Before starting a dog walking business, it’s highly important that you do thorough research.
Research your competitors and take note of what services they offer, and their pricing. You can use this to help make decisions on your business model and pricing structure. Compare how your ideas would sit within the current market – will your plans make you stand out from the crowd of already established petpreneurs?
When looking at competitors carry out a SWOT analysis on their businesses. This means asking yourself what are their Strengths and Weaknesses and then looking at what Opportunities you can see in the market as well as recognizing what Threats they present to your business plans.
You’ll also want to conduct thorough research into your intended customers. When looking at your competitors, especially those who provide similar services, take a look at the type of customer they attract. Speak to people in your local area or put out polls and surveys on social media to gain an understanding of what services people in your demographic want, how frequently they’re looking to book, and how much they’re willing to pay.
This will help set you apart from other businesses and provide you with a solid selling point.