There are QuickBooks and Jobber affiliate links in this blog post where I may earn a small commission. You reap the savings with zero obligations to The Landscape Writer. Read more about the affiliate disclaimer on my website.
Do you want to spend countless hours managing your business finances? Running a business can be challenging, but managing finances manually can make it even harder.
Fortunately, automation makes a significant difference in the success of your business. Leveraging tools such as Jobber and QuickBooks can streamline your financial management processes, reduce manual labor, and boost your bottom line.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the financial benefits of automating your business with QuickBooks Online integration with Jobber and how it can lead to increased efficiency, improved cash flow, better cost management, and compliance.
So, let’s dive in and see how Jobber and QuickBooks integration takes your business to the next level!
Landscaping Business Automation Gives You More Free Time
If you’re tired of doing bookkeeping tasks every Saturday or Sunday, it’s time to automate your landscaping business.
Your lawn care or landscaping business is growing to the point where you’ve hired crew members. Now, you need to do payroll in addition to chasing down invoices.
Investing in lawn care business software, such as Jobber and QuickBooks, takes the stress off yourself or your partner, who may be helping with bookkeeping tasks.
Why?
You’ll find that these simple software tools help you scale your company while getting paid and paying your employees. Your tax accountant will be happy, too, because QuickBooks provides detailed reporting of your payments and expenditures.
Learn more: Jobber Saves You Time and Money
How Automation Reduces Manual Labor and Saves Time
When you automate your landscaping business, you’ll find that the manual tasks of invoicing and payroll are streamlined.
PartnerStack.com states that automation saves you time by performing those tasks faster than a human can, and automation software doesn’t need breaks so it can work longer and more consistently.
PartnerStack also says that automating your back office procedures decreases errors because they’re designed to work within specific parameters without deviating from the program.
How QuickBooks and Jobber Automation Eases the Stress of Running a Seasonal Business
Callum Pollock, Partner Advisor at Jobber, says, “Synchronizing Jobber with QuickBooks Online is a seamless integration since there’s no double entry.”
“With the simple press of a button, Jobber will sync new clients, products, and services, as well as invoices over to QuickBooks Online, so you do not need to enter each item,” Pollock states.
According to QuickBooks, you can save over 51 hours per month on average by using their software, and 90% of customers save time by connecting a bank or credit card to the software.
Specifically, QuickBooks Online provides one place to get real-time insights into how your business is doing. Use QuickBooks to track money, send invoices, manage bills, run reports, and more.
Read more: Best Apps for Lawn Care and Landscaping Business Owners
Improved Cash Flow Keeps Everyone Paid and Happy
BizManualz.com says that accounts payable (AP) are a significant cash flow component because you need to pay your vendors and subcontractors. But you also need robust accounts receivable to have that cash flow available.
When you automate your cash flow, you can do the following, according to BizManualz.com:
- Improve invoice management
- Employ fewer manual processes so payment is faster
- Process payments on time
- Pay employees on a regular schedule.
How Landscaping Business Automation Improves Cash Flow Management
Automation improves your company’s cash flow by using software to complete bookkeeping tasks. Invoices and payment reminders are sent to ensure you get paid on time.
Customers can upload their credit card details or use direct deposit to pay their invoices. You get paid faster with more cash to pay your vendors and employees on time.
The Benefits of QuickBooks Online Invoicing and Payment Processing Features
QuickBooks helps you manage money for your small or medium-sized businesses, providing one place to get real-time insights on how your business is doing. Use QuickBooks to track money, send invoices, manage bills, run reports, and more.
How Jobber Automates the Process of Following Up on Unpaid Invoices
Jobber says the software sends automatic reminders to customers, asking them to pay the outstanding balance. This is done through text messages or email. For example, you can set up Jobber to send two follow-up messages after sending the original invoice.
Better Cost Management for Your Landscaping Business
When you invest in Jobber and QuickBooks Online, Jobber syncs with QuickBooks, which allows you to access track time and invoice your customers on the go. Here are some other ways that QuickBooks Online and Jobber work for you:
Jobber and QuickBooks Help Businesses Manage Costs
Gone are the days of double entry. Jobber and QuickBooks Online update your data so there are no double entries or payments.
Jobber and Quickbooks Keeps Companies’ Data Synchronized
When Jobber and Quickbooks sync, you’ll find that your data is accurate and up-to-date.
Callum from Jobber says, “Accountants love when their Jobber clients utilize QuickBooks Online sync [because] they don’t need to worry about the accuracy of the data being collected; it’s directly from Jobber!”
Get Sweet Deals on Jobber and QuickBooks When You Sign Up Through My Affiliate Links
Automation with Jobber and QuickBooks integration brings significant financial benefits. Streamlining processes improves cash flow, cost management, and accuracy. Seamless data synchronization reduces errors and eliminates manual entry.
Embrace automation to save time, resources and position your business for success. Use Jobber and QuickBooks’ discounts when you click on their affiliate links. You can read my affiliate disclaimer here.
Sources:
BizManualz.com, How Can Automation Improve Business Cash Flow?
GetJobber.com, Easy Service Scheduling Software Built for the Field.
Help.GetJobber.com, Invoice Follow-Ups.
