Have you ever wondered why some salons thrive and grow while others struggle just to break even? A new hair color or a brighter salon interior might bring some excitement, but often the real secret to a salon’s success lies in a much simpler factor – having the right and up-to-date pricing.

Many salon owners, caught up in the excitement of opening their business, quickly put together a price list and then leave it unchanged for years. Meanwhile, the costs of supplies, electricity, employee wages, and even competitors’ pricing are constantly shifting. If you don’t update your prices regularly, your salon’s profits can quietly slip away – almost unnoticed – until one day you realize your last price increase was “last winter… or even a couple of years ago?”

Why Should You Regularly Review Your Prices?

Rising expenses often erode profits so gradually that you might not immediately notice. Even the most basic cost areas – materials, energy, wages, cleaning supplies – can change significantly over a year. Take a moment to consider: by how much have your service costs increased over the past year from your perspective, not the client’s?

It’s not just about costs – the market situation is never fixed. You’ve probably noticed a nearby salon recently raised their prices or that a new competitor has entered the market with a notable discount offer. All these shifts affect you too. Moreover, some services may become more popular while others slowly decline. Aren’t you curious if you’re offering the right services at the right prices? For more insight into market trends, check out our blog post on beauty salon market developments and trends.

How to Determine Which Prices Might Need Changing?

Here’s where a bit of “detective work” comes in. Make a list of all your services yourself – or even easier, let SalonLife’s statistics handle it for you – noting:

  • How often each service is booked?
  • How much revenue each client generates for that service?
  • How much material and time that service requires from you?

Surprises are common: a seemingly popular service might actually be a major time-sink, resulting in almost no real profit. Detailed or relatively new services, which initially have somewhat “modest” pricing, often fall into this category. If your Excel sheet (or SalonLife’s report) shows that the costs of a service have ballooned, it’s the perfect time to review that price.

By the way, to learn the best practices on what and how to track, read our guide on beauty salon statistics for 2025.

A small tip: sometimes dropping a beloved but unprofitable service can be the best choice for your salon’s overall success. Other times, limiting the availability of more time-consuming services to weekday mornings or bundling them into comprehensive packages can help.

Price Increases – How to Handle Them Client-Friendly?

It’s no secret that discussing prices can be intimidating. “What if clients get upset or take their business elsewhere?” – this worry often haunts salon owners.

The best remedy is honesty and transparency:

  • Notify clients about price changes at least 2–4 weeks in advance. (SalonLife can help you do this via email or SMS, either automatically or personally!)
  • Don’t apologize—explain the value behind the change. Are you investing in higher-quality supplies, adding more service time or new treatments, or hiring even more skilled professionals?
  • Be ready to answer questions: often it’s enough for the client to hear the reasons directly from a salon representative—whether in a newsletter or a personal conversation.
  • Good practice: offer loyal clients the chance to book at the old rates for a certain period or use loyalty program benefits to show that you appreciate their loyalty.

Price List Updates – Don’t Leave Anything to Chance!

If one or more prices have changed, it’s worth critically reviewing every place where clients encounter them:

  • The printed price list in the salon
  • Your website
  • Social media channels
  • And most importantly – your online booking system (such as SalonLife)

Good software ensures no outdated links or prices remain anywhere. This helps you avoid unpleasant surprises like “but I found a different price online.”

It’s no secret that transparent and honest price changes build stronger trust between your salon and your clients. Questions may arise—but that’s a positive sign. Show that you’re open, explain the details when needed, and you’re more likely to retain existing clients and make new ones feel welcome.

Curious when was the last time you thoroughly analyzed your salon’s service time and profitability? In the next article, we’ll discuss how to present your price list in the most appealing way and share simple tips to showcase your services even more attractively to clients. Don’t miss it!