Salon text message marketing with WhatsApp: A complete guide
Running a successful salon is more than just delivering great haircuts and treatments—it’s also about keeping up with client inquiries, scheduling appointments, and promoting services. But, managing these tasks across various platforms can get chaotic and time-consuming.
That’s where WhatsApp comes in. Since many of your clients likely already use WhatsApp, it presents a convenient and efficient way to handle all your salon’s communication needs.
Why WhatsApp is the Perfect Tool for Salon Marketing?
Unlike SMS, WhatsApp offers a more trusted and secure platform, engaging clients through multimedia messages and real-time, two-way communication that builds lasting connections. These features make WhatsApp a powerful marketing tool for salons compared to SMS, and here’s why:
1. Build trust with green tick verified business profiles
A verified business profile on WhatsApp helps you stand out and assures customers that they interact with a legitimate, trusted salon.
Coupled with WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption, which SMS lacks, it guarantees secure and private communication, giving customers peace of mind when sharing personal details.
2. Respond to customer inquiries anytime, anywhere with WhatsApp
With 82% of consumers expecting immediate responses to their inquiries, delays can cost you business.
Using WhatsApp Business API makes it easy to reply instantly, giving you a direct line to customers wherever you are. It helps you secure bookings and answer questions before customers look elsewhere.
3. Increased flexibility and team collaboration with multiple logins
When you use SMS for your salon marketing, you limit team collaboration, as only one device can access the account.
With WhatsApp Business App, your team members can log into the same account on up to four devices, allowing multiple staff members to respond to clients simultaneously.
However, you would need a WhatsApp Business API if you have more than four devices or team members.
4. Showcase your salon with rich media sharing on WhatsApp
Sending media with WhatsApp is much cheaper than broadcasting MMS. Show off your salon’s masterpieces and promotion graphics directly in your customers' WhatsApp inboxes.
Instead of making phone calls or visiting the salon, your salon customers can quickly inquire and get answers instantly.
How to use WhatsApp for salon marketing?
Image credit: Delbeautybox via Pexel
From handling inquiries to sending personalized broadcasts, WhatsApp provides a direct line to your salon customers.
Drive salon traffic with click to WhatsApp ads on social media
Click to WhatsApp ads (CTWA) is an ad format placed on feeds and stories on Instagram and Facebook, as well as Facebook Marketplace, that allows potential customers to connect with your salon directly on WhatsApp with just one click.
When someone clicks the ad, it opens a WhatsApp chat instantly, making it easy for clients to ask questions or book appointments.
For example, if your salon runs a limited-time haircut offer on Instagram, CTWA ads direct potential customers to a WhatsApp chat for instant inquiries or bookings, simplifying the process and boosting conversions.
Learn how to set up CTWA using our detailed documentation.
Use WhatsApp Flows to acquire new salon customers
WhatsApp Flows on the Business Platform helps salons create interactive experiences by gathering leads, personalizing offers, and allowing customers to book appointments directly in the chat.
WhatsApp Flows is ideal for your salon business, but setting it up can be complex since it requires some coding knowledge. Here’s what it looks like when setting up the WhatsApp Flows:
Source: WhatsApp FLow Docs: Facebook
If you are still interested in WhatsApp Flows, you can read the official video and text guides to create flows for your salon business.
Because of the complexities of the steps involved, it’s highly recommended that salon owners opt for the WhatsApp Business API with an official WhatsApp Business Solution Provider (BSP) like SleekFlow to do what WhatsApp Flows can but without coding.
Simplify booking & promote special offers with WhatsApp QR codes
Salon businesses can seamlessly connect offline promotions with online customer engagement via WhatsApp QR codes.
As a salon owner, you can place WhatsApp-linked QR codes on your promotional materials, such as flyers, posters, or even at the salon entrance. When potential clients scan the QR code, they are immediately taken to a WhatsApp chat without saving a contact number.
For example, a customer receives your salon's flier in the mail with a WhatsApp-linked QR code. With one quick scan, they can ask about your services, book an appointment, or inquire about ongoing promotions.
Follow these easy steps to create your custom QR code:
1. Use a WhatsApp Link Generator.
2. Input your WhatsApp number and a customized greeting message.
3. Provide your email address.
4. Download your QR Code and place it in your salon or on promotional materials.
Use automation to respond to customer inquiries with WhatsApp auto reply
Your salon customers can reach you from multiple channels—whether it's through click-to-WhatsApp ads (CTWA), QR codes, contact forms, live chat buttons, or more. With so many entry points, managing many inquiries can quickly become overwhelming. That’s why an auto reply bot on WhatsApp is essential.
It helps manage routine inquiries and keeps hot leads engaged, allowing you to nurture clients effectively. SMS lacks this level of automation, meaning staff would need to respond manually to every inquiry, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Auto-reply rules automate responses to common questions like appointment times, pricing, and promotions. For example, when a customer inquires about hair coloring via live chat, the system instantly provides options, pricing, and available slots.
Here is an example of a template you can use.
Hi there! I’m your virtual salon assistant, happy to help you today!
Please select from the options below by entering the number. You can return to the main menu anytime by typing [0].
Hair services (cuts, coloring, styling)
Appointment availability
Pricing information
Location and directions
Special offers & promotions
Other inquiries
Follow us on Instagram: [Instagram Handle]
Visit our website: [Website Name]
If a customer selects [1], your auto-reply could be a detailed WhatsApp catalog showcasing your hair services. If they choose [5], you can send them your latest promotions with a link to book an appointment.
So, how can you create the automation?
With our Flow Builder, you can create automated WhatsApp chat flows for your business and guide them through your conversion funnel from the moment they start the conversation.