PartnerStack.com, Here’s How Automation Saves You Time and Money.
Please note: This blog is for content marketing agencies that serve lawn care, landscaping, and garden businesses and landscape, lawn care, and garden design companies. Right now, I’m not taking any guest posts. Only serious inquiries about my content marketing services will be considered.
Choosing the perfect name is a crucial first step when branding your landscaping company. A unique business name that is memorable and relevant to the green industry helps your company stand out in a crowded market and makes a lasting impression on potential clients.
However, coming up with the perfect name can be a challenge. This blog will explore five tips to help you find the best name for your landscaping company.
In this blog post, we cover the following five tips for finding the perfect name for your landscaping company:
- Consider your niche
- Use descriptive words
- Keep it simple and memorable
- Understand the legal considerations of choosing a business name
- Get feedback from others.
Tip 1: Consider Your Landscaping Company’s Niche
A niche is a specialty that gives you an edge in the marketplace and allows you to provide deep expertise in green industry service.
Why is your niche important?
What do you specialize in as a landscaper? Landscape companies develop niches to stand out among the crowd and to upsell their products. As The Landscape Writer, I stand out from my competitors because I specialize in writing for landscaping, lawn care, and garden design companies.
READ MORE: 7 Big Mistakes to Avoid When Growing a Landscaping Company
Granted, don’t just pick the first landscaping specialty that comes to mind, but pick one you want to know about and are interested in. You’ll then be motivated to learn about a new landscaping service and inform your customers of the benefits of this new service.
According to a guest post on TotalLandscapeCare.com, landscaping specialists make money based on their expertise in specific skills, such as irrigation installation and maintenance.
And the article also mentions that specializing in niches, such as lawn care, means you can meet customers’ needs in your local area.
Landscaping industry niches
There are many landscaping industry niches to choose from; see this list:
- Lawn care that includes dethatching, fertilization, aeration, and overseeding
- Organic lawn care that includes the above but uses organic methods, such as Integrated Pest Management and compost
- Lawn sprinkler systems installation and maintenance
- Arborist services such as tree pruning, shaping, fertilizing, and plant health care
- Commercial lawn maintenance, where you provide mowing and other maintenance services to property managers and landlords.
LEARN MORE: Tips for Choosing the Best Professional Landscaping Equipment
How to incorporate your niche into your business name
Now comes the fun part. How will you include your niche in your landscaping company’s name?
Here are some examples that I got when I plugged in the terms “Sample landscaping business names with lawn care OR organic lawn care, commercial landscaping, in-ground sprinkler system installation, and maintenance” in ChatGPT:
- Green Roots Lawn Care
- Eco-Friendly Landscaping Co.
- Elite Turf Lawn Services
- Earth-Friendly Landscapes Inc.
- Pro Turf Organic Lawn Care
- Commercial Landscape Solutions
- Irrigation Innovations
- Natural Way Lawn & Landscape
- Sprinkler Systems Plus
- Clean Cut Landscaping Co.
As you can see, I used ChatGPT to help me develop landscaping business names. While you can use any of the above names for your landscaping company, you still need to do your homework to ensure the name isn’t already taken.
UpCounsel.com says you can check to see if your business name is original by verifying the name at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Tip 2: Using Descriptive Works for Finding the Perfect Name for Your Landscaping Company
As you can see from my example above, you’ll see descriptive words used in the name that tell your potential clients what you do. Descriptive words also help you brainstorm your brand.
Why using descriptive words is essential for a landscaping business
Descriptive words tell the world what your brand is and the type of services you provide. For example, the business name “Green Roots Lawn Care” shows that you provide lawn care services, such as core aeration, dethatching, overseeding, and fertilization.
Another example, “Clean Cut Landscaping,” could mean that you provide a full-service lawn and landscaping company. Not only do you put in outdoor kitchens and design landscapes, but you also offer mowing and other lawn services.
Hey Readers: I want to learn more about you. Please fill out this quick, 1-minute survey so I can write better content for you.
Incorporating descriptive words in your business name
As you saw in my examples above, the descriptive words go right into the company’s name, such as “Eco-Friendly Landscaping Co.” and “Irrigation Innovations.” Remember, your business name must include your brand, so be creative—but simple.
Tip 3: Keeping Your Landscaping Business Name Simple
Remember to come up with 5-10 business names for your landscaping company. Use your descriptors to highlight your brand.
From there, you can sketch ideas for your logo, tagline, and USP (your unique selling proposition) and start a website. Use your landscaping business as your website name as well.
But keep your landscaping business name simple. You want it easy for your future customers to remember. Coca-Cola is an excellent example of its branding of Coke. When someone wants a Coke, we know they want the soda from the red bottle or can.
You want that same simple association with your landscaping business name and brand. Making it simple ensures that your customer base and your vendors will remember your company’s name.
Tip 4: Understanding the Legal Considerations When Choosing a Landscaping Business Name
There are also legal considerations to think about when you choose your landscaping company’s name. LegalZoom.com has a great article about choosing a business name.
When it comes to avoiding trouble with the law or another landscaping company, you much consider the following (I’m not a lawyer; if you have further questions, contact a lawyer to help you with naming your business):
- What does your state require when naming your landscaping business?
