10 Proven Ways to Grow Footfall in Your Salon
Businesses are working hard to increase footfall. Here are some simple, practical tactics that are working for local salons right now.
Growing your salon on the high street
If you’re looking to bring more people through the door to your salon, you’re not alone. Salons like yours across the UK are working hard to increase footfall – especially during quieter spells or outside of peak seasons. The good news? You don’t need a huge budget or flashy gimmicks to make a real difference.
Here are 10 simple, practical tactics that are working for local salons right now. Each one is easy to try and designed to help you stand out on the high street and get more people through the door, without breaking the bank!
1. Post consistently on social media
You don’t need to go viral — but you do need to be visible. Sharing regular, friendly updates on Instagram or Facebook keeps your salon top-of-mind with local followers. Post behind-the-scenes content, last-minute appointment slots, treatment tips, and transformations. The more people see your name, the more likely they are to book or pop in.
- Tip: Use stories for quick updates, and keep your posts visual and easy to skim.
2. Run a ‘walk-in Wednesday’ offer
A weekly walk-in offer is a great way to increase footfall midweek. Choose something quick and affordable, like a £10 fringe trim, mini facial, or polish change. Make it easy to remember and promote it consistently – a simple sign in the window or a weekly reminder on Instagram can work wonders.
This creates a sense of routine and encourages passers-by to pop in, even if they haven’t booked.
3. Refresh your shopfront and window display
Your window should show that your salon is active, inviting, and worth stepping into. That doesn’t mean it needs to be expensive — even small updates like new posters, flowers, or product displays can make a difference.
Make sure the outside of your salon is clean, tidy, and well-lit, with clear signage and opening hours. A fresh display every month keeps things interesting and shows you’re open for business.
4. Team up with a local business
Find a nearby café, boutique, gym or florist and create a small joint promotion. You could:
- Offer discounts to each other’s customers
- Create a ‘beauty and brunch’ package
- Swap flyers or shout each other out on social media
- Host a small shared event
It’s a great way to reach new people in your area who are likely to value what you offer.
5. Offer a ‘bring a friend’ bonus
Turn one happy customer into two. A bring-a-friend offer is a quick way to get new faces through the door while rewarding loyalty.
You could run this as a short-term promo or a permanent perk — just keep it simple: “Bring a friend and you both get 20% off” or “Your friend gets a free upgrade”.
Make sure your team are reminding clients about it at the right time — especially just after a treatment.
6. Create a photo-friendly corner in your salon
Encourage clients to snap and share their results with a simple photo area — even just a clean wall, a mirror, and good lighting can work. Add your salon’s name as a small prop or decal, and clients are more likely to tag you when posting.
This boosts visibility, brings in referrals, and adds to the experience — all with very little effort or cost.
7. Publish blog articles with local keywords
Blog content can help your salon show up in more Google searches — especially when you include location-specific keywords that people are actually typing in. Think phrases like “best salon in [your town]”, “[your town] balayage specialist”, or “where to get a fringe trim in [your town]”.
Write short, helpful posts answering common questions, showing off your work, or explaining different treatments. Include your town or neighbourhood name naturally in the title and body of the post.
This helps your website appear when locals are searching for nearby salons — and brings in more ready-to-book clients over time.
8. Get listed on Google and local directories
Many people search for salons near them, and Google will only show yours if you’re listed and active. Claim your Google Business profile, add up-to-date photos, make weekly posts and ask happy clients for reviews. This helps you appear in local search results for free, which will boost footfall to your salon.
Also look for town directories, salon booking platforms, and local Facebook groups where your name should appear.
9. Use email marketing to stay in touch
Email is still one of the most powerful ways to drive repeat visits and last-minute bookings — especially when you’re not relying on the algorithm.
Build a simple mailing list (even just a spreadsheet to start with) and send friendly monthly updates, last-minute availability, seasonal offers, or appointment reminders. Keep it short, visual and focused on one message at a time.
- Tip: Most salons already have more emails than they think — check your booking system or client cards.
10. Ask for more online reviews
Positive reviews are one of the biggest trust signals for new clients. Make it part of your routine to ask happy customers to leave one on Google or Facebook — ideally just after their appointment when they’re feeling great.
You can do this in person at the till, or with a friendly follow-up message. Even a small increase in reviews can lead to more clicks, more trust, and more bookings.
Need help boosting bookings at your salon?
Thriver’s got your back! We’ll do a footfall-boosting job for your business this week, completely free of charge.
Your free job will set you up to start seeing results quickly, with practical, tailored support to help you grow.