How to Implement a Price Increase at Your Nail Salon With Minimal Client Backlash (2025)

Customers and nail salons have a set agreementthey pay the price of the services, and you create stunning nails. Many patrons raise their eyebrows when you increase the fees, no matter what reason you may have. Some may even raise their voices. However, there are ways you can implement the changes while getting minimal client backlash.

1. Finalize Your Price Increase

Before you increase your prices, try to assess why it’s happening in the first place. In 2022, about 52% of businesses raised prices in line with inflation. Upgrading nail products and equipment creates additional expenses on top of the high cost of living.

You can implement price increases for other reasons, too. For example, acquiring new certifications can give ground to raise your services. Shifting to a different pricing model is also valid.

Another factor to consider regarding the price increase is the level of the change. Incremental changes to your pricing model are recommended to avoid overwhelming customers. If you want a complete overhaul, consider computing the percentage of your overall price increase and spacing them out throughout the year.

2. Plan Out Implementation

The next step is to plan where you will apply the price increase. Will it be for certain nail polishes or services? Are you completely changing the hourly rate or creating an additional fee for certain scenarios?

Remember to create a new budget and forecast with your price increase. This will help you fully picture your business cash flow and manage finances more effectively for future purchases.

3. Publicize an Advance Notice

After all the admin work, it’s time to communicate the price changes to your customers. Share an advance notice on your nail salon’s social media, citing when the increases will occur. It’s ideal to give the customers around a week to a month of buffer.

It also helps to add the price change notice to your website and physical signage. That way, regulars coming in will know what to expect when they come in next time.

4. Explain to Clients

Some customers may want more details on the price increase. Relay your reasoning, and share as much as possible with your patrons.

Remember to be honest and kind as you explain the situation, no matter how hostile the inquiries may seem. Transparency and a professional explanation build trust and loyalty, and customers can also extend empathy toward your situation.

5. Create a Compensation Package

A great way to prevent client backlash is to incentivize your services with a different form of compensation. Customers love bargains, and here are a few examples to incite attention:

  • Loyalty program: To lessen the blow of the price increase, give your most loyal customers a prize when they visit your salon several times. About 53% of United States consumers prefer cashback rewards, but you can also run points-based loyalty schemes or create VIP discounts. Just make sure you’re still making a profit!

  • Referral program: Encourage customers to refer their friends and family to your nail salon. For every successful referral, discount your client’s next visit. You'll make your current patrons happy and earn new high-paying ones. Add terms and conditions to avoid those abusing store policy.

  • Flash deals: Flash deals are a great tool to generate immediate interest in your nail salon services. For example, you can offer discounts to customers on a specific date or at a specific time. Remember to use this sparingly, as you still want to encourage more regular visits.

6. Acknowledge Your Expertise

While communicating your price increase, remember to emphasize your expertise. Showcase a portfolio of nail art and services you’ve carried out to your clients and reassure them that they’re still getting the same fantastic salon experience, if not better.

You can also take the price increase as a milestone to shift to a more high-paying customer base. Relay your years of experience and certification within the nail tech field to justify the compensation for your time and prowess.

7. Stand Your Ground

Price increases, no matter how minimal, can elicit client backlash. Some patrons may even threaten to drop your business if you implement them. Stand your ground in your implementation process, no matter how harsh the critics may seem.

Thank people for their patronage thus far, and wish them the best. Have solace in finding a more reasonable and loyal customer who recognizes your expertise and pays you for what you are truly worth.

Boost Your Service Rates

Implementing a price increase at your nail salon is often necessary for your business’s survival. Take care with how you implement those rate changes, and be patient with your customers. Loyal and understanding patrons are out there.

Mia Barnes is a professional freelance writer and researcher who specializesin beauty, health, and workplacewellness. Mia is also the Founder and Editor-in-Chief ofBody+Mind Magazine.

How to Implement a Price Increase at Your Nail Salon With Minimal Client Backlash (2025)
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