- Don’t copy any parts of your competitor’s business name because you don’t want to confuse potential customers and be accused of trademark infringement.
- LegalZoom has additional resources on its website concerning trademarks and company names.
Tip 5: Get Feedback from Other People
If you’re self-conscious about your ideas for a landscaping business name, share them with people you can trust. Test it out with family and friends.
If you already have customers, ask their opinions. Go to LinkedIn and your business’s Facebook page to share the names to get your peeps’ feedback.
MarketingMO.com also suggests that you think about what you want your business name for doing and then ask others if they think your name accomplishes that task.
Ask folks to comment on how strong they think the business name looks in writing and how it sounds when said out loud.
While not everyone’s feedback may be helpful, choose the comments that provide you with constructive ideas and consider making any changes that make sense for your green industry company.
Conclusion: Tips for Choosing the Perfect Name for Your Landscaping Company
Choosing the perfect name for your landscaping company is vital to building a successful brand identity. By considering your niche, using descriptive words, keeping it simple, following trademark laws, and seeking feedback from others, you can find the perfect name for your business.
Brainstorming and using tools such as ChatGPT can also help you generate unique and memorable names. Remember to research the name’s availability and check if it’s original before finalizing it.
Your landscaping company’s name is the foundation of your brand. A great name can make a lasting impression on your potential customers and set you apart from competitors in the crowded landscaping industry.
Right now, I’m taking blogging, website content, and landing page customers who have a knowledgeable marketing person on staff. If you don’t have a marketing specialist on staff, please get in touch with me about my content marketing consulting services, fill out the free consultation form, or email me at wendy@landscapewriter.com.
Welcome to another week of The Landscape Writer! And Happy Spring. It’s March 20th, 2023–how are things growing in your region?
Top posts from last week at The Landscape Writer:
14 Best Apps for Lawn Care and Landscaping Businesses
7 Big Mistakes to Avoid When Growing a Landscape Company
Website Content Services
Running Out of Blog Ideas?
Landscape Writer: Providing Content Writing Services for Lawn Care, Landscaping, and Outdoor Living Companies
Do you feel you never have enough time to read and watch other industry leaders share their hard-earned wisdom? I know I struggle to absorb everything that’s out there.
I read through these lawn care and landscaping articles to save you time. I think they’ll help to grow your business
Recent articles
It’s The Earliest Spring In 40 Years In Some U.S. Regions
Turf Magazine’s latest issue has this interesting article. Are trees starting to flower in your neck of the woods?
If so, then this article will help you get started on pest control and other early spring jobs.
How to Recruit and Retain Employees Like a Boss
This article is from Green Industry Pros. Jay Worth, a friend of mine, wrote the piece and he gives you five ideas for retaining Gen Z and Millennial laborers.
Pavers and edgers: Exploring options and techniques
Another article from Green Industry Pros discusses different pavers and edges for hardscapes. Get fresh ideas of using edgers and pavers to create the dream landscape design for your customers.
Hopefully, these three industry articles help you with retaining your laborers, give you insight into 2023’s early spring, and get your creative juices going with paver and edger ideas.
I’m currently looking for one-off projects from digital marketing agencies or web designers. If you need web page content for your landscaping or lawn care customers, email me at wendy@landscapewriter.com or fill out my free consultation form.
Don’t forget about Jobber’s Green Campaign that ends on May 14, 2023. Learn more by clicking this Jobber link. Read my disclaimer here .
Hello Readers:
Happy Holidays! It’s the busiest time of the year, and I want to let you know about my holiday hours and two specials that Jobber is running over the holidays.
The Landscape Writer’s Holiday Hours
I’ll be out of my office from now, Thursday, December 22, 2022, til Tuesday, January 3, 2023. I’ll still be checking emails, but I’m not onboarding new clients or conducting phone meetings.
If you’re considering redoing your landscaping or lawn care website for 2023, please note that I’ll be taking limited appointments for website copy. Please email me about your web copy project at wendy@landscapewriter.com, and I’ll be in touch in the New Year about onboarding you as a client.
BTW: This photo of a flowering spirea with a bumblebee may look out-of-season since we’re talking about the winter holidays. But hey, I miss summertime. Here’s looking to a prosperous 2023 for your lawn care, landscaping, or garden design company.
Jobber’s Holiday Promotions
I’m a Jobber affiliate, which means I get a small commission with every Jobber sign-up. I believe that Jobber is a great company since their software helps growing green industry companies with scheduling, invoicing, bookkeeping, and dispatching.
You can read about my affiliate disclaimer on my website.
Read more: Jobber Saves You Time and Money
Jobber Special 1
For a limited time, today until 11:59 p.m. EST, you can sign up for any Jobber annual plan and receive 25% off your first year of subscription; those who choose a monthly plan will receive 40% off your first 3 months!
This special is now over.
Jobber Special 2
The second special begins Monday, December 26, 2022, through Friday, December 30, 2022, until 11:59 p.m. EST. It’s a great special before the New Year begins! Invest in your lawn care or landscaping company today!
Here’s the breakdown:
Monthly Plans: 40% OFF for the first 3 months.
