Manufacturers’ Websites: How to Make the Most of Them

Are you using your vendors’ online resources to their fullest?
Need to order some waxing supplies, or learn more about a new skincare line? Long gone are the days of picking up the phone to call a company, much less waiting until the next time your sales rep comes around. Manufacturers’ websites are now equipped to take your orders, answer your questions and basically tell you whatever you need to know.

Here are some examples of key website features to take advantage of, and examples of the spa industry companies that provide them.

Technical Information: Silhouet-Tone, silhouettone.com

This spa equipment manufacturer encourages confidence in purchasing its professional esthetics devices for face and body by including precise details on the technology behind their innovations, and exact specifications for each piece of equipment.

Reference Material: Repêchage, repechage.com

Seaweed is a key ingredient in the Repêchage line of skin- and bodycare, so the company has done your homework for you with its handy chart of seaweed varieties, complete with color images and information on the origins and benefits of each.

Professional Education: Dermalogica, dermalogica.com

It’s no surprise that Dermalogica, with its famed International Dermal Institute (IDI), emphasizes education on its website. The site’s online education center not only provides a video library, expert-written skincare articles, and info on products and protocols, but also enables interested users to search for classes, get details on those classes and even register.

Demos: Biotone Professional Massage & Spa, biotone.com

Don’t assume that if a website doesn’t scream at you from the screen that it doesn’t have much to offer. Biotone’s understated site presents videos demonstrating a variety of body treatments, as well as a healthy list of music samples for your massage room.

Business Building: Universal Companies, universalcompanies.com

This mega supplier of spa products, equipment and services can provide a uniquely “big picture” view of what your spa needs. Resources on the company’s website include information on facility design, branding, daily operations, and education and training.

Product Information: HydroPeptide, hydropeptide.com

Yes, product info is a given on any manufacturer’s website, but the devil is in the details and the more information the site can provide, the better—especially when you’re trying to make ordering decisions. HydroPeptide’s site invites you to learn about each product in depth: what it contains (and doesn’t contain), its benefits, instructions for use, any awards the product has received, and ingredient research and results.

Fun & Engagement: Jane Iredale the Skin Care Makeup, janeiredale.com

Even non-makeup artists can’t resist using their imaginations when it comes to the countless looks that creative cosmetics can provide. Jane Iredale’s on-site makeover room enables users to try a range of foundations, blushes, bronzers, eyeshadows and lip colors on one of eight models’ faces—or a photo of their choosing. Trend-oriented blogs and videos round out the entertaining online offerings.