Salon Management Mistakes + Practical Tips to Avoid Making Them 

When you’re too focused on running the day-to-day business at your salon, you may overlook a few important aspects that keep everything in place.

Those mistakes can lead to revenue loss, bad client reviews, and a ruined reputation that may be difficult or impossible to fix.

We certainly don’t want that.

Preventing mistakes rather than dealing with the consequences is easier and better. So, here are a few critical mistakes to avoid as a salon professional.

11 Salon Management Mistakes and How to Prevent Them

1. Not keeping up with appointments 

Nothing says unprofessional like not keeping up with your appointments.

Time management is essential in the salon business. Clients expect top-notch service without long waits. Overbooking or running behind schedule can frustrate clients, leading to bad reviews and lost business.

To make sure this doesn’t happen, you need to have a solid system in place.

Ensure each service has enough time allocated, and include buffers between appointments to handle unforeseen delays. 

Consider using an appointment scheduling app like Goldie to ease the process and avoid overbooking. This not only keeps your schedule organized but also improves client satisfaction.

2. Not giving enough importance to client reviews

Client reviews are gold in the salon industry. So, a huge salon management mistake would be to ignore them. If your salon has few or no reviews, it can discourage potential clients from trying out your services. Many people rely on reviews when choosing a salon, so a lack of feedback can hurt your business.

Train your staff to encourage clients to leave reviews. Offer incentives like discounts or bonus treatments for first-time reviewers. You can also use an app to manage reviews and daily tasks. Regular feedback helps attract new clients and shows you’re committed to quality service.

3. Not having an online presence

This one kinda goes hand in hand with the previous one. Think about it: if someone hears about your salon somewhere and wants to get more info about you, the first thing they’ll do is look you up on Google or on social media. They’ll search for reviews and photos of your work. I know that’s how I found my hairstylist.

If they can’t find anything or very little information about your business, they won’t be so eager to book an appointment.

To avoid this salon management mistake, create a professional website with details about your services, prices, and contact information. Use social media to showcase your work and engage with clients. Last but not least, make sure your salon is listed on review sites like Yelp and Google Business Profile. 

If you have an online presence, it’s easier to offer online bookings, so you won’t lose your clients to more tech-savvy competitors.

4. Not using marketing tactics for promotion

Word-of-mouth marketing is one of the best promotion methods you’ll have, but to get there and have people recommend you, you need to promote your business first. One mistake to avoid as a salon professional is to think all you need to do is open your salon, and your appointment calendar will be full.

Start by understanding your target audience and their needs. Assess your salon’s past performance to set realistic short-term and long-term goals for revenue, client acquisition, and retention (more about this next). Allocate a budget for marketing efforts and ensure all your channels have up-to-date information. Plan your advertising for the year, focusing on channels that your target audience uses.

5. Not focusing on customer retention

I mentioned this briefly in the previous point, but it’s an aspect of your salon business that needs lots of attention, so let’s talk about it a bit.

Thinking that great service alone will keep clients coming back is a common salon management mistake. While talented stylists and excellent customer service are essential, today’s clients have many options. To keep them coming back, you need more than just skill. You need to offer personalized services, start a loyalty program, and keep in touch with your clients between appointments, among other things.

We have a blog post on effective salon client retention strategies, so make sure to check it out.

6. Not keeping up with industry trends

Among the mistakes to avoid as a salon owner is definitely not keeping up with the trends in the beauty industry.

Even a successful salon must pay attention to industry trends. Staying updated is crucial, as neglecting trends can quickly make your salon seem outdated compared to competitors.

There are a few ways to do this. You can attend trade shows and conferences to learn about the latest products, techniques, and styles or follow industry leaders and influencers on social media to stay informed. 

By integrating new trends into your services, you’ll keep your salon appealing and current, ensuring clients don’t look elsewhere for the latest styles.

7. Not creating personalized salon experiences

In the hustle and bustle of daily operations, it’s easy to forget that a salon is more than just a place for haircuts and beauty treatments. The real goal is to make clients feel amazing about themselves.

Focus on creating an inviting atmosphere and providing outstanding customer service. Personalize each client’s experience, paying attention to the little details that make a big difference.

To keep track of all the information about each of your clients, you can use a client management app such as Godie. Take detailed notes on each client and for each appointment so that you remember important details for their next one.

8. Not using upselling and cross-selling opportunities effectively

This one’s a salon management mistake if you’re looking for easy ways to grow your revenue.

Upselling and cross-selling can significantly boost your revenue, but many salon owners either neglect these opportunities or push them too aggressively, which can turn clients off.

Train your staff to recognize when a client might benefit from an additional express service or product and how to suggest these in a way that feels personalized rather than pushy. For example, if a client is getting a haircut, suggest a deep conditioning treatment that complements their hair type. 

9. Not going through retail training with your staff

Another mistake to avoid as a salon owner is not going through retail training to sell products.

This can be a significant revenue stream for salons, yet many owners don’t prioritize training their staff in retail sales.

To make sure you’re getting a benefit out of this simple method, teach your staff about the products you carry, how to use them, and how to recommend them to clients. Set realistic sales targets and track progress with weekly reports. Reward achievements to motivate your team, fostering a retail-focused mindset that benefits your business.

10. Not offering growth opportunities to your team

Your staff is the backbone of your salon. You need to invest in their development to avoid high turnover and a stagnant work environment.

You can avoid this salon management mistake by providing regular training and growth opportunities to your employees. 

Moreover, you need to create a positive work culture that encourages collaboration and teamwork. Offer incentives for performance goals, such as bonuses or extra vacation days. A motivated and skilled team will improve your salon’s services and client satisfaction.

11. Not managing finances properly

Poor financial management can lead to serious problems like cash flow issues and debt. Keeping track of expenses and revenues is essential for long-term success.

Create a detailed budget and review financial statements regularly. You can work with an accountant or financial advisor to develop a comprehensive financial plan. Identify areas where you can reduce costs and increase revenue. Proper financial management helps ensure your salon’s profitability and growth.

If you want to read more about this topic, here’s a blog post on financial tips for salon owners.

Conclusion

Success in the salon industry hinges on more than just skills and services. Avoid common salon management mistakes, stay current with trends, and always prioritize your clients’ experiences. With the right strategies, your salon can shine and keep clients coming back.