Essential Tools to Transform Your Spa Business

Staring at a spa business can be challenging, especially after the post-covid-19 period. But it is also true that with the help of new spa marketing tools, you can transform your spa business and attract clients and profits simultaneously.

Today, we will discuss all the new spa marketing tools, but before that, we will also talk about some essential tips to grow your spa business. It will help you to use these spa tools more effectively.

So let’s start with the tips to grow your spa business before going for the spa tools:-

Tips To Grow Your Spa Business

Starting and growing a spa business involves numerous things. It involves strategy-oriented planning, excellent service, marketing efforts, and focusing on overall customer satisfaction.

An entrepreneur can stand on his feet and successfully run their spa business with these things.

You can take a look at some of the tips here that will help you as well as several others who want to grow their spa business:-

Providing the exceptional customer service

It is the first and foremost golden rule for any business to succeed. You have to provide exceptional customer service to all your customers and clients.

You must ensure a relaxing and enjoyable experience for every customer and client. Once the customers are satisfied, they may visit your spa again and even recommend your spa to others.

• Building relationships

To run your spa successfully, you must build strong customer relationships. You have to offer loyalty programs from time to time and discounts for all returning customers.

It would help if you also offered regular customers special packages to encourage more repeat visits. Besides that, you have to make the environment inside your spa completely relaxing and friendly to make your customer or your client comfortable.

• Online presence and marketing

In today’s world, your digital presence and marketing are very important. You must utilize social media platforms and create a user-friendly website.

 

Besides, you must invest your time and money heavily in online marketing strategies. You have to share engaging content on social media, offer promotions, and showcase your services to attract new clients.

• Offering several new and unique services and packages

You have differentiated your spa from your rivals by offering customers unique treatments and service packages.

You must quickly consider incorporating specialized massages organic skincare products, and introducing innovative therapies.

• Collaborate with businesses with other industries

Suppose you are interested in attracting large crowds to your business. In that case, you must collaborate with other businesses, such as salons, gyms, hotels or wellness centres, to promise cross-promotions and package deals.

These collaborations will expand your business to reach new areas and customer bases. In this way, apart from popularity, your profit margins will also increase a lot.

Now, it is time to move towards spa marketing tools how to use them, and the tips to grow your spa business.

Spa Marketing Tools

You can transform your spa business with some amazing spa marketing tools. These tools will help you improve customer experience, streamline operations and adopt modern technologies.

You can take a look at some of these essential tools that can help you achieve this wonderful transformation, are as follows:-

Online Booking Software

You deploy and implement online booking software on your spa’s official website. It will allow your clients to use the software to conveniently schedule appointments by just filling out an online form and typing their name, date, and appointment time.

 

There are a couple of online software that you can use:-

Mindbody

• Mindbody is a wonderful software that can help your spa business manage bookings, payments and client profiles.
• This software integrates well with your services and offers marketing tools. The price of this software can be higher for extensive features.
• This software is primarily used for and by gyms, fitness centres, personal training centres, salons, spas, and massage centres. It also works well for wellness centres, dance schools and yoga studios.

Shortcomings

As an online booking software, it might be complex for small businesses such as spa clinics. Moreover, its prices are higher for businesses seeking more extensive features.

Alternatives

If you like, you can opt for the Booker software because it is a user-friendly interface suitable for businesses of all sizes. You can seek simpler solutions with its use. Solo practitioners can also go for Schedulicity because it is user-friendly and cost-effective.

Booker

• As mentioned above, Booker can be a good substitute for Mindbody, an affordable online booking software.
• Besides all that, there are several more benefits, such as an intuitive interface. This type of software is also beneficial for numerous small to medium-sized businesses.
• This software offers online booking, client management, and marketing tools. With its help, you can book appointments online or social media 24/7 via laptop, personal computer or mobile.
• Apart from that, you can also sell by point of sale, eCommerce and online gift cards. This online booking software is an industry-proven technology experience made for salons and spas.
• Moreover, with the help of a great dataset, the software can analyze the data and conclude business decisions based on the data.

Shortcomings

However, this software has some shortcomings that can be upgraded. The upgraded versions of this software will also cover a wider line of businesses.

