Every new client who schedules a grooming appointment at your pet salon or books a boarding stay at your dog boarding services has the potential to become a loyal customer.
Dog owners understand that taking their dog to a groomer is more than aesthetic. It’s part of their healthcare. Regular visits to the groomer prevent painful coat matting and keep a dog’s skin healthy and parasite-free.
Also, if they’re happy with their dog’s grooming result or stay in your boarding facilities, they will book another and even recommend you to others.
Therefore, clients repeatedly need services that you provide within your pet business.
What matters to pet owners when deciding which salon or kennel to book and why they keep coming back?
Know How Clients Search for Pet Businesses
When clients look for pet salons and boarding services, they consider:
- Referrals from other dog owners (or clients reviews)
- Brand reputation of a grooming salon or boarding kennel
- Location of the salon or kennel
- Booking options (can they schedule online or choose a specific service and groomer)
In other words, they seek a local and flexible service and prioritize the business they can trust. This isn’t surprising because almost every (97% of surveyed dog owners) say that they consider their pets family members.
How can you build trust with potential clients with MyTime software?
Customize online booking for your pet services, use reputation management to gather positive client reviews, update the business listing to be your client’s first choice on Google, and tailor the Branded Guest App to your unique business.
Building a Loyal Base of Clients in the Pet Space
Cultivating a loyal client base is essential for pet grooming and boarding businesses, as it provides greater predictability for income and facilitates organic growth through word-of-mouth referrals.
Key factors that influence client loyalty include:
- Strong Client-Staff Relationships: Clients appreciate feeling understood and valued by the grooming or boarding staff.
- Positive Pet Experiences: A comfortable and stress-free environment for dogs is crucial.
- Affordability: While pet owners are willing to invest in their pets, price remains a significant consideration, with 74% of dog owners citing it as a primary factor.
Recognizing the importance of stability and routine for dogs, pet owners are more likely to return to grooming and boarding services where their pets feel comfortable and relaxed.
To build strong relationships with pet owners, foster open communication and prioritize their needs, creating a stress-free environment for their dogs.
While pet owners are spending more on their pets than in previous years, it’s important to offer competitive pricing and high-quality services.
MyTime management software empowers you to create membership programs and special discounts, rewarding loyal clients while maintaining a balance between cost and quality.
Learning About Client’s Preferences
Loyal clients appreciate when groomers and boarding staff demonstrate an understanding of their dog’s needs and preferences.
MyTime pet salon software enables you to create individual profiles for each client, linked to their respective dog profiles. This allows you to easily access relevant information and prepare for appointments effectively.
Pro Tip: To provide personalized care, consider adding detailed notes about clients and their dogs to their profiles within MyTime. This is particularly valuable for pet salons and boarding kennels that handle a large number of clients.
Communicating Expectations With Clients
Setting the right expectations can make all the difference between clients who return to your salon and those who leave a negative review.
Let’s break down what clients commonly expect from dog boarding and pet salons in the table below.
| Business Type | Dog Boarding | Pet Grooming Salon |
| Cleanliness & Hygiene | Clean kennels, bedding, and play areas | Clean, sanitary grooming tools and salon areas |
| Safety & Security | Secure facilities, 24/7 monitoring, emergency plans | Safe handling of pets, secure grooming stations |
| Exercise & Playtime | Scheduled playtimes, outdoor walks, socialization | None expected, although pets may need space to relax |
| Personalized Care | Attention to dietary needs, medication management | Personalized grooming requests, attention to pet sensitivities |
| Pricing | A clear pricing structure, with optional add-ons like special diets or activities | Clear pricing, optional services like special shampoos or nail trimming |
| Trained Staff | Staff trained in pet behavior, first aid | Experienced groomers, gentle handling |
| Routine & Structure | Set feeding times, play, and rest schedules | Timely grooming appointments with minimal wait |
| Transparency | Daily updates, webcams, and report cards on behavior | Clear communication about the grooming process, results |
You can talk to clients directly with MyTime’s 2-way messaging. Pet salons use it for reference photos (e.g. of the grooming the client wants) or to let them know if they can’t make it to the appointment.
Get More Loyal Clients With MyTime Pet Software
MyTime software is an all-in-one management tool for your pet salon or boarding business. Customize it to your needs and use it to manage:
- Inventory
- Marketing
- Bookings
- Transactions
- Analytics
- Staff and client profiles
- Reputation and listing
In other words, you’ll have all the technology you need to get more clients and build a growing base of loyal customers.
Book a free demo and get started today.
