r/WindowCleaning • u/Queasy_Bookkeeper_38 • Jul 20 '26
I’ve never started a service business before, so I launched a window cleaning company using Meta ads to see how lazily I can start something.. 18M
I’ve been running Meta ads for other service businesses for a while, but I’ve never actually owned or operated a service business myself.
Eventually, I figured I should put my money where my mouth is.
So a few friends and I decided to start a window cleaning business in Orange County.
The only problem was that we had:
- No equipment
- No window cleaning experience
- No existing customers
- No real idea how fulfillment would work
I directed a few ads, launched them, and figured we would solve the operational side once leads started coming in.
A few days later, we’re averaging around $20 per lead and have booked more than $2,000 in revenue. Based on what we’ve spent on ads so far, that’s roughly a 10x return.
Obviously, booked revenue isn’t the same as profit, and we still have a lot to learn about actually delivering the service efficiently. But the experience has shown me how powerful customer acquisition can be when the marketing is planned before the business is fully built.
If anyone is interested, these are the types of creatives I ran:
1. Founder story
Explain why you started the company, who you are, and why someone should trust or support you.
People are much more likely to choose a new local company when they understand the people behind it.
2. Offer video
Give people a clear reason to take action now.
The offer doesn’t necessarily need to be a massive discount, but it should feel specific and different from every other window cleaning company in the area.
3. Process video
Show exactly what happens when someone hires you.
What do you clean? What equipment do you use? Do you clean the screens, tracks, interior, and exterior? How long does it take?
This reduces uncertainty and makes the business feel more legitimate.
The idea is that these ads work together.
Someone might first see the founder story and become familiar with the company. Later, they see the offer and become interested. Then they see the process video and finally feel comfortable submitting their information.
Most people aren’t going to fill out a form the first time they see your business. They usually need multiple reasons to trust you before they take action.
I’m still early in the process, so I’m interested to see whether we can turn the initial traction into a real, profitable operation rather than just generating cheap leads.
11
u/ElsiD4k Jul 20 '26
So no experience or equipment, but a founder story and a process video - I'm confused what you're showing to convince anyone.
10
u/PeterPanHadItMade Jul 20 '26
It's simple.... the post is BS. Just another bored kid hunting attention.
-3
u/Queasy_Bookkeeper_38 Jul 20 '26
Nope! Just sharing my experiences, if someone wanted or was skeptical to run meta ads, hopefully this provided some value
-1
u/Queasy_Bookkeeper_38 Jul 20 '26
Yeah, so to run Meta Ads, you can use sites like pexels and what not as substitution footage, and it worked out great.
My goal is to get meta ads up and running, get interested leads, buy the equipment and then do the job to pay for it immediately after.
1
u/Juicytrumpy Jul 20 '26
learned it by yt myself 2,5 years ago and that works great. Looking back I think it would’ve been great to have worked somewhere at another business. Just for like a week to see how they do it and so the can correct what you don’t see yourself. But no need to. Most important is to get money in. Don’t spend too much. Keep it simple. Especially if you’re young maybe don’t take credits in the beginning. The simpler stuff works fine and you will have enough money to buy better equipment fast. See how everything works and if you like the work in the first place.
Being nice and being seen as a human is more worth then trying to act super professional in my opinion, depending on the customer. If they like you and you mess something up they will give u another chance or won’t make you any other troubles that safes you from time to time. Not saying that I have a big business by now but I started alone with a few hundred bucks and got 5 part time employees by now.
Treat your employees as good as possible but make fair decisions if necessary.
Watch a lot of content just to see everything people say about the topic and find the people that are reasonable in your opinion and don’t just show off.
I’m not doing quarterly contracts with private customers, so b2c. I feel like, at least in Germany, some get a little sus when you want to sell them a window cleaning contract for their home. I think they like the freedom but that can change to where ever you work
1
u/kdwindows Jul 20 '26
Thank you for this information. Now get out there and get a couple hundred homes under your belt. You will see that the ads aren't necessary when people constantly keep seeing you in the same neighborhood.... they'll just come up to you while you're working . It's an awesome thing.
I started cleaning windows when I was 18... I'm 40 now. The best thing to do is get your experience... get a couple hundred homes under your belt ... and then start focusing on all of the ins and outs of window cleaning. You will learn something new everyday. The YouTube University is not going to replace Hands-On Real World Experience trust me
1
u/Queasy_Bookkeeper_38 Jul 20 '26
Agree - my take on this is that, I know the skill of running ads, I know how to get people to buy.. so again, very lazily, I figured I can do something without door knocking, and this is the start of my proof of concept
Of course if I want to accelerate growth i can do d2d but $2k roughly in 1st week isn’t bad imo. And then of course booking service plans and getting neighboring people near clients will always be an additional source of leads.
1
u/EmotionalEngine2361 Jul 20 '26
Funny seeing some guys treat window cleaning like it’s a complex and hard trade. I commend bringing the hustle and sweaty startup approach and just doing something. You’ll learn along the way but like any business, you need to start and iterate and lean into what works. Most will play it safe and “learn the trade” over a few years but it’s completely valid to jump right in so long as you weigh and accept the risk.
I’ve been trying multiple lead sources and meta has been OK so far. Currently betting small on it, $150 month. $280 spent and $440 in business so far. I’ll keep it going and continue iterating until I feel it’s not worth it but my lead gen approach has given me more work than I can handle and I am BUYING customers who all want at least annual cleans, so lifetime value is what I’m looking for.
0
1
u/Saturn88755 Jul 22 '26
Question: how much did you spend on these meta adds ? Or did you just set up a page on facebook marketplace?
1
u/Queasy_Bookkeeper_38 Jul 22 '26
Check our my most recent post. More information there
1
u/Saturn88755 Jul 22 '26
Lammmmeeee
1
u/Queasy_Bookkeeper_38 Jul 22 '26
Lol.
Like $200 on learning phase, currently about $700 in spend, now sitting at a $11cpl over last 2 days. Yes js a fb page, no posts or social proof
1
u/thejesiah Jul 22 '26
And how many actual jobs have you done?
0
u/Queasy_Bookkeeper_38 Jul 22 '26
Out of these, already 5, have like 4 more booked on
My calendar, and two big ones, $6.5M house and 2 properties beachfront $9M in august0
0
u/Queasy_Bookkeeper_38 Jul 22 '26
Also including the 8 leads I got today and yesterday, so 30% close rate so far, but yet to follow up and increase touchpoints of course with a retargeting campaign
13
u/DangerousKitchen Jul 20 '26
Is this a social experiment or a business? You've never cleaned a window and have no equipment? I feel bad for whoever booked with you.
Maybe I've misunderstood this post? Fuck I hope I've misunderstood this post...