Alternatives

Moreover, the UX of this platform should be enhanced so that it can be more easily accessible. Furthermore, this software requires adding multiple features to make it a one-stop solution to market your venture digitally.

Schedulicity

• Schedulicity is a user-friendly online booking software for solo practitioners and small businesses. Its features include granting access controls to its users, providing alert notifications and scheduling appointments.
• It can also help a business owner track and manage attendance, Booth rental management, calendar management, scheduling classes, managing the client database, etc.
• This software has many features that can help you run your business efficiently, but it has shortcomings that can be upgraded with time.

Shortcomings

These shortcomings are user interface, improving colour scheme and getting better support.

Alternatives

You can go for Mindbody, which provides you with a robust suite of features suitable for large-scale businesses with some deep pockets.

You can also go after Booker because it provides a user-friendly interface and more comprehensive services.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System

Customer Relationship Management system or software is a technology that can manage all the relationships and interactions with customers and potential customers of your company.

 

The goal and objective of CRM is simple. It can improve business-oriented relationships. This type of system helps companies to stay connected with customers.

Apart from that, it can also streamline processes and improve profitability for the company. There are a couple of CRM systems that you can use:-

Zenoti

• Zenoti is an all-in-one CRM software. You can also call it club management software. It has some unique features that can blow your mind. This system or software can be used for tracking activity and API.
• Moreover, it has an activity dashboard that occasionally sends you alerts and notifications. It can help your business schedule appointments, track attendance and scan barcodes and tickets.
• It can also schedule all your appointments and bookings automatically. Furthermore, it is a client portal, too. Besides that, it can help you manage commissions, classes, calendars, and costumes.
• It can also help you in managing and processing credit card data. The tools of this CRM will also help you manage customer accounts.
• It has many features that can help you handle all types of business-related issues. But still, some shortcomings can be rectified with time.

Shortcomings

These shortcomings are none other than laying out dates that can be frustrating and confusing, too. Moreover, all centres need to be integrated.

Furthermore, no feature of this software can prevent or exclude you from custom payment. Sometimes, the software cannot recognize the services when you type them into the search engine of the dashboard.

Alternatives

You can go for Vagaro if you want because it provides user-friendly features. It is suitable for small spa businesses seeking simplicity. You can also go for Salon Ultimate because it has comprehensive features that cater to several salon and spa needs.

Vagaro

• Vagaro is a user-friendly CRM software. Its features include ACH payment processing, controlling access, activity dashboard, address book, tracking activity and providing alerts and notifications.
• Besides these usual features, it is best for easy tutorials to make your employees and staff use it effortlessly.
• It is a spa-friendly CRM tool that can easily help you in attracting clients. It is very easy to set up, and the customer support of this tool is amazing, too.

Shortcomings

This CRM tool has some things that could be improved. A client or customer will have difficulty seeing or reviewing his credit card charges. Hence, it needs some upgrades in design.

Alternatives

Moreover, you cannot be able to cancel the transaction in case an error is made. It is altogether another headache that can be sorted out through future upgrades.

You can enter the card information manually, but you will get charged for it, which is another disadvantage you have to deal with.

Salon Ultimate

• Salon Ultimate is a CRM software that offers a wide range of features for various salon and spa needs and requirements. The CRM system is easy and intuitive for your staff to learn many things from it .
• This software provides an easy online booking experience for your clients to navigate. For easy oversight and quick decisions, you can use management access remotely with the help of this software.
• Moreover, the CRM or email marketing system is pretty basic, but it does function well and achieves the main objectives of the spa business, and that is none other than marketing promotions.
• Furthermore, this CRM software can send email client referral requests to all your existing clients’ friends and family members.
• Besides that, the referral rewards feature is a good marketing tool. Even the tech support for this CRM software is quite responsive.

Shortcomings

Now, this software has its own set of shortcomings. It could be more robust in terms of management reporting. Even its pricing is quite high compared to other options.

Alternatives

Sticking with CRM systems like Zenoti and Vagaro is better if you need help to afford Salon Ultimate.

