Whether you own a residential or commercial cleaning business, you'll operate more efficiently, professionally and profitably when you take advantage of maid service software. If you've not yet automated tasks like scheduling and other back-office paper work, you'll never go back once you find the right software.

Using maid service software, you can boost your business by running more efficiently and smoothly. The gained efficiency and effectiveness will generate more slots for new customers, and you'll gain access to numerous reports to help you analyze your business and make better informed decisions as you work to grow your company. As you begin your search, consider the following:

1. Look for maid service software that offers free trials.

2. Gather data on all costs associated with any maid service software.

3. Consider ease of installation and use before you buy any maid service software.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find maid service software you can tailor to your needs

Some companies will actually work with you to build the software that satisfies your requirements for your maid service business.

I recommend: Consider purchasing AvailSuite, software designed for small maid service businesses, from BusinessWare Technologies. For a fee, the company can tailor its software to your requirements. When it receives suggestions from users it considers highly beneficial, it also implements the suggestion free of charge to all users. The maid service software list of features includes customer management, staff scheduling, invoices/payment, financial management, inventory management, free technical support and a 30-day money back guarantee. Take a look at Maid Services of America software with forms, website design, hiring and training and even optional one-on-one set -up assistance.

Purchase an all-in-one package from a maid service software provider

Don't spend money on multiple software solutions if you can find everything you need in one package.

I recommend: Download a demonstration of Scheduling Manager from Thoughtful Systems to see if the software's right for your maid service business. Depending on the version you select, this software lets you manage customer/employee/team information, job scheduling/estimates, accounts receivable, payroll, mapping job locations, Emails and equipment/inventory. Request a free demo of the Service CEO maid service software from Insight Direct. The software provides you with features like call center quoting/management, multiple-week-view calendar, work orders and route sheets, a dispatch board that lets you manage an entire day from one screen that also includes integrated mapping/driving directions, recurring job creation, customer information manager, estimate manager and a marketing module. If you find a feature you never use, just turn it off so you never see it.

Consider a maid service software provider that offers monthly subscription prices

You'll come across all kinds of pricing plans for different software. Consider a monthly subscription plan that you can end without penalty if you change your mind.

I recommend: Try the MaidEasy system free for 30 days before you decide to purchase. Once you opt for the residential cleaning software system, you'll continue with it for a monthly subscription fee. The web-based system provides you with detailed customer information/calendars, employee time off, customer/staff scheduling, marketing lead source reports, hourly/commission payroll management, invoicing, receipts, reporting/graphing, quality control log, online credit card processing and customized work orders. Consider a monthly or annual subscription to ServiceMonster maid service software that includes free support, training and upgrades. The software will automate your customer management, marketing, scheduling, estimates, orders and invoices.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While sifting through maid service software information, make sure the provider you choose will give you the technical service and support you expect. Check out the company's days/hours of available support and the price you pay for specific technical support plans.