At Shortcuts we know all too well how competitive the hair and beauty salon industry can be, but we also know it’s still possible to make your salon unique to gain more clients.
Investing time into making your salon unique is imperative for the success of your business. With so many options available, people need a reason to choose you.
A key element of the process is knowing your customers and what they want from your salon. For example, if your target market is young professionals, you could make it possible for them to work on a laptop while having their hair done.
In this article, we’ve outlined the following resources and techniques that you could implement to help set you apart from your competitors.
- Identify and maximise your USPs (unique selling points)
- Enable Upfront Payments (pre-paid bookings)
- Introduce our Walk-in Manager feature
- Create a loyalty programme
Identify and maximise your USPs
Take some time to identify what your unique selling points are and explore the ways in which they can be maximised.
Establishing sustainable practices and being positioned as an eco-friendly business is a key USP of hair salons that are performing well in the current climate.
The expectations that consumers place on businesses to do their bit for the environment and take a stance on social issues have increased exponentially. Studies have shown that “70% of consumers buy from brands that reflect their own principle”, therefore it is more important than ever to factor sustainability into your business.
Here are some additional beauty salon USP examples to help you get started:
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Drink upon arrival
Do you have the facilities and budget to offer your clients a drink during their visit that goes above the standard tea or coffee? Could you offer them a glass of prosecco or fresh juice for example?
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Complimentary massages
Are any of your stylists able to provide complimentary head or shoulder massages to your clients during their treatment?
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Interior design
Does your salon boast a gorgeous interior that will make people flock to you to indulge in the decor and capture content for their social media?
If you feel as though you are lacking some key USPs, you should brainstorm ideas that align with your brand and clientele to implement new services that will give your salon a boost.
Enable Upfront Payments (pre-paid bookings!)
Take your customer service to the next level by making it easier for your clients to hold onto their pampered feeling a little longer.
By allowing them to pay for their treatment in advance, you can take away the hassle of queuing up to pay and going through the motions after having a relaxing treatment. Instead, your clients can unwind knowing that everything has already been taken care of.
Our online booking feature allows you to take payments ahead of time and also makes it easier for your clients to get booked in rather than having to pick up the phone, giving them the freedom to book at a time that suits them.
Walk-in Manager
Our new Shortcuts 8.1 software provides a number of cutting edge features designed to help you work smarter not harder, including an improved Client Database Management feature and a combined single view appointment book.
For this new update, our Walk-in Manager feature was a top priority as we understand the challenges that salons face with walk-ins and knew we could alleviate some of the pressure.
This feature has been expertly designed to not only make your life easier but also improve the salon customer experience for your clients, it’s truly a win-win.
The Walk-in Manager includes built-in, one-touch buttons and improved insights on employee service levels and wait times. You’ll be able to keep track of performance levels to ensure high standards are upheld as well as freeing up time to engage with clients.
Loyalty programme
Reward your clients by establishing a loyalty programme and offering them a complementary treatment or discount after attending a set number of bookings.
Your existing clients will be delighted because you’ll be making them feel valued by giving them something in return for their loyalty, and new clients will be attracted to your offering.
We believe that loyal customers are worth their weight in gold, and have therefore designed a feature that enables you to incentivise and reward your clients.
Make your salon unique and gain more clients with Shortcuts
Shortcuts software solutions have been designed to make the process of running a salon more efficient and less stressful, along with creating a better customer experience. We’ll help you to obtain more clients and eliminate some of your pain points.
Our features will enhance your unique selling proposition and help your salon stand out from the crowd. If you’re interested in learning more, get in touch with us or book a demo.