Inventory Management Software

Inventory Management Software is also known as an inventory management system. This solution allows your business to track, organize and oversee all your inventory.

 

It also includes monitoring your inventory-related processes.

There are a couple of inventory systems as your spa marketing tools that can help your spa business grow further.

You can take a look at them here:-

Rosy

• Rosy is a user-friendly inventory management software. It comes at a good price. You can also call it cloud-based salon and spa management software.
• This salon software is best known for its efficient client scheduling management, mobile accessibility, reliable Facebook integration, and robust inventory management.
• This software system handles comprehensive financial and performance reports and uses the smart POS system effortlessly.
• You can use this software for effective marketing communications and beneficial rewards programs.
• The features of this software, such as client scheduling management, can make it easy for your business clients and customers to book and confirm their appointments easily.
• Moreover, automatic alerts are also sent to clients regarding their appointments. Your users can also access multiple bookings because of this software.
• It also includes a history of the clients and personalizing automated reminders.

Shortcomings

But, it has some shortcomings that can be sorted out. All the pulled and displayed data are shown differently. Moreover, customer data is close to non-existent.

It also has an outdated appearance; upgraded software can change or repair it. You also have to deal with confusing menus for settings.

Alternatives

If Rosy doesn’t fit the bill, you can go for Salon Iris. It offers robust reporting tools for in-depth analysis. You can also go to Millennium if you want. It provides extensive customization options. It caters to various needs of your business.

Salon IRIS

• Salon IRIS is an inventory software with comprehensive reporting and tracking features. It is suitable for both small and large spa businesses.
• This software offers many beneficial tools and features, such as an interface, data security and mobility. With the help of this unique inventory software, you can make bookings and have them confirmed even after the salon’s operating hours.
• Directly or indirectly, this inventory software will help your business to increase profits. Moreover, you can also send reminders to your clients to confirm or cancel the number of no-shows the business has to deal with.
• Furthermore, the iOS and Android application of Salon Iris has features that will help your business. As an owner and manager, you can perform all the tasks of this software remotely and smoothly.
• As a software, it has several exciting features, such as a rich email marketing program and dedicated salon software with a physical POS system.

Shortcomings

Now, it has its share of problems and shortcomings, too. Several advanced features require more work for your staff to use properly and efficiently.

The next bigger shortcoming is having just a US support phone number. Even after a fair price, it is not an affordable solution for a small business or startup enterprise.

Alternatives

You can use Rosy or Millennium, which are user-friendly with marketing tools. Besides that, the Millennium inventory software provides extensive customization options catering to diverse business requirements.

Millennium

• Millennium is a spa inventory software well-known for its extensive customization options for all your tailored business needs.
• It has features like standard appointment booking, inventory management, and reporting.
• The software also combines client loyalty features such as smart incentives, marketing, membership billing, integrations, and other useful features.
• This inventory software is designed for spas and salons of several varieties. This software is good for all those spa businesses offering a full range of treatments to its customers and clients.
• These treatments include massages, manicures/pedicures, hairdressing, and more. Salon trainers can also use this salon software to train their staff members.
• Millennium software features also include spa and salon management, client management and payment processing.
• These features include appointment booking with room maximization, text message reminders, and multi-location support.
• This software is also good for barcode scanning, credit card processing, customer history, coupons and gift cards, sales commission management, and special orders.
• You can attach or interface peripheral devices with the software, such as a barcode scanner, cash drawer, receipt printer, and magnetic stripe reader.
• All these features and advantages make Millennium Spa inventory software very simple to use, maintain and monitor. It provides all your clients and customers with smooth online booking experience and endless free assistance.

Shortcomings

Some shortcomings must be addressed, such as the receipt printer feature missing from the system, its complexity, and high pricing.

It is not suitable for small business houses with limited budgets. However, a wealthy startup can easily adopt it.

Alternatives

You can go for Rosy software in case this software doesn’t fulfil all your business needs or is unsuitable for your spa. But you can also use cheaper or affordable software versions such as Salon Iris.

Salon Iris can easily provide robust reporting with suitable features for smaller to medium-sized businesses.

Point of Sale (POS) System

A point of sale or POS system is where a customer executes the payment for goods or services and where sales taxes may become payable.

