In the swiftly evolving landscape of the laundry business, staying ahead of the curve is not just an option; it's a necessity. The days of pen and paper are numbered as more and more choose to make the switch to a digital solution. The advent of specialized wash and fold point of sale (POS) systems and apps like CleanCloud is fundamentally changing how laundromat owners manage their operations, helping them run their businesses more efficiently, provide better customer service, report and track key metrics, and ultimately, grow their business. This blog aims to shed light on the multitude of benefits that a dedicated wash and fold app or POS system can bring to your laundromat, whether you're in the early planning phase and yet to open a store, still tethered to pen and paper, or using a generic POS system.
Understanding the Shift: From Generic to Specific Point of Sale
In an industry as nuanced as laundry services, the one-size-fits-all approach of generic POS systems often falls short. While they’re more than sophisticated enough to handle the basics of order taking, when it comes to the specialized needs of a wash and fold business they often lack the depth and flexibility required. This is where a dedicated wash and fold app like CleanCloud shines, providing a tailored solution designed specifically to meet the day to day needs of a busy laundromat or dry cleaning operator.
'I am moving my small business into the 21st century, and this software and app creation is a big part of how I am getting there.' Nicholas R
Improved Order Management
The idea behind a wash and fold, or any laundry business, is a simple one. However, while the concept may be simple, the execution is often anything but. Take accepting an order, for example. On the surface it sounds straightforward, take the order from the customer, wash it, dry it, fold it and return. In reality, the journey of a garment from drop off to return is more complex. How do you track which machine to send it to? How do you know where a garment is in the cleaning process at any given time, and how do you ensure it makes it back to the right person? These are all key considerations to a wash, dry, fold business. A generic POS won’t help with these nuanced requirements, all it will do is tell you that you accepted the order. Whereas a specialized wash and fold app excels in tracking this journey, offering detailed oversight at each and every step. Unlike generic POS systems, CleanCloud enables laundromat owners to monitor orders from acceptance, through washing, drying, folding, and ultimately, return to the customer. This level of detail ensures nothing falls through the cracks, and nothing is overlooked, enhancing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
'I would be using spreadsheets and notebooks without CleanCloud! I am so lucky to have found such a great company!’ Stephanie Y
Specialized Workflows for Seamless Operations
Laundry is not retail or hospitality; sounds obvious, right? And yet so many laundry operators are using POS systems that were built for retail and hospitality businesses. The problem is that they’re not set up to understand the unique workflows of a laundromat or dry cleaner. CleanCloud is built solely for laundromats and dry cleaners, offering industry-specific features like item tagging for tracking progress, recording dry and wet weights, and managing machine assignments. These functionalities not only streamline the management of your day-to-day operations but also contribute to a smoother, more efficient process that can handle the intricacies of the laundry business.
Revolutionizing Pick-up and Delivery (PUD) Services
As pick-up and delivery services become essential for laundromats and dry cleaners, the complexity of managing these operations grows. You’re no longer concerned just with the customers in your store, you’re having to manage multiple orders coming in online, organise delivery routes and ensure fast turnaround. It requires planned logistics and careful tracking. There are many tools out there that can help you run this part of your business, but they’re not integrated meaning your staff are managing yet another system, struggling to reconcile orders from one with the other and potentially missing orders or delivery times, all of which limited your ability to grow.
With a wash and fold POS like CleanCloud you can simplify the logistics with a dedicated driver app for organizing deliveries, route planning software for optimizing routes, and integrations like DoorDash for scaling your service. Not only that but all orders, whether they’re from in-store or online are all in one place. These tools provide invaluable insights into your PUD system, making it easier and more profitable to manage, and ensuring your business stays competitive in a fast-evolving market.
Dedicated Customer Support
In a perfect world, there would be no need for Support teams. Software would always run as it should, staff wouldn’t make errors and everything would run smoothly. But we don’t live in a perfect world, and from time to time even the most switched on, tech savvy customers need a little support. Our specialist teams are always on hand to help you with tech questions, no matter how big or small. Of course Support teams are nothing new, and every good POS company will have them. But with a generic POS, support teams are working across multiple industries, dealing with customers from restaurants to hotels. All with different set-ups, needs and requirements. At CleanCloud, we only work with laundromats and dry cleaners, which means our team are experts when it comes to laundry support. There’s no workflow set-up too complex, or laundry question too obscure for them to answer.
In addition to our fully staffed customer support team, we’re also using AI to help resolve quick questions and queries that might not need a full conversation with another person. Our Chatbots are able to scan our help desk articles and knowledge base to answer questions on everything from how to take an order, to how to configure your P&D. This level of human support, combined with AI chatbots means you always have the backing you need to navigate any challenge with confidence.
‘Worth every penny!’ Ronak P
Getting Your Business In Front of Customers
In today's digital age, online visibility is key to attracting new customers. Gone are the days where all you needed was an attractive storefront to catch the eye. Today’s customers are online, and are increasingly turning to apps to find all manner of services from food delivery to dry cleaning. In recognition of this consumer habit we’ve developed a customer-facing laundry app, available on both the Apple and Google Play stores. As a CleanCloud customer you’re automatically included on the app, which boasts over 150,000 downloads to date. This exposure puts your laundromat in front of potential customers actively seeking laundry services in your area, providing a significant boost to your customer base and, by extension, your bottom line.
In addition to our customer app, we also provide the opportunity for you to purchase and develop your own custom branded app. Unlike the CleanCloud app, this app is owned by you and features your branding, colours and messaging. Not sure if you really need an app? That’s a whole article in itself, but in a nutshell it comes down to where you are in the lifecycle of your business. If you’re just starting out, and don’t yet have an established customer base then maybe a custom app isn’t quite right for you - for now. But if you’re an established business, with a healthy customer base then an app can help you grow you business further. Research shows that a branded app can boost loyalty, enhance engagement and provide a competitive edge and strengthen your brand. Not surprising when you read that 76% of customers prefer to make purchases on their phones, and the majority of those prefer an app to a web booking tool. There’s undoubtedly many benefits to having your own app, but an app on its own won’t boost business. You do need to have the customer base in place in advance to reap the benefits. If you’re a CleanCloud customer and think an app might be for you, book a call with our account management team, who will be happy to discuss.
Recap: Why You Should Make the Switch
Clearly, transitioning to a wash and fold app or POS system is more than just an upgrade; it's a strategic move that will help you grow and scale your laundry business. To recap the benefits:
- Enhanced Order Management: Easily monitor every garment's journey, reducing errors and increasing customer satisfaction.
- Tailored Workflows: With a system that understands and adapts to the unique needs of your business, making daily operations smoother and more efficient.
- Simplified PUD Services: Leverage tools to streamline your pick-up and delivery services, saving you valuable time and increasing profitability.
- Dedicated Support: Access to industry-specific support that understands the challenges you face and can provide simple and effective solutions.
- Increased Visibility: Expand your customer base through exposure on a popular customer-facing laundry app.
Whether you're just starting out in the industry, struggling with outdated pen and paper methods, or looking to upgrade from a generic POS system, embracing a specialized wash and fold app like CleanCloud is a step towards future-proofing your laundromat. It's not just about keeping up with technology; it's about leveraging that technology to enhance every aspect of your business, from operations to customer engagement, with a partner that is invested in your success.
Get started today with a no-obligation, free 14 day trial. Or set up some time with our team to discuss how CleanCloud could help scale your business.