Reviews, Referrals, & Repeats: How to Build a 5-Star Tan Business
In the world of sunless tanning, a flawless bronze glow may be what gets clients through the door, but it’s the experience that keeps them coming back (and bringing friends). If you’re ready to grow your business with raving reviews, reliable repeat clients, and a referral engine that runs on autopilot, Vagaro is your secret weapon.
Let’s break down how to build a thriving 5-star spray tan business using Vagaro’s smart tools and a little strategy.
Step 1: Get Reviews That Sell for You
Online reviews are the new word-of-mouth. A string of glowing testimonials builds trust and credibility instantly, especially for new clients booking with you for the first time. Vagaro makes collecting reviews simple and automated.
How To Use Vagaro’s Review System:
After every appointment, Vagaro automatically sends a review request via email or text.
Reviews are linked directly to your Vagaro booking profile, making your services stand out to future clients.
You can feature top reviews on your booking page and share them across social platforms for added visibility.
Pro Tips for Getting 5-Star Reviews:
Ask in person! Right after the tan, say: “If you loved today’s session, I’d be so grateful if you left a review. It helps more than you know!”
Personalize follow-up messages with a friendly thank-you and a review link.
Respond to reviews—even the great ones—to show engagement and care.
Frame the QR code that links back to your review page and set it up in your salon
Step 2: Turn Clients into Walking Billboards
People trust recommendations from their friends. Vagaro helps you turn your current clients into brand ambassadors with trackable, easy-to-use referral systems.
Step 3: Build Loyalty with Repeat Clients
One-time tanners are nice, but consistent clients build your brand. With Vagaro, you can turn happy customers into regulars using loyalty programs, automated rebooking, and membership options.
How To Use Vagaro’s Loyalty Program:
Enable loyalty points in Settings > Customer Tracking > Rewards.
Assign “Points Given” (points earned per purchase) points for actions like booking referring friends, or buying retail, and “Points to Redeem” (points needed to redeem an item).
This lets you decide exactly which items are eligible and how much they’re worth in your rewards system. Points never expire and can be redeemed either online or during their appointment. You can also adjust a customer’s points balance directly from their profile and control whether redemptions are allowed in-store.
Clients can redeem points for services, upgrades, or discounts.
Additional Tools for Repeat Business:
Automated Follow-Ups: Send thank-you notes, tan care tips, and rebooking reminders.
Memberships: Offer monthly packages that include 1–2 tans, product discounts, or early access to promos.
Rebooking Prompts: Vagaro can automatically prompt clients to rebook when confirming their appointment.
Pro Tips for Retention:
Celebrate client milestones (like their 10th tan) with exclusive perks or shoutouts.
Use client notes to remember their favorite tan shade or scent — those personal touches make all the difference.
Ready to Take Control of Your Bookings?
If you're ready to upgrade your biz, streamline your schedule, and never answer another “when do i exfoliate?” text again—head to vagaro.com/pro/tanbible to grab your FREE month of Vagaro.
You’ll get:
✅ Seamless client intake forms
✅ Automated email + text comms
✅ Branded, SEO-friendly booking page
✅ Checkout + deposits handled
✅ AND the spray tan scheduling peace of mind you deserve