In a recent SmartTan.com poll, nearly 90 percent of salons responded that they have at least three levels of EFT memberships on their menu. The majority, 64 percent said they offer four or more levels of EFT and 23 percent said they have three levels.

Everyone knows that pricing is important to customers. Having a solid EFT program is a great way to persuade your customers to ditch the coupons and Groupons for a deal that always makes sense. Having the right pricing structure can convince them that your salon will always have the best offer because it’s not a limited-time promotion.

For business owners, EFTs provide stability and ease that you just can’t achieve in any other way. Instead of asking for a session sale with each visit and tirelessly trying to motivate your customers to come into the store, you can let their credit card do the work and focus on pushing upsells, products and merchandise.

EFTs help customers get into a routine that inspires loyalty. After you complete that first sale into the program, they don’t have to make a buying decision every time they tan. It becomes easier to stay on a higher-level program that provides the appropriate value.

Different methods work for different business models and markets, but one thing is for sure: Salon owners who do not regularly evaluate their prices and structure are far less likely to find the most profitable solution.