Nail technicians (along with just about every other profession on the planet) have become more computerliterate and web-savvy than ever. Each year, we see dramatic increases in Internet use for business functions, including product ordering, peer networking, technical trouble-shooting, and, of course, e-mailing. Just six years ago a puny 3.1% of nail professionals said that ordering products online was one of their two primary ways of getting product. This year, that figured jumps to 12%. Last year, we said that online was a key trend to watch and we’ve certainly seen the prediction borne out.

Google Search

KEY WORD ………. OF SEARCH RESULTS

• manicure ……………… 8,560,000
• pedicure ………………. 6,360,000
• nail polish ……………. 3,550,000
• nail care ………………. 2,960,000
• fingernail …………….. 2,280,000
• nail art ………………… 2,090,000
• gel nails ……………….. 2,060,000
• nail salon ……………… 2,040,000
• nail technician ………. 1,660,000
• acrylic nails …………… 1,550,000
• toenail ………………….. 1,530,000
• manicurist ………………. 504,000
• salon professional ………116,000
• discount salon …………… 42,300
• nail artist ………………….. 39,800
• NAILS Magazine ……….. 38,300
• nail industry ……………… 27,300
• nail professional ………… 23,600
• nail enhancement ………. 20,400
• professional salon industry … 936
• nail care professional ………… 740

How tech-savvy are nail salons?

73% use a computer to handle some business functions.

92% access the Internet to do research on the nail business.

94% access the Internet to learn more about new products.

93% access the Internet to look at different product manufacturer websites.

82% access the Internet to look at the sites of trade magazines.

24% go online to chat with other nail technicians.

71% go online to order products.

13% of nail techs have their own websites.

26% of salons have their own websites.

32% of nail techs have a fax machine at the salon.

42% of nail techs have a fax machine at home.

TOP CHALLENGES

We asked respondents to our reader survey what they felt were their biggest challenges this year. We did not offer a list of challenges, rather allowed them to write in their own words what they were concerned about. Here are their top 12 challenges. In 2007, NAILS will devote a feature each month to one of these challenges, helping you develop solutions.

Top 12 Challenges of Nail Techs in 2006

1. Bringing and retaining new clientele

2. Competition from other salons, especially Asian-owned salons

3. Improving my technical skills

4. Finding competent nail techs to staff the salon

5. Economic slow-down affecting nail business

6. Educating my clients in nail health and safety and sanitation issues

7. Opening and starting a salon

8. Time management, balancing work and home life

9. Finding educational classes and trade shows near me

10. Handling a rapidly expanding business

11. Work-related injuries, such as arthritis and back pain

12. Clients with nail disorders

Top 12 Concerns About Hiring Nail Techs

Finding good staff is a top priority for salon owners (of both nails-only salons as well as full-service salons). We asked salon owners and managers whether the following statements were true for them regarding finding and retaining nail care staff.

Top 12 Concerns About Hiring Nail Techs  . . . . . . . .  %who agree with this statement 

1. I usually re-train everyone I hire. . . . . . . . .19.5%

2. I have had to turn away clients because I haven’t had the nail techs to service them . . . . . .19.2%

3. I don’t have trouble finding techs, I have trouble findingGOOD techs. . . . . . . 19.2%

4. I find that fewer people are getting into nail care as a career, so there’s a decline in the number of nail techs available. . . . . . .15.7%

5. I find that nail techs are leaving the industry. . . . 12.9%

6. I have enough demand for nail care services that I could keep more nail techs busy than I currently have. . . .10.5%

7. I’ve lost nail techs who decided to open their own salons. . . . . . 5.2%

8. I work with schools in my area and frequently hire techs right out of school. . . . . . . 5.2%

9. It’s challenging, but I have a steady stream of good nail techs. . . . 4.5%

10. I offer a higher-than-average commission structure so nail techs are attracted to my salon. . . . 4.5%

11. I have no trouble finding good nail techs. . . . . . . . . 4.2%

12. My salon is well-known and I get plenty of resumes. . . . . . . . . . . 4.2%

Regional analysis