Have you been bitten by the bug? Not an actual bug. The bug to start your own business in the thriving pest control industry? Or, do you already have a pest control business and need ideas to help you develop a business plan? In either case, we're here to help. Let's take a look at a few key components every successful business plan should have.
Business Model
It is important to write down and consider the pieces that will make up your business model. Doing this will help you to keep them at the front of your mind and give you some structure when you begin putting things in place. Some of the information you'll need in this section will be:
What services do you intend to provide?
What licenses and certifications are required in Pennsylvania for the services you intend to provide?
What plans will you have, and how will you bundle services to give potential customers options that entice them to purchase a plan and save money?
Much of the information in your business model will be drawn from market analysis. It is wise to consider what pest control issues are common in your area so that you can develop a business model that targets the needs of potential customers.
Online Presence
Your business needs a professional website. This is an essential investment that has many working parts.
Invest in a high-quality webpage. A professionally designed webpage will build trust with those who visit. Get a good designer. It's worth every penny.
Consider how many pages you'll have and what sections will be needed. A monthly blog, for instance, is vital for providing ongoing, relevant content and ranking in the search engines. Your web page designer can help you with these details.
Have a search engine optimization (SEO) expert make sure your web page is designed to get good traction in Google and other search engines.
Make sure your website is optimized for mobile browsing. Most people will find you with their phones.
Marketing and Sales
Every business plan needs marketing and sales goals. This can include traditional ad buys, such as television, radio, newspapers, and magazines. But, it is more likely that you'll focus on social media. The four top websites in the world are Google, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. This is because most people visit these sites as a daily task. When they visit them and seek information about pest control, you want them to see your business. There are marketing and sales experts who can help you develop an effective strategy to accomplish this. Take their input and put it into your business plan.
Organizational Structuring
In order to meet your growth goals, you'll need to hire or train employees to accomplish key tasks. Your business plan can outline these tasks, such as:
Training employees to convert one-time customers into year-round subscription customers.
Training customer service to guide current subscription customers in finding additional services that will meet their needs.
Train or hire someone to schedule community events, school and hospital visits, parade appearances, etc. Every successful business has good public relations.
Financial Projections
Your business plan should include what percentages you intend to spend on marketing, sales, and other key areas. It is important to understand that there is a big difference between revenue and profit. A portion of the money you bring in after business costs, such as labor, products, and equipment, should be spent on marketing and advertising. Successful businesses spend out 8 to 10 percent of their annual revenue on advertising and marketing. This produces strong growth of between 10 and 20 percent. Conversely, businesses that spend 5 percent or less can expect to see no growth.
For More Assistance
It can be difficult, time-consuming, and frustrating creating and following a business plan, but you don't have to tackle it alone. When you invest in a franchise with Truly Nolen, we give you the advice and resources to help you get your business plan put together. Reach out to us today and find out what Pennsylvania franchise opportunities are near you.