Annual Plans: 25% OFF (up to $1,947 in savings).
This special is now over.
If you want a deal on software that saves you time and money, you need Jobber in 2023–especially if your green industry company is growing!
Read more: Happy Holidays from The Landscape Writer
That’s a Wrap
Thank you for reading this quick news bulletin. Wishing you and your family the happiest holidays and a prosperous New Year!
Kind regards,
Wendy, The Landscape Writer
In October, Garden Communicators International held its annual conference, and it was like drinking from a firehose! So much great content.
Did you go to Equip Expo if you’re a lawn care owner/operator or a landscaper? Did you come away feeling motivated about growing your business?
News from the Home Office–How NOT to Network
I have a knack for embarrassing myself. It’s more like Murphy’s Lawn, whoops, I mean Murphy’s Law–if something can go wrong, it will. While I don’t usually share such personal information with the public, my networking story needs background for what I will share next.
As you know, networking is vital for any business. I remember the early days of The Landscape Writer and meeting different marketing people at Panera Bread.
One time, an owner of a marketing boutique wanted to meet me at a Panera Bread in Lancaster so she could be seen (not with me, but hunting for potential customers).
Learn more: 4 Things to Know About a CTA (Call to Action)
I’m a high-level introvert–hence I’m a writer. So being seen, especially at the “early” hour of 7 a.m. at a Panera Bread nearly an hour away, doesn’t do me much good. I decided to pass.
Anyway, back to embarrassing myself. I was at my hair salon a few months ago, getting my face done–explaining the service in general terms here; you don’t need to know the dirty details–and in walked someone well-known (I think) in the landscape marketing world.
I wrote some content for him years ago. While he lives near me, we never met face-to-face–only on LinkedIn.
Of course, I never met a “stranger,”… and I didn’t want to be seen in my cleaning clothes, sopping wet hair, and freshly waxed face. But I felt compelled to say hello and introduce myself, which I did.
The woman who does my hair is a friend, and she was wondering why I said anything at all. I don’t know … but I got very nervous (well, wouldn’t you?). And this kind gentleman was asking me where I lived (I couldn’t remember) and other friendly general questions.
Read more: Jobber Saves You Time and Money
I know I brought all this attention to myself, and most normal people would’ve stayed silent. But who made the better impression?
The lady who wants to meet at Panera Bread so she can be seen at the ungodly hour of 7 a.m., or the goofy content writer who’s in all her middle-age glory while meeting a LinkedIn connection?
I’m not recommending using your local hair salon as a meet-up place, but this story was too juicy not to share!
Top 3 Popular Posts at The Landscape Writer
The Landscape Writer is almost 10 years old. The tenth year in business happens in January 2023. And The Landscape Writer blog has brought many people to partner with my content writing services. Here are the top three blog posts of December 2022:
- 14 Best Apps for Lawn Care and Landscaping Businesses
- Wishing You and Yours the Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest New Years
- 7 Big Mistakes to Avoid When Growing a Landscape Business.
That’s a Wrap for 2022
Wishing you and yours Happy Holidays and a Prosperous New Year. One of my New Year’s resolutions will be to batch more content during my slow times so you get regular content.
What’s your New Year’s resolution? How about increasing your networking activities since word of mouth is the best advertiser? Just don’t do it by the hair salon’s sink.
If you need a content writer for your lawn care, landscaping, garden design, or agritourist business, contact me today at wendy@landscapewriter.com.
by Gabe Nelson, GreenPal
Updated April 3, 2023 by Wendy Komancheck
There are QuickBooks and Jobber affiliate links in this blog post where I may earn a small commission. You reap the savings with zero obligations to The Landscape Writer. Read more about the affiliate disclaimer on my website.
Owning your own business is a lot of work. Owning a business that factors in clients and their wants and needs is even more complicated. If you’re a lawn care or landscaping business owner, you’ve probably spent a lot of time working with clients to ensure you’re doing exactly what they want. No one wants to be surprised with landscaping or a lawn they hate.
Lawn care and landscaping businesses have some unique needs other businesses may not. For example, pulling up a contract during a large outdoor project could be useful for your business. Luckily with technology and smartphone apps, plenty of new options exist when it comes to managing your business.
Now is the perfect time to take a minute or two to learn about the best apps for lawn care and landscaping business owners. A few extra minutes could save you a lot of time and frustration while you’re on a job site, and you’ll never regret that.
1. Jobber – Full disclosure: I am an affiliate of Jobber and will receive compensation when you sign up for Jobber through my referral link. When signing up for Jobber through The Landscape Writer, you have no cost or obligation. You can read more about this on the disclaimer link on my website.
Do you want all of your back office tasks on one app? Now, you can with Jobber. This app allows you to schedule and dispatch in real time, get paid faster with automated quote and invoice follow-ups and run daily operations from your truck or office.
You can read more about Jobber in my blog post, If Your Landscaping Business Is Growing, Then You Need Jobber. You can watch this video to see how a business owner uses Jobber.
Join the Jobber community today and take advantage of this amazing offer! If you’re new to Jobber, sign up for one of our monthly or annual plans and get 20% off for 6 months (monthly plans) or 20% off annual plans. This limited-time offer is the perfect opportunity to streamline business operations and increase productivity. Act fast, as this offer cannot be combined with any other offer and is only valid for subscriptions purchased on or before May 14, 2023. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to simplify your work life – sign up for Jobber today!
