If you are considering installing artificial turf it’s an investment. And, whether it is for your home or your business, you are going to have some questions.

One of the most commonly asked questions that we receive is concerning synthetic grass and heat. And there’s a good reason for those questions.

The problem

 Many of us are familiar with how cement, blacktop, and concrete work. We also know how hot sand or grass can get during the summer months. Not so many people know the answer to the question, “Will synthetic turf gets too hot for my pet’s feet?”.

Well, honestly, that depends. When it comes to taking your pet out on any surface while it’s hot outside, you need to use plain common sense.

While artificial grass doesn’t get as hot as things like pavement (blacktop and cement) it’s still not quite as cool as natural grass. For that reason, you may need to consider a few things during the summertime while with your pet outside on your synthetic turf.

The Solution

Spray it down with some water. If you are bringing your pet out of doors and the heat is extreme a good idea may be to take a hose and just spray down part of the lawn. This way your pup can roam about in comfort and the ground will be cool.

Always provide your pet with shade. As with any outdoor location, your pet should always be provided with some sort of shade. This gives them not only a spot to lay down and relax, but ensures that they are not exposed to constant sunlight and heat.

Consider using a SYNLawn product with exclusive DualChill™ IR Reflectivilty. What is that? DualChill™ Technology lowers grass temperatures by reflecting the sun’s rays away with the use of infrared reflective pigments that help to dissipate heat build-up and reduce fiber emissivity. This means, that when applied to synthetic turf it can make it up to 20% cooler than similar artificial grass.

In conclusion

Just as you would with any flooring or ground surface, you always want to ensure that your pet is comfortable. If the temps are abnormally high you will want to check the ground heat before letting them outdoors. If you find that the grass seems very warm, consider any of the above as an option to cool it down a bit.

If you have a beloved family pet, or own a dog kennel, doggy daycare, or boarding facility and are considering installing artificial turf, then you must be asking yourself one very important question- “Will my dogs destroy artificial turf?”.

And that’s a good question. After all, you don’t want to have your new turf installed only to see it quickly ruined by your canine friends.

Well, we have good news for you! Not only is artificial turf durable and stands up under pet use, but they LOVE it and it is a great choice as an alternative to natural grass, because, let’s face it, pups are hard on their yards.

Four reasons why artificial turf is a good choice for dogs.

• Digging begone! One of the best parts of artificial turf? With the sturdy, mesh backing the turf is extremely resilient to digging and your pup won’t be able to tear through it. No more holes to step unexpectedly in!
• Easy cleanup. Pet waste? No problem! You will simply have to clean up after your pet (as you normally would with natural grass) and then hose the area down to keep it fresh and clean. Most brands of artificial grass contain anti-bacterial agents that help to control odors and keep contamination at a minimum. Another bonus? You can’t stain artificial turf, so there’s no yellowing from pet urine!
• No dirt patches. Say goodbye to mud and bare patches of lawn. Synthetic turf has excellent drainage and never molds or mildews, leaving it dry and dirt-free!
  Your grass will remain green and thick under the wear and tear from pets and children. Even if the blades press down a little a quick raking with a soft-tined rake or broom will help them to bounce back and look the same as they did before.
• Long-lasting. Plainly put, artificial turf lasts. That’s why most grass comes with a 10+ year warranty, Synthetic grass is designed to be kid and pet friendly and last under years of activity and play.

Natural grass may seem nice, but artificial grass is the smart choice. Natural grass needs regular care and maintenance to stay soft and green and has a tendency to yellow or brown, dry out, or turn into bare, mud patches.

With artificial turf, your pet’s play area will remain fresh and green. Whether it’s their kennel where they eat and sleep, or in their back yard where they run and fetch a ball with the kiddos, artificial turf is sure to provide endless hours of fun.

Your existing and potential customers are looking forward to either reopening their gathering places or reconnecting themselves—in their yards, with their friends and family and community members. That’s why we also want to assure you that marketing your services still matters. In fact, it’s more important now than ever: Businesses that continue to share who they are and promote their offerings when times are tough are more resilient and more likely to weather the storm. Doubling down on your marketing efforts now is a strategic way to spend your time, as it will carve out your path for economic success once the pandemic has passed.

4 Reasons Social Media = Marketing Magic

Your Customers Use it.

The clients you already know and love plus the customers you don’t even know exist yet. Most importantly, they use it a lot, and they use it to help with their purchasing decisions. We could fill this entire blog with social media statistics, but here are just a few that help illustrate our point:

• 70% of Americans have a profile on at least one social media site.
• Users spend an average of 3 hours per day on social networks and messaging.
• Nearly 80% of consumers say their purchases are impacted by companies’ social media posts, while many users say they specifically use social media to research new products and businesses. 

