get paid faster.
Consult with a pro. Talk to an accountant or financial planner with experience helping small businesses grow. Get their advice about details like profit projections, how much you need to save, and how much to invest in your business to drive growth.
Assess your risk level. What would your landscaping business do if you lost half your customers this quarter to a new competitor? Can you absorb higher supply prices? Identify your main financial risks. Then, develop a plan for resolving them.

Top Takeaway Tips for Growing Your Landscaping Business

With the right business development strategies, marketing, and financial planning, your company will grow. There’s a lot of ground to cover (literally and figuratively). But if you break down all the steps you need to take, you can make it happen.

Ready to get started right away?

Here are three things you can do today to help your landscaping business grow:

Pick one new landscaping service (and revenue stream). 82% of landscaping professionals offer lawn maintenance. But only 55% offer seasonal color management. Is there a unique niche service your team could offer to help attract more business?
Start building your network. Call or email three businesses that could be potential strategic partners. Let them know what type of relationship you’re interested in. For example, you might exclusively buy from a greenhouse if they give you a discount. Then, see what happens!
Assess your tech. If you’re juggling your business with paper and email, it’s time for an upgrade. Find software that will increase conversions, boost customer satisfaction, and free up your time so you can focus on the big picture.