One of the most important factors to consider when opening a new salon is the location of your business. The successes of the hair and beauty industry is built solely upon attracting and retaining customers, and therefore the positioning and accessibility of your salon are two influential aspects to consider.
As a salon owner we understand that you have your own considerations and motivations and a ‘one size fits all’ plan when it comes to finding a building is not practical. There are, however, primary factors when it comes to choosing a property to house your salon that require thought if your business is to grow successfully.
Location, Location, Location
It is, of course, largely desirable to position your salon in the centre of a bustling town or city where footfall is high, though these premium and highly sought-after locations will mean higher rent and business charges.
As a new salon business just starting out, this may not be an option for you while you’re finding your feet, building up a client base and working out how much your final overheads are.
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Whilst having your salon sit on the busy high street is a great way of attracting business through the doors, it is worth noting that your hair or beauty salon is a destination business where clients will usually book treatments in advance.
If the overheads of a city centre salon aren’t a viable option for you, it doesn’t have to be game over. Take advantage of online marketing and the wide reach that can be attained through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. We have previously detailed how to successfully market your salon on social media to make people aware of your business and any promotional offers whilst attracting new clients.
Whilst a spacious unit in a shopping centre may be unattainable, we recommend being creative when it comes to choosing a property for your business. A lot of salons are placed in the ground floors of converted domestic properties and whilst you may have to apply for a licence to change the usage of the building, it may save you money and give you freedom to play with the layout of your salon.
Accessibility above all else..
In order to attract the widest span of clientele, your salon will need to be fully accessible for all. Planning out floor space can be tricky, especially if you are moving into an empty shell.
When viewing potential properties for your salon, think about the number of rooms you will need and how much it will cost to fill those rooms. If you are opening a beauty salon, it is likely that you will need access to one or two private rooms for the various treatments that you offer such as tanning or waxing. Ask yourself how many rooms you’ll need and how many clients you’ll need to attract to fill those rooms on a continuous basis. If you are opening a hair salon it is more likely that you will need one large space with designated areas for washing and styling hair.
Also take into consideration how the space will unfold once it has been filled with essential salon furniture as well as areas to display retail products. Will there be enough room for your staff and clients to move around freely? Will yourself as the salon owner need a space also? What about a sustainable laundry area?
Related: Discover our ‘Salon Design Of The Month’: Not Another Salon, London
You may also decide that you would like your salon to have parking access, which, for clients travelling in, is a desirable benefit of your business.
When you are first starting out in the salon business, forward planning is difficult and the future can be tricky to predict. Ensure that wherever you choose to make a home for your business, make sure that you take on a tenancy that you are comfortable with – you don’t want to be tied into a lengthy and costly lease even if you choose to move on as a salon owner.
Finding the right space for you business is important and is not a decision to take lightly. After all, the right location can equate to the successful and thriving business you’ve always dreamed of.
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Other posts in the Salon Management series: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT OPENING YOUR OWN SALON | HOW TO BUILD LOYALTY WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS