Spa Gift Certificates

Are you using everything you have to promote Valentine's Day for your Spa or Salon? Join Janell to get a fresh perspective on some simple promotions to increase Instant Gift Certificate revenue and create effective promotions for the upcoming holiday of love.

Title: Create Love for Your Spa or Salon
Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Time: 1:00 PM — 2:00 PM EST

Space is limited.

Reserve your webinar seat now!

System Requirements:

PC-based attendees require Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista
Macintosh®-based attendees require Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer

Posted in Creating Customers, Spa Marketing, General, Spa Gift Certificates • 3 Comments »

Our Celebrating Romance Edition of Joy of Spa News is ready for you to make it yours! The Celebrating Romance edition touches upon choosing great spa gifts, learning to care well for oneself, as well as trends we're seeing in spa as a whole.

If you're signed up for the Joy of Spa News, it will launch to your clients on February 1st.

Remember, the Joy of Spa News is branded with your spa's logo and when your client clicks to read more, the website is branded with your logo, too! While the Joy of Spa News is complete as is, we recommend your taking a look at it and tailoring the special introduction area to your exact preferences. Be sure to send yourself a test email after making any edits, and remember that Events that encompass the February 1st date will be included in the email as well.

Not yet signed up to send a beautiful, branded newsletter to your clients on a regular basis? Now is your time to get onboard! Go to Setup, Basics to put Joy of Spa to work for your spa!

Posted in Joy of Spa News, Joy of Spa, Spa Marketing, Spa Gift Certificates • Comment »

There is a reason, as Tech Crunch reported, that Google was looking to purchase Yelp, an online local review website. Local review websites like Yelp are becoming very important in the mind of the consumer. More and more, consumers are looking to their peers online to help them make every day purchase decisions. Managing your spa's online reviews has never been more important.

These sites, which include Yelp, CitySearch, UrbanSpoon, Yahoo Local and MenuPages, rely, in part, on voluntary, user-generated reviews of local companies. And they are becoming increasingly influential among consumers. — Diana Ransom, Wall Street Journal

Read the article.

Pay attention to what consumers are saying about your spa online and look for ways to resolve any negative reviews quickly. Businesses that deliver quality service and tangible value consistently to their clients will see positive online reviews increase.

As always, building a strong relationship with loyal clients continues to be very important. Expand your effort and get to know new spa customers. The handshake and extra time spent with a new customer may bring forth a review that builds momentum for your business.

Posted in Creating Customers, Spa Marketing, Spa Business Management, Spa Gift Certificates • 3 Comments »

Who knew that Twitter would be an effective tool to galvanize revolutions and spur an impromptu snowball fight in Washington DC over the weekend?

But one of the beautiful features of Twitter is its power to bring about quick fits of promotion response that can be felt almost immediately. That tangible result is very important to small spa businesses and your local community. Instant ROI (return on investment) is very important to small businesses, maybe even more so than a promotions overall effectiveness in the long run.

I recently checked my favorite local spa’s Twitter page and found they were offering a 15% discount on spa treatments for that day only. Twitter is an effective tool for filling open appointments in your spa schedule and it keeps loyal members of your community coming to the spa for treatments.

Twitter gives local businesses a vehicle to deliver value to their community inexpensively and effectively. Use the next year to develop a social media strategy for your spa; it could pay off instantly.

Posted in Social Media, Creating Customers, Spa Marketing, Spa Gift Certificates • 2 Comments »

This year holiday online sales have taken an important and positive turn in the minds of the average American. Savvy on-line consumers have known for a long time that the web is a source for price comparison and expediency. Now, the average consumer has stepped away from frenzied holiday shopping rituals and taken their fist step into transferring those purchases to online retailers.

While sales conducted at brick-and mortar stores are about flat this season compared with 2008, online retailing grew 4% from the beginning of November through Dec. 18 to $24.8 billion, according to Web tracking company comScore Inc. Online sales on Dec. 15 totaled $913 million, marking a one-day record for the industry. Geoffrey Fowler

Read the article.

Online holiday promotions have been particularly aggressive this year and have helped more traditional shoppers look online for deals instead of trudging to traditional brick and mortar retail locations. The result, online shopping is up dramatically among large and small retailers.

