17 free resources every maid service owner should know about

So many great, free resources are out there to help maid service owners grow and scale their businesses! The problem is you probably don’t have time to track them all down. So, we did it for you! In this article, we share 17 essential tools that are game-changers for maid services. These resources, from scheduling software to legal guidance and marketing tools, will provide valuable support and help streamline operations. Whether you’re a newcomer to the cleaning industry or a seasoned entrepreneur, these are the tools you need to know about:

#1: ZenMaid Free

For maid service owners seeking scheduling software, ZenMaid offers a free plan that provides a solid starting point. While it may not have all the paid plan features, it allows users to transition seamlessly to the paid plan with automation.

#2: SBA, SBDC, and SCORE

The Small Business Administration (SBA) and its local counterparts, Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) and SCORE offer free resources explicitly tailored to your industry. These resources are designed to support you in every aspect of your cleaning business, from planning and expansion to problem-solving and training. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your cleaning business to the next level, tapping into the expertise and guidance provided by the SBA, SBDC, and SCORE can be incredibly valuable. With their wealth of knowledge and specialized support, you can gain insights, strategies, and connections that will help you overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and achieve long-term success in business.

#3: DOLI (Department of Labor and Industry)

All cleaning businesses in the U.S. should follow the guidance provided by the Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) regarding legal matters such as pay withholding, mileage reimbursement, and state-specific regulations. Checking with DOLI helps ensure compliance with employment laws, prevent potential legal issues, and stay informed about important aspects of running a maid service. From understanding pay withholding calculations and overtime requirements to determine appropriate mileage reimbursement rates and navigating state-specific regulations, consulting DOLI helps maintain legal compliance and mitigate risks. Staying proactive and regularly seeking guidance from DOLI contributes to your business’s long-term success and legal stability.

#4: Website Education

Many companies in the cleaning industry provide free resources on their websites. These resources offer insights, tips, and industry-specific knowledge. Checking the blogs and resource libraries of companies like NiceJob, Rescue My Maid Service, and ZenMaid Magazine can be really helpful.

#5: Libby

Libby is an awesome app allowing you to borrow e-books, digital audiobooks, and magazines from local libraries. It’s a valuable resource for maid service owners looking to access educational materials without purchasing them outright.

#6: Free Timecard

Ideal for new businesses or those on a budget, free timecard tools like Redcort’s Virtual Time Clock offer basic timekeeping capabilities. Although they lack extensive record storage, they can be handy for hourly payment tracking when you’re first starting out.

#7: Free Time Converter Chart

This tool is essential for calculating payroll manually or converting time into decimal format. You can find various versions of the time convert chart on the internet, helping them save time and streamline calculations.

#8: Google Business Profile

Creating a Google Business Profile is crucial for enhancing online visibility. The profile allows businesses to manage information, engage with customers, receive direct messages, post updates, and request quotes. Verifying your profile takes some time, but it’s worth the effort.

#9: Google Gmail and Google Drive

Gmail and Google Drive offer powerful tools to simplify communication, organization, and collaboration. With Gmail, you have access to a user-friendly email service, while Google Drive provides a platform for creating and storing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.

#10: Mailtrack

Mailtrack, a free Chrome extension, enables email tracking for Gmail and other providers. It notifies senders when emails are opened, providing valuable insights into recipient engagement. The free version offers everything you’ll likely need.

#11: MailChimp

Email marketing is crucial for business growth, and MailChimp offers a free plan with tools for creating branded content and automation. With a limit of 2,000 contacts, maid service owners can leverage MailChimp to build their email lists and engage with potential customers.

#12: Calendly

Calendly simplifies appointment scheduling by allowing users to share their calendars and let others book appointments. The free version offers essential features for maid service owners, like setting availability and adding custom questions for attendees.

#13: Discord

Discord — widely known as a platform for gamers — has transformed into a versatile resource for team communication and support. The free version of Discord offers various features like text and voice channels, enabling seamless collaboration among team members. With live voice channels, technicians in the field can easily demonstrate tasks or share visual information that goes beyond what a simple picture can convey. It’s also a great option for remote meetings, fostering streamlined communication across different topics and categories. By organizing channels, you can ensure easy access and efficient reference in the future. For instance, having a dedicated channel for before and after photos allows technicians to upload images directly, freeing up space on their phones. Discord’s flexibility and functionality make it a valuable tool for maid service businesses.

#14: Zoom

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual interviews have become essential, offering convenience and flexibility for both employers and candidates. Zoom provides a free plan that caters to these needs. Virtual interviews conducted through Zoom eliminate the need for a dedicated office space or waiting around in local coffee shops for no-shows. While the free plan limits each session to 40 minutes, it remains an excellent option for conducting efficient and effective interviews within that timeframe.

#15: Grammarly

Effective written communication plays a crucial role in maintaining professionalism and conveying your maid service’s message to clients and stakeholders. Grammarly’s free version is an awesome tool that helps refine your writing across various platforms. Whether you’re drafting emails, social media posts, or creating policies, Grammarly’s software integrates seamlessly into web pages like Facebook and Google products such as Sheets, Docs, and Slides. It offers assistance, particularly with common grammar and spelling mistakes, making sure your communication is polished and error-free.

#16: Canva

Graphic design often poses challenges for cleaning business owners with limited design skills. After all, you didn’t start your cleaning business to become a professional graphic designer! Luckily, Canva’s free version is a game-changer for creating professional-looking graphics without extensive design knowledge. Canva’s pre-designed templates and a vast library of free photos remove the guesswork and ensure your graphics are visually appealing. Additionally, Canva offers design types tailored to different purposes, eliminating the hassle of resizing images for various platforms. Even if you’re ready for the more extensive features, Canva’s paid plan is an affordable upgrade.

#17: Coggle

Coggle’s free mind map tool is a lifesaver for cleaning businesses needing a digital solution to coordinate their thoughts and manage the chaos of running a maid service. Coggle allows you to visually organize and map out various aspects of your business, ensuring clarity and easy access to information. Conducting an annual audit of systems and policies becomes seamless, as you can easily assess each area of your business using Coggle in conjunction with platforms like ClickUp. It’s a powerful tool for organizing and managing the many facets of your maid service.

Wrapping up

We hope these 17 resources equip you with the necessary tools and support to navigate challenges, enhance your communication systems, and continue your business growth. If implementing these tools all at once feels overwhelming, aim to simply try one at a time. And with all of our resources here at ZenMaid — take what’s helpful and leave the rest behind!

Next steps

If you found this article helpful for your maid service, you may also like:

For more resources on automating and growing your cleaning business, check out the replays from the 2022 Maid Summit hosted by ZenMaid. The summit featured more than 60 presentations from cleaning industry experts who shared tools and strategies to help you achieve the highest levels of success in your business.

About the presenter

This talk first aired at the 2022 Maid Service Success Summit. The Maid Summit is an annual online event that brings together the most successful leaders in the cleaning industry, like Debbie Sardone, Angela Brown, Courtney Wisely, Amy Caris, Chris Schwab and more. Get free access to masterclasses and workshops to help you grow, scale, and automate your cleaning business to get more leads and profit. Make sure you’re on our email list to find out how to get free tickets to the next event.

17 Free Resources Every Maid Service Owner Should Know About