The top ways to get commercial mowing contracts are:
- Network to promote your services
- Bid on tenders
- Utilize direct mail
- Invest in local SEO
To secure mowing contracts, network with facility managers, government agencies, and property managers. Attend industry events, trade shows, and chamber of commerce meetings to gain knowledge on market trends. Learn about RFPs (Request for Proposals) and upcoming contract bids.
Bid on tenders to secure long-term contracts for your commercial mowing business. Make your services stand out from competitors based on service quality, experience, and pricing. Go for government tenders when prioritizing contract stability and reliable payment terms.
According to Postalytics, direct mail gives an open rate of 80-90%, which is higher than emails having 20-30%. Create a mailing list to target industry types, geographic areas, and property sizes. This makes sure your message reaches the right audience. When marketing your business, make a list of streets in your neighborhood. Send people a postcard containing free quotes or discounts for trying your services.
Invest in local SEO starting with optimizing your Google My Business Profile (GMB). Include your business name, address, and phone number. Select keywords such as “commercial landscaping”, “lawn maintenance agreement”, or “commercial mowing contract”. Study your competitors and continue finding keywords to rank for. Use relevant keywords on blogs to establish credibility and boost local search rankings. According to BrandWell, engaging in local SEO practices attracts more qualified leads from your target geographic area.
In this article, we discuss the top ways to get commercial mowing contracts. We mention market trends such as eco-friendly practices, industry standards, and integrated service offerings.
1. Network to promote your commercial mowing services
Network with resort managers, retail store owners, and facility directors to get mowing contracts. Meeting professionals with years of experience builds trust for potential clients. Learn upcoming projects and market trends to know what areas to improve in your business.
Showcase your expertise on trade shows and industry events. This increases your chances of getting referrals. Mention services like lawn mowing, land clearing, and mulching, and seasonal clean-ups. According to TruGreen, your business revenue can increase up to 24% when you offer seasonal clean-ups during traditionally slower months.
Keystone Lawn & Tree Care LLC suggests joining service clubs, chamber of commerce, and Toastmasters. Work with a local sign company to set up business licensing or proper insurance. When looking for tools, form relationships with equipment supplies and local hardware stores. Meet lawyers, insurance agents, and accountants to gain tips about saving money.
Lawn Care Business Success stresses the importance of building a good reputation for getting contracts and referrals. Offering poor service damages your reputation, regardless of having an extensive network. Introduce yourself to people in various situations like kids’ sports events. Know what they do to build a list of contacts. Start a conversation when delivering your business flyers. Comment on their properties before mentioning the reasons they need your mowing services.
2. Bid on tenders to prove track record in commercial mowing
Bid on commercial mowing contracts by identifying opportunities using commercial tender aggregators, government procurement websites, and industry-specific tender platforms. According to the American Public Works Association, 36% of lawn care companies are likely to secure municipal contracts when regularly monitoring government procurement websites. Learn about upcoming contracts on local business networks and industry associations. Receive notifications about relevant tenders by subscribing to tender alert services.
In checking tender requirements, understand technical specifications, scope of work, evaluation criteria, timelines, and service standards. Provide a clear overview of your company when trying to negotiate with clients. Highlight your expertise in client testimonials, case studies, and certifications.
When creating a competitive pricing strategy, use your previous jobs as a benchmark. Track all your work experiences for the past years and determine how much rate increase you need. Calculate all operational costs for future commercial mowing projects. This includes labor, equipment maintenance, administrative overhead, and fuel. Don’t let customers belittle your pricing, especially if you offer high-quality services.
Stanley Genadek says to use Google when finding local property companies. Send them an email introducing your business and get their RFP (Request for Proposal) lists. Also, send a separate letter for each townhome association addressing common issues they face. Your pricing and proposals must reflect in-depth research to receive long-term commercial contracts.
3. Utilize direct mail to attract commercial mowing customers
Start direct mail for commercial mowing contracts by compiling a list of potential clients. These include business owners, facility managers, and commercial property owners. Find them using local government listings and online directories. Then proceed to crafting a brochure introducing your company. Add contact information such as your website, email, social media, QR code, and phone number. According to a LawnStarter survey, commercial properties have 7% higher rental rates when having well-maintained landscaping than properties with basic maintenance.
Use a tangible and personalized approach when reaching the right audience. Send mail to hotels or resorts and retail plazas. Make sure your message is impactful and gets someone to continue reading before putting it away. Provide proof of your services and testimonials to stand out from competitors. Include before-and-after photos of turf enhancements, basic lawn mowing and edging, and flower bed maintenance. Address concerns about zero-turn mowers and commercial mowers.
4. Invest in local SEO for your mowing website
Invest in local SEO through optimizing your website for local search terms. This helps you rank higher in Google’s search results. According to SEMRush, lawn care businesses receive 42% of all clicks on the search results page when they appear in the local map pack. Below are relevant keywords to use:
- Lawn maintenance agreement
- Bid specification
- Contract renewal
- Commercial lawn mowing
- Shrub trimming
- Scheduled mowing
Attract visitors who are actively looking for commercial mowing services in your area. Producing good website traffic can generate leads and long-term contracts. Use Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs when monitoring search volume for keywords to rank.
Research SEO advice using reputable sources. MOZ is great for receiving free answers about ranking your website better with SEO. Optimize your website by giving detailed descriptions of your services. These include fertilization services, weed control, sod installation, and leaf removal. In publishing high-quality content, prioritize the needs and preferences of your potential clients. What they search for is more important than what you think they should search for.
Good SEO practices in site content will rank your business higher on search engines. Create blog posts for the following:
- Rising technologies in commercial mowing
- Seasonal mowing strategies for commercial properties
- Maintenance advice for mowing equipment
What ways do market trends contribute to securing commercial mowing contracts?
- Eco-friendly practices – Municipal clients and property managers prefer sustainable practices such as water conservation methods and low-emission equipment. Adapting green practices attracts environmentally conscious patients.
- Economic pressures – Market trends with budget constraints encourage companies to show cost-effectiveness. Showcase competitive pricing and high-quality service delivery to property managers.
- Customer-centric approaches – Focus on regular follow-ups, personalized service, and transparency in reports. Manage relationships with clients and hear their feedback for improvement.
- Integrated service offerings – Provide landscaping, snow removal, and seasonal maintenance. Clients prefer to work with businesses that have a wide range of services.
- Industry standards – Safety protocols, labor practices, and environmental standards influence bidding strategies.
What are ways to improve your commercial mowing website for Google Ranking?
- On-page SEO – Provide high-quality keywords to boost your website for Google Ranking. Incorporate keywords in meta descriptions, page titles, and header tags.
- Link building – Build backlinks through contributing content to local publications and industry sites.
- Technical SEO – Make sure your website is mobile-friendly and has good site speed. To reduce loading times, optimize images and use caching.
- Regular monitoring – Use Google Search Console and Google Analytics to track keyword performance. Adjust your marketing strategy based on user feedback and performance data.