But Web analytics company Coremetrics Inc. reported that sales Friday and Saturday broke expectations to increase 24% compared to the Friday and Saturday before Christmas last year, as snowstorms in the eastern U.S. prompted some consumers to do last-minute shopping online. Geoffrey Fowler

Spa Instant Gift Certificate transactions continue to ramp up nationwide and we will see sales swell right up to Christmas day. Instant online transactions create a significant advantage over mass retailer websites who are confined by shipping deadlines. Their sales will begin tapering off today.

Posted in Spa Marketing, Spa Gift Certificates • Comment »

The 3300+ local spas using SpaBoom’s online instant gift technology have the edge over mammoth retailers this holiday season.

While Amazon and Wal-Mart seek out processes to reduce shipping costs and increase online shopping efficiencies, spas that offer online instant gifts can provide the perfect 'instant' gift with zero shipping costs. In addition, purchasing instant spa gifts online allows consumers to by-pass the mall, long lines and full parking lots this holiday.

The Wall Street Journal reports on Wal-Marts efforts to use their retail store-power to increase online sales. Wal-Mart is using its store locations to offer consumers free shipping from its online store. If a consumer purchases a product from www.walmart.com they can pick it up from their closest Wal-Mart store. It is a strategy designed to reduce shipping costs by using their brick and mortar locations. It is also testament to the consumers' demand for quick, easy and simple purchase experiences.

While e-commerce represents less than 5% of American retail spending, merchants are finding that even technologically unsophisticated consumers start their shopping on computers or mobile phones, perusing product reviews and price comparison Web sites.

ComScore said Monday total online orders rose 3%, to $19.9 billion, from November 1 through Dec. 11 compared to the same time a year ago. Miguel Bustillo and Geoffery A. Fowler

Read the article.

Take advantage of your spa’s local brand presence but also shout the ease and convenience of your spa’s online instant gifts. Instant Gift Certificates give your spa the power of quick and effortless without the cost and hassle associated with shipping gifts this holiday.

Posted in Spa Marketing, General, Spa Gift Certificates • Comment »

According to Forrester Research, online retail sales are expected to reach $44.7 billion during the months of November and December 2009, an 8% increase over 2008. This means that consumers are continuing to shift to the web for their holiday shopping.

Consumers are avoiding lines and crowds this year more than ever before and will look online for last-minute giving.

• Online Instant Gift Certificates don’t require inventory management.
• The more gift certificates purchased now will translate into 2010 spa appointments and rebooking opportunities.
• Many spa customers will be new, a referral of sorts from existing clients who want to share the amazing spa experiences they have at your spa.
• An online spa gift giver may never walk into your spa but can become a very important customer.
• Instant Gift Certificates from your spa website eliminate all the hassle associated with holiday shopping.
• The United postal service has declare December 21st as the very last date consumers, sending packages using the hyper-expensive express mail service, can expect their gifts to arrive on Christmas Day. Meanwhile, research shows that online instant spa gift purchases are still revving up to satisfy all the last-minute gift needs.

The best gifts in life become treasured memories. It is the spa gift we receive that has unexpected benefit to our lives right now, for a moment, an hour or a day. The gift of spa lingers and stays with us long after it has been used and often motivates us to change our lives for the better.

Posted in Creating Customers, Spa Marketing, Spa Gift Certificates • Comment »

SpaBoom believes in the intrinsic value of giving 'instant' spa for the holidays. SpaBoom’s technology provides spas with the capacity to sell services online in the form of Instant Gift Certificates. They are easy to give, incredibly efficient and retain their value over time.

A recent NPR Planet Money podcast about the inefficiencies of gift giving left us feeling like we were truly understood. It is a short podcast that is interesting and encourages us to pause and think before we give gifts this season.

Economist Joel Waldfogel says giving gifts people don't want isn't just bad for the recipients, it's bad for the economy. According to his research, billions of dollars are wasted each year because of holiday shopping. A professor at Wharton, he has spent years surveying his students about the value of gifts they have received. Based on those surveys, Waldfogel says the spending others do for us produces about 20 percent less satisfaction than the spending we do for ourselves.

Despite the title of his book, Scroogenomics: Why You Shouldn't Buy Presents For The Holidays, Waldfogel says he doesn't want to end gift giving, in fact he enjoys it. He says he just wants us to think harder about who we are buying for and maybe choose a gift card over that reindeer sweater.

NPR Planet Money podcast is titled The Most Wasteful Time of Year.…

Listen to the podcast.

