A spa is a place for relaxing and getting pampered by skilled individuals. And when you own a day spa, you need to find ways to make your business stand out. With the right steps, you can create the perfect getaway for every customer. Keep reading this guide to opening a memorable day spa for tips from the experts.
Think Up a Business Plan
All the best businesses start as a plan. You’ll want to think about whom you’ll market to and other business essentials, such as start-up costs and business goals. While planning, you should also consider how many employees you’ll need to hire to run efficiently.
Who Is Your Target Market?
Deciding on a target market is one of the most vital parts of your business plan. Your customers fuel your revenue, and you can’t appeal to everyone. Start with a narrow scope for the most success so you have an easier time deciding on marketing strategies for prospective clients.
As you decide on a target market, consider the following factors:
- Income: This helps you determine services and prices
- Age: This can impact services offered and location
- Location: You should be in a popular spot for your target demographic
Considering all this in the drafting stages of your business also helps you note who your competitors are so you can do some investigating. Evaluate how these competitors appeal to the public and how they make themselves stand out. Be sure to note their weaknesses, too, so you don’t make the same mistakes. Your spa becomes more memorable when it has all the things others lack.
Target Market Impacts Location
Ideally, you should decide on your target market before other key factors like marketing strategies and location. For example, if you plan on appealing to women in their early 20s living in the city, your spa should be in a metropolitan area. On the other hand, if you want a zen wellness center, the hustle and bustle of a city probably isn’t the best choice.
What Are Your Start-Up Costs?
Determining your start-up costs is another crucial step in the planning process. Start thinking of the services you’ll offer so you can purchase the right equipment and chairs. Will you provide manicures and pedicures? Or will you focus more on facials, massages, and waxing? If you offer waxing services and facials, you’ll need chairs that recline to make the job easier for technicians.
Buying the right furniture and equipment can get expensive. Keller sells pedicure stations that are perfect for your day spa. Not only are our options stylish, but they’re also competitively priced, so you don’t have to blow your initial budget.
Whom Do You Need To Hire?
Employee wages are another factor in start-up costs. Think about how many workers you’ll need to run efficiently—too many people can be as detrimental as too few. Once you’ve rented a space, evaluate the size and how many stations you’ll have room for.
If there’s only room for two stations in addition to yourself, you may only need to start with a team of four to five people. One of these individuals will work the reception desk while the others offer service. This also makes hiring easier since you’ll know what skills to look for.
What’s Your Brand Identity?
A generic day spa isn’t memorable, and no amount of services will make you stand out. Your business needs an identity so you can design the inside accordingly. You’ll also want to carry this personality onto your website and company social media profiles.
If you brand yourself as a zen wellness center, decorate with muted colors. Vibrant colors are eye-catching but also make people feel more energized, which would clash with your identity. Try to maintain a calm atmosphere in the spa. If a customer misses an appointment, it’s okay; you can work together to find a new time.
Your identity is how the public will recognize you. The truer you stay to your identity, the easier it will be to stand out. Re-evaluate your competition and see how they identify and what competitors lack. When assessing competitors, think like you own the business and consider what changes you would make to stand out. These are all things you can implement in your day spa.
Pro Tip
Most spas use soft lighting in the waiting area because, like color, light can invoke an emotional response. If you need to use brighter lights in service rooms, offer clients an eye mask so they can unwind with ease.
Properly Train Your Staff
When staff has a thorough understanding of what’s expected of them, it’s easier to give customers an amazing experience. Employees should know what services you offer as well as the benefits of receiving them.
Everyone on the team should know how to communicate with customers and diffuse complicated situations. People will make appointments in your spa, expecting you to be the expert in the service they’ll receive.
An Example
Customers getting waxed may have questions about aftercare and when they should book their next appointment. By steering them toward the right care products and thoroughly explaining everything, they’re more likely to trust you. Top-of-the-line service makes the experience more remarkable for your clients and can turn them into loyal customers.
Get To Know Guests
The final tip for opening a memorable day spa is to think of ways to get to know your guests and make them feel special. People are more likely to visit a business that appreciates their patronage. Some great ways to do this in your day spa are by having birthday programs, loyalty rewards, and punch cards.
The best way to become unforgettable is to prove to your customers that you should always be their top pick—people like feeling recognized, especially at special times like their birthdays. Aim to send out emails for free or discounted services to help them celebrate.
Another great way to make customers feel more known is by calling them by name when they come into the spa. Remembering key details about past conversations also makes them feel more important to you and your business. This makes them feel excited to return to your spa for amazing service and conversation.
