If you are looking for a good business idea that you could set up with reasonably little time and effort, a janitorial supply business could be a great option. Janitorial supplies will always be in demand, no matter what happens to the economy. People will need to clean their homes and offices whether they like it or not.
So how could you go about setting up your own janitorial supply business? Here are a few things to consider.
Online or Physical Store
One of the first things that you need to consider is whether you want to launch an online operation or a physical store. Online store obviously costs less to set up compared to physical one as a result of reduced real estate cost. You also get the benefit of reduced employee cost since you do not have need to hire sales clerks.
Setting up online store also provides you opportunity to sell it to larger customer base. You are not limited to selling to local customers only.
On the other hand, online store will require you to answer emails and calls when people contact you for information. A good customer service department is therefore essential.
Analyze the Competition
Competitive analysis will depend on what type of store you are looking to establish – online or physical.
In case of online store you will need to carry out web search to see who comes up on the top page when searching for items you are looking to sell. Organic search traffic is important along with web marketing and mobile presence.
Analyzing competition in the case of physical store is relatively easy since your search is limited within certain geographic area. However, you are still competing with those selling online even if you are looking to establish online store.
Set Up Your Business
Once you have determined that you can compete effectively with established competitors you need to spend time getting licenses and permissions from local, state and federal agencies. Do not underestimate the amount of time required to do so. It is better to start early and allocate sufficient time to be able to open your store by the deadline. You also need to look into hiring accountants, lawyer and other support staff if you have no prior experience in these areas.
Start Marketing
Getting your name out in front of prospective customers is essential for the success of new business. Consider spending money on online and offline marketing to create awareness of your business. Online marketing techniques such as website setup, search engine optimization, social media prove useful in creating awareness. In the case of physical store it is also essential that you deploy offline marketing techniques such as billboards, flyers and coupons.
It may take a while for your business to pick up, but once you begin to get a reputation for providing an excellent service, you’ll start getting some repeat customers as long as you continue to provide value to them.
These are a few of the most important considerations when you start a janitorial supply business. As you can see, there are number of things you need to take into account, so it is worth starting early to allow yourself plenty of time to plan your business venture and improve your chances of success.
Michael Ferguson is the owner of a janitorial business in a busy city. An avid blogger, he likes to relax in his free time by posting on various websites. He recommends online store CleanItSupply if you are looking for decent equipment at a reasonable price for cleaning up your office/home.