Every holiday we make purchases for those we love. Very often, we don’t pick the right gift and its value in the recipient’s mind is lower than its purchase price.

Here are some gift giving insights that I gleaned from listening:

• Take care when purchasing a holiday gift. Most gifts don’t hold up their value once they are given.
• The more you know someone the more likely it is that you will give him or her something they want. It is a no brainer, but we give gifts to people we hardly know all the time.
• Know exactly what the recipient wants or give them a gift certificate.
• Give them something they can choose at a store they enjoy.
• Make sure the gift is joyous and delightful to give.
• Be informed about the items you are giving.
• Never talk about bad gifts you have received.
• Give the gift of charity; it retains its value to both parties.
• Don’t look at gift giving as an obligation; it is a true luxury to give.

Posted in Spa Marketing, General, Spa Gift Certificates • 2 Comments »

The days are counting down to the annual spike in gift-giving.  Make sure your customers know that you offer fantastic options for everyone on their list by promoting your services and running specials timed for their buying convenience.

You already know how online GCs solve many frustrating holiday situations — no shipping or driving around required, buy at the last minute, personal designs and messages, special packages chosen just for the recipient, et cetera.  Now — loud and proud! — let your clients know those same conveniences.

SpaBoom has several great ways to show your clients some love, and even more ideas on how to "promote your promotions".

Start by targeting your buyers — create services and new service packages just for the type of client that you'd like to bring back, or reward for repeat visits.  Don't see as many men in for appointments as you'd like?  Make some packages just for them, using your creativity for anything from a post-holiday detox treatment to a couple's bliss package themed around the Superbowl (which of course occurs just as all the holiday bills are arriving, and everyone needs stress relief then!).

Use these tools to create your chosen holiday features:

• BOGO (buy one get one) — Gift Certificates that give back — you set the threshhold and the amount of the bonus GC.
• Percentage Discount — extend a discount to all dollar-based GCs
• Featured Services — tried and true, select particular services to highlight and optionally discount

Now that you've chosen your promotions and set up the Events and created service packages as needed, you've got to promote, promote, promote.  Here's how:

In-house Events — how about a holiday party to show off your facility, your products, and your upcoming specials?  Everyone loves a party, especially when they don't have to clean their house!  Throw a little "spa happy hour" with all of your staff and therapists so your clients can come in and talk to everyone.  Serve treats, offer product or service samplers, even showcase the local artist's work hanging on your walls.  When the party's over — blog about it on your dynamic website!  Post photos at the front desk, anything to show off the great time and encourage those who couldn't make it to come next time.  If your clients feel a connection to you as a local business they'll choose you over other retailers.

• Point of Purchase signs — colorful miniature posters to highlight holiday gift designs and show off your sales.  Post these at your front desk, stack them in your waiting area, even hang on your door for anyone who might drop by after hours!
• Email Campaign(s) — talk to your eager clients using the most cost-effective marketing device — email.  Use your hard-won client list and tell them all about how you are saving them time and money this year.
• Engage Your Staff — make sure all of your employees know about the specials, from details to dates.  Get them excited and have them mention those specials to clients, even something as innocuous as, "We have some GREAT holiday specials coming up, just ask me if you'd like to know anything about them."

As the holidays come rushing in, with just a little homework you'll be set to ace the retail season and be ready for big growth and even happier clients in 2010!

Posted in Holiday Promotion Brief, Spa Marketing, Spa Gift Certificates • 2 Comments »

1. It is going to be an aggressive holiday season this year so make sure your spa has high impact spa promotions that are ready to go. Check out our BOGO and % off Instant Gift Certificate features.
2. Remember that during the holidays consumers are buying for other people, family, friends and co-workers so position your promotions with that in mind. Let the gift seekers know your spa has the perfect gift they can give to just about anyone.
3. Use email marketing to promote your spa and Instant Gift Certificates. Click the link, to access a recent blog post that outlines how to avoid email spam filters.
4. Make it extremely easy for existing clients and gift givers to make a purchase from your spa, especially your website. Any action, including booking and Instant Gift Certificates, that can be conducted through your spa website increases efficiency and most importantly adds convenience for your customer.
5. Engage, Engage, Engage. Every aspect of your spa should be concentrating on the clients who are currently in your spa. They are your very best prospects today, tomorrow and next year. Make it possible for them to rebook, purchase retail products and find the gifts they want in your spa. Get their email address when they book and you will have an amazing list in no time.
6. Learn from last year. Be ready in your spa and on the website. Make sure all messaging is up to date and that your spa retail area is ready for clients.
7. There will be a promotional intensity to this holiday season. Consumers will be hit with a plethora of options all designed to have them “ACT NOW.” Make sure your customers choose gifts from your spa by being prepared to act while they are in the spa and afterward.
8. Advertise where your customers are right now, they are surfing social media sites like Twitter and Facebook.
9. Consumers are going to pinching pennies this year so get in early and get the advantage before anyone else. Remember, “Limited time offer” is a classic call to action.
10. It is important to consider that your spa competes with any business that has a gift idea targeted to your demographic and a majority of businesses will be offering perks like free shipping, reduced prices and special promotions. Make your spa packages special, packed with value and stress reducing treatments.

