5 ways to get more lawn care customers

Growing your lawn care business requires consistent marketing and excellent service. Here are five proven strategies to fill your schedule.

1. Dominate your neighborhood

The most efficient growth is clustered in areas you already serve.

Door-to-door marketing:

• After finishing a job, leave door hangers on neighboring houses

• Offer "neighbor discounts" (10-15% off first month)

• Ask satisfied customers for neighbor referrals

Why this works:

• Minimal additional travel time

• Social proof from visible work

• Word-of-mouth spreads in neighborhoods

Pro tip: Target homes with poorly maintained lawns near your current customers.

2. Build a referral program

Happy customers are your best salespeople.

How to structure it:

• Offer $25-50 credit for successful referrals

• Give the new customer a first-service discount

• Make referring easy (text a link, share a code)

When to ask:

• After a compliment on your work

• During a check-in call or text

• In your thank-you emails

Track referrals:

• Note the referral source for every new customer

• Recognize top referrers with extra rewards

• Calculate your cost per acquisition from referrals

3. Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile

Most customers search "lawn care near me." Be there.

Optimization checklist:

• Claim your profile at business.google.com

• Add complete business information

• Upload photos of your work (before/after)

• List all services offered

• Respond to every review

Getting more reviews:

• Ask satisfied customers directly

• Send a follow-up text with review link

• Make it easy (one-click link to review page)

Review response tips:

• Thank positive reviewers by name

• Address negative reviews professionally

• Show you care about customer satisfaction

4. Use seasonal marketing

Lawn care is seasonal. Market accordingly.

Spring marketing:

• "Spring cleanup" promotions

• New customer sign-up discounts

• Emphasize getting ahead of growth

Summer maintenance:

• Highlight consistent, reliable service

• Drought care and heat protection

• Vacation coverage for absent homeowners

Fall marketing:

• Leaf removal packages

• Winter prep services

• End-of-season discounts to lock in next year

5. Yard signs and vehicle branding

Passive marketing that works while you work.

Yard signs:

• Place signs at customer properties (with permission)

• Include business name, phone, and website

• Leave signs up for 24-48 hours after service

Vehicle branding:

• Professional truck/trailer lettering

• Include phone number and website

• Keep vehicles clean and professional

Uniform and appearance:

• Branded shirts for you and crew

• Professional appearance builds trust

• Clean equipment signals quality

Growth metrics to track

• New customers per month

• Customer acquisition cost (CAC)

• Referral conversion rate

• Reviews and ratings

• Revenue per customer

Key takeaways

• Cluster growth in existing service areas

• Referral programs leverage satisfied customers

• Google presence captures local searches

• Seasonal marketing matches customer needs

• Passive marketing works while you work