I had someone reach out to me and ask me what I’d do if I was just opening my detailing business, so I made a list. I honestly don’t even think they read it, so here it is for you (the reader).

Everything will be in the order of importance in my opinion.

Car Detailing SEO:

Search engine optimization is making sure that your business pops up for customers searching for different keywords on the internet. An example is a car detailing near me, but there are probably hundreds more.

Create a Google my business profile, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Next-door, Twitter, and Yelp, and choose the business profile setting for all these.

On Google My Business, create the free GMB site, and fill out as much information as possible under products and services.

When selecting your business name, use keywords. An example of this would be instead of “J’s Detailing”, use “J’s Car Detailing.”

Look into getting a Wix or WordPress website and watch youtube videos on SEO for it. Reference R3detailing.com for a nicely optimized site.

Write a weekly blog and social media posts about related topics.

SEO is organic and free but takes a lot more work. Seeing results can take 3-9 months of consistent hard effort if you’re doing things right, but is ultimately the long-term game.

Google PPC Ads

Once you have enough capital or if you already do, set up google ads using Jordan Le’s youtube tutorial on Google ads, and watch other youtube videos as well.

Longer youtube videos are better.

This is the most immediate way to get leads and customers as you’re paying google, while SEO is more of a long-term game.

Create a high-converting landing page, there are youtube videos on this as well.

Networking With Local Business Owners Or The Chamber Of Commerce

There are groups with members who set a goal to refer each other customers, making this technique free money (aside from the membership fee you’ll likely pay upfront). 

This can lead to many great things aside from customers though, some of which include business knowledge from people who have more experience than you, great relationships, and opening up more doors overall.

Social Media

Do you want instant results without paying for google ads? While the hardest of all digital marketing techniques, go on Instagram and slowly start building up your presence and connect with locals.

Search your nearby cities and click on the location to go to its feed and also find a chamber of commerce and large accounts that are local-based.

Start following 100 people a day and slowly build up to 200+, spread it out over a few hours to prevent being banned.

You’ll follow people that follow the chamber of commerce and from posts in the feeds. 

Example: chamber of commerce Gwinnett county (where we’re based) had about 5k followers which fed this technique for about a month.

DM people that stick out to you and seem like your ideal client or who have similar businesses and build relationships with them.

Like and engage with popular local posts

Stay consistent with this and you’ll have thousands of locals following you and you can DM them and connect, ultimately finding customers.

On-site appearance

Buy a folding sign that has your business name, starting price for detailing, and phone #/website to set up at job sites.

Buy a collared polo shirt and khaki pants, preferably with your logo eventually for the professional look

Keep your car clean and eventually look at slapping your logo on there, make sure that looks sleek, you don’t need to spend too much

Detailing techniques

This is the least important because you can be the best detailer in the world with no clients.

Youtube is great for learning. Particularly Renny Doyle, detail groove, and auto fetish.

Learn basic interior and exterior detailing services:

• Engine bay detailing
• Headlight restoration
• Waxing and sealants

Paint corrections and ceramic coatings are great and high paying, but least common, also taking the most skill and experience – wouldn’t recommend until at least a full year of detailing cars.

There you have it – what I’d do to market my new detailing business and generate customers.