2. iPunchclock
Being able to bill for your time is an important part of any lawn care or landscaping business. Having the ability to document your time accurately and in a format easily shared with your clients is a huge asset.
Read more: Business Blog Writing Series Part 1: What is a Website Copywriter?
iPunchclock lets you manage multiple time sheets from your phone. You can clock in and out on the app in real time, which takes the guesswork out of figuring out when you arrived and left a site when the day is over. You can even enable the location feature in the app to help it pull up the right time sheet for the right job.
When you’re ready, you can export your time sheets into several different programs, including Google Docs.
3. Invoice2go
This app lets you send an invoice to your customer directly from your phone to their email. It eliminates the need for extra steps to create invoices on a computer. You also have the chance to invoice in real time instead of waiting until you get back to your home or office to send something to your client.
For lawn care and landscaping business owners, where a lot of your time is spent directly on the client’s property, being able to invoice right then and it is especially useful.
4. Gas Buddy
Do you want to know where the cheapest gas is in town? Then, you need the Gas Buddy app.
You can sign up for Gas Buddy and put in your lawn and landscaping company’s credit card to make filling up at the pump easy and efficient. While you may have gas pumps in your yard, your crews may find that they need to fill up if the job has taken them far away.
Simplify your life and get Gas Buddy at the App Store or Google Play.
5. Leafsnap
If you’ve ever met with a client and had to say, “I’m not quite sure,” when they ask you what kind of tree exactly is on their property, you need this app. Leafsnap lets you take a picture of the leaves on the tree in question. It then uses the same type of technology facial recognition programs use to reference thousands of pictures of trees.
The app will let you know what kind of tree you’re dealing with, saving you a lot of time and research more outdated methods would require. You’ll have a fast way to answer clients’ questions and help them plan out complementing plants or develop a good plan on how to care for their tree properly.
6. Harvest Landscape Calculator
How many times have you been asked how much soil or mulch an area you’re working on will need? The Harvest Landscape Calculator puts an end to the guesswork involved in these types of estimations for your clients.
You can enter the depth of the area you’re planting with the slider tool and then tell the app the amount of area you need to cover at that depth. The calculator will give you the exact amount of soil or mulch you need to finish the project. No more rough estimates that could leave you running short of supplies in the middle of a workday.
7. OSHA Heat Safety Tool
Most of your work involves being outside, especially in the summer when the weather is hot. Being smart about how you will handle the heat is important to your personal health and safety.
OSHA Heat Safety Tool tells you the temperature, humidity, and even the “feels like” temperature of the weather in your area. It also includes recommendations on how often to take breaks, drink water, and even gives you a list of heat-related illness symptoms.
Learn More: Search Engine Optimization Tactics That Will Boost Your Landscape Business
No one wants to need a list like that but if you find yourself in a situation where you need that information quickly you won’t have to worry about not knowing where to look.
8. Planimeter
Planimeter lets you enter an address and then provides pictures of the property as well as measurement information. You can view all of the information before you even step foot on the property, so you can arrive prepared and ready to plan out the best landscaping or lawn care tips for your clients.
9. Lawn Buddy
Lawn Buddy is an app that does a little bit of everything, and it’s specifically made for your lawn care business needs. If you need help planning effective routes to get that day’s tasks done, that’s something Lawn Buddy can plan out for you.
You can also handle all kinds of behind-the-scenes things like scheduling your crews, creating estimates, and automated invoicing. The app will send an invoice to your client as soon as you mark a job completed, so that’s an extra step you no longer have to worry about.
Want to have all of your communications with your client stored in one app on your phone? Lawn Buddy can do that too. You won’t have to search through endless lists of texts to find conversations with your clients anymore. Keeping your business and personal communication in separate areas can be especially handy.
10. The Weather Channel
Much like the OSHA app, this is imperative to have when you’re working outside most of your time. You can get up-to-date weather information, push notifications for weather watches and warnings, and even breakdowns of what the weather will be like by the hour.
When you’re planning out what you need to get done for your clients you really can’t make the most effective plan without the best possible information on what weather to expect. The Weather Channel app takes care of any questions you might have about the upcoming weather and what you need to be ready for.
11. DocuSign
When you’re dealing with estimates and contracts, you will need a convenient way for your clients to view and sign documents as you go. DocuSign is an app you can keep right on your phone, so your clients can see what they’re signing and ask questions while you’re still with them.
You’ll be able to have things signed and squared away without ever having to leave the property, only to send your client later a document you’ve created at home or in your office. It’s just one more way to be sure everyone is on the same page before you start a project.
12. YourGreenPal
If you’re looking for an app that allows you to look at what homeowners in your area are offering as potential jobs, GreenPal is a great option. You’ll be able to see what homeowners have submitted to the app as a job they need a lawn care pro for.
Once you’ve seen jobs that pique your interest, you’ll have the chance to bid on the job giving the homeowner a chance to choose you. This app brings customers right to your doorstep (or a smartphone, in this case) and lets you choose what to bid on based on your own interests.
