Marketing is essential to increasing revenue, boosting customer retention, and future-proofing the operations of any successful business. As the wellness industry continues to grow, more people will begin to enter the industry. With that comes more competition. Excellent marketing allows you to stand out from your competitors and attract new clients to your spa business. But if you don't have experience in marketing, getting started can seem intimidating. However, a simple, yet effective spa marketing plan doesn't require extensive training in the field.
As a spa owner, you already work hard to get clients to purchase your services and products. By definition, marketing is “the action of promoting and selling products or services...including advertising.” Now, it's time to take your wellness business to the next level with these 11 best spa marketing ideas you can implement to engage existing clients and find new ones.
1. Set up your Google Business Profile
Let's do a quick experiment. Google “spas near me.” Does your spa show up? If not, you need to sign up for a Google Business Profile. This free profile increases your visibility for when people search for local businesses. With a Google Business Profile, you'll be able to respond to online reviews and attract potential customers looking to support wellness businesses in their area.
2. Have an informative & appealing website
Whether a client finds your spa through a Google search, social media platforms, or a friend's recommendation, they'll most likely end up on your business website. Potential clients will judge a business's credibility based on its website's appearance. If your website lacks essential information like your location, hours & contact information, or it lacks visual finesse, you're losing out on new customers.
You don't need to be a coding expert to have a visually appealing website. Build your own website with tools like Squarespace or Wix. With a Vagaro account, you can customize our webpage builder to fit your spa's aesthetic. The add-on takes care of the basics of an effective business website.
If you don't want a full website, Vagaro offers an excellent option that can still drive traffic to your business! When you sign up for Vagaro, you'll get a FREE listing page that gives clients all the information they need to book spa treatments with you. You can even add images to show off your spa's vibe. The best part? Potential clients are able to quickly book from your Vagaro page!
3. Offer online booking
Part of the appeal of the Internet is how accessible everything is. When you give clients the option to book online, they're more likely to book with you. They can schedule an appointment whenever it's convenient for them. Instead of hopping on the phone or playing phone tag, they can input their desired date and time and let your booking software do the work. Vagaro has an easy online booking system to streamline the booking experience.
4. Send a newsletter
Email marketing is our next spa marketing idea and an effective way to connect with existing clients and run spa promotions. A newsletter allows you to share updates with your loyal clients, offer skin care routine advice & insight, share exclusive offers, or even educate newsletter subscribers on the spa industry. If you want to connect with clients who you may not have seen in a bit, you can connect with them through a newsletter which may remind them you're excited to welcome them back to your wellness business when they're ready.
Social media is a free and incredibly effective spa marketing tool! To increase reach on social media platforms, you can choose to run paid options, like Facebook Ads, which showcase your posts to your projected target audience. Social media allows you to quickly connect with existing clients, which will entice others to give you a try.
On your social media accounts, respond & interact with your loyal customers and highlight the fantastic work of your employees. Having an active social media presence appeals to prospective clients because they can get a feel for your business before ever walking through your doors. You're more likely to attract new clients if you are engaged and have positive interactions on social media, and can encourage customers to come visit your spa business.
6. Solidify your branding
Before creating a spa marketing strategy, decide on your brand's voice, logo and colors, among other things. Then, use your brand logo on gift cards, business cards and your website.
Want to increase brand awareness? Consider a branded app! A branded app allows clients to book online, buy products from your online store and manage their customer profiles, all while surrounded by your branding. Vagaro offers a Branded App, created by talented designers who work with you to create an app that best represents your wellness business.
7. Run Promotions
Seasonal promotions are a clever way to run promotions for spa packages at certain times in the year when you predict there will be a slump in spa traffic. They're also an excellent way to encourage new customers to try out your spa services and drive repeat business. Some of the best spa promotion ideas might include:
Running ongoing promotions, like a student or educator discount, to attract encourage customers from specific groups to frequent your spa, or creating a customer loyalty program that encourages customers to return to your business to earn points or rewards that can be redeemed during a future visit for free service. For example, you could have a loyalty program that rewards customers who come back five times with a discounted service of their choice.
8. Leverage keywords & hashtags
A little research can go a long way. When you're creating social media posts, do some research to see which hashtags are most relevant to your spa services. Go for relevant hashtags. If you want to try and rank for SEO keywords for blogs or your website, research which keywords will drive the most traffic to your site. Continually create high-quality content to appeal to the algorithms that will determine whether you will be successful in your SEO efforts. This will ultimately help establish an online presence for your spa business.
9. Ask for reviews
Think about the last time you decided to try a new hair salon or restaurant. Did you read the reviews before making your decision? You likely opted for a business with client testimonials and positive reviews. Similarly, potential clients are more likely to book with your spa if they see positive online reviews from existing clients while searching online.
Wondering how to get your customers to write a review? Just ask! Happy clients are likely to leave positive reviews. You may also consider incentivizing by offering a token of appreciation, like a small discount on a service. Leveraging social media platforms is an easy way to do this since you could reward clients for posting photos of or reviewing your business, further driving customer loyalty!
If you do receive negative reviews, reply professionally and with grace. Prospective clients will be more likely to trust you and your spa business if you can admit your faults and work with an unhappy customer to find a solution instead of becoming accusatory or defensive.
10. Make your storefront aesthetically pleasing
While you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, potential clients will judge your spa business based on its outward appearance. Your storefront is the first thing your clients will see. It can also attract new clients who are walking by your location. Remember: This is the face of your business.
11. Get feedback on your spa services
Curious if your customers are happy with your spa services? Wondering if your spa is as welcoming & inviting as you think it is? Ask your clients to provide feedback! Following an appointment, send them a feedback form to provide their opinion on the service, space and overall experience of being in your spa. Vagaro makes it easy to create and send forms in just a few clicks.
Attract New Clients with Innovative Marketing
After reading this article, you'll know 11 best spa marketing ideas to promote your spa or wellness business. Don't try to tackle every single point on this list at once; take your time and focus on building quality spa marketing materials that will generate leads and produce more revenue.
If you want to jump into creating a spa marketing plan, download our 7-step guide to creating an impactful spa marketing strategy. Since social media is one of the most powerful spa marketing tools available totally free, consider downloading our guide on creating effective & engaging social media posts to raise awareness and hype for your spa!
Some of the most effective spa marketing tools on this list are available through Vagaro, the all-in-one software solution for spas. With a FREE Marketplace where new customers can find you, and marketing tools to help you get seen & get paid, Vagaro has what you need to kickstart your strategy. Sign up for a FREE 30-day trial for the spa software and discover how Vagaro makes business better!
