To keep up with the competition and ensure that their business runs as efficiently as possible, small business owners should always look for new technologies they can incorporate into their businesses. New technologies can offer several benefits in the car wash industry, including increased performance and the ability to offer new services.
By staying up-to-date on the latest advancements in the industry, small business owners can keep their businesses running smoothly and profitably. Here are five methods to increase productivity in your self-serve car wash facility:
1. Add Credit Card as a Payment Option
Adding a credit card system to a bay will bring in more revenue than the investment costs in the short term. This is because credit card payments are more convenient for customers and operators. Even though there may be some transaction fees or monthly maintenance charges by banks or processors, the increased revenue is worth it.
This upgrade will result in customers spending more time washing their vehicles, as most credit card systems use a count up rather than a count down charging method. The self-serve bay timer will start counting down once the minimum payment is met when a cash payment method is used. There is usually a last-minute alert horn that goes off when time is running out.
With a credit card payment, the customer is charged for the time the machine is used rather than a set price. This means the customer can take as long as they need to wash their car without worrying about rushing to finish.
2. Guarantee Great Customer Experience
There are a few ways to increase profitability at a self-service car wash. One way is to keep customers happy and in the bay longer. This can be done by providing a good customer experience and ensuring the car wash bay is comfortable and easy to use.
Another way to increase profitability is to increase the price of the car wash. This will bring in more revenue but may also cause customers to leave if they feel the price is too high. After you have made sure that the customer is comfortable and able to move around in your facility, you can look for more ways to make money from them.
3. Integrate More Car Wash Options
There’s something about giving your car a good shine that just makes it feel brand new. Whether it’s a quick once-over with a cloth or a more thorough cleaning with a tyre shiner, air dryer, and vacuum station, there’s nothing like making your car look its best.
Customers love the new air dryers because they can finally dry their vehicles without paying someone to do it. The dryers are especially popular with motorcycle riders.
4. Offer Gift Cards and Loyalty Programs
Self-service car washes can now offer customers credit card readers as a payment option. This allows customers to use their credit cards, gift cards, or loyalty programs to pay for their car wash. This is a convenient option for customers and helps self-service car washes increase sales.
This means customers can use a loyalty or gift card to pay for their car wash, vacuum their car, or buy snacks from a vending machine. This is convenient for customers and helps the business by allowing them to track customer spending and better understand customer patterns.
Conclusion
Self-service car washes are becoming increasingly popular in Canada. This is due to the many benefits that they offer customers, such as convenience, lower prices, and a wide range of services. Incorporating measures that benefit both customers and operators, like credit card payments, can make self-serve car washes all the more productive.
CCW Solutions is an industry leader in car wash solutions in Calgary, AB. We build and design car washes with quality and precision that honours architectural vision, exceptional execution, and outstanding client service. We use our expertise in construction, design, and engineering to create the car wash business of your dreams. If you’re looking to purchase commercial car wash equipment, CCW Solutions has got you covered! Call us at 403-831-4574 for assistance!
