Medical spas are the latest in small business trends among licensed practitioners. They offer everything from quick cosmetic treatments to more advanced aesthetic procedures. And, for several years now, they’ve been a booming business for medical practitioners.
There are several reasons potential customers prefer medical spas for cosmetic procedures. There’s easy access to cosmetic treatments. They’re comfier, swankier, and deliver a more luxurious experience. Insurance does not cover most cosmetic procedures. So, customers look for therapies that are worth the out-of-pocket cost. From licenses to unique treatments, certain things can make your medical spa a success. Read on to see what you should and should not do before you launch a medical spa.
Don’t: Forget about all the licenses and compliance
Before you launch a medical spa, ensure all your licenses are valid. If you’re not a qualified, licensed physician, make sure you hire one to oversee all procedures. Make sure your staff—from plastic surgeons to botox therapists—have proper licenses. Also, check these licenses often to ensure they don’t lapse. Train therapists regularly, so they’re up-to-date with the latest practices.
Remember to do the same for your practice itself. There are fewer regulations for medical spas than for hospitals and medical practices. And, they are different from state to state, so check local laws. Also, get all your permits—from licenses for small businesses to permits for unique treatments. You’ll need to ensure that your recordkeeping, accounting and financials are in order. Netsuite accounting can help ensure good data, analytics and financial practices to assist with everything from real-time practice management to audit compliance and data security.
Do: Buy good-quality equipment.
While it’s essential to have the best quality equipment, ensure you don’t go into debt. You don’t have to spend your entire budget to get the best medical equipment. Of course, potential customers expect the best aesthetic equipment. For example, medical laser equipment should be of top-notch quality.
Remember, you will also need medical laser repair services and cosmetic laser parts. It will help keep your equipment in good working condition. If you spend everything on expensive cosmetic lasers, your small business will suffer.
The easiest way to get the best quality without overspending is to find a laser warehouse. You can buy refurbished medical lasers for cosmetic treatments that will save you much money. Buy your cosmetic laser equipment from a leading provider like The Laser Warehouse. You’ll get everything from cosmetic laser handpieces to aesthetic laser equipment wholesale. Since a laser warehouse like this is not a broker, you will save money and get top-quality products. Focus on spreading your budget out over equipment, advertising, and employee benefits.
Don’t: Try to make it a day spa.
If you have already established a medical spa, adding other spa treatments to the menu may be a good idea. However, when you’re just launching one, focus on medical treatments. Potential customers visit medical spas and day spas for different reasons. So, ensure you give your target audience what they want.
Trying to pack in too many treatments is not a successful sales strategy. And, it will lead to unnecessary expenses without any guaranteed profit returns. Do your customers want to spend all day relaxing at your clinic? Or, do they want a quick aesthetic treatment with guaranteed results? If you launch a medical spa with a focus on proven results, you will have a better chance of success.
Do: Focus on an online ad campaign.
Have you considered how to market your medical spa? It’s essential to focus on getting the word out to turn a profit. Of course, age-old marketing techniques will still work. However, consider taking the bulk of your marketing strategy online. Start with the small stuff—build an attractive website and join social media. Allow customers to browse through and book treatments online. Hire a photographer so that engaging visuals entice customers. Ask clients to write reviews, so potential customers are more encouraged to visit. Optimize your website for use on a mobile device to get the best results.
To create more brand awareness, hire someone to improve your ad campaign. Invest in a company that offers a solid AdWords campaign. With Google Ads, specific keywords will help your business appear prominently in Google’s search results. It’s not always easy to do this alone.
After all, do you understand what a quality score and landing page is? Can you figure out the best use of cookies on a website? And, do you know enough about search engine marketing and how search terms can improve brand awareness? A marketing company can offer a variety of different campaigns for small businesses. Ensure that the one you pick also helps with search engine optimization and an offline ad campaign.
Don’t: Offer too many procedures.
Customers like variety, but there is such a thing as too much. After all, a medical spa focuses on clinically driven aesthetic treatments. Potential customers prefer a few expert treatments over an array of inferior ones. It will save time and money—both invaluable to small businesses. And, customers will respond better to specialized treatments.
Make sure that you stick to medical practices you do know. Since customers usually pay out-of-pocket, ensure any unique treatments are effective. Test the procedures before you put them on your menu, and hire licensed experts to administer them. An excellent way to start is with short, effective lunch-hour treatments. Once you solidify your customer base, branch out into more specialized therapies. Stay updated on the latest trends and ensure your licensed practitioners do that as well. Focus on a specific procedure and offer the best the market provides within it.
Do: Choose your location wisely.
It usually doesn’t matter where a doctor sets up their medical practice. However, medical spas cost more and offer cosmetic procedures, not essential treatments. So, your interiors and your location matter a lot more when you’re opening a medical spa. Real estate listings in business areas are the best resource for small businesses.
Find a location that your potential customers will be comfortable visiting. Spend a little extra to ensure it’s in a good area. Offer free parking facilities and transport benefits to loyal customers. And, ensure that the area outside is as well-sanitized as the inside.
