Is Dog Grooming Still Profitable for New Groomers? Part 2

February 28, 2023 5:36 pm

Part Two: Including SEO tips from Marketing Expert Chloe Smith

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 groWelcome to the second part of our series on dog grooming! In Part One, we discussed why grooming is essential for dog owners, especially those with poodle mixes, which need grooming up to eight times a year. Now, we’ll dive deeper into the financial side of things, covering:

  • The average cost of a dog grooming session
  • How much UK dog groomers typically earn
  • Expert marketing tips from Chloe Smith, CEO and Founder of Tuft and Forty8Creates, to boost your revenue

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 £90 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 £90 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 in the UK make?

A dog groomer’s salary in the UK depends on location, experience, and client base. According to Check-a-Salary, the average annual income is around £19,714, or £9.48 per hour, with top earners making up to £27,560 per year.

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, and de-shedding treatment. 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.

  1. Online Marketing Presence and 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.

  1. Social Media and Web Presence

Once you’ve been found, potential customers will compare your business with competitors. This is where your marketing efforts come into play. The first impression they get is usually based on your website, which makes it a crucial part of their decision-making process.

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

  • Ensuring that your website is visually appealing and easy to read
  • Make sure it loads quickly (are your 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, X (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.

  1. Professional Communication

To establish yourself as a professional, use a business email address instead of a personal one. This helps build trust and credibility with customers. For example, instead of using something like [email protected], opt for an email like [email protected].

3 SEO tips for beginners when starting a dog grooming business.

SEO (search engine optimisation)—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.
  1. Optimise your website: Ensure that your website is optimised 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.
  1. 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 it 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 Up: Is Dog Grooming Still Profitable?

The answer is yes! Dog grooming can be a profitable business, especially if you offer additional services to boost revenue. While the average grooming session costs £43, offering popular extras can increase your hourly earnings. For those starting out, whether from home, a van, or a salon, a strong brand and online presence will help attract new customers.

Want to learn more about how to grow your grooming business? Follow our blog for more tips and expert advice!