I try to keep it simple. I find that when you give too many choices it makes clients indecisive. I do, however, recommend seasonal options, like a hot chocolate pedi or champagne pedi. I only offer spa-level manicures and pedicures, and regular clients have the option of a polish change between visits, which is a no-frills basic service.
Bobbi Norton, A Finer Touch Nail Spa, Grandview, Mo.
I only offer a basic and deluxe in the mani and pedi service because, as a booth renter, I don’t have the space to keep several different items for more elaborate services. Either service can be altered to suit clients’ needs and make them happy. I’ve found when there are too many choices to be made, it can slow things down because the client has a hard time deciding what to indulge in.
Donna Schur, Nails by Donna, Huntsville, Texas
I believe it’s better for salons to offer different levels of their services because not every guest may have the same needs or budget. For example, some guests may require more moisture while others may desire more leg massage. Every guest is not the same so why make all your services the same? If you offer different levels of your services they can choose the one that is most accommodating to their needs and budget.
Jennifer Quinn, Spotlight Elite Salon and Day Spa, Greenwood, Ind.
Today’s women want choices that fit around their schedules, pocketbooks, and lifestyles. Salon menus need to reflect the needs and wants of these multitasking women. If a salon only offers one type of each service, there’s no reason for a client to stay when she can go two doors down and pay a few dollars more to choose an upgraded service that lasts longer and gives her more for her money. Salons should offer two staple services of each procedure with a third as a specialty, or offer three staple procedures; any more than that in my opinion is just overkill.
Colleen Ramsey, C.R. Nails at Tangles Salon, Reno, Nev.
Early in my career I wrote beautiful menus with delicious descriptions of a variety of levels of manicures and pedicures. At the end of three years, not one person had ever asked for anything but the most expensive choice in each category! So, instead I put my efforts into creating different themes of manicures and pedicures throughout the year, keeping it all interesting. Every once in awhile I have a client sadly say that she doesn’t have time for the entire service and ask if I can do a modified version. I accommodate them, charge them a little less, and everyone is happy. It isn’t necessary to offer several options, but the one choice I offer is a top-of-the-line experience.
Kristi Bell, Bella Miah Day Spa, Kingsburg, Calif.
I offer two different manicures: Manicure and Spa Manicure. I offered more in the past, and the choices didn’t go over very well. Clients seemed to be confused by the difference. I’m good at explaining things, but their eyes would glaze over when the list got too long. I found most consumers chose the “basic” and the “spa” most often, so I eventually just offered the two.
Terri Lancaster, Nails by Design, Kent, Wash.