A POS transaction might occur in person or online, with receipts that can be generated in print or electronically.

 

A POS system is a very valuable component in the spa business. Take a look at some of the POS systems that are available for your spa business here:-

Square POS System

• Square is a user-friendly POS interface. It can easily integrate with several platforms. It is a well-suited tool for all small businesses, including your spa business.
• Moreover, it offers simple and cost-effective POS solutions. You can use this software remotely with the help of iOS and Android devices.
• You can also do so with the help of Square’s Point of Sale hardware. This POS software allows users to manage customers, transactions, inventory, invoicing, and payments.
• It can do so with the help of additional tools for managing customer loyalty, marketing, employees, and payroll. Furthermore, it is safe to say that this POS system is very easy to set up and use.
• It also possesses features like multi-location support. The pricing of this POS system is transparent and personalized in voice creation.
• This POS system also possesses streamlined inventory tracking and management. It also includes transaction recording and syncing across devices.

Shortcomings

This POS system is wonderful, but it still has some shortcomings. The business owner using this POS system has to bear the higher-than-average processing fees.

As a business owner, you must pay extra costs for add-on modules that further limit the efficiency and use of this POS system.

There are few or limited how-to-use videos and tutorials on this POS system, so small and medium-level businesses need help to train their staff on it.

Alternatives

If you want a second option, go for the Lightspeed POS system. It provides more advanced features that are suitable for large and small businesses at the same time.

There are some other options to consider if you want to. Vend POS system is ideal for multi-location businesses and offers extensive inventory and customer management tools.

Lightspeed POS System

• The Lightspeed POS system is a unique solution leading and generating sales in the POS systems industry. It is well-known for serving a large user base and maintaining a good track record.
• Lightspeed is an all-in-one retail POS system. It is also a very good fit for small business owners. A small business owner can easily set up and learn a complicated system.
• The best thing about this POS system is its iPad-based setup. It is a familiar technology for most small business owners.
• Lightspeed offers 24/7 customer service that can be reached via email, phone or text.
• Furthermore, its website has a robust customer support section for all spa customers, who can take advantage of and use it to book appointments.

Shortcomings

However, some shortcomings could improve the run of the wonderful POS system. Its inventory management system could be more convenient for small business houses with larger product inventories and multiple product variations.

Besides this, Lightspeed also lacks automatic product reordering based on threshold limits. With this type of POS system, you must manually monitor product inventory and reordering.

This is why most businesses will not be interested in purchasing it: they need more time for it. Besides that, it also lacks in-depth reporting along with costs and billing.

Higher pricing is charged compared to simpler platforms acting as a deterrent against small businesses. There is only one alternative in such a circumstance.

Alternatives

You can go for an affordable POS system such as Square that acts as a cost-effective solution for small businesses and offers comprehensive tools.

You can opt for Vend, too, for businesses with widespread reach or multiple locations. It also provides various comprehensive tools that make your business easy to run.

Vend

• Vend is a leading POS system suitable for all users, especially small, midsize, and large enterprises. Vend is capable of supporting the English language.
• This POS system supports iPad and also has an API for use. It offers 24/7 (Live rep), Email/Help Desk, Phone Support, Knowledge Base and Chat.
• Besides that, you can create memorable customer experiences and seamless sales in-store and online. Moreover, you can open an online store in minutes with Vend Ecommerce.
• You can never oversell with seamless inventory syncing across your channels. This POS system is good for integrating with all the leading providers for integrated payments.
• This POS is fast, intuitive, and capable of working on any device. It helps you focus on your customers’ happiness. It won’t be a problem if you work on a Mac, PC or iPad because Vend works on all the screen types efficiently.
• Besides that, Vend works offline, too. Now, you can continue selling even when the internet goes down. Moreover, this POS system automatically resyncs your sales once your backup is online.
• The Vend POS system works with a wide range of hardware; you can work with the POS by plugging in a network receipt printer and connecting it to a barcode scanner.
• Now, you are all set! You can run your business and start the cash registers ringing without worry.
• You can also look at some of the features of this system, such as CRM, customer accounts, discount management, email marketing, cost tracking, customer database, forecasting, employee management, inventory management and many more.

