Laundry facilities are essential for college students who tend to live in shared dormitories or small apartments without any washers or dryers. Whether you own an on-site laundry room or a stand-alone laundromat, you’re in a great position to earn a comfortable living. However, having a location near a college isn’t enough to get the business you want. Follow these strategies for encouraging more students to use your laundry facilities so you can get the most out of your business.
Make the space comfortable.
It’s common for college students to stick around until their laundry is complete, especially when the facility is off-campus. Laundromat owners who can make their space more accommodating and comfortable will have a competitive edge in the market. Make sure you have a variety of seating options such as couches, chairs, and stools. It’s also advisable to have tables and open outlets so students can do their homework when waiting for their clothes to get clean.
Suggested Reading: Common College Laundry Complaints & How to Avoid Them
Invest in high-speed Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi is the lifeblood of college students that keep them connected to friends, family, school, and entertainment. There’s a general expectation among the public that businesses will provide complimentary Wi-Fi. It’s something college students expect to see at a laundromat too. Investing in lightning-speed, secure, and reliable connectivity will instantly make your laundry facility stick out when compared to other options. Whether a college student needs to get some homework done or wants to catch up on the latest episode of their favorite show, they’ll gravitate towards a laundromat that can provide good Wi-Fi.
Offer deals and discounts.
It’s no secret that college students are living on highly restricted budgets. A great way to stand out from other laundry facilities is to offer special offers such as sign-up deals, student discounts, and loyalty programs. Reducing your profit margins might sound counterintuitive, but you’ll end up coming out on top as those discounts attract more repeat customers over time. Just make sure you take the time to advertise these deals via social media or email.
Show school pride.
A key element to running any successful business is catering to your target audience. Operating a laundromat is no exception. If you’re trying to encourage more college students to use your facilities, become a part of the local culture. Hang up college banners, spice up your facility with school colors, show local games on TV, and anything else that shows your school spirit. College students will automatically associate your laundromat with the school itself.
Start a student-oriented blog.
Many college students have never actually done a load of laundry on their own before moving away from home. Naturally, they’ll be looking online for answers about how to do laundry properly. You can position your business as a local expert while attracting more students to use your laundry facility by starting a student-focused blog. Providing tips and suggestions on your website’s blog will increase your exposure among local college students which will lead to more customers overall.
Build a partnership with the school.
Another fantastic way to get in front of students is to work out a deal with the local college or university. You could sponsor school events or teams to get your name noticed by more students, or you could work out a special discount program where students get unique deals when using your facility. When students see a laundry facility’s name associated with their school, they’ll instantly view it more favorably. This gives you a leg-up on the competition.
Looking for a dependable and local commercial equipment provider? You’re in the right place! Coin Meter has been helping laundry businesses get their hands on state-of-the-art equipment to take their businesses to the next level. Contact us today to learn more about what we offer.
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