Posted in Spa Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Social Media, Spa Marketing, General, Spa Website Design, Spa Gift Certificates • 2 Comments »

Stop by the booth for the scoop on all the newest and coolest we're up to, as well as some Blissful chocolate!

Janell and I will be happy to give you effective tips and tricks for your holiday marketing, and to share simple ideas to get the most out of your SpaBoom service!

Event details:

• Dates: November 7–8, 2009.
• Venue: Ft. Lauderdale, Broward County Convention Center

Show hours:

• Saturday, November 7, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
• Sunday, November 8, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Posted in Creating Customers, SpaBoom New Features, Spa Marketing, General, Spa Gift Certificates • 2 Comments »

On display in a Paris storefront window sits the most breathtaking, resplendent 5” python platform shoes. Yes, they would take a significant bite out of any budget but they dazzle and flash in your mind as you imagine walking them down the Boulevard. The sting of reality that will suddenly clamp down hard is designed to remind you that logical needs must be met, despite the desire and captivation of those barely plausible stilts.

Building an e-commerce website for your spa is one of the most important decisions you will make for your business and your head must be wrapped in the needs of the business rather than the opportunity to dazzle and Flash.

Stand out by designing a website that meets the needs of your customers and builds revenue for your business. It all starts by asking yourself what you really need from a spa website. Unraveling your wants from your needs will give you the insight to build an effective website and put you in control to drive your spa business toward success.

An e-commerce spa website needs:

• Simple and logical navigation. Consumers are experienced in quickly finding what they need online. If the process is even slightly slow or challenging to navigate they will move on to a website that is straightforward. Make sure online customers can find what they need on your spa website right from the homepage including gift certificate purchases, appointment booking and spa treatment menus.
• Focus on what’s being sold. Don’t overwhelm online customers with Flash and dazzling graphics. The idea is to keep their attention and make it easy to take action by making a purchase or booking an appointment so any distraction from that goal is diminishing the websites effectiveness.
• Simple to update and add content. This means you need to be in control and keep the ability to update the website yourself. It will give you the flexibility to improve and refine your website to better meet customers needs over time. Adding content on a regular basis can improve your SEO (Search Engine Optimization), which makes it easier for customers to find you online.
• Streamline your business. Build a website with the capacity to book reservations and purchase online. It will free up your front desk and allow them to focus on the customers currently in the spa. If you really want to watch your rebooking rate go up, move phone reservations away from the front desk entirely and use online booking to manage the process.
• Combine email/transactional capabilities. Imagine having built-in email marketing tools that allow you to email current clients and give them the ability to make a purchase right from the email. Email marketing is one of the most effective and least costly communication tools available today.
• An e-commerce website must be reasonably priced. Be wary of web developers who tell you they can build a website for a few thousand dollars. Guaranteed, it will take a year or more to design, build and go live with your website. Each revision will result in additional charges and once the website goes live no one in the organization will be able to manage it. Changes and updates to the website will be completed by the original developer who will bill you more each month.

  Reality often stings, but if you catch its drift in time it can save you from making a terrible mistake. Next time you check out your competitor's dazzling website, take notice of the Flash and pizzazz and feel confident that online customers won’t be waiting to watch the show download. They have moved on to a better, more effective website, yours.

Don't let the prospect of building a website with the attributes we've mentioned intimidate you. SpaBoom's Dynamic Websites deliver all of these, with ease, beauty and within budget.

