Tanning Salon Marketing: How Can You Grow Your Business

Running a tanning salon isn’t only about giving clients that perfect glow. It’s also about attracting new customers, keeping loyal ones coming back, and standing out in a crowded beauty market. With the right tanning salon marketing strategies, you can fill appointment books, boost sales during slow seasons, and build a recognizable brand in your community.

This guide breaks down simple but effective marketing ideas for tanning salons in 2025. From digital marketing and loyalty programs to seasonal promotions and analytics, you will find actionable steps to grow your business whether you manage a single boutique salon or multiple locations.

Why Is Marketing Important for Tanning Salons?

Marketing is important for tanning salons because it increases visibility, builds loyalty, and drives consistent revenue. Even if you deliver flawless tans, your business can’t grow unless people know about you and keep returning.

The tanning industry is evolving with trends in sunless tanning, spray tanning, and UV tanning beds. No matter what services you offer, visibility is what drives continued success. A great tanning experience only turns into revenue when people know about your salon and keep coming back.

Strong tanning salon marketing helps you:

• Bring in steady bookings year-round
• Build brand recognition in your community
• Increase customer loyalty with personalized offers
• Compete with spas, gyms, and salons that also offer tanning services.

How Can a Website Help Your Tanning Salon Grow?

A website helps your tanning salon grow by acting as your digital storefront and making it easy for clients to book and learn about your services. Without a professional site, potential customers may not see you as credible or may choose a competitor with a stronger online presence.

What Should Your Website Include?

Your website should make booking effortless and highlight what sets you apart. Include:

• Online booking options
• Service menu with clear pricing
• Photos, reviews, and testimonials to build trust
• SEO-friendly copy with keywords like tanning salon near me, spray tanning services, and UV tanning beds.

How Does Google Business Profile Boost Visibility?

Your Google Business Profile boosts visibility by ensuring your salon appears in the Google search results and maps when people look for local tanning options. It shows potential clients:

• Your business name, address, phone number, and hours
• Photos, videos, and reviews that preview what your salon offers
• A “street view” of your location for that extra trust and transparency (you could even have a “street view” inside of your building!)

Keeping your profile updated with accurate details, photos, and responses to reviews helps you rank higher in local searches and attract more walk-ins.

How Can Social Media Increase Tanning Salon Bookings?

Social media increases bookings by showcasing results, engaging with clients, and making your salon part of their daily scroll. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook are ideal for tanning salons to show transformations and connect directly with clients.

Here’s what works:

• Share before-and-after transformations to build credibility
• Post quick tutorials on spray tan prep or aftercare
• Run giveaways (like “Win a free spray tan session”) to grow following
• Use seasonal hashtags such as #BronzedSkin or #SummerGlow

What Are the Best Ways to Attract New Customers?

Some of the best ways to attract new tanning salon customers are offering first-time discounts, creating referral programs, and partnering with local businesses. These strategies lower the barrier for new clients and encourage word-of-mouth growth. Bringing in new clients does not have to be complicated or expensive. Try:

• First-time discounts or complimentary add-ons to make it easy for new customers to give your salon a try
• Referral programs that reward both the existing client and their friend
• Community partnerships with gyms, spas, or boutiques that share your audience

When new clients see authentic results, read glowing reviews, and feel welcomed from the start, they are much more likely to return.

How Can You Keep Clients Coming Back?

Keep clients coming back by rewarding their loyalty, offering memberships, and creating a personalized experience. Repeat customers are the backbone of your business, and a strong loyalty system keeps them engaged.

Ideas that work:

• Offer points per session that can be redeemed for discounts
• Give free tans or perks for referrals
• Create monthly memberships for unlimited or discounted sessions

With Vagaro’s loyalty tools, you can track points, send offers, and manage membership in one place.

When Should You Run Tanning Salon Promotions?

Run tanning salon promotions during peak seasonal demand, when clients are most motivated to book. Aligning your promotions with events and lifestyle needs perform especially well! Try:

• Spring: Prom packages for teens and young adults
• Summer: Unlimited tanning memberships
• Fall/Winter: Holiday event specials
• New Year: “New Year, New Glow” promotions

Vagaro makes it simple to automate email and text campaigns so you can promote specials year-round without extra effort.

Why Are Reviews and Social Proofing So Important?

Reviews build trust and influence potential clients when their deciding where to book. Social proof shows that others had a great experience, which makes new customers more confident in choosing your tanning salon.

Encourage happy clients to leave reviews on your booking site, Google, or Yelp. Then, share those testimonials across your website and social media.

Vagaro can automatically send review requests after appointments, making it easy to collect and display positive feedback.

How Can Analytics Improve Tanning Salon Marketing?

Marketing is most effective when you can measure results. Analytics improve tanning salon marketing by showing you which services and product sales deliver the best results. This way, instead of guessing, you can see what works and refine your strategy.

Track key metrics such as:

• Which promotions generate the most bookings
• Which services are most popular
• How often clients return

Vagaro’s built-in reporting tools give you real-time insights so you can focus on what drives revenue and cut back on efforts that don’t perform.

How Do You Create Long-Term Success with Tanning Salon Marketing?

Your tanning salon already has the foundation to succeed, but great service alone is not enough. Smart marketing ensures people can find you, connect with you, and keep coming back. By focusing on digital visibility, loyalty programs, seasonal campaigns, and authentic client relationships, you will build a brand that people recognize and trust.

With Vagaro, you can simplify every step of your marketing, from website creation to loyalty programs, automated reviews, and analytics. That means less time juggling tools and more time helping clients feel confident and radiant.

Ready to take your tanning salon marketing to the next level? Discover how Vagaro can help you attract more clients, streamline operations, and grow your business.

FAQ

What is the best way to market a tanning salon?

The best approach is a mix of online visibility, loyalty programs, social media engagement, and seasonal promotions. Using salon management software like Vagaro makes it easier to manage all these efforts in one place.

How can I get more clients for my tanning salon?

Offer first-time discounts, create referral rewards, and partner with other local businesses. Building a strong online presence with reviews and social media content also helps attract new customers.

What promotions work best for tanning salons?

Seasonal promotions like prom packages, summer unlimited memberships, and holiday specials work especially well. These packages align with clients’ schedules and encourage more frequent visits.

Why should tanning salons focus on reviews?

Reviews establish social proof that builds trust. They influence potential clients when deciding between you and another tanning salon competitor.

Can software help with tanning salon marketing?

Yes. Platforms like Vagaro provide tools for online booking, marketing automation, loyalty tracking, reviews, and analytics, which saves time and increases revenue.