You’ll even be able to do a set amount of bids for free each day once you’re done with the job, GreenPal bills the customer for you, so there aren’t any delays while creating invoices and waiting for payment. It’s a great app to add to your lineup.
13. iScape
A simple app to help you visualize where to put different landscape enhancements on your customer’s property. You can add arbors, trees, and other plants to various areas to see their appearance once installed in a landscape bed or the center of a backyard.
You can download the iScape app at the App Store.
14. QuickBooks
QuickBooks is a great software tool to keep your financials in one place. If you’re a small to mid-size landscaping business, you need QuickBooks to help you with bookkeeping and providing a visual for your cash flow.
Conclusion:
Managing a lawn care or landscaping business is time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be so complicated that you’re overwhelmed with tasks you can handle easily if you use the right apps. Keep these apps in mind and find what works best for you. Once you figure out the best mix of apps for your business, you’ll never want to return to anything you’ve done before.
Updated on November 01, 2022 by Wendy Komancheck
Full disclosure: I am an affiliate of Jobber and will receive compensation when you sign up through my referral link. When signing up for Jobber through The Landscape Writer, you have no cost or obligation to me. You can read more about this on the disclaimer link on my website.
Right now, you’re busy running from job to job. You added a few crews to your landscaping business a few years ago because you were getting more work. However, growth means more paperwork too.
You love what you’re doing except for the paperwork, which takes all day on Sunday. Or maybe you burn the midnight oil after working in the field for 12 to 14 hours daily.
It sounds as if you need some back office help. Jobber, a business solution for field service business owners, including lawn care and landscaping, helps you organize your back office paperwork. Also, Jobber saves you time and money.
Ready to revolutionize your landscaping business? Sign up for Jobber now and get 20% off your monthly plan for the first 6 months OR 20% off your annual plan! As a new user, you’ll enjoy the benefits of streamlined scheduling, invoicing, and more. Don’t wait – this offer can’t be combined with other promotions and is only available for subscriptions purchased before May 14, 2023. Take control of your business today with Jobber – sign up now and start saving!
Is Too Much Paperwork Eating Up Your Downtime?
Do you dread the weekends or evenings?
If you have to spend your downtime reading barely legible timecards, following up on late invoices, or using numerous spreadsheets to keep track of your business, you may dread your weekends.
Read more: Tips for Choosing the Best Professional Landscaping Equipment
Suppose you need to call back Mrs. Smith, who needs a landscaper to freshen up her flower beds and lay down sod. Should you call on a Sunday or wait until Monday morning? But you must be at the job site by 8 a.m.—is 7 a.m. too early to reach a retired customer?
What if you could invest in software that helps track your crews’ timesheets, allows your customers to schedule their next mow or fertilizer treatment on your website, and where customers can also pay their invoices directly to you?
You can by investing in Jobber.
How Jobber Saves You Time and Money
You can get your downtime back when you choose to invest in Jobber. Jobber is an all-in-one solution that helps field service businesses, including lawn care and landscaping companies, manage their operations efficiently.
In other words, Jobber saves you time and money.
What is the Jobber app? It’s a software app that
- Schedules and dispatches in real time
- Get paid faster with an automated quote and invoice follow-ups
- Run daily operations from anywhere with the lawn care app
- Book more jobs through Jobber.
Watch more: Go behind the scenes to see how Jobber works for you
Jobber keeps track of how field services do in general. Here are some stats to help you to consider adding Jobber to your company’s arsenal:
- Businesses grow their revenue by an average of 37% in the first year using Jobber
- When collecting payment online through Jobber, businesses get paid 4x faster
Learn more: 14 Best Apps for Lawn Care and Landscaping Businesses
- Businesses using Jobber get tipped an average of 5%
- Create quotes 70% faster when you offer online booking through Jobber
- Businesses using two-way text messaging on Jobber have 2x more repeat customers.
Still Not Sure If Jobber Is for You?
However, you may want to hear from other lawn care and landscape company owners about their experiences with Jobber. Here are four case studies involving lawn care and landscaping business owners for you to check out:
- Building a Flourishing Pond Business: Lessons from a Lifetime of Entrepreneurship.
- How This Landscaper Built a $1 Million Business with Jobber
- How Sef The Lawn Surgeon Creates Lifelong Customers with Jobber
- How These Entrepreneurs Went from 0 to 60 Lawns a Week with Jobber
- See How This Business Owner Uses Jobber.
You may wonder, “Why is the Landscape Writer busy promoting Jobber?”
I use software and app programs to run my writing business, including Acquity, Grammarly, QuickBooks, Zoom, and Sonix (an AI transcribing program). I need these tools to create a better experience for you on my website and write better blog posts for my customers.
And yes, I pay for all of these services. They’re my overhead and help free up my administrative tasks to spend more time creating content for my customers, like you.
Also, I got involved with Jobber after working with one of my landscaping clients, Tyler Dixon, in the above photo. I remember writing Tyler’s web copy and adding “powered by Jobber” because Tyler uses Jobber and promotes the product on his website.