Posted in SpaBoom Online Booking, Spa Marketing, General, Spa Website Design, Spa Gift Certificates • 6 Comments »

Since the economy's unfortunate slide into chaos we've all become intensely focused upon costs, how best to weather the storm, how best to reassure our clients that though things may be tough, they'll improve, how best to avoid a similar situation ever again, and so on. For many of us our careers and personal lives have been deeply affected by the economic climate, and we spend inordinate amounts of time obsessing over that fact.

We've been focused. Intensely. And it's safe to say that focus of that intensity for any duration causes stress.

You are in a beautiful position, you practitioners of wellness and relaxation and pampering and nurturing. See, people, now more than ever, need the services that you deliver so well.

There has been a marked shift from valuing things to valuing experiences. Spa experiences are premium. They help us transcend our daily strife for the duration of the treatment, then well beyond as our bodies, skin and attitudes continue to benefit. They help us create memories, and memories of pleasant experiences can help sustain us.

When someone receives a gift of spa, they're immediately anticipating a positive, nurturing, relaxing experience. That is certainly one size fits all. I can't think of anyone who doesn't smile at the prospect.

As you look forward to reaching potential gift buyers this holiday season, respect the ever-increasing need and appreciation for gifts of experience, and mention that wherever you can when you're promoting your Instant Gift Certificates. Your audience will appreciate the advice, and their recipients will embrace thoughtful gifts that help them escape the day to day and replenish the body and spirit.

Posted in Spa Marketing, General, Spa Gift Certificates • Comment »

A Dynamic Website to Build a Spa’s Brand

One of the most challenging tasks facing an entrepreneur is defining and refining a unique vision for their business. Sometimes the description doesn’t come without a wrenching, hard fought process that ekes out something less than desired.

Valerie Walton, owner of Urban Escape Massage and Bodywork is an exception because she knows exactly how she wants clients to feel when they enter her new spa. The new spa website perfectly reflects Valerie’s vision because she so clearly understands what she wants to communicate. That came through in early meetings with the SpaBoom dynamic website staff.

It is an amazing experience to work with someone like Valerie, seeing her clear vision come to life is a fantastic experience for me as well, says SpaBoom's Janell Loving.

Urban Escape Massage and Bodywork is founded on the philosophy that incorporating consistent massage and spa treatments into her clients' lives will positively impact and enhance their lifelong wellness. Valerie’s goal is to help her clients, no matter the age, incorporate consistent massage for improved health and also provide them with a sanctuary of tranquility and relaxation.

Valerie needed a flexible website for her new spa to increase visibility and build her spa brand. First SpaBoom worked with Valerie to develop and bring the Urban Escape Massage and Bodywork logo to life. Once it was complete, Valerie developed content for the website that reflects the experience she wants clients to have during their treatments. Her ability to generate revenue through online gift certificates and to utilize SpaBoom’s online booking tools also gives Valerie’s online customers more control.

SpaBoom continues to work with Valerie to refine her spa website to ensure she utilizes all of the SpaBoom marketing tools. The SpaBoom staff identified four areas where they might provide Valerie with continued guidance to help her improve website traffic and increase revenue for her business:

• Show Valerie how to add treatment specials to her SpaBoom Dynamic website.
• Leverage her client email list and utilize the SpaBoom email-marketing tool.
• Improve search results by optimizing her website. This would include adding relevant content and links and by incorporating spa keywords to existing content.
• Turn on the SpaBoom blog feature allowing Valerie to add content, utilize spa keywords and build her spa brand. She can post relevant articles and provide valuable information to her clients about massage and bodywork.

Posted in SpaBoom Online Booking, Spa Marketing, Spa Website Design, Spa Gift Certificates • Comment »

A skin specialist + Dynamic website = SEO Dynamite

 
Very often life teaches us that conquering the big mountain does not define progress but rather it is the well thought out individual steps that ultimately garner success.

Janice Brownell defines herself as a skin educator, a specialist who sought out education and skill over time to build her knowledge of skin. That wasn’t always easy or simple to achieve when you live in the beautiful but remote area of Southern New Mexico.

It is worth it for her clients who benefit from her skin solutions focus. The goal is to enhance the skin of each individual client and keep it healthy over the long term. When life brings change the true entrepreneur will take advantage of it and that is just what Janice did for herself. A move to Albuquerque presented an opportunity to work at a high-end spa and it also allowed her to learn more about the local community. After about a year she decided it was time to go out on her own.

