Is Dog Grooming Still Profitable for New Groomers? Part 2

February 28, 2023 5:36 pm

Welcome to the second part of this blog. As mentioned in part one, dog grooming is essential for lots of dog owners, especially those with poodle cross breeds, which need to be groomed on average 8 times per year! During this part of the blog, we will discuss the average cost of grooming a dog, how much a dog groomer makes, and how to increase your customer base to generate revenue, from our marketing expert Chloe Smith CEO & Founder of Tuft and Forty8Creates.

How Much Do Dog Owners Pay for the Average Dog Grooming Session?

The cost of a dog grooming session can vary depending on several factors such as the size, breed, type of grooming required, and the location of the groomer. According to nimblefins.co.uk, the average cost of a dog grooming session in the UK is £43. However, the actual cost can range from £20 to £80 or more.

Generally, grooming a small dog like a Chihuahua or a Yorkshire Terrier can range from £20 to £40. For medium-sized dogs like Beagles or Cocker Spaniels, the cost can range from £30 to £50. For larger dogs like Labradors or German Shepherds, the cost can range from £40 to £60 or even more. The price can go up if a hand stripping service is required, which could raise prices to £80 or more. Additionally, the dog’s condition and the type of grooming needed can also influence the cost. If the dog has long, knotted hair that requires extensive trimming and cutting, the grooming cost may be higher.

How Much Does a Dog Groomer Make?

The salary of a dog groomer in the UK varies depending on factors like the location of the groomer, their experience, qualifications, and the number of clients. According to Check-a-Salary, the average salary of a dog groomer in London is around £22,150 a year (£10.65 per hour), ranging up to £28,000. 

The salary of a dog groomer can also vary depending on the type of employment. Some dog groomers work as self-employed individuals, while others work for a pet grooming business or a veterinarian. Self-employed dog groomers can potentially earn more than those who work for someone else because they have more control over their pricing and their schedule. Meaning you can bundle in some extra packages to raise revenue, here’s what’s popular on Tuft: ultrasonic teeth cleaning, nail clipping, facials, deep conditioning, de-shedding treatment, and doggie daycare. If you can add more services into a timeslot you can maximise earnings per hour.

What Are Some Great Ways To Increase a Customer Base, as a Start-Out Groomer?

It’s all about branding! If you are considering starting out, or you’re a new dog groomer and want to increase your customer base, there are various marketing strategies you can use. Here are some of Chloe Smith’s (CEO and Co-Founder of Forty8Creates, a creative marketing agency) advice and tips for improving a dog groomer’s customer base from a marketing point of view.  

According to Chloe Smith, “Your logo is not your brand. Your logo is the badge that people associate with the emotions/feelings they have towards your brand. Whilst it’s super important, it’s not where you should stop at brand development.”

“Your brand is a story, unfolding across all customer touchpoints.”

Chloe Smith CEO and Co-Founder of Forty8Creates

1. Online Marketing Presence & Branding

It’s important for your dog grooming business to be easy to find online so that potential customers can find you. One way to do this is by using Google My Business, which is a free tool provided by Google. By claiming your Google My Business listing, you can increase your visibility in local search results. This is important because most customers search for businesses online, and it’s easy to do, it only takes a few minutes. Google My Business helps you manage your online presence across Google, including on search and maps. By doing this, you’ll make it easier for dog owners in your local area to find your dog grooming services.

2. Social Media & Web Presence

Once you’ve been found, potential customers will begin to evaluate your business against your competitors, this is where your marketing efforts come into play. The initial impression customers have of your business is often based on your website, making it a crucial component in this phase of their journey.

It’s important to note that 75% of all searches are performed on mobile devices, highlighting the need for a mobile-optimized website. You can use experte.com to evaluate your website’s mobile-friendliness, or simply test it yourself on a mobile device by:

• Ensuring that your website is visually appealing, & easy to read
• Make sure it loads quickly (are you’re pictures too large?)
• Has an accessible menu that’s easy to navigate

These factors can influence customer decisions. So make sure your first impression is a good one.

Social media can also be an effective tool for promoting your dog grooming services. Establish accounts on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, and showcase your grooming expertise through pictures and videos. It’s important to have a consistent presence on these platforms and use your business name as your URL. Keep your followers engaged by sharing photos of your work, celebrating your successes, and interacting with your customers. Providing attention to your customers as pet owners can make them feel special and build loyalty towards your business.

3. Professional Communication

When communicating with customers, it’s important to use a professional email address instead of your private one. This will help establish your credibility as a professional dog groomer and build trust with your customers. By using a professional email address, you can also enhance your branding, make it easier for customers to remember your business, and improve the deliverability of your messages.

For example don’t use [email protected] or [email protected], go for an email address that you would trust. Such as: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

3 SEO Tips for Beginners When Starting a Dog Grooming Business.

SEO (search engine optimization) don’t get scared! It is simply a way of making your website appear higher in search engines like Google, and it’s not as hard as you might think. As someone who might not have done any SEO before, you can simply start from the start. here are some simple SEO tips that can help improve your online visibility and attract customers:

1. Choose a relevant and unique business name: Choose a name that’s easy to remember and relevant to your dog grooming business. If possible, avoid using generic names that are commonly used by other businesses. This way when someone tries to find your business it will be easy for Google to identify yours.

2. Optimize your website: Ensure that your website is optimized for both desktop and mobile devices. Use relevant ‘keywords’ in your website content, such as “dog grooming services” or “dog grooming salon,” to help search engines understand what your website is about. Make sure that your website is easy to navigate, visually appealing, and loads quickly.

3. Link to other websites: Build local links by getting your business name, address, and phone number listed on other websites and directories. This can help improve your local search rankings and drive more traffic to your website. Google loves when you have lots of links to your website! If more websites are willing to link to you, it’s because you’re trustworthy! 

That’s it! 3 simple SEO tips to help, improve your online presence, attract more customers, and grow your dog grooming business.

To sum it all up grooming is still profitable. The average cost of a dog grooming session in the UK is £43, but it can range from £20-£80 or more, and while the average salary is £22,150 you can generate more revenue by adding in extra services. For those looking to start out, whether it’s in your spare room, a van or a salon make sure you take your brand into account and create an online presence to attract customers. 

Are you thinking of trying a pet booking software in the future?

Imagine a world where your calendar gets filled while you’re dreaming of tennis balls and treats. Over 43% of our furry friends’ humans booked when salons were having a nap in 2023. With Tuft, every day is a walk in the park! Start your 3-month free trial today, and see what Tuft has to offer.