What’s more, a large percentage of social media users are likely to make a purchasing decision based on social media reviews or referrals. In other words, if your company isn’t on social media, you’re missing a major opportunity to reach and engage with new and existing customers—on the chance for visibility and brand recognition—as well as on the opportunity to leverage your current clients as brand ambassadors.

Your competition uses it, too.

Businesses are also on social media in high numbers. That means there’s a good chance other nearby turf installers already have a business page or pages. Social media is an excellent way to demonstrate your turf industry knowledge and experience, while also letting clients get to know your business’ particular approach and offerings in an accessible way. It’s the perfect opportunity to distinguish yourself from the competition—and to ensure they don’t get the upper hand online.

It’s cost effective.

Building a social media business page, making daily or weekly posts, answering customer questions, asking for and responding to client reviews: All of these social media marketing strategies are completely free and can be done in-house whatever your level of marketing experience, without taking too much of your time. Even if you do decide to go the paid advertising route, your options are affordable. They also allow you to target your ideal customers who are right in your local area.

It’s all about engagement.

By its very nature, social media encourages interaction. It offers an unparalleled chance to communicate with your customers; doing so is crucial for small business success. Not to mention, it provides a chance to share your community involvement and highlight the other businesses and industry partners (like USGreentech!) you work with. You can post pictures of recent projects and tag individuals and companies, as well as comment on their posts, and you can ask your clients to tag your business and post pictures, stories, reviews, and so much more. All of this connection only further increases your visibility.

Okay, we couldn’t resist one more stat: More than 70% of marketers using social media say it’s either “somewhat effective” or “very effective” for their company. The numbers don’t lie! Social media marketing is a smart way to give your turf installation business a boost.

Need help marketing Envirofill? Contact USGreentech for a free marketing guide, available to our distribution network.

Since 2009, USGreentech has focused on one essential part of the synthetic turf system: the infill. Our company thrives because we believe What’s In Your Turf Matters®. We believe it matters more than any other component of the system. We have never lost sight of where we started and are now considered infill experts in the turf industry. Backed by our parent company’s 40 years of experience in the sports field industry, USGreentech understands what it takes to create long-lasting synthetic turf systems with well-vetted components. 

Download US Greentech’s Marketing & SEO Guide for Landscape Turf Installers 

Our country—and the world—is in the midst of a difficult time. There’s a great deal of uncertainty as to what happens next when it comes not only to the health of our citizens, but also the health of our economy. As a small business owner, we know things may feel scary for you now. But at USGreentech, we want to encourage all of our partners and distributors to stay positive. We want to remind you that as a landscape turf installer, you bring brightness, color, and joy to people (and pets!) of all ages. Because of you, adults and children are able to spend time outside in the fresh air on a soft, hygienic surface, the perfect place to play. More importantly, you provide the space for people to be carefree and connect with one another. 

Your existing and potential customers are looking forward to either reopening their gathering places or reconnecting themselves—in their yards, with their friends and family and community members. That’s why we also want to assure you that marketing your services still matters. In fact, it’s more important now than ever: Businesses that continue to share who they are and promote their offerings when times are tough are more resilient and more likely to weather the storm. Doubling down on your marketing efforts now is a strategic way to spend your time, as it will carve out your path for economic success once the pandemic has passed.

3 Marketing Strategies That Matter Now 

We hope you’ll take this time to familiarize yourself with or revisit these important marketing strategies.

Master/Mind your message.

It starts here; after all, if you don’t know what to say, you won’t be able to tackle numbers two and three below. And now is the perfect chance to hone your marketing message. Of course, you want to answer the obvious questions customers may have: What does your business offer? How do your offerings provide a solution to their problem or problems? For example, you provide high-quality installation of innovative turf systems that are beautiful year-round, low-maintenance, and safe for people, pets, and the environment. But you also want to share your unique value proposition—what sets you apart from other installers. Make sure that your marketing message tells potential customers why they should choose your business, and not a competitor. If you’d like, you may want to include some additional language in your messaging now that takes into account the current state of affairs, such as reminding folks that your services make outdoor spaces safe, hygienic places to relax and play. 

Win the web.

Seize the moment to focus on search engine optimization, or SEO, in order to help increase traffic to your website. Your potential customers are cooped up indoors and dreaming of gatherings outside; as they’re researching and planning, ensure your website shows up in their browser. Create content especially for them that includes highly searched words and phrases, known as  keywords, in the text of your site. 

Some examples of keywords to include in your content are: artificial turf, synthetic lawn, artificial grass landscaping, synthetic lawn turf, artificial turf for home lawns, and envirofill. 

Be sure to write the names of the areas you serve (i.e. your city, other local cities, your county, and state) into the content you create for your website. For instance, you might write a headline for your homepage that says “Artificial Turf Landscaping in Cincinnati.” 

Spread the word.

