Beauty room and website advice

[Jord98]

Hi To Everyone!

Great Stuff here to read and have been lurking for a while but still new to all of this, I have never been on a forum before that wasn't social media so please be kind because I feel out of depth.

Anyway I would like to introduce myself! I am Jordan and I am opening beauty room soon and would like to ask your opinion on a few things.

First do you think this is the right time to open?
Second what do you think are the top treatments expected From us?
Third what do you think about my website: https://jordansbeautyroom.co.uk

I hope to get know you all soon!

Jordan x

 

[Beautiful-you]

Hi Jordan!

I had a quick look at your website and it looks nice and eye catching and easy to use. I think some of your prices are too cheap though! Have you compared your prices to other salons in the area?

Another suggestion, are you qualified to apply gel polish or nail extensions? The most popular treatment I am asked for is gel polish - either over natural nails or enhancements so you could be missing out on a lot of business if you don't offer gel polish. Just a thought. Pedicures are popular but I don't do many traditional manicures anymore - it's all about the nails! And these clients come back every 2-3 weeks and often have other treatments throughout the year.

Lash and Brow treatments and waxing are always popular too, (although my clients have less waxing in the colder months!)

Good luck with your new salon!

 

[Jord98]

Thanks for the nice comments on my site as for the prices they are pretty standard for the area with numerous salons and beauty rooms all fighting for customers in a low populated area. The price wars between the current shops are causing these prices to be lowered good for the clients but not very healthy for the beauticians.

 

[salonsaviour]

Hi Jordan!

Welcome to Salon Geek! :-D Your website looks really good! I think its great that you take online bookings - I believe more & more customers are wanting this so its brilliant you are offering this. It is more convenient and suits peoples busy schedules these days.

I also like the layout - the icons listing your treatment options are cool and your opening times and contact details nice and easy to find.

Its a good time of year as any to open? If anything you could use it to your advantage and perhaps do Christmas promotions? To give people an incentive to book in to ensure they get a slot reserved for Christmas parties etc.

Good luck on your opening!

 

[Jord98]

Thanks,
I have my father to thank for the website, yeh I get the Christmas thing but am worried being the new shop in town with others already taking Christmas bookings. Still lots to do in making sure word gets around solid few weeks ahead of me marketing.

 

[Cathi44]

Hi Jordan. Wishing you lots of luck with the new venture. The website looks good. But, as Beautiful-You says, your treatments prices seem really (!!) low. Have you worked out your cost per treatment etc, and built in your overheads? I'm sure you know your own area, and what the "competition" are offering treatments at, but I'm not sure you can cover your costs, let alone make a profit, at those prices? With a Pedicure at £4 you can't be covering your product costs or your time surely? Also have a think about the clientele you want to attract. Such low prices tend to attract the Bargain Hunters, not a loyal client base. You sound like you're well-qualified so take pride in that and reflect your expertise in your pricing. Clients will pay good money for good quality treatments & products. I'm out of the UK market now, but I'd say pre-Christmas is a great time to be opening My only 'niggle' on the website would be the "About" section.... talking about yourself in the third person. Just a personal peeve of mine.... You are the salon (Jordan's) so it sounds better to introduce yourself.... "I'M Jordan... I HAVE.... " etc. Good luck & I hope it all goes well for you.

 

[AcidPerm]

I know it’s tempting to offer bargain basement prices just to attract customers in through the door but it’s not necessarily the best way to build a solid business. How did you work out your costings? Have you worked out your product costs and hourly rate?
At those prices, you’d surely be earning below minimum wage.

Beauty services are a luxury treat so many clients expect to pay a few quid extra to be pampered. I chose my current beautician because the ambience of the salon is relaxing, it’s beautifully decorated, there’s a good range of treatments offered and there’s plenty of parking nearby. I didn’t pay much attention to the price list as finding the cheapest offer wasn’t a priority for me.

Also, if you start off really cheap, it’s very difficult to increase your prices at a later date as the bargain hunters just move on to the next (Groupon type) deal.

 

[AcidPerm]

... but am worried being the new shop in town with others already taking Christmas bookings.

But that’s precisely what will attract new customers. People naturally like nice new shiny things to try so make it part of your marketing strategy.

 

[Mellynn]

I have to agree with the others...those prices are very cheap! After you taken into account the cost of the products, etc and the time it takes you to complete a treatment, will you be earning enough? Don’t be afraid to charge a bit more than the others, people will come back for quality. My most popular treatment is Shellac nails and I’m slightly more expensive than most locally!

 

[Cathi44]

I have to agree with the others...those prices are very cheap! After you taken into account the cost of the products, etc and the time it takes you to complete a treatment, will you be earning enough? Don’t be afraid to charge a bit more than the others, people will come back for quality. My most popular treatment is Shellac nails and I’m slightly more expensive than most locally!

Totally agree Mellyn. You can get a Brazilian wax here for 8 / 10euro. I charge 40e. And have people driving an hour every month to come to me. On the rare occasion I do offers on treatments I get Bargain Hunters, quibblers and moaners. Very few of them turn into loyal (spending!!) clients. People are happy to pay for the best, so as others are saying, your prices should reflect the service & treatment levels your clients are going to receive.

 

[CFBS]

Very attractive website but I agree with the comments above that you are way too cheap. You need to triple them!!
When starting, you need to run promotions, but if your starting price is this low, you have no-where to go.
If you start a facial at say £35 and then offer 20% off, you'll attract new customers but when you get busy you can just stop the promotion and charge full price.
The clients who chase a manicure for a fiver won't stay with you.
Good luck with the venture but work smarter not harder

 

[Tinker78]

Your prices are way too low. £4 for a basic pedicure?! Why would you do that to yourself and to others here in the industry? Don't undervalue your time or skill. Please, charge your worth.

 

[Alison Pilkington-Child]

If all the other salons get booked up for Christmas you should find yourself gaining the excess demand so charge your worth and make sure those clients are well impressed, some will opt to remain with you.
If your concerned about price sensitivity it's also an ideal time to put up special offers to soften the blow of your planned full prices and do a few extras like a sprinkle of gems for free etc. People will pay more for better.
I was given a tip in a different industry that might be helpful. Don't guage the price sensitivity of your area purely on the nail salons prices there. Big shops employ specialists to gauge whether placing a store in a certain area is viable and you can benefit from their investment.
Is it wall to wall pound shops where you are or are there Costa Coffee's and Mercedes dealers etc? Costa and Starbucks only ever appear in places which are relatively affluent or which they determine are up and coming, they do a lot of research. Looking at the whole retail picture will help you determine if you can take the premium route and charge accordingly.

 

[Jord98]

Thanks for all the replies and I am glad to report all has gone well, please see my current price list that my father and you beautiful people have helped me to realise is where I should be.

Been so anxious about this but am currently in my element I know there will be trying times but ready to take them on know.

Thanks Again xx

 

[Beautiful-you]

Thanks for all the replies and I am glad to report all has gone well, please see my current price list that my father and you beautiful people have helped me to realise is where I should be.

Been so anxious about this but am currently in my element I know there will be trying times but ready to take them on know.

Thanks Again xx

Wishing you all the best in your new salon x