Janice needed a Dynamic spa website that accurately reflected her new venture, clarified her position in the marketplace and clearly communicated her specialties, skin rejuvenation, acne and waxing. When Janice called SpaBoom she made it clear that she wanted a website that communicated who she was and what she could do for her clients. At SpaBoom the team learned that Janice’s skin solutions focus was integral to her brand and her spa website had to reflect that sentiment.

Janice kept the website soothing, with great photos and simple navigation that allows clients and potential customers to find what they need quickly. Because Janice has a number of specialties she is presented with a great opportunity to utilize SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to help drive traffic to her website. In addition, she understands the importance of building online traffic and increasing her revenue with SpaBoom Instant Gift Certificates.

SpaBoom will continue to work with Janice to ensure she fully utilizes SpaBoom’s full arsenal of marketing tools including email marketing and Joy of Spa. From our perspective, each client represents a long-term relationship and we are committed to working with clients to help them realize their full potential.

The best part about writing these stories is the opportunity to meet members of the SpaBoom community like Janice, whose soothing personality and can-do attitude inspire us all to do our jobs better every day.

Posted in Spa Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Spa Marketing, General, Spa Website Design, Spa Gift Certificates • Comment »

Read customer reviews of Terrace Retreat Salon and Day Spa and it becomes clear that their world revolves around the customer in a way that can’t be borrowed or replicated. They seamlessly eliminate barriers of time and space that often keep women from having their time to relax and find tranquility at the spa. They are a full service salon and day spa that can beautify literally from head to toe.

Terrace Retreat owner, Anne Marie Adams, has an innate entrepreneurial spirit; she is focused and hard working. Seth Gardenswartz, VP of Business Relations for SpaBoom, observes

Anne Marie’s standards are high and the level of service the Terrace Retreat staff achieves reminds me in a pure sense of the hospitality I experienced living in Dallas for three years. Reading customer reviews of the spa makes us want to get on a plane and visit for a spell.

Anne Marie started with SpaBoom in May 2006, which, by our measurement, makes her an early adopter. Terrace Retreat had an existing website that was attractive but wasn’t meeting business needs.

SpaBoom worked with Anne Marie while she developed a Dynamic website that ultimately gave her the functionality she needed to edit and appealingly reflect the day spa’s unique brand. Their spa business fully utilizes all the SpaBoom marketing tools to communicate and promote events via email to customers. Instant Gift Certificates (ICG) have become a powerful revenue generator; their IGC reviews tell the story best.

Over the years Terrace Retreat has established consistent marketing email communications with customers that combine great offers, steady communication and hard-fought loyalty to achieve roughly double the response rate of most day spas.

Terrace Retreat began using the SpaBoom scheduler in its infancy. It is an application that allows participating spas to book appointments online, making scheduling more efficient for spas and convenient for customers. Anne Marie has been with SpaBoom through all the scheduling application’s enhancements and has provided us with valuable feedback.

What is on Anne Marie’s mind right now?

She is now on Twitter and has more than the average followers. She started by following others on Twitter, to gain an understanding of how it works. Next on her agenda, she will tackle Facebook.

Posted in Spa Marketing, Spa Business Management, General, Spa Website Design, Spa Gift Certificates • Comment »

Our first edition of Joy of Spa News has been very well received, and we wanted to let you know we're well underway producing Joy of Spa's Summer Edition. We will let you know when it's ready for prime time, ie for your perusal.

Our Summer Edition of Joy of Spa News is all about pre-wedding skin and body care, as well as spa gifting and other fun stuff. It should be available for viewing the week of June 22nd, and if you're signed up for the Joy of Spa News, will launch to your clients the week of June 29th. The Joy of Spa News is branded with your spa's logo and when your client clicks to read more, the website is branded with your logo, too!

If you haven't yet signed up to send a beautiful, branded newsletter to your clients on a regular basis, now is your time to get onboard! Go to Setup, Basics to put Joy of Spa to work for your spa!

We'll let you know when Joy of Spa News Summer Edition is ready to view!

Posted in Joy of Spa News, Joy of Spa, Spa Gift Certificates • Comment »

Retention is the bedrock of any spa business. Challenging economic times have given spas the opportunity to refocus on retaining their best customers and realigning their business practices to meet their needs. Spas are reigning in many traditional marketing programs and putting money and effort into proven online retention tools.