A few weeks after I finished Tyler’s website copy, Ivy from Jobber contacted me. At first, I thought maybe Tyler referred me, but Ivy said she found me online. Since I just wrote a web copy for a landscaper who uses Jobber and read trade magazine articles that included Jobber stats, I knew about Jobber and trusted the brand.
While trying out a new service may be scary, Jobber gives you a 14-day trial to see if the software and app will work for you as a business owner. For added reassurance, here’s what three software review sites say about Jobber:
- SoftwareAdvice.com gives Jobber 4.54/5 stars from 595 reviewers.
- SoftwarePundit.com gives Jobber an analyst rating of 88. This reviewer said that the two-way text doesn’t work in the app. I asked my contact at Jobber, and she said, “Two-way text messaging is available on the Jobber Grow plan in the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom. Two-way text messaging is not available while in trial.”
While you can’t use the texting feature during the 14-day trial, you can learn more about Jobber’s two-way texting in this article.
3. Fool.com (A Motley Fool service) presents Jobber with an 8.6/10 and the best support tab.
Yes, I get a commission when you sign up for Jobber, but I hope you know that I only promote products that will improve your working life and support your landscaping business. If you want to take a chance with Jobber, sign up for their 14-day trial to see if it works because Jobber saves you time and money.
What do you think? Will you give Jobber a try?
And if you’re looking for content writing services for your lawn and landscape company, fill out my free consultation form or email me at wendy@landscapewriter.com.
by Guest Blogger, Dustin Johnson
Learn tips for choosing the best professional landscaping equipment: Thanks to the advent of technology, the landscaping industry has grown drastically over the past ten years. Statistics indicate that, from 2016 to 2021, the US landscaping market grew approximately 2.5% every year.
The massive growth in this industry came with many business opportunities. Many manufacturers making various landscaping equipment rose. As a result, every piece of equipment has multiple options, making it challenging to choose the best landscaping tool or machinery for your work.
Luckily, after conducting intense research, we came up with various ways to choose the best professional landscaping equipment based on the landscaping job you want to do. You will learn about them in this article.
Before picking landscaping equipment, there are some factors you need to consider while you avoid others. In return, you will end up with the best equipment for your jobs.
If searching for the top professional landscaping equipment for your company, apply the following tips;
1. Consider the Work to Be Performed By the Machine
Landscaping machines carry out various jobs. Some perform more than one task, while others do only a specific job. A piece of perfect professional landscaping equipment is the one that carries out all the work you want to do.
If planning to do a particular landscaping task, consider a piece of equipment made to specialize in that task.
But if carrying out various landscaping jobs, it will be both economical and convenient to opt for a piece of single landscaping equipment that can handle all the multiple jobs.
Making a detailed list of everything you want the machine to do is the first step to attaining the best professional landscaping equipment. The list will keep you focused on the kind of machine you require. If there’s none like that in the market, you will go for the landscaping equipment with similar abilities.
Because the manufacturers release new sparkly, updated landscaping machines every day, keeping yourself updated with the latest landscaping equipment trend will help you pick the right one with ease.
12 Best Apps For Lawn Care And Landscaping Business Owners
2. Research and Consult
After noting down all the things you want the landscaping machine to help you with, you need to move to the next step of researching and consulting. First, you need to consider whether you require the device for a long or short period.
If for a short time, you only need to consider some factors like the efficiency of the landscaping machine. Will it be able to accomplish the job excellently within the specified period?
As long as the machine can handle the job, you don’t need to pick one with many features that are not useful for that job. An equipment piece with fewer features costs less than that with extra features. Such a machine is excellent for temporary landscape jobs. It will save you money.
But a professional landscaping machine for commercial or long-term jobs requires various features for optimal results. Also, it must last for an extended period, meaning you need to keep in mind the kind of material used in their making.
The cost of the equipment depends on the quality of the material it is made of and the number of tasks it can perform. The higher the quality and the more versatile the equipment, the more pricey. But every penny is worth investing in such a device.
You may be confused about making the right decision on what machine to pick. That’s why it’s essential to consult an expert. Search for a trusted dealership near you and ask questions.
Learn more: 12 Easy Steps for Growing Your Landscaping Business
A knowledgeable dealer will advise on the best landscaping machine to pick based on the nature of your work. They may also suggest equipment you never knew existed but are best suited for your landscaping task.
3. Make the Comparison
Once you have a few options to choose from, it’s essential to compare them to pick the most suited for you. Compare various factors such as equipment specifications, cost, technology, and structural integrity. The aim is to get the best professional landscaping machine to get the job done perfectly.
Comparing various top landscaping pieces of equipment enables you to pick the best for your job at an affordable price. You may find the same landscaping machine from different brands with the same features and capability but going at different prices.
Why go for the expensive one when a cheaper option has the same quality? Others may cost more but have fewer features than those costing less. The best option is to go for the more affordable option with more features as long as it’s high quality and efficient.
Comparing and considering such factors removes brand supremacy and favoritism, helping you concentrate on the equipment’s ability. As a result, you will end up with the best machine for your landscaping task.
4. Consider the Landscaping Equipment Size and Type
Before paying for the machine, your previous list of what you want the landscaping machine to perform will guide you on the type and size to pick. Consider if you need to move the equipment from one place to another. In such a case, opt for one with wheels for easy mobility or ensure you have means of transporting it.