Use WhatsApp broadcasts to expand your salon’s reach
WhatsApp broadcasts allow you to send a single message to multiple contacts simultaneously without creating a group. With an open rate of up to 98%, It’s a powerful tool for reaching a large audience while keeping communication personal and engaging.
With over 596.6 million messages sent daily on WhatsApp, this platform has massive potential for marketing your salon.
SleekFlow Broadcast is the most convenient WhatsApp marketing tool for sending targeted WhatsApp messages by customer segmentation.
Elaine So Girardi
Founder of Bimbo Concept
Here are a few use cases for your salon when you use the broadcast feature.
1. Announce your new salon branch opening with a personalized WhatsApp broadcast
Let your clients know about your new salon's grand opening by sending a personalized WhatsApp broadcast. Share details about your services, opening offers, and booking information directly to their inbox, ensuring they don’t miss out on your new venture.
2. Promote festive discounts with targeted broadcasts
Use WhatsApp broadcasts to promote seasonal discounts and special offers. Send tailored messages to your client list during holidays or festive periods, encouraging them to book appointments and take advantage of limited-time deals.
3. Show appreciation with personalized thank you WhatsApp messages
Send personalized thank you messages after their visit to express gratitude and to show your clients you value their business.
Sending a broadcast is easy on WhatsApp; just follow the steps in this article to get started.
Discover the power of WhatsApp with SleekFlow!
Unleash your full potential with WhatsApp Business API. Your customers are waiting!
Extra tips: Integrate WhatsApp with CRM tools to track and segment your customers
For salons with multiple branches, integrating your CRM can make managing WhatsApp bookings effortless.
By linking SleekFlow to CRM platforms such as Salesforce or HubSpot, customer information like appointment history or preferences appears right next to the chat. This way, returning clients don’t have to repeat details like their preferred stylist or service, enabling salons to offer a personalized experience that boosts loyalty and retention.
You can use customer segmentation with labels to prioritize salon clients. For example, tag high-priority customers or group them by preferred communication channels, like WhatsApp, for quicker, smoother interactions and better satisfaction.
Improving salon operations with WhatsApp automation
WhatsApp automation allows your salon business to streamline conversations and routine tasks. By setting up rules and triggers, you can automate interactions based on customer actions, simplifying processes and improving customer satisfaction.
Setting up WhatsApp automation for your salon
With an intuitive Flow Builder, setting up automation for your salon is quick and hassle-free. You can easily create workflows without any technical skills required.
Here’s how you can set up WhatsApp automation:
Use the Flow Builder to map out and automate tasks without coding easily.
Set rules and conditions to create dynamic workflows that respond to specific triggers.
Run test simulations and track performance to fine-tune your flows for better efficiency.
Start with ready-made templates and customize them to suit your salon’s needs.
Let’s look at several use cases of WhatsApp automation for your salon.
1. Automate appointment reminders to reduce no-shows
Set up automated appointment reminders to be sent via WhatsApp, reducing the chances of no-shows. Create a trigger that sends a reminder message 24 or 48 hours before an appointment. A helpful template might be:
"Hi [Client Name], this is a friendly reminder about your appointment at [Salon Name] on [Date] at [Time]. See you soon! Reply if you need to reschedule."
2. Automated personalized follow-up messages
After a customer’s visit, send personalized follow-up messages automatically to thank them, offer post-treatment advice, or encourage rebooking, maintaining engagement without manual effort.
3. Collect feedback and reviews through WhatsApp text
Automate feedback requests after each visit to collect valuable reviews. This keeps your clients engaged while providing insights to improve your services. Use a template like:
"Hi [Client Name], we’d love to hear about your experience at [Salon Name]! Please share your feedback here: [Link]. Thank you for helping us improve!"
You can set up this flow to collect reviews and insights automatically after each appointment, keeping the process efficient.
How salons are winning with WhatsApp: Real-world examples
1. How Weirdo Beauty created a 24/7 virtual concierge
Image credit: Weirdo Beauty Homepage
Weirdo Beauty, a Hong Kong salon, grew to 5,000 loyal customers in just 3 years, leading to a surge in daily inquiries. To manage this, they turned to SleekFlow for automated responses to FAQs like pricing and hours, easing the workload on their small team. With WhatsApp as their primary channel, SleekFlow centralized customer conversations across WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook.
2. EVRbeauty’s strategy to boost sales efficiency 5x
Image credit: EVRbeauty
EVRbeauty, a Hong Kong salon specializing in laser hair removal, struggled to manage customer inquiries during the pandemic, with only two staff members handling WhatsApp messages.
By integrating with SleekFlow, multiple team members could log in at once, cutting response times by 50% and ensuring no missed messages. SleekFlow also centralized their WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram chats for easier management.
Optimize your salon’s marketing with SleekFlow
To fully benefit from WhatsApp marketing for your salon, you need WhatsApp Business API. Especially if you want to use the automation and broadcast features, choosing an official WhatsApp Business Solution Provider like SleekFlow is essential.
Here’s what you get with SleekFlow:
Broadcast personalized messages across popular channels like WhatsApp and Facebook.
Access detailed analytics to track and optimize your WhatsApp marketing campaigns.
A dedicated sales dashboard to compare performance across different branches.
An all-in-one omnichannel inbox for your team to manage conversations with multiple logins.
Chatbots and automation to save time and boost productivity.
Free auto-reply feature for comments on your Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Seamless Facebook Lead Ads integration to gather and segment leads.
A no-code live chat widget you can easily add to your website.
A centralized CRM with organized segmentation and labeling for better customer management.
Connect to WhatsApp Business API now!
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