Best Marketing Plan for Beauty Salon: 6 Tips You Shouldn’t Miss

Creating the best marketing plan for your beauty salon is essential to stand out in a crowded market. With the right strategies, you can attract new clients and keep your current ones coming back.

Here are six key tips that can help you build an effective marketing plan tailored for your salon’s success.

• Optimise your Google Business Profile to enhance local visibility.

• Make appointment booking easy and efficient for clients.

• Manage reviews effectively to build trust and credibility.

• Develop a vibrant social media presence to engage your audience.

• Collaborate with local influencers to reach new potential clients.

Let’s talk about your Google Business Profile. Honestly, it’s like having a free advert right on Google, so you really want to get this sorted. I mean, think about it – when people search for “beauty salons near me”, you want your salon to pop up, don’t you?

Your Google Business Profile is often the first thing potential clients see, so make a good impression!

It’s not just about having a profile, though. It’s about making sure it’s optimised so Google knows exactly what you offer and can show it to the right people. It’s a bit like telling Google, “Hey, I’m here, and I’m brilliant at what I do!”

Here’s the thing, loads of salons just set up a basic profile and leave it at that. Big mistake! You need to keep it fresh, keep it updated, and make sure it’s packed with all the right info.

Think of it as your digital shop window – you wouldn’t leave that looking scruffy, would you?

Getting your GBP right can seriously boost your visibility in local searches. It’s a simple thing that can make a big difference to your client numbers. Plus, it’s free, so you’ve got nothing to lose!

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Make sure your address, phone number, and opening hours are spot on.

• Add loads of photos of your salon – make it look inviting and professional.

• Write a detailed description of your services – be specific about what you offer.

• Encourage clients to leave reviews – good reviews are gold dust!

Let’s be honest, nobody likes a faff when booking an appointment. If your clients have to jump through hoops just to schedule a treatment, they might just give up and go somewhere else. A smooth booking process is key to keeping your clients happy and your salon busy.

Think about it: over 75% of people prefer to book appointments online. If you’re not offering that, you’re missing out. But it’s not just about having online booking; it’s about making it good.

Does your current system let you:

• Customise the booking experience to match your salon’s brand?

• Take deposits, sell gift cards, or offer memberships with recurring payments?

• Automate a waitlist and fill those last-minute cancellations?

• Send reminders and allow clients to reply directly?

• Let clients book without creating an account?

• Have clients complete a form as part of their booking?

If the answer to any of those is no, it might be time for an upgrade.

Make sure your staff are always re-booking clients before they leave. It’s a simple thing, but it keeps them coming back and reduces the chance they’ll try another salon. If you’ve got good salon software, set it up to send automatic reminders to book again after a few weeks. Easy peasy.

Okay, so reviews. They’re a big deal. Think of it this way: before trying a new restaurant, what do you do? You probably check the reviews, right? Same goes for your salon. People want to know what others think before they book an appointment.

Good reviews build trust and can seriously boost your business.

It’s not just about getting more reviews, it’s about managing them well. Here’s the thing, you need to ask for them, respond to them, and learn from them. It’s all part of the process. Plus, Google loves fresh reviews, so it can help with your search ranking too.

Everyone knows they should be doing it, but it’s easy to waste time without seeing results. The key is to have a plan. Think of it like this: are you just shouting into the void, or are you actually having a conversation with potential clients?

Here’s the thing, it’s not just about posting pretty pictures (although those help!). It’s about building a community and showing off what makes your salon special in social media. What’s the vibe? What are you good at? Let that shine through.

Consider these points:

• Content Variety: Mix it up! Show before-and-afters, quick styling tips, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and introduce your team. Don’t just sell, engage.

• Consistent Posting: It’s better to post a few times a week regularly than to bombard everyone one day and then disappear for a month. Find a rhythm that works for you.

• Audience Interaction: Respond to comments and messages. Run polls and Q&A sessions. Make people feel heard and valued.

Social media is a long game. Don’t expect overnight miracles. It’s about building relationships and trust over time. Be patient, be consistent, and be yourself.

And remember, it’s social media, not sales media. Focus on building connections, and the clients will follow.

Okay, so you’ve got your Google Business Profile looking sharp, your booking system is slick, and you’re smashing it with review management and social media. What’s next? Let’s talk about local influencers.

People trust recommendations from people they feel connected to. That’s where local influencers come in. They’ve already built a relationship with your target audience.

Here’s the lowdown:

• Find the right fit: Don’t just go for the person with the most followers. Look for someone whose style and values align with your salon. Someone who genuinely loves a good pampering session, perhaps?

• Offer a tempting collaboration: Think beyond just a free haircut. Maybe a full spa day, a percentage of sales they bring in, or even a longer-term partnership.

• Track your results: Use unique discount codes or ask influencers to use specific hashtags so you can see how many new clients they’re bringing in.

Partnering with local influencers can feel like a shortcut to building trust and reaching new customers. It’s about finding authentic voices that resonate with your community and letting them share their experiences with your salon.

It’s a great way to get your salon’s name out there and build some buzz. Give it a go!

SMS, or text messaging, can be a surprisingly effective tool for your beauty salon. Everyone’s glued to their phones these days, so a well-timed text can cut through the noise. But, it’s also easy to annoy people, so tread carefully.

• Appointment Reminders: Send a quick reminder the day before to reduce no-shows. Include a way for clients to confirm or reschedule easily.

• Special Offers: Let clients know about last-minute openings or discounts. Personalise these messages based on their past services for better results.

• Feedback Requests: A short text after an appointment asking for feedback shows you care and helps you improve.

SMS is great for quick, personal communication. Think of it as a digital tap on the shoulder, not a megaphone. Keep messages brief, relevant, and always offer an easy opt-out.

SMS isn’t just about blasting out messages. It’s about having real conversations. Make sure your team can respond to replies and handle questions promptly. It’s 2025, and people want to feel heard, not just marketed to. Using SMS effectively can really boost client engagement and loyalty.

Implementing the best marketing plan for your beauty salon isn’t just about getting noticed — it’s about building lasting relationships with your clients and creating a brand that stands out. From client retention strategies to engaging content and local promotions, each tip plays a vital role in driving growth.

Having a solid website plan can make all the difference. With the right support, tools, and approach, your salon is set to thrive in today’s digital-first landscape. Start applying these strategies today and watch your salon flourish — both online and off.