
At this year’s Car Wash Show in Las Vegas, Mike and Mel Ohlinger proudly presented OhmCo’s full suite of marketing and design services tailored specifically for the car wash industry. Their booth—an inflatable showstopper—set the stage for showcasing OhmCo’s creative approach and industry expertise.
OhmCo offers a wide range of services designed to help car wash operators stand out and scale up, including:
Custom websites built for conversion
Branding and logo design
Signage, menus, and printed materials
Social media graphics and video production
Email marketing campaigns and blog content
SEO optimization and digital analytics

Last week, Mel and I had the chance to attend the Heartland Car Wash Show in Council Bluffs, Iowa—a regional event that’s trying to find its footing again after a few bumpy years. If you’ve never been, the Heartland Show has historically drawn together car wash professionals from across the Midwest, but this year’s event came with some caveats. While it wasn’t the most polished affair we’ve attended, we walked away with the impression that there’s real potential for this show to evolve into something meaningful. That is, if the organizers can push through the growing pains.

For a long time, a certain story has drifted through the car wash world like a sudsy ghost. You’ll hear it in conventions, on websites and blogs, whispered reverently by folks who swear their uncle told them about it once: that the first automatic car wash opened in Hollywood, California in the 1940s. That it used a winch system to pull cars through a tunnel while attendants handled the scrub-down and drying. That it wasn't a FULLY automatic carwash, but it had the first automatic component - a winch and pully system to bring cars through a tunnel. Some claim it even used a tractor or a team of horses to automate the chain system.

The car wash industry has seen tremendous growth in recent years, yet when it comes to insurance, it remains one of the most underserved sectors. Historically, car wash owners and operators have been left with generic, boilerplate policies that fail to address the unique risks they face. That’s where we come in.

At the Heartland Car Wash Show, OhmCo shared how car wash owners can use a simple Mother’s Day campaign to attract customers and turn them into loyal fans with the power of social media.At the Heartland Show, OhmCo’s Mel Ohlinger shared a proven Mother's Day campaign strategy that uses social media to build real loyalty—without a big budget.
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OhmCo presents social media strategy at the Heartland Car Wash Show

Make it look more like a parking lot to illustrate this concept: **What is DNS (and What’s a URL)?**
You’ve probably heard of DNS (Domain Name System) and URL (Uniform Resource Locator), but what do these terms mean, and how do they work together to bring websites to life? Let’s break it down using OhmCo’s website https://www.carwash-marketing.com/

The social media landscape is changing fast, and carwash owners need to stay prepared. With TikTok’s potential sale or shutdown, its 170 million U.S. users and countless small businesses are facing a major shift. What’s the real story, and how can it affect your marketing? Here’s what’s happening, what it means for your business, and steps to adapt and keep your customers engaged.

SEO has always been a moving target, but with Google’s latest updates for 2025—from AI-driven search results to enhanced zero-click searches—it’s fair to wonder if all the effort is still worth it. While SEO has become more complex, the answer isn’t as simple as giving up on it altogether. Let’s explore whether SEO remains a viable strategy or if it’s time to shift focus.

Happy Halloween from OhmCo! As we celebrate all things spooky today, we realized we never even got a chance to celebrate our business birthday—OhmCo turned five this year! Life has been a lot, and while we didn’t stop for cake, we’re taking a moment now to look back on everything we’ve built and all the people who helped us get here.

Offer onsite amenities
Adding onsite amenities to your car wash can make your location a more appealing place to stop and attract new customers with a novel or time-saving experience.
1. Install a vending machine
Vending machines can attract customers to your car wash because they give drivers an additional reason to stop—to pick up a snack or a drink—while also providing your car wash business with an additional income stream.
2. Offer free coffee and tea
Many car dealerships and repair shops offer free coffee and tea in the lobby or waiting area—why not do the same with your car wash? It’s a low-cost way to add value for customers while making their pit stop a more comfortable experience.
3. Provide games for kids
Going to a tunnel car wash can be fun, but if you run a self-serve car wash, offer a few toys or games in your waiting area so the kids can be entertained while their parents wash their cars.
4. Sell ice
Attract drivers who are on their way to a party or family get-together by installing ice m

In today’s digital-first world, your car wash’s website is often the first point of contact for potential customers. Whether someone is searching for a nearby wash or curious about your services, a sleek, modern, and user-friendly website can make all the difference in capturing their attention. If your site looks dated, isn’t mobile-friendly, or doesn’t represent your current offerings, it could be costing you customers.

If you’re a car wash owner or operator looking to grow your business and streamline your operations, you need more than just generic advice—you need tailored solutions as unique as your operation. That’s exactly what my friend Tara Baugher delivers. As the driving force behind a successful car wash consulting company, Tara offers customized strategies that empower car wash operators to optimize their revenue, marketing, and operations in ways that work specifically for them.

I'm sure you've already heard about Ryan Easter. He's one of those guys in the car wash industry that is warm, friendly, helpful and super interesting. He is a creative thinker, a natural problem solver and a boat enthusiast. Recently, Ryan launched his new high-performance coaching program called The Allied Advantage, where he combines his industry knowledge with executive coaching to help make an impact on people to help them change their lives.