If dealing with large jobs, choosing large and heavy-duty machines will work out great. Small landscaping equipment would be ideal for manageable areas and less challenging jobs.
Whatever equipment brand you go for, ensure it has spare parts. For instance, if you buy a long-lasting mini excavator, you may need to change its tracks once in a while. Ensure that you can access the parts easily. It will make it convenient and save you time.
For example, if you need a piece of landscaping equipment to cut grass in an area, a lawnmower will be ideal. But the size to pick depends on the kind of grass to cut and the area size.
You will also need to consider the area’s local climate you want to cut. If it’s a wet and large area, a professional, large lawnmower designed to operate in such situations will work out great.
If dealing with overgrown grass in a rough area, a standard mower may not work out well. You will need a Walk Behind Flail Mower.
Considering the machine type and size will help you choose the right professional landscaping equipment for your job.
Conclusion
As illustrated above, the market floods with various pieces of landscaping equipment. In return, it makes it difficult to choose the best professional option. But if you apply the above tips, picking the suitable professional machine for your landscaping job will be a piece of cake.
About Author
Guest post from HomeLight
Learn How to Market Your Landscaping Services to Improve Curb Appeal for Realtors & Sellers
Every property owner has a different priority for how their yard looks – from people who don’t want a single blade of perfectly-green grass out of place to those who wish to cultivate a comfortable, forest’s-edge feeling with growth and natural symmetry.
That being said, nearly every homeowner wants their yard to look its version of “best” when it comes to a home sale.
Marketing your services for the one-time or ongoing upkeep of a yard before a home sale can be a great source of additional income, especially during hot times of year for selling houses. Here’s how.
Get to Know What Real Estate Agents Prioritize
The first work is to figure out what a real estate agent will look for. If a buyer’s agent notices mostly dead shrubs, you want dead shrub removal to be part of any pre-listing landscaping package.
As a landscaper, you also know the kinds of pruning, fertilization, and plant maintenance that will help the landscaping look good far beyond the home’s sale.
Come up with an essential, intermediate, and extensive list of services you can perform for different types of homes in your area, and start getting some facts together: how long will it typically take your team to do the work, and how quickly can you schedule?
If you want to offer some perk or deal along the way, it could help both of you boost business.
If nothing else, you can garner new business if you commit to being able to help an agent get a property looking great as long as they give you a certain amount of notice before they need to take listing photos.
What’s great about working on a one-off or short-term landscaping job is that many of your clients may be only moving across town.
If you do a great job, they may come back to you for more regular work when their new home needs some landscaping – building these relationships builds your network, which is very good for business!
This post came from Homelight, a website for finding real estate agents and listed properties.
You can read more landscaping business articles at News and Resources. If you’re revamping your lawn and landscaping business website this year, contact the Landscape Writer through her contact form.
I’m finally reaching my dream of breaking into garden writing.
This year, 2021, has been fruitful in expanding my writing world. I’m launching a faith-based/gardening website called, Meeting God in the Garden, and I wrote an article on gardening called Dividing Hostas and Other Perennials. The digital magazine called Home, Garden, and Homestead published the article.
I’ve written gardening-type articles in my local papers, but it was not something that felt a part of me. Those previous articles were on gardening topics that piqued my interest and taught me new skills.
I could share what I already knew and make it part of the article, Dividing Hostas and Other Perennials.
What Is the Purpose of Gardening Articles?
Since there is a flux of new gardeners, thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, readers are looking for gardening articles that help them learn new tricks and tips.
I’m spoiled. My mother, grandmother, and mother-in-law taught me how to garden. I was helping my mom plant potatoes in her vast garden when I was in Kindergarten. I was weeding and picking strawberries by first grade.
My grandmother was an avid gardener until she was in her early 90’s. I learned how to create beauty within small spaces. My grandmother also taught me about houseplants too.
My mother-in-law created my first landscape. She filled the front slope of our first home, which was a duplex. My mother-in-law also added two planters to the side of our deck and created a beautiful space for our tiny backyard.
While I wasn’t grateful at the time, looking back, I appreciate the time and expertise that my mom-in-law gave me in that tiny outdoor space.
How Does This Benefit You, the Landscaper?
You probably know all of the information that I shared in Dividing Hostas and Other Perennials. However, your clientele may include new homeowners who want to get their hands dirty. Many millennials didn’t have the luxury of learning how to grow plants from their parents and grandparents.
These new homeowners don’t have the experience of creating a vegetable garden or a flowerbed. You can include articles, such as When to Divide Hostas and Other Perennials, and other titles in your newsletters and blogs. Your new homeowners will appreciate it.
Plus, consider adding garden plots to backyards as part of your landscaping services. Encourage homeowners of all ages to get their hands dirty and get back to the garden for their health and well-being.
My Encouragement to You
Keep on communicating to your customers, newsletter fans, and others, even during the cold winter months. Start getting your customers excited for spring by sharing gardening tips and garden designs through your blog and newsletter.
You can sign up for my newsletter here. Have questions about your landscape company’s blog or newsletter? Then, fill out my free consultation form to learn how I can help you with your content marketing needs.
