If you’re into cars and looking to start a business, starting an auto detailing business could be a great idea. Luckily, it’s not too difficult to start off — even if you’re fairly new to automotive detailing. You don’t even need many specialized tools for it (that you don’t already have) to get started.
Let’s get into it!
Create a simple online presence
This shouldn’t be your very first step, but you’ll want to start on it sooner than later.
Start by picking a name for your auto detailing business, and get a domain and cheap hosting (we like Siteground) for it.
Then, depending on your budget and time constraints, you can either build your own website using premium WordPress themes or get an affordable freelancer to do it. If you hire someone else to do it, show them a website you want yours to look like for reference. This doesn’t have to be particularly expensive or even good – just good enough to get started.
The next step is to verify your business profile on Google by getting a postcard sent to your home.
With that out of the way, you can start building an online presence for your business by putting up regular posts, uploading photos, and keeping an eye on your google reviews from past customers. You should be replying to every review, especially the negative ones.
Eventually you’ll want to set up a branded email address along the lines of [Your first name]@[your domain name].com, too.
Learn the Trade
Whenever you’re free, consume as much auto detailing content as you can on the internet. It could be articles, tutorials, before-after videos — anything related to car detailing & the car detailing business. Start practicing on your own vehicle & those of your friends, and when you feel 60% ready, start taking paid customers.
Another great way to learn car detailing is to observe professionals doing it in person closely. For this, simply visit your biggest competitor and purchase their best-detailing service for your car to watch them do it.
You might have already seen your car get detailed before, but only as a customer. Observing each move of an expert (including what tools they use and how) just to pick up on their process is entirely different. You’d be surprised how much you learn just by watching experienced pros do their thing.
Another great way to learn car detailing is to observe professionals doing it in person closely. For this, simply visit your biggest competitor and purchase their best-detailing service for your car to watch them do it.
You might have already seen your car get detailed before, but only as a customer. Observing each move of an expert (including what tools they use and how) just to pick up on their process is entirely different. You’d be surprised how much you learn just by watching experienced pros do their thing.
If you need cash now but are serious about building and scaling your auto detailing business, it’s could be worth getting a part-time job at a popular car wash to get valuable hands-on experience and learn every step. Getting paid to train is often a great choice.
Get the Necessary Equipment
The critical tools & supplies for your business will depend on what level of service you offer, but you’d probably be surprised at the quality of service you can offer with just $100 of supplies plus a vacuum (easy to find on Facebook Marketplace for ~free) & some microfiber rags & towels.
You’ll have to figure out what your customers expect and what they don’t. Start by offering services including washing, vinyl/leather conditioning, shampooing, waxing, and polishing and see what else gets asked for beyond that.
Build Your Clientele
Even a student has a lot to teach! So, share what you learn by uploading helpful pieces of content on the website and social media handles of your business.
Detail cars for your family and friends and get them to write heartfelt reviews about the results on your social media and website. Also, remember to always take and upload before and after pictures and videos of every vehicle you detail (as long as it goes well) to keep building your brand’s image.
Cheap Local Marketing
Once you’re a fully-functioning auto detailing business with a a little bit of experience, professional tools, and a decent variety of offered packages — it’s time to start marketing actively!
Check if it’s legal to place advertisement flyers under windshield wipers where you live. If so, it’s time to start burning some calories. Get a few hundred copies of a well-designed marketing flyer print — maybe even a thousand — and go to town with them (quite literally).
Generally, you wanna avoid wasting a flyer on old cars with dents in the fenders and a missing side mirror (since the owners won’t care about them enough to get them detailed).
Instead, look for more expensive cars, especially the ones that could easily look better with just a bit more shine & care.
Pro tip: Parking lots & structures are the best place to cover hundreds of cars without having to move around too much! Just make sure you’re not trespassing!
Customer Relationships
Get your business cards printed and think of specific demographics who need exactly what you’re offering. For instance, your target audience mainly consists of people who drive a lot and need to keep their cars clean and shiny to leave a positive impression.
One example that fits the description is real estate agents. With that lead in mind, all you need to do is walk into a local realtor’s office with confidence, exchange business cards, and let them know about your business. You can even sweeten your first impression with a complimentary gift like an air freshener for their car.
Keep nudging them at the email address on their card for deals, detailing packages, free trials, etc.
You can also approach local businesses that might hire you to detail all of their employees’ vehicles as a bonus for a busy week or during the holiday season. Landing a gig like that means 10 to 15 cars in one location, which is the best-case scenario for a detailing business.
Get creative with your lead acquisition, and continue to provide top-notch services. Be sure to remind all your early customers to share feedback, photos, and their thoughts on your services. Eventually, your social media profiles, website, and portfolio will all be filled with impressive client testimonials and positive reviews.
From there, customers come in on their own — which means your business is already well-established.
Boring Stuff
Once the cash flow is that of a real business, it’s high time to invest in a bookkeeper straight. You can hire one for as little as $300 a month. (Consider Bench.co for this) Also, it’s essential to get your detailing business registered and insured.