¿Cómo montar un negocio de uñas y conseguir citas en poco tiempo?

Launching a nail business is one of the most attractive entrepreneurial opportunities in the beauty industry today. The market has experienced steady growth in recent years, driven by the popularity of manicures as a form of style and personal expression. Well-groomed nails have become a staple in many people’s regular beauty routines, rather than a rare luxury.  

Globally, the nail care industry continues to grow. In 2023, it was valued at over $23 billion, and it’s expected to reach $36 billion by 2032, according to data gathered by Market Research. This growth represents a genuine business opportunity. 

If you’re thinking about opening your nail salon, this article will help you take the first steps. We’ll explain what you need to launch your business and share some strategies to start getting bookings in no time. 

Getting started as a nail tech: a step-by-step guide 

Starting a nail business isn’t complicated, but you need to keep a few key things in mind before getting started. Our first piece of advice: don’t let anxiety take over. Take it one step at a time!  

Here’s how to stay on track and hit your goals: 

1. Choose the business model that suits you best 
2. Register your nail business and stay legally compliant 
3. Define your services and set competitive prices 
4. Get all the necessary supplies 
5. Create a website for your salon 
6. Create social media profiles to promote your brand 

Step 1: Choose the business model that suits you best 

Before you start, it’s essential to define what type of nail business you want to run. This means considering how you want to offer your services based on your goals, available resources, and the lifestyle you wish to as an entrepreneur. 

Not all models require the same investment or involve the same work dynamic. These are the most common options: 

Opening your own salon 

Starting your own salon is ideal if you want to build and establish a local brand. It allows you to offer a complete beauty experience in one physical space. Plus, by running your own location, you gain independence and can manage the business your way, from the decor to customer service. 

That said, keep in mind it requires a higher level of investment and time. You’ll need to conduct market research to choose the right location, find an available space, and handle various bureaucratic steps to obtain the proper business license. Additionally, the space must meet all relevant hygiene, accessibility, and safety regulations. 

Rent a space in another salon 

An alternative that requires less initial investment is to rent a space in an existing salon, such as a beauty centre, hairdresser, or spa. You’ll share the facilities and, in some cases, the equipment. This lowers your risk and allows you to benefit from the existing flow of clients. 

The downside is losing some independence. You’ll have to adapt your working hours and days to the salon’s availability and follow its internal rules. Also, since you’re working under someone else’s roof, building a brand identity and standing out from the internal competition may be harder. 

Work as a nail tech from home 

You can serve clients from your home if you have a suitable space. This is a comfortable and cost-effective option, as it doesn’t require a significant initial investment. It’s also ideal if your goal is to build a loyal local customer base. 

To make this model work, you’ll need to pay special attention to the setup: cleanliness, order, and a polished presentation are key to projecting a professional image. Also, if you later decide to formalise and promote your business on platforms like Google Maps or social media, you must meet certain legal and sanitary requirements. 

Offer mobile nail services 

In this case, you’ll travel to your clients’ homes. This flexible and accessible option is perfect for starting with a low investment or generating extra income without committing to full-time work. 

There are several logistical and planning aspects to consider. Defining a reasonable service area is wise, ensuring you don’t spend excessive time or money traveling. You’ll also need a portable work kit. Having your own transportation provides more autonomy, but using public transport can also work if you plan ahead. 

Step 2: Register your nail business and stay legally compliant 

As with any business, if you want to open a nail salon and serve clients, you must comply with certain legal requirements to be able to invoice for your services, declare your income, and pay the corresponding taxes. 

If you’re in the UK, here are key steps to becoming a sole trader:  

• Register with HMRC: If you’ll be working as a sole trader, you will need to register with HM Revenue and Customs. This will let you invoice clients and ensures you’re set up to file a tax return.  
• Insurances: You should consider at least purchasing public liability insurance, which covers accidents that could occur during your services.  
• Licenses and permits: Some councils in the UK require a license to run a nail business, whether from home or a salon.  

Tip: We recommend consulting with a tax advisor to simplify the legal process and avoid mistakes. They can help you invoice and file your taxes (VAT and income tax). 

If you’re opening a physical location, you’ll need a business opening license for a beauty centre. You must also comply with health regulations and occupational risk prevention rules. If you use chemical products, make sure you follow the proper regulations for storage and handling. 

Step 3: Define your services and set competitive prices 

As a nail technician, you can offer a wide range of nail care and aesthetics services. Initially, it’s best to focus on a few key services and gradually expand your offerings as your skills and resources grow. 