Use online spaces like your website, social media, and platforms where potential customers digitally congregate (such as Reddit or Nextdoor) to spread your message far and wide. USGreentech leverages Hubspot to strategize and schedule our content. Other excellent software and resources are Hootsuite and SproutSocial.”

Now’s also the time to simply let commercial and residential customers know that you are in business—that you will happily finish existing work projects (and that you’ll take any necessary safety precautions as you do), as well as consult with them on summer or fall landscape projects.

It’s helpful to proactively communicate any safety and health precautions you and your install crews are implementing to help bring peace of mind to those seeking services from your organization on their residential yards.

Other SEO strategies include blogging and linking to relevant websites throughout your website (like USGreentech, for example).  

When creating a blog post, make sure that it’s on-topic and keyword-rich. Think about your potential customers’ frequently asked questions, anticipate questions that may arise during this pandemic, and then answer them in your blog posts. Your aim is to alleviate concerns, build trust,  and inspire people to work with you to install turf systems at the places they frequent most.

Need help marketing Envirofill? Contact USGreentech for a free marketing guide, available to our distribution network.

Since 2009, USGreentech has focused on one essential part of the synthetic turf system: the infill. Our company thrives because we believe What’s In Your Turf Matters®. We believe it matters more than any other component of the system. We have never lost sight of where we started and are now considered infill experts in the turf industry. Backed by our parent company’s 40 years of experience in the sports field industry, USGreentech understands what it takes to create long-lasting synthetic turf systems with well-vetted components. 

Download US Greentech’s Marketing & SEO Guide for Landscape Turf Installers 

There is no need to cut or water artificial grass, so the upkeep is minimal.

Children play hard, and with sturdy artificial turf, you are creating a playing area that won’t have worn patches.

After a lot of rain playgrounds get muddy. That is dangerous for active little feet running about, that can easily slip, and it’s also a deterrent to parents, not wanting to deal with the mess after the playground visit. Artificial grass doesn’t get muddy.

Wood chips (commonly used for playgrounds) can contain bits of bark that can cut little hands and feet. With artificial grass, you never have to worry; it is gentle as well as durable.

If you select grass from a company that specializes in artificial playground turf, such as Playground Grass by ForeverLawn®, you are getting grass that exceeds Head Injury Criterion (HIC) recommendations and offers the best fall safety ratings in the industry.

Most playgrounds have a common issue. The platform to walk into the playground is often higher than the playground floor. This means that little feet are tripping either getting in or out of the playground area, and that is usually onto hard cement, which is dangerous.

The grass can be laid out wherever it fits best, and it’s very simple to adjust the size of an area.

As children play the natural playground cover, whether it is wood chips, grass, or dirt, wears away in areas. Children running around can easily slip in a hole, fall, and be hurt.

While there are many reasons to love artificial grass for the playground, another one is that it just plain looks good. It’s always going to be green, a nice length, and will remain soft.

While artificial grass does have to be replaced at some point, the savings to be had are massive as artificial grass eliminates the need for regular maintenance (watering, mowing, filling in holes,) or adding more woodchips, and it is also chemical free!

Turf can increase your dog daycare business. Find out how.

It’s no secret that pets and artificial grass mix well. Similar to indoor sports areas, indoor pet areas benefit from the way that artificial grass helps to create an outdoor atmosphere. Whether is it a kennel, doggie daycare, or even a rescue shelter, artificial grass is cost efficient, saving you money, and it is better for pets overall.

Ways that artificial grass is better for your doggie daycare business:

• The same as people, pets can be allergic to many things, and that goes for different grass and plants. Artificial grass ensures that your doggie daycare is allergy free.
  It’s also easy to maintain and keep clean. No watering, weeding or mowing required.
• It’s also easier to clean up than grass. A simple hose down on soiled grass can have the turf clean in no time.
  Ditch the chemicals. More and more people are choosing to go the natural route and doing away with chemicals. However, a chemical-free lawn space can be even more work to maintain. With artificial turf, all chemical concerns are gone.
• With all the paws running here and there, other materials and natural grass can easily be worn down. Artificial turf is sturdy, durable, and made to last.
• The safety feature is another factor to consider. Curious dogs aren’t going to be finding small foreign objects or chewing on mats.
• A bonus, that may even allow for a price increase, is that it keeps dogs clean, meaning that they don’t go home dirty to their owners after a long day of play.
• Lastly, it looks beautiful. It presents a nice, clean, orderly appearance to potential customers walking through.

There is a wide variety of durable, long-lasting artificial turf to choose from, and K9Grass by ForeverLawn® is an excellent option. They have specially designed grass that will give you a clean, green, sturdy lawn that fits all your needs. Selecting the right grass for you and your fourlegged friends is simply a matter of deciding where and how it will be used, and what your budget is.
One thing is for sure, not only your happy doggie visitors will thank you, but also their owners.