Franchise Information, advice and news.

Franchising encompasses a vast range of business sectors and one potentially lucrative market to be tapped could be carpet cleaning. The domestic cleaning market is worth approximately £9 billion ($16.7 billion) per year in the UK, underlining the potential for a carpet cleaning business venture.

Franchising itself can offer long term security with minimum risk if the right franchise is selected and by using a company with a proven track record in their particular industry, business is made that little bit easier.

The key to making sure a carpet cleaning business opportunity works smoothly is focusing on the interaction between client and cleaner. In order for such a venture to work successfully, communication skills must be utilised to their maximum as good working relationships between franchisee, franchiser and client can only benefit all parties involved.

A carpet cleaning franchise can operate in markedly different ways. Companies can employ franchisees who don uniforms and work in offices, they could send cleaners to a location with keys while the client is away, or the service could be door to door.

Examples of tried and tested cleaning franchises are Molly Maid and Merry Maids. Both offer carpet cleaning and operate a management franchise, so the franchisee is ultimately in control of staff that provide the domestic maid service. The former uses uniformed staff in order to essentially advertise the company's services while the latter sends teams of two cleaners with keys to properties.

One key element to carpet cleaning businesses such as the two mentioned above, is the ability to manage teams of cleaners. Choosing the right team is paramount so that a high level of customer service is offered. This will keep clients returning to the business and will also invite new companies to come on board.

Each franchisee will be allocated a specific area from which to build a base of operations. It is important to target customers in the area and a good brand name and reputation is a very effective tool in doing so. Delivering leaflets could be an effective part of advertising the company and spreading the word.

A carpet cleaning business opportunity can initially be started from home. Recruitment could take place in a local newspaper perhaps or through advertising at local stores. The benefit of home working and delegating work this way is low overheads and the flexibility that this work model offers. It is in time when the business has flourished that a franchisee can start to look for premises if needs be. SelClene founder Martin Gover urges franchisees to follow "proven marketing formulas along tried and tested lines".

A good franchiser will offer full training and ongoing support and advice. Allied to this, it must be remembered that a franchise runs at the pace of the franchisee and so with a little hard work and persistence, the business could blossom into a high income venture.

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