If you’re opening a physical salon, you can hire staff specialised in specific services. If you’re working as a mobile nail tech, consider how you’ll transport your equipment. 

Some of the most common nail services include: 

• Classic manicure: this is the basic service, which includes nail shaping, cuticle care, a light hand massage, and the application of regular polish (base coat, colour, and top coat). 
• French manicure: a classic manicure variation featuring a natural or pink base and a defined white tip. 
• Gel polish (shellac): Gel polish is cured under a UV or LED lamp. It lasts longer (2–3 weeks) and offers a shiny, chip-resistant finish. 
• Acrylic nails: nail extensions created by mixing acrylic powder with a liquid monomer to apply a paste over natural nails or tips. They’re very durable and allow you to lengthen and shape nails. 
• Gel extensions (hard gel): similar to acrylics in length and shape but use a gel cured under UV/LED light. They tend to be more flexible and look more natural. 
• Polygel nails: a newer choice combining acrylic and gel features. It’s lighter, more flexible, easier to shape, and cured under UV/LED light. 
• Nail art/designs: artistic decorations applied to the nails, ranging from simple designs (dots, stripes) to more elaborate creations with rhinestones, glitter, stickers, or hand-painted artwork. 
• Nail strengthening treatments: for damaged, weak, or brittle nails, using fortifying and nourishing products. 

When setting your prices, consider the following: 

• Market rates and your direct competition. 
• Cost of products and materials. 
• Time required for each service. 
• Your experience and level of expertise. 

You can offer promotional packages or discounts for new clients. And if you specialise in a specific style (minimalist, artistic, natural, etc.), don’t be afraid to price it accordingly—it’s part of your unique value! 

Step 4: Get all the necessary supplies 

Once you’ve decided which services you’ll offer, list everything you’ll need: nail polish, files, gels, UV/LED lamps, disinfectants, towels, manicure tables, comfortable chairs, gloves, face masks, and so on. 

Be sure to invest in high-quality products. Many of these are chemical based, so they should meet safety standards to protect your clients and your health. 

Your list will vary depending on your services, but in general, you’ll need: 

• Tools and furniture: manicure table, chairs for you and your clients, UV/LED lamps, sterilisation cabinet, proper storage for chemical products. 
• Materials and products: regular and gel polishes, gels or acrylics (depending on the technique), nail files, buffers, brushes, cuticle pushers, tips or nail forms, removers, cleansers, top coats. 
• Other essentials: gloves, face masks, paper rolls, cleaning and disinfecting products, towels, and single-use tools. 

Tips for choosing a nail product supplier 

When purchasing supplies, finding a reliable supplier is key. Here are some tips: 

• Look for reviews and recommendations: talk to other professionals, read online reviews, and compare experiences on social media or beauty forums. 
• Check that products are certified: ensure they comply with current health regulations in your country. This is especially important if you’re working with chemical products for acrylic or gel nails. 
• Evaluate the quality-price ratio: don’t base your decision solely on price. Consider product quality, shipping terms, delivery times, and return policies. A cheap file or polish could ruin your work and hurt your reputation. 
• Ask about professional discounts: many wholesalers offer special prices if you register as a self-employed professional or business. 

Step 5: Create a website for your salon 

Your clients are online, so you should be too. By creating a beauty website with a professional and impressive design, you’ll build trust and have the chance to reach many more people. It’s essential for establishing a strong brand identity and making yourself known. 

When someone searches on Google for “nail salon near me” or asks ChatGPT to “recommend a good manicure salon in my city,” your website can help you appear among the top results. There, you’ll be able to showcase your services, pricing, photos, contact details, and reviews from happy clients. You can also include an online booking system so clients can schedule appointments in just a few clicks (we’ll dive into this later). 

Your website doesn’t need to be complicated. A clean and functional design is more than enough to grab attention. In fact, building a site today is much easier than you might think. Platforms with built-in AI like Website Builder let you create a complete, functional website in just a few minutes, even with no technical skills. 

What do you need to create your salon website? 

Creating a website for your nail salon is easy when you have the right tools. These are the basic elements you’ll need: 

• A domain name: this is the address your clients will use to find you (for example, www.yoursalon.com). Having a personalised domain name gives you a much more professional image. Plus, you’ll be able to send emails from an address that includes your brand name. 
• A hosting service: this is the space where your website will be stored, so it’s available 24/7. It’s crucial that your hosting is secure, fast, and reliable. 
• A platform to build your site: if you don’t know how to code, you can use a visual tool like Website Builder to design your site easily by dragging and dropping elements. .

