There is no denying that technology is now part of our daily lives. Thus, it is also necessary that you keep up with the technology that can help make your business prosper.
Depending on your industry, each business has unique technological needs. It’s like finding and installing the top-end espresso machine you can afford for your coffee shop. However, it does not make sense to have an espresso machine in your salon or spa ‒ unless you serve free espresso for queueing patrons.
Speaking of spa and salons, here are six technologies that can help you innovate your beauty business:
QR Codes
In case you are wondering what those square of black and white blocks you are seeing on magazine nowadays, those are called QR or Quick Response codes.
If you have a QR scanner installed on your phone, you can use it to scan the code, which will then lead you to a landing page of sorts.
Salon and spa owners can leverage this kind of marketing tool for their tech-savvy customers. For instance, if you are running a promo that requires registration, your clients can scan your QR code which will lead them to an online registration form. Thus, making them eligible for the prize.
You may also use this to allow your patrons to look for the nearest branch, quickly book a service, like and follow your social media accounts and more.
However, you may need a platform wherein you can publish your QR code. Some examples are your social media ads, flyers, magazines, and newspapers.
Local SEO
Since your spa is a local business, it goes without a saying that you need to have a website and optimize it for local search results.
Examples of local search results are “salon near me” and “spa in [insert name of your city].”
Sure, word-of-mouth can still bring in new clients to your salon, but having an optimized online presence allows you to cast a wider net for people who are looking for a business like yours nearby.
After all, it is becoming more and easier for patrons to run a Google search and call the first salon they see on the search engine result page.
When it comes to local SEO, you no longer need to list your business on Yellow Pages. And optimizing your website for local search does not cost anything!
Assuming you already have a website and want to get started with local SEO, this post from Main Street ROI could come in handy.
Scheduling Software
Despite the fact that technology has evolved leaps and bounds, two things about your customers remain:
- They want real-time information
- They are relying more and more on their phones.
As a business owner, it is your job to leverage technology to connect those two with your salon. Enter: Salon management software.
There are softwares that allow your customers to book a service with your salon anytime, anywhere. On the other hand, scheduling software allows you to plot staff availability and customer bookings in a calendar view.
There are even salon management softwares that can calculate waiting and turnaround times. Thus, you can set a customer’s expectations and allow them to move to the next available schedule that works for them.
You will be surprised to know that some would book a salon service at 2 o’clock in the morning.
As a result, you can lessen service cancellations, track no-shows and unpaid services, check room or chair availability, as well as manage your staff, stylists, and therapists.
Discounts and Loyalty Programs
Your business is not just about having customers and generating revenue. It is also about building a relationship with your patrons.
Come to think of it, loyal customers mean a steady flow of income. Hence, it only makes sense to reward your most loyal customers. Some of the loyal programs you can do are:
- Refer-a-Friend program
- Online client testimonial
- Time-sensitive or holiday promotions
- Birthday discounts or freebies
- Points for freebies
It is not necessary to incentivize your customers’ loyalty. You may opt for giving a free service to your most loyal clients.
For example, you can give your patron a free haircut on her tenth visit this year. Another is offering $100 for a women’s haircut for two, which you offer at $70 per head.
Lastly, you can offer a 50% discount on all haircut services for graduating students. All they need is to show some proof that they will be graduating.
Customer Retargeting
With more and more technological innovations allowing you to acquire clients online, it also means that it is now easier to win them back.
If you allow customers to register and book a service online, you will be able to get their name and contact details. You can leverage this information to promote services exclusive for an existing customer.
Just remember to segment your list whenever you do SMS blasting or running an email marketing campaign. That’s because some of your offers may not make sense to a particular customer.
For example, a single woman will not be able to book a couple’s massage on her next visit. However, she might opt for a “bring a friend” kind of service.
Be mindful of data privacy, though, and avoid spamming your customers. Otherwise, you will annoy and drive them away.
You can also use retargeting for those who visited your salon website but did not book any service. This is where Facebook retargeting comes in.
Online Customer Feedback
There are softwares that allow you to customize feedback forms for your salon patrons.
It is a great way to hear what they have to say about your services or your staff. Especially if it is real-time and accessible across devices.
That way, you can immediately tackle any negative feedback and prevent any PR mishap. Moreover, feedback is a great place to look for customers that can you thank and incentivize. Lastly, where you can discover ways on how you can improve your salon business.
When it comes to improving your salon and spa business, it can be a good idea to invest in technology. Just make sure that you understand how it works, as well as how it can help your business grow.
