How do you keep track of customers?

JDhomeservices

JDhomeservices

New member
I really enjoy pressure washing, and I believe I am good at it. But despite having many satisfied customers over the years, I believe my lack of organizational skills has by far been my biggest hindrance. The only repeat business I ever get is if customers call me back on their own. And despite the fact that I do a great job for them, they are usually somewhat offended that I usually won't remember who they are by name over the phone, even though I may have only met them once or twice if I have been doing business with them a year or two. (Once for each house wash.)

My question is this, How do you guys keep track of who you've done business with, when they are due for their next cleaning, etc.? Is there some kind of software you can use to store all that information, be notified when it is time to follow up on a house wash, or do a quarterly commercial wash, or whatever? How do you remember who is who if they call you, or if you need to call them? Is there some way you can keep track of who they are, what work you have specifically done for them over the years, and search for their info by name or address if you need it?

Now that I am moving and having to start over, I would like to do this right. I would not have to constantly be looking for new business if I had a database of clients I could follow up with. It sucks to think that now that I am leaving here, I can't sell my business, because I have nothing to sell. But I am a TERRIBLE organizer, and if there is not some kind of software to keep track of this stuff for me, I can not possibly wrap my brain around how I would keep track of this stuff on my own. How do you guys handle this stuff?
 
Invoice2go. Great app. You can email an estimate from your truck. Turn it into an invoice. Mark it as paid and have it saved.
 
Once a quote has been accepted they go into contacts. I have a history of pricing from about 2006. Can look it up,on the iPhone .
 
When I was doing the odd ball jobs, I had a terrific memory, (This is before smart phones, and peoples ID popping up on phones) I would recognize a number from someone that called me a year previously. It was cool to say, Hello Mr. Armstrong, how are you today. It would usually blow their minds.
Today, I track them on my smart phone. I don't do the odd ball stuff unless I am in the mood, or I find it interesting. I still keep all of my old contacts on my phone, and make every effort to reach out to them from time to time.
 
does any that keeps them on their phones back them up? I knew a very successful dirt contractor (60 million + a year ) that changed phones and the service provider told him not to worry about losing contacts when he changed phones. well you can imagine how po,ed he was when he lost all his contacts. months to get them all in there again. back them up!!!!! I use wave accounting does a good job for me. maybe in a few years I might need something else.
 
There are many great tools out there for you to use. Quickbooks online partnered with invoices to go will let you keep track of customer info, notes, bids, services performed, and other things. Also if your website is wordpress based there are a lot of plugins that you can add that will capture contact information for people who request a quote from you online. It stores it in a database that you can then use to send marketing to later on. Honestly there are so many things we have now to use, especially with technology that is out.

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Scott Stone said:
When I was doing the odd ball jobs, I had a terrific memory, (This is before smart phones, and peoples ID popping up on phones) I would recognize a number from someone that called me a year previously.
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When I was (much) younger, and before today's technologies existed I had every number I needed memorized (50-100). I still remembered many of those numbers well into my thirties, long after they were of no use to me any more (and before the technology took over).

The devices we use today are very helpful in our personal and business lives, but in the long run dumb us down to the point we can't function without them.

It's sad to say, but I can only recite 2 numbers from memory today and they're both mine. I have a good memory and better recall abilities, but with the ease of these devices, it pretty much makes us lazy. Sometimes the old ways are better and should be utilized more. If I had to call any family member today and didn't have my phone, I would be screwed.

Currently, I am developing my own app to use for quoting and B&A pictures. Ultimately I'll be able to transfer any information collected back and forth between my iPod Touch and PC. Actually remembering the customer and the details of the job(s) will still be on me.
 
When they call I usually add them as a contact, and then put a conmpany name or address in the company field. If they call you back next year and the name and address pops up on the phone. Since I typically don't do estimates, only invoices I have a computer setup at home to be a remote desktop with my books on there. I mobile hotspot in, and can have an invoice emailed in a min or two. I can easily throw a printer in truck if needed.

I know the pain of not recognizing the name on the phone I try and add as much info to help me later on
 
QuickBooks, set up an account for each customer and make out an invoice. You can also keep notes on each customer. This way you will know what you did for them, when and what you charged. If you are doing a deck or fence note on the invoice what brand and color stain that was used. In the note section you and list how many gallons the job required. The same goes for concrete sealer.
 
Nch software Express Accounts

This program is easy to use and cost less than those other popularly all in one. Make quotes, invoices, customer list- print and track a ton of financial reports-everything I need except payroll- comparable to quick books but much easer to learn-
 
Bob Keenan said:
Www.thecustomerfactor.com

Customer database
Scheduling
Invoicing
Automatic emailing campaigns and followup emails
Expense tracking integrated with quickbooks
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Thanks for the input, everyone. I'm going to look into all of it and make sure I do this right this time.

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pdmcali said:
We use QuickBooks.
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Qbonline, Google Maps in conjunction with Google calendar words well.

Also makes it very convenient for the IRS to complete an audit without your knowledge. Lol.

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QB and G calendar for me.
 
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