The beauty and wellness industry are indeed a competitive one. Just offering a regular cut, colour, pedicure and facial isn’t enough. It’s about the entire journey. It usually starts with the appointment booking process and ends once they’re back home. In this entire narrative, it goes without saying that customer or client retention is key in order to run a successful salon business. While attracting new clients is essential for growth, retaining existing ones is equally important. Salon management software can help you reach your goals. Also, with the rising cost of acquiring new clients, salon and spa businesses must look at different strategies to retain existing clients.
Why Client Retention Matters?
Clients are usually the lifeblood of your business. Having a loyal pool of clients not just boosts the credibility of your salon but also fosters a sense of community. Through your social media pages, clients can see what you’re trying to create especially when you post about your clients and the services offered. Also, when you effectively retain clients, they’re more likely to become unpaid advocates of your brand and this can further help you attract more clients through referral programs.
4 Strategies to Improve Client Retention using the Best Salon Software in India
Implement a Loyalty Programme
To boost your business and bring in some extra revenue, customer loyalty programmes are indeed the best. They can increase repeat visits to your salon. However, it’s important that your loyalty programme is a well-designed one. It’s all about incentivising client visits. You can offer points on services availed and retail products purchased. The points can then be redeemed for discounts, free services or special gifts. The key is to keep the programme simple and transparent so that your staff and guests are on the same page. To manage and promote your loyalty programme, it’s best to use salon software. It keeps a track of client visits, and number of points accumulated, redeemed and remaining. If your salon has multiple branches, the software will even tell you at which branch were the points accumulated. Since the entire process is automated, your staff does not have to be at the checkout desk. Loyalty programmes are a sure-shot way to encourage higher sales without cutting too deeply into your bottom line.
Create a Rebooking Culture
One client retention strategy you must always include is rebooking. Did you know? Today’s salon customers prefer convenience over everything else. The best way to retain existing clients is by offering automation in your salon booking process. You may have talented salon professionals and the best services in town, but if your business is technologically backward, you may be missing the mark.
With the best salon software, your clients feel more in control of their appointments. They don’t need any middleman to schedule their next appointment. They can do it on their own and that to at the click of a button. This not just makes booking, rescheduling and rebooking easy but also makes the client feel more empowered. When clients book online, they also receive automated appointment reminders and confirmations which is a great way to protect your revenue. With a seamless online booking system in place, your existing clients are more likely to refer your salon to their friends, family and neighbours.
Offer Personalised Services
Whether it’s a client’s first or fifth visit, offer an experience that is second-to-none. This often starts with personalisation. Today’s customers expect a lot more from salons and spas. It comes as no surprise that personalisation can make them feel more valued. Train your staff to greet your guests with a warm and genuine smile followed by great service.
Beyond a greeting, salon management software does the work of tracking individual preferences, past purchases and special requests. For instance, if someone is allergic to a particular ingredient in a shampoo or beauty product, they would have probably mentioned it in their previous visit. Use the same data to tailor their next visit. This small gesture can make them feel more valued and loved. It also positions your salon as a business that offers tailored recommendations. Besides this, you can send out personalised birthday greetings, exclusive offers, holiday discounts, and more.
Roll out a Membership Programme
Are you looking at securing your clients for multiple visits? How about rolling out a membership programme? This will not just increase their frequency of visits but also the retention rate. Membership programmes usually require clients to pay a lumpsum amount initially and avail services later. For instance, you can ask clients to pay a membership fee of 10K and avail services worth 15K. Doing so can considerably improve your bottom line. Give your clients the option to use their membership the way they want. Their visits and redemption can be tracked on the best salon software in India.
Maximising Client Retention with Salon360App
Beyond managing appointments and inventory, Salon360 is much more than that. It can help you retain clients in a way you’ve never imagined. It’s a multifaceted software that can help you establish a long-term relationship with your clients. With the above-mentioned strategies, you can surely take your salon to the next level. If you’re interested in learning more, book a free, personalised demo here.
