Learn how strategic add-ons can elevate your client experience, increase retention, and drive higher profits—without raising prices.

Running a beauty or wellness business means constantly juggling creativity, client experience, and profitability. But with inflation and rising costs, keeping margins healthy is tougher than ever. That’s why it’s so important to find smart ways to grow revenue without hiking prices or cutting corners.

One of the most effective and often overlooked revenue opportunities? Add-on services.

These simple yet powerful enhancements can transform how clients experience your brand while significantly improving your bottom line. In this article, we’ll explore the strategies shared during our recent webinar, Strategies for Boosting Revenue with Add-Ons, including proven benchmarks, practical implementation tips, and best practices for integrating add-ons into your salon, spa, or medspa operations.

Why Add-On Services Matter

At Boulevard, we help business owners streamline operations and maximize revenue. Through data collected from thousands of beauty and wellness businesses, we’ve discovered that top-performing brands consistently leverage add-ons as a key part of their revenue strategy.

Here are the stats you need to know according to Boulevard’s Best, our new data series focused on real client benchmarks:

• The highest-profiting businesses include at least one add-on service in 34% of appointments, compared to just 5% across all other businesses.

• Businesses offering add-ons experience a 63% higher average ticket value.

• Clients who book an add-on are 25% more likely to return within 90 days.

• Those same clients generate a 103% higher lifetime value (LTV) on average.

The takeaway is clear: integrating add-ons is not just about increasing sales—it’s about creating an elevated experience that encourages loyalty, personalization, and client satisfaction.

The Benefits of Add-On Services

Beyond boosting revenue, add-ons provide several key advantages that contribute to long-term business growth:

1. Enhanced client experience
   Add-ons make services feel more personal and luxurious. From scalp massages to LED therapy, these options allow you to tailor experiences based on client needs, building stronger emotional connections.

2. Higher retention rates
   A more personalized visit increases perceived value—encouraging clients to come back more often and spend more per visit.

3. Competitive differentiation
   Standing out in a crowded market is essential. Thoughtful add-ons showcase your creativity, expertise, and unique brand experience.

4. Improved upselling opportunities
   Strategic add-on promotion helps staff feel more confident recommending services that align with client goals—turning every appointment into an opportunity for growth.

Best Practices for Implementing Add-Ons

1. Simplify your service menu

Your service menu should make it easy for clients to upgrade. Avoid overwhelming them with too many choices. Start with three to five core add-ons that complement your main services.

Each add-on should have a clear, concise description highlighting:

• Who it’s best suited for

• What the service involves

• The key benefits clients can expect

Pro Tip: Use AI tools like ChatGPT to help you craft descriptive, marketing-ready service blurbs that inform and entice at the same time.

2. Experiment with pricing

Pricing add-ons is both a strategy and a science. Consider testing a tiered pricing model—low, mid, and premium—to understand your clients’ comfort levels.

If most clients gravitate toward the mid-tier, you’ve likely hit your sweet spot. If they consistently choose the high-end option, you may have room to introduce more premium choices.

Always ensure pricing accounts for both product cost and labor while maintaining a healthy profit margin.

3. Train your team for success

Add-ons only work if your staff feels confident talking about them. Every service provider and front desk team member should know:

• The value and benefits of each add-on

• How to introduce it naturally in conversation

• How to tailor suggestions based on each client’s needs

Encourage role-playing exercises to help staff feel comfortable recommending add-ons in an educational—not salesy—way. Personalized recommendations build trust and drive results.

4. Leverage reporting and data

Once your add-ons are live, data is your best friend. Boulevard’s custom reporting tools make it easy to track which services are performing well, who’s upselling effectively, and where there’s room for growth.

Start with these key reports:

• Service Sales Report: See total sales by order or service, and filter by add-ons to spot top performers.

• Service Sales by Staff: Identify which team members are excelling at upselling and where more training may help.

• Booking Trends: Track how many add-ons are booked online versus in-person, and whether new or returning clients are purchasing them.

These insights allow you to refine your strategy over time—ensuring your offerings remain aligned with client behavior and business goals.

5. Incentivize with memberships

Membership programs pair perfectly with add-ons. Offering exclusive add-ons or discounted upgrades for members can drive both sign-ups and loyalty.

For example, providing members early access to new treatments or discounted enhancements can strengthen your value proposition while encouraging clients to commit to ongoing care.

Key Takeaways

Add-ons aren’t just “nice-to-have.” They’re a cornerstone of revenue growth for modern salons and medspas. When thoughtfully designed and implemented, they:

• Boost your average ticket size

• Improve client satisfaction

• Increase retention and LTV

• Differentiate your brand from competitors

And with Boulevard’s user-friendly platform, testing, tracking, and refining your add-on strategy has never been easier.

To dive deeper, you can watch the full Strategies for Boosting Revenue with Add-Ons webinar anytime in our Boulevard Academy On-Demand Library.