Dynamic Website

A Dynamic Website is an effective retention tool because it is malleable, it allows spas to update and add information to their website instantly, without hiring a web designer or paying a firm to make each change. It puts the power in the spa’s hands and then gives them the tools to be effective with existing clients.

Spa clients are looking for information about your spa. They want it to be helpful and up-to-date. Nothing says, “we don’t care” more than a stale website with outdated information.

Email marketing

Email marketing is the advertising darling of spas right now because it is cost effective and very successful with existing clients. Your most loyal customers will want to hear from your spa so be sure your message is relevant and consistent with your brand. Email marketing is great for promotions but it is also important in the long term and will enhance your spa and your relationship with clients.

• Before you send your first email, optimize your email list by having each client double-opt-in to ensure that they want to receive emails from your spa.
• Once they give you permission, don’t inundate your spa clients with emails and offers. The goal is to send fewer emails but make the ones you do send relevant and enticing.
• SpaBoom’s email marketing template makes sending emails a breeze.
• Send emails with tempting promotional offers on a monthly basis and track the results.
• Email programs can be tracked and can have an obvious and speedy impact on spa sales.

SpaBoom Instant Gift Certificates

Instant Gift Certificates are more than a revenue generator for your spa; they are a fantastic retention tool. You are giving loyal clients the power to purchase from you instantaneously, painlessly and 24/7. Let them send you new and enthusiastic clients via gift giving and make it easy for them to do it.

Making the most of your online tools can have a concrete improvement on your business. It is an effective and profitable way of communicating, selling and extending your brand to your most important clients.

Posted in Creating Customers, Spa Marketing, General, Spa Website Design, Spa Gift Certificates • Comment »

We've added two new Events and an Email newsletter to the mix, so please take a peek and tailor them to your exact preferences. If you use Events and don't make changes, the Events will automatically appear on your website for the range of dates listed. If you've opted in to our Email Marketing and you don't make changes, it will automatically fly, on the date below.

Events:
Dads Enjoy Relaxation Too! (Runs 6/1-6/22/09)
The Gift of Spa for Weddings (Runs 6/23-8/15/09)

Email Newsletter:
Spa, the Perfect Gift for Dad (Launches 6/14/09)

Remember, you have the power to edit any Events and Emails we've created from within your SpaBoom account. Simply go to Marketing, Choose Email Marketing or Events from the list on the left side of your screen and edit away!

Note: We always recommend sending a test Email to yourself to ensure it looks exactly how you'd like it to look. This gives you an opportunity to make changes to content, graphics, or even the colors if you like, before your clients see it.

As always, if you have questions about any of this, just give us a call and we'll help you out!

Posted in Creating Customers, Spa Marketing, Spa Gift Certificates • Comment »

Going to a spa is a distinctive event; it is someone’s special day. Delivering a quality experience for customers is a habit, formed and refined over time to meet high expectations. It also means taking risks by allowing the spa staff some leeway if it means creating an even better experience for an individual client.

So who is your customer? What is her profile? How did she come to choose your spa for her special day and what are her expectations?

Well, Sarah has been waiting for weeks for this day to come. Money is tight but it is her birthday and her husband knows that she deserves some special time to herself. She can’t wait to pass the spa threshold, remove all her bodily possessions and melt into a fluffy, soft robe.

She decided to spend a bit more than the gift certificate her husband purchased so she can book a spa package. It will be 2 hours of respite and tranquility to soothe her body mind and spirit. It has been a while since she had her last spa treatment so she is a little anxious but has read that this day spa has a wonderful reputation. The online reviews say that the spa is clean and tranquil, just what she wants. Many of the reviews recommend a specific masseuse so Sarah has requested that she have her.

Sarah spent quite a bit of time on the spa’s website. It was up-to-date and easy to navigate. The owner has a blog and Sarah really likes how this woman thinks about wellness. If she enjoys this spa experience she may purchase an Instant Gift Certificate for her sister’s birthday. She is thrilled that she can purchase the gift certificate online rather than going all the way down to the spa as it is a bit of a drive.

It is time to think like your client and take an honest appraisal of your spa and organization. Make sure your organization is living up to a special experience. Not being certain that your spa delivers quality to clients ensures that you are living in a world of how good we think we are, and that just won’t cut it for Sarah.

Posted in Creating Customers, Spa Marketing, Spa Business Management, Spa Website Design, Spa Gift Certificates • Comment »