Discounts at a beauty salon can seem tempting: “I’ll offer 20% off and maybe attract more clients!” But have you noticed that when discounts become a daily occurrence, customers start expecting only special offers and no longer appreciate your true service and expertise?

So… when and how much should you actually discount to ensure it benefits rather than harms your business? Let’s explore this together by sharing tips and little secrets that successful salon owners have discovered!

When and how big should discounts be?

Think of a discount like a seasoning in food – a little adds flavor, too much ruins the dish. The first step: consider why you are offering a discount. Do you want to:

  • Attract first-time clients?
  • Fill appointment slots during slow periods?
  • Introduce a new service?
  • Reward your best (and often highest-spending) loyal clients?

Without a clear goal, discounts can unintentionally become a trap that results in lower profits or worse—a clientele that only shows up when there’s a deal.

Regarding the size of the discount: usually, 10–20% off is enough to catch attention without emptying your cash register. Larger discounts—25% and above—should be reserved for special occasions, such as your salon’s anniversary, Black Friday, or when you want to seriously promote a new service. Periodically review your pricing to ensure discounts haven’t become too common.

One more handy tip: always set an expiration date for the promotion! For example, a week or two creates a sense of urgency and prevents clients from waiting indefinitely for the “next great offer.” Plus, SalonLife can help you measure your campaigns more effectively instead of relying on guesswork.

Loyalty cards or client programs – do they really work?

Have you ever received a free service after your fifth visit as a gift? Small joy, big impact! Loyalty programs work well when they are crystal clear:

  • Establish simple rules (e.g., every X services = a bonus or discount)
  • Clients immediately understand what to expect and when the reward arrives
  • The reward can be a small discount, an extra service, or a special gift

But how do you keep track of who comes how often, and whether they’ve earned their free eyebrow shaping or gift card? This is where SalonLife CRM becomes your ally – monitoring visits, sending you reminders, and even automatically sending a cheerful message to your client. Imagine how convenient it is: the system knows automatically that Anneli qualifies for a bonus on her next visit! This saves time for you and your staff and keeps your communication fresh and personal.

Looking for a deeper approach and inspiration for your salon’s loyalty program? Check out: How to Successfully Build a Loyalty Program for Your Beauty Salon.

First-time visitor offers – a gateway to new relationships

If you need to attract more new clients, consider a “Welcome” discount. This could be for example:

  • 15% off the first service
  • A free gift included (mini treatment or small skincare sample)
  • A complimentary add-on service (like a quick massage or brow tint)

Remember, the discount applies only once and to specific services — this prevents the situation where all your “most affordable” services are constantly offered cheaper.

Alongside this, don’t forget to ask a small question: how did new clients find you — and did the discount actually influence their choice? A good CRM, like SalonLife, helps track patterns, improve offers, and convert new visitors into valuable loyal clients.

Also, after their first visit, why not present your loyalty program right away, so the client sees their return is appreciated and a little bonus awaits?

Seasonal campaigns – stop scrambling, start planning

It’s no secret that the beauty industry has peak seasons: spring-summer refresh, back-to-school, holidays, and event periods. A strong campaign speaks the language of the moment — “Spring Makeover,” “Holiday Gift Campaign,” “Friends & Family 20% Off,” and so on.

The key to success is preparation:

  • Review past results (what worked last year?)
  • Set a clear campaign goal (more clients, bigger baskets, more add-on services?)
  • Plan your communication: send emails or texts at the right time (pro tip: SalonLife’s automated notifications handle this for you so no message is forgotten or sent at the wrong moment)
  • Measure results: how many appointments filled, how many new clients came, how did loyal clients respond?

Your system lets you quickly see if the “Friend Campaign” is working, which week was the busiest, and whether the campaign brought extra revenue.

Want more inspiration for seasonal and event campaigns? Check out blog posts like 10 Festive Holiday Promotion Ideas to Boost Your Hair Salon’s Seasonal Sales or 15 Amazing Ideas for a Beautiful Salon Grand Opening.

Are discounts always beneficial?

Let’s be honest: not every discount leads to success! A smart salon owner acts wisely: sets clear goals before the campaign, monitors actual results, and refines strategy for the future.

  • Check whether the campaign brought new clients or only attracted existing ones.
  • See if clients returned after the campaign ended.
  • Find out if the discount encouraged smaller transactions or more expensive packages.

You don’t need to rely on gut feeling alone — these insights come from data, especially if you use SalonLife’s reporting tools.

In summary:

  • A price discount is a tool, not a goal.
  • Discounts deliver results when they are temporary, targeted, and thoughtful.
  • Always analyze afterward — this helps you understand even better what works for your salon next time.

But that’s not all — in the next article, we’ll explore how to create the best value for your prices (without unnecessary discounts!) and how to design your price list properly. Ready to set the true worth of your services? Jump into the next chapter and discover even more secrets of running a successful beauty salon business!