A fresh start in 2021
With COVID time appearing stagnant and repetitive, 2021 has rolled in amidst a glimpse of a brighter future — and with it, a call for a fresh start.
The laundry industry is no different. Mike Schoeb, CEO of Alliance Laundry Systems, the world leader in commercial laundry equipment, says, “We are catering to a dynamic profile, while at the same time striving to change the perception of the industry. There is a vast number of good, clean, bright, and friendly laundromats, but also a greater number of dark, dated, and dingey ones. We are trying to offer not only a product but an experience – that is better on all fronts.”
Here are five things you should offer to enhance the laundromat experience and keep customers coming back.
1. ALTERNATIVE/COINLESS PAYMENT METHODS
As you likely already know, fewer people are carrying cash these days — especially younger generations like Millennials and Gen Z. About 30 percent of Americans said they don’t make any cash purchases in a typical week, and those who do carry cash generally carry less than $20. In lieu of cash, people are opting for the convenience of debit cards, credit cards, and app-based payment methods. With that in mind, there’s no better time than now to jump on the cashless trend at your laundromat. Laundry customers love the convenience of credit and mobile payment options, which saves them the hassle of an extra stop at the bank and/or carry additional cash around. Not to mention, it saves laundromat owners time by minimizing coin collection and reduces safety risks since there’s less cash on-site. As an added bonus for laundry investors, it’s also been noted that customers tend to spend more when they’re not using cash.
2. TOUCHLESS CONTROL
More than 80 percent of Americans own a smartphone, on which they spend more than three hours per day. Smartphones and mobile apps have become so prevalent in our daily lives, it only makes sense that they’re integrated into the laundry experience as well. The mobile payment options noted above are just one of the many benefits of having a laundry app. The app that integrates with Speed Queen Insights allows your laundromat customers to easily load their online wallet, monitor wash and dry cycles, request reimbursement, and more. This helps improve efficiency throughout your laundromat, reduce wait times, and increase customer satisfaction. The app also allows laundromat managers to easily engage with their customers, offer rewards and incentives, and track machine performance.
3. FREE WI-FI
We already noted above how hyper-connected laundromat patrons are today, and that doesn’t stop when they visit your laundry business. Having a strong internet connection is a must! Offering free wi-fi at your laundromat provides an additional marketing/advertising plug to get customers in the door and encourages them to multi-task and stay longer, which means they’ll likely spend more money. Plus, they’ll be able to better utilize the technology you’re offering, such as your mobile app. Overall, it’s an easy way to increase customer satisfaction among those who are tech-savvy.
4. A STRONG ONLINE PRESENCE
Did you know 40 percent of small businesses don’t have a website? If your laundromat falls into that category, it’s almost as if you don’t exist. Google receives more than 63,000 searches per second, including people looking for information about local businesses like yours. According to Google’s key phrase tool, there are 1,000,000 monthly average searches for “laundromat” and “laundromats near me.” If potential customers can’t find your laundromat online, they’ll likely turn to a nearby competitor that is listed. In addition to attracting new customers, a strong website and social media presence can help you retain and interact with existing customers through messaging, comments and reviews, newsletter and email sign-ups, and ongoing content that keeps customers engaged. If you don’t already have a website or social media presence, 2021 is the perfect time to get started. If you are already active online, look at ways to improve the online experience and better connect with customers online, such as refreshing the content on your website, implementing a new online advertising campaign, or just dedicating more time to moderation and customer engagement in general.
5. LEVEL UP
It’s no secret that people are drawn to the best and newest products on the market. With updated machines constructed around a convenient and effortless philosophy, your customers will be sure to come back. Consider modernizing your retooling your laundry for greater success.
