Your business succeeds when you create reoccurring work, build clientele, and increase your revenue. You have a strategy and the motivation to succeed. But you can’t succeed for the long term without a plan.

Which tactics should you adopt to reach your success? To avoid costly mistakes down the road, follow these six steps to help grow your business.

1. Get licensed or certified so you don’t get penalized
It’s possible to operate a lawn care program without the use of pesticides, but it’s still a good idea to become certified to apply pest control products. Your business, and any applicators working for you, may require a state-issued license.

Holding a license or certification may require paying annual fees. Keep in mind that this will be cheaper than paying fines for the unlawful use of pesticides. Contact your state’s department of agriculture to learn more about laws regarding the sale, storage and application of pesticides.

2. Educate yourself and your team
A lawn care program involves more than applying fertilizer and herbicide. Proper education is necessary to create a successful program. You can find continuous education opportunities offered by Ewing Education Services, state university agencies and industry associations.

Ewing can help you with expanding your knowledge and practical know-how. From integrated pest management to water features to irrigation design, Ewing’s educational workshops share with you the information you need to grow your knowledge and your business.

Research and extension agencies at state universities are another excellent resource. Many offer publications that highlight proven practices and procedures for properly growing and maintaining landscapes.

Another learning opportunity is local industry associations and trade organizations. These organizations often conduct conferences or on-site tours for the benefit of their members. Find out who is active in your community, and join up today.

3. Create your new program
Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to create a program.

Factors that may affect your program include equipment, labor force, climate, soil, and the variety of grass you’re treating. Understanding what you’re working with will help you make the most effective program. You can find help with your Ewing agronomics specialist, and the soil sample service offered by Ewing.

Create your own unique program, rather than copying the programs used at other lawn care companies. Those programs may not be based upon thorough research, and may be designed with a “that’s the way we’ve always done it” attitude, which may not result in the best program for the unique needs of your site.

4. Be efficient selling to customers
Locating new clients in your market can be challenging. When it comes to offering a new service from your business, take the efficient route and approach your existing customers first. They are already familiar with your business and your services, and so will be more likely to accept something new.

One effective practice for creating a profitable lawn care program is nesting, or grouping customers in a close proximity. This will reduce your travel time and make each stop more profitable.

5. Be efficient with your site visits
One time-saving step to surveying properties is to use images taken by satellite or aircraft. Websites like Google Earth, Bing, and even some city websites freely offer the capability to measure properties based off their images.

However, measuring a site online will not provide you with the same level of detail or familiarity as assessing a property in person would. Walking and viewing a site yourself will help you to create a more accurate quote, too.

6. Be smart when purchasing product
When you know the total square footage of a property to be treated, you can accurately determine how much product you will need, thus avoiding waste or lost time and labor caused by additional buying trips.

Be cautious of purchasing products just because they are the cheapest items on the shelf. These products may not work as effectively as your site conditions require, and a product not working the first time can lead to callbacks and decreased profits. Discuss your site conditions with your local Ewing store to find the right product mix for you.

A strong business has a strong plan
Adding new services to your business offering creates strong potential for new profits—if you map out what you will do by following these six steps.

A well-thought out business plan is the difference between a strong service and a struggling one. Also, remember that your programs should be continuously evaluated and improved as necessary.

Make Ewing your partner in business success. Check out the workshops offered by Ewing Education Services to expand your learning opportunities. Visit your local Ewing store to learn about new products and services than can help you enhance your business offering, and ask about branch events like product installation demos and lunch-and-learns.