ULTRASUN Professional U.S.A.

ULTRASUN Professional U.S.A.
Web Site And Experience   Click With Customers

Today, indoor tanning salons are finding a whole new world of information in cyberspace, thanks to the newly enhanced Web site from Indianapolis-based UltraSun Professional U.S.A.

If you are like most salon owners, you're smack in the middle of the prime tanning season. Your beds are booked, and your cash registers are ringing up sales. When you need service tips or installation help for equipment, you want it immediately.

Recently, UltraSun set up its "Help Tech" page located at www.ultrasunpro.com. Salon owners and operators can log on to the site and find the information they need to get the job done--24 hours a day, seven days a week.

With a business philosophy that puts customers first, UltraSun has employed a process of continuous improvement to meet the needs of its expanding customer base. And its Web site is one important step in that direction.

According to company president Jim Peek, the Web site has been designed to be the most helpful resource in the industry. Salon owners and operators can find just about anything they need to improve their maintenance program or to set up a new salon.

For example, the site contains complete service guidelines for both technical and non-technical maintenance and repairs. If a salon's electrician needs diagrams on wiring or if their HVAC technician needs to know how much air conditioning is required, they can find it on UltraSun's Web site.

Does the salon's staff need to know the procedure for installing a new bed that is being delivered to the salon? Well, the information is only a click of a computer mouse away. Salon owners wanting to learn simple procedures such as changing tanning lamps or acrylics just have to log on to the site and the procedure is explained easily.

Finding The Parts You Need

Another time-saving area involves learning about various parts for indoor tanning equipment. The Web site contains a section devoted to information about parts for just about any piece of UltraSun equipment--complete with the part numbers and detailed descriptions.

Once a salon owner locates the particular part, he or she can set up an online order form and email it directly to UltraSun's headquarters for processing. For customers who are uncomfortable placing their credit-card data on the Internet, the company can take the order information via email and then can the salon to confirm the request and finalize the transaction. In fact, UltraSun recently simplified its complete online shopping section so salons don't have to place their credit-card information on the Internet in order to fill out an order form.

Growing To Meet Customer Demand

UltraSun's client-focused philosophy also has led to the company's own growth. "We've expanded to meet the needs of our customers," says Peek. "This past year we relocated our U.S. headquarters to a much larger office and warehouse facility, which allowed us to bring on additional staff in our customer service, sales, parts, inventory and technical support divisions."

Because of the expanding space, UltraSun has the ability to maintain a large inventory of beds, parts and accessories to meet its customers' demands. When a salon is desperate to get new beds in its facility, those companies that can offer fast turnaround have a leg up on the competition.

Another important ingredient in UltraSun's recipe for success is its network of regional sales representatives who have helped provide the critical link to customers on a nationwide basis. Companies, including Silver Image in Chicago, have been part of the UltraSun network for nearly seven years and have established a solid reputation for helping salons achieve their business goals.

Other key distributors include Club Tan in Texas, as well has hundreds of loyal and satisfied clients. Future Industries also has been a done a great job in the East Coast, as well as Jim Webb and his company serving clients on the West Coast.

Sharing Industry Knowledge With Customers

UltraSun is helping meet its customers' needs by sharing its own knowledge of the indoor tanning industry.

"Many tanning equipment manufacturers put a great deal of emphasis on the amount of money a salon can make on its beds," says Peek. "To us, it is obvious that you are in business to get the best return on your investment. That is why we go above and beyond the sales pitch to give our customers the kind of information that will help them improve their operations and reduce the mistakes that are common in our industry."

Additionally, Peek and his staff have a great deal of experience in the salon industry and they are ready to pass it along to their customers.

As the saying goes they have "been there, done that." As experienced salon owners themselves, they understand what it takes to build a successful business, how to reduce roadblocks and increase profit by not making the same mistakes over and over.

"Customers need assistance in so many areas, and we try our best to provide honest insight and sound advice," says Peek. "Our customer service representatives are trained to help people in multiple aspects of the tanning business. We provide direction for electrical needs, recommendations on the size of the individual tanning rooms, the different beds choices on the market, as well as the proper amount of air conditioning the salon will need for optimal performance."

From Peek's perspective, all those issues are factors that lead to a profitable tanning business. "We go the extra mile to help our customers succeed. In fact, we'll even help design their salon floorplans by providing computer-aided designs," he adds.

Helping Salons Profit From Experience

With UltraSun's experience and commitment to the industry, salon owners have a powerful ally. Whether a newcomer or a seasoned industry veteran, salon owners expect vendor to make accurate and honest recommendations as to they number and types of tanning units for their salons. And it is the vendor's responsibility to do just that.

"For example, if someone was opening a 15-bed salon I might suggest that they start with 10 or 12 beds and leave a few rooms open until they determine which beds create the highest demand," says Peek. "After they determine the hot sellers, then it's time to add more equipment."

Understanding equipment features also can save salons a considerable expense. "We meet people who invest $30,000 to $50,000 in their salon's air conditioning before they investigate our equipment line and recommendations. By talking with us first, they would discover that our beds have built-in exhaust systems that greatly reduce the amount of AC requirement. In fact, clients can save the money they would normally spend on HVAC and buy better equipment and enjoy the tax benefits."

While UltraSun can't solve every salon's problems, the company has a wealth of knowledge and common sense solutions that benefit its customers. Regardless of whether it comes from the company's Web site or from one of its experienced professionals, it is the type of information that helps customers make the right decisions. They are the kind of decisions that lead to bottom-line benefits and increased profits for the salon owner.