A practical option is to choose one of one.com’s plans. For a small price, you get a complete package that includes a domain, secure hosting, the website builder, email addresses, and an online booking system. This allows you to have everything in one place, save time, and simplify managing your business from day one. 

Step 6: Create social media profiles to promote your brand 

Your website is essential to helping your business be found online and making it easy for clients to book appointments. However, a successful online presence requires more than a website. Social media helps you connect with your audience and gives your work more visibility by sharing photos, reels, and tutorials. 

Each social media platform has its characteristics, so it’s best to use a tailored strategy for each one: 

• Instagram: ideal for showcasing photos and videos of your work. 
• TikTok: perfect for creative videos or tutorials. 
• YouTube: the best platform for posting video tutorials, product demos, or showing your process. 
• Facebook: great for managing bookings or creating a local community. 

Tip: Don’t forget to create a profile on Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). It’s completely free and allows you to appear in local results on Google Maps and in the business panel on the search page.

You’ll be able to display your location, business hours, the services you offer, your website link, and receive verified reviews from your clients. 

Tips to quickly get bookings in your nail business 

Launching your business or opening your nail salon is just the beginning. Now comes the real challenge: attracting clients and building lasting trust. To help you out, here are three key tips to start getting bookings from day one. 

Make the booking process easy 

Most people want speed and convenience these days: they don’t want to make calls or send messages to book an appointment. If they can schedule a service in just a few clicks, at their preferred date and time, with no waiting or hassle, they’re much more likely to choose your salon over another. A fast, simple, and clear process can make all the difference between winning or losing a client. 

In this context, having an online booking system is almost essential to streamline the process. All you need to do is set up your services, availability, and the terms for booking or cancelling. From there, your clients can choose their day and time in just a few clicks. They’ll also receive confirmation emails and automatic reminders, which will help reduce last-minute cancellations and no-shows. 

If you want to dive deeper into this topic, check out our special guide on how to make your own booking website. 

Promote your business with engaging content 

Creating digital content that’s appealing, useful, and relevant to your target audience is a powerful (and fun!) way to promote your business and showcase your talent.  

Plus, it helps you build trust, position yourself as an expert, and organically attract new clients. 

Here are a few ideas to get started: 

• Write blog posts on your website about trends, nail care tips, beauty advice, or fashion styles. Take advantage of the opportunity to include keywords to help your site rank better on Google. 
• Upload videos to YouTube with tutorials, product unboxings, or time-lapses of your work. 
• Share reels on Instagram and TikTok showing your best designs, step-by-step processes, or surprising makeovers. 
• Post testimonials from happy clients on your social media. Share before-and-after pictures or short video interviews. If a client leaves a great comment, turn it into content. 
• Show the behind-the-scenes of your work: how you organise your day, the products you use, or how you prepare the space before a client arrives. Showing your human side helps connect with your audience and builds a stronger bond with your followers. 

You don’t need professional equipment to create great content. A smartphone with a good camera, decent lighting, and a touch of creativity is enough. 

Build client loyalty 

Getting new clients is great, but what really grows your nail business is making them want to come back again and again. A successful nail salon is built on long-term relationships.  

To do that, you need to implement loyalty strategies: 

• Referral discounts: offer a discount to clients who bring in a friend. It’s a natural and effective way to attract new customers and reward your loyal clients. 
• Point systems or stamp cards: every visit earns points or a stamp. Once they reach a certain amount, they can redeem them for a free service or a discount. 
• Exclusive promotions for frequent clients: create limited time deals just for clients who have booked with you before. This will make them feel like they’re part of a VIP club. 
• Satisfaction surveys: listening to your clients is also a powerful loyalty tool. You can send short surveys via WhatsApp or email to ask about their experience and what could be improved. Showing that you value their opinion is key. 

Personal touches also go a long way: remembering a client’s favourite colour, wishing them a happy birthday, or offering a custom design for a special occasion will help you build real, trusting relationships. 

All set to shine with your own nail business 

Throughout this article, we’ve covered all the key steps to opening your own nail business, from choosing the model that suits you best to defining your services, getting the right materials, and building your online presence. 

Remember: your website will be your best ally in showcasing your talent, attracting new clients, and making the online booking process as easy as possible. The easier you make it, the more likely you are to fill your schedule. 

The beauty world is full of opportunities. With dedication, organisation, and a smart digital strategy, you’ll be able to reach your short and long-term goals. Now’s the time to take the first step and make your dream nail salon a reality!