Shortcomings

Anyway, some shortcomings could be improved to pull it down. These shortcomings are the only way costs and phone support only come with an added cost.

Alternatives

If you like, you can go for Square POS because it is an affordable and effective solution for small businesses. Still, it is recommended to use Vend POS because its shortcomings will not prove to be fatal errors while running your business operations through it.

Spa Management Software

Spa Management Software is a software application that helps its owner or user manage all the aspects of their spa business.

Applying such software will ensure that your spa business runs smoothly without a hitch. Besides that, it will also provide an optimal experience for all your experience.

 

There are three genuine software applications that you can use to run your spa business, which are as follows:-

MINDBODY

• MindBody is a management software that can help your spa business manage your clients, employees, inventory, scheduling, and more.
• MindBody can schedule clients within your wellness division as a spa management software. It can also be used for clients to access the accounts to schedule appointments.
• This management software also allows clients to sign forms and make payments. It also allows a seamless transition when a first-time first-time client comes in and speeds up the process by bypassing paperwork that was being used previously.
• Any client can access this software through a mobile app. It has shortcomings, such as some package integration not happening when you are doing special pricing and promotions.

Shortcomings

Some intermittent issues, too, can come up while accessing the mobile app from the client’s end. But in the end, it is up to you who will decide.

Alternatives

If you decide not to use this software, you can go for the Phorest. Like MindBody, it is also spa management software that is best for marketing tools and client retention.

You can also go for Book4Time because this platform caters to large spas or spa chains. It offers comprehensive management features for you.

Phorest

• Phorest is a spa management software primarily focusing on marketing tools and client retention strategies. It offers features like appointment scheduling and inventory management for small and medium-sized business owners.
• Phorest also works as your Salon Scheduling Software. It will allow your business to make bookings via phone, web, site, and branded booking app.
• Smart scheduling software will make your life easy while running your business. It also allows online booking, meaning busy clients can get flexible bookings online.
• You can collect deposits and payments from all those clients who are booking online. You can also set different deposit levels depending on who is booking.
• Moreover, you can also have greater control over your cash flow. Some other features can also help you control your clients, such as client management, consultation forms, automated SMS and Email, and self-check-in the app.
• Now, this spa management app has some more features that can help you manage your salon smoothly. These features are the Salon management app, staff management app, POS software, stock and inventory, and reporting.
• In case you want to market your salon, you can use features such as a marketing suite, Phorest ad manager, Expert recommendations, appointment booking app, and loyalty programs.

Shortcomings

This spa management software is amazing, but some things could be improved if you run a large business.

Large businesses using this software might need help using some of the software’s comprehensive spa management features.

Alternatives

Moreover, the learning curve might be steeper due to its complexity. Anyway, you can go with MindBody software because it provides a broad range of features.

If Phorest cannot provide the features suitable for your spa business, then you can also use Book4Time because it caters to the needs of all spa businesses and resorts.

Book4Time

• Book4Time is a leading cloud-based spa & auxiliary revenue management software for all spa resorts and businesses.
• This software manages the end-to-end guest experience for domestic and international clients.
• It is the preferred solution for all the small and big spa brands in the country and the world.
• This spa management software provides many features that can help your business run smoothly.
• These features are Integrations with over 60+ Hotel Systems, such as PMS, Payment Gateway and Guest Interaction, Loyalty Program Management, Special Offers, and discounts.
• It also offers Guest CRM, Inventory Management, Reporting and Dashboards, SMS/Email Appointment Confirmations and Reminders.
• This software also includes some unique features such as Package Management, Membership and Subscriptions Management, Commission and Incentive Handling, Online and mobile Spa Bookings, Activity and Class Booking, Mobile Access on any Device and Digital Intake/Waiver Forms.

Shortcomings

Even though it is an amazing software, it has shortcomings. It can be too complex and expensive for some smaller businesses who need help to afford it.

Alternatives

You can go for it if your business is not one of them; otherwise, you can go for MINDBODY and Phorest, which are similarly amazing and might be in your budget.