How to grow your window cleaning round

Grow where you already work

A new customer on a street you already clean is worth far more than one across town, because there's almost no extra travel. When you're looking for work, start with the neighbours of the customers you've got.

Knock on the doors either side and opposite while you're there, or leave a card saying you're already cleaning on their street.

Turn happy customers into referrals

Word of mouth is how most rounds grow. Make it easy by asking — most happy customers are glad to recommend you but never think to.

A small thank-you, like money off their next clean when someone they refer signs up, gives people a reason to mention you. Keep track of who referred who, so you can thank them.

Collect reviews

When people look for a window cleaner online, reviews are often what decides it. Ask happy customers to leave a Google review, ideally right after a clean they were pleased with.

Reply to every review, good or bad. It shows future customers you care about the work.

Be easy to find and easy to book

Have somewhere people can see your work and ask for a quote: a Google Business Profile, a Facebook page and a simple website with a quote form. Put the link on your van and your cards.

Reply to enquiries quickly. The cleaner who answers first usually gets the job.

Sell more to the customers you have

Growing doesn't always mean more houses. Offering gutter clearing, fascia and soffit cleaning or conservatory roofs to existing customers can add a lot to your takings with no extra travel and no selling to strangers.

Keep the customers you win

Every customer who quietly leaves has to be replaced before you grow at all. Turn up when you say you will, tell people if you're delayed, and give customers an easy way to tell you if something wasn't right — so you can fix it before they cancel.