How To Choose The Perfect Salon Location

As a beauty professional, opening your own salon one day can be very rewarding! It is a common aspiration that many individuals in the beauty industry share. But choosing the perfect location for your salon can be a make or break decision for your business. It’s essential to choose a location that will attract your target market and provide easy accessibility for your clients. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing the perfect salon location.

5 Factors For Choosing the Perfect Salon Location

Accessibility

Customers should be able to find and reach your salon with ease. When choosing a location, it is beneficial to find a space that is easily accessible by car, public transportation, or even by walking (if this is the demographic of your clients). The more clients have to struggle to find you, the less likely they are to return. Additionally, being in a central location near major roadways with lots of traffic can really attract more clients, especially if your advertising (both online and in-person ads) is attractive. 

Visibility

A salon location with good visibility can attract more walk-in traffic and potential customers. A location on a busy street or near a shopping center can be an ideal option, but you should always consider your clientele experience. 

For example, if you want to open a hair salon, you may want to find a place near other spa-related areas or a central location near the demographic of clients you want to attract. But if you want to open a spa salon, you may want to consider a location that offers more privacy over complete visibility. 

Competition Proximity

It’s always great to be aware of how many other salons or similar businesses are in the same area, but you shouldn’t get too caught up on it. You can analyze the number of existing salons in the area, and their services and pricing. A location with little competition can be beneficial, but being close to competitors can also create a more vibrant and attractive destination for clients. 

What matters when it comes to competition is to stay true to your business brand, values, and customer service. This is what is going to matter to your clients the most. 

Infrastructure

When it comes to the actual infrastructure of your business, there are a few more legal and technical things to consider. 

First, you want a space that you can afford but also gives you enough space to accomplish what needs to be done. Figure out what your financial situation is and envision your dream salon, then you should go about selecting a space based on these factors. The last thing you want to deal with is needing to move or cut back on business because you have outgrown your space in a short period of time. 

You will also need to consider the actual legalities of the infrastructure itself, such as utilities, zoning, and building codes, to ensure that the salon is in compliance with regulations and can operate efficiently. 

Cost

Of course, as mentioned previously, cost is one of the major factors you will need time to work through. Saving for a salon space should start well before considering where to look for your location. Once you feel like you are ready to start looking, check the costs of different spaces in the area and compare those to what is being offered to you. 

Be mindful of the cost of rent or lease, as well as any associated fees such as utilities and maintenance. A balance between cost and location is crucial to running a profitable business. If affording a salon is too much to consider within the near future but want to start your own beauty business, a private salon suite might be the next step until you’re ready for your own building.