How Do You Market a Tanning Salon?

Starting Your Tanning Salon Business

From choosing a business structure to navigating legal compliance, we walk you through key steps for bringing your own indoor tanning business plans to fruition. Market research offers insight into other local tanning salon businesses, where to source the best tanning booths, and how to structure your tanning salon business plan.

A tanning salon provides clients with the opportunity to achieve a sun-kissed glow without having to expose themselves to the sun’s harmful UV rays. Customers can choose between UV tanning beds and spray tanning booths.

The tanning salon industry is booming across the world with a projected growth rate of 6.7% over the five year period ending 2025, according to recent market studies. If you are looking to start your own tanning salon business, this blog post will help guide you through the process with an easy-to-follow 12-step checklist.

Understanding the Market and Costs

The target market for a tanning salon typically includes individuals who value maintaining a tanned appearance throughout the year. Generally, tanning salon clients are interested in health and beauty and are active on social media.

A tanning shop can cost between $50,000 and $95,000 to start up. Costs include renting a place, setting up the room with tanning booths, and buying tanning equipment. Perform local competitor analysis on services, prices, and customer satisfaction to find an unmet market niche.

Initiating a tanning salon business can involve substantial financial commitment, estimated at approximately $37,500 for launching such a business. Identify the cost of rent, equipment, staffing, marketing, and insurance, as well as detailed financial projections, including startup costs, revenue projections, and profit and loss statements.

Marketing and Operating Strategies

Marketing Your Tanning Salon

To attract your target demographic, tailor services and marketing to their motivations for visiting a tanning salon – achieving a healthy glow, pampering, convenience, and an active lifestyle. Offer unique experiences with customized lighting, music, essential oil wellness packages, organic spray tanning, and other differentiators from competitors.

Increasing Revenue and Client Satisfaction

  • Sell ancillary products such as tan accelerators, after-tan moisturizers, logoed T-shirts, attractive beach totes, swimwear, body piercing jewelry, skin and lip care products, sandals, and more. Let the client smell each lotion and try a dab of each.
  • Use social media to reach out to potential customers and ensure a strong presence.
  • Offer a variety of services and a loyalty program to encourage repeat customers.
  • Keep hours convenient and seasonal to fit customers’ schedules.
  • Employ good software for email campaigns and online booking systems, as well as targeted Google Ads.
  • Collaborate with a local advertising agency to help develop an effective marketing strategy.

Addressing Expenses and Customer Retention

Ongoing expenses include your energy bill, with salon owners reporting paying anywhere from $500 – $1500 a month. Offer member packages to encourage customer loyalty even if they don’t commit to monthly plans initially.

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