Let’s face it—there’s no shortage of cute, scruffy pups in need of good grooming. And with pet parents more invested than ever in their dog’s appearance and well-being, the demand for professional grooming services is only growing. But here’s the catch: no matter how skilled you are with the clippers, it won’t matter if people can’t find you online.

In today’s world, having a strong online presence isn’t just nice to have—it’s non-negotiable. When local pet owners search for “dog groomer near me,” your business needs to show up—and stand out. That’s where smart digital marketing comes in.

A strong online marketing strategy can:

• Bring in more new clients consistently

• Encourage repeat bookings through email and text reminders

• Build brand recognition that makes you the go-to groomer in your area

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your grooming biz, you’re in the right place. In this post, we’re diving into the best ways to market your dog grooming services online—with simple, actionable steps you can start using today. Let’s get into it!

10 Ways to Market Your Dog Grooming Services Online

1. Optimize Your Google Business Profile (GBP)

If you want to show up when pet parents in your area search for a “dog groomer near me,” your Google Business Profile (GBP) is the first place to start. It’s the key to local SEO for dog groomers and plays a major role in how your business ranks on Google Maps and local search results.

• Claim Your Profile – Verify your business on Google Business Profile.

• Business Name & Category – Use your official business name and choose “Dog Groomer” as your primary category.

• Accurate Hours – Set your regular and holiday hours.

• High-Quality Photos – Upload images of your grooming setup and happy clients.

• Detailed Services – Include descriptions of services and use keywords like “dog grooming in [City].”

2. Why Local SEO Matters for Groomers

Dog owners often seek grooming services that are convenient and close to home. They usually select from the first results on Google, particularly those shown in the map section. Optimizing your Google Business Profile increases your chances of appearing in these top local results, making it easier for high-intent customers to find and book with you.

Local SEO Tips for Dog Groomers:

• Claim and Verify Your Google Business Profile – Ensure your business information is accurate and up-to-date.

• Choose the Right Categories – Use “Dog Groomer” as your primary category and consider secondary ones like “Pet Grooming Service.”

• Optimize with Keywords – Include location-based keywords like “dog grooming in [City]” in your description and services.

• Update Hours Regularly – Make sure your hours are correct, especially for holidays or special events.

• Add High-Quality Photos – Showcase your grooming setup and happy clients to build trust and attract clicks.
• Encourage Reviews – Positive reviews boost your local rankings and influence potential customers.

3. Build a Mobile-Friendly, SEO-Optimized Website

Your website is the digital storefront for your dog grooming business, and it needs to look great, load fast, and drive visitors to book an appointment. A mobile-friendly, SEO-optimized website is key to converting visitors into clients.

Why Your Website Matters

Most users search for dog grooming services on their phones. A slow or hard-to-navigate site will drive potential clients to competitors. Your website should be visually appealing and designed to convert visitors into paying clients.

Website Essentials for Dog Groomers

• Service Pages: Create dedicated pages for each service (e.g., “Full Grooming,” “Puppy Packages,” etc.).

• Clear Contact Info: Include clickable phone numbers, a map, and links to social media.

• Online Booking: Use tools like Square, Gingr, or Acuity for easy scheduling.

• FAQ: Address common questions (e.g., “How often should my dog be groomed?”).

• Testimonials: Include reviews from happy clients, ideally with photos.

 

4. Use Social Media (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook)

Social media is a powerful tool for dog groomers to build a local following and attract new clients. Cute pup transformations and funny moments are perfect content to engage potential customers before they even book.

Best Platforms for Dog Groomers

• Instagram: Great for photo and video content, perfect for building your visual brand.

• TikTok: Ideal for fun, viral content like grooming tips and funny before/after transformations.

• Facebook: Best for local engagement, client updates, and targeted ads.

Content Ideas That Get Likes and Bookings

• Before & After Transformations: Show off your grooming skills.

• Short Reels/TikToks: Capture funny moments or behind-the-scenes action.

• Pet Care Tips: Share grooming advice or helpful how-tos.

• Client Spotlights: Showcase happy pets (with permission).

• Behind-the-Scenes: Share your tools, setup, and daily routine.

• User-Generated Content: Repost clients’ photos and reviews.

4. Run Local Facebook & Instagram Ads That Work

Ready to go beyond organic reach? Paid ads on Meta platforms (Facebook & Instagram) let you target local dog owners with precision.

Here’s how to make the most of it:

• Target by location: Focus on your city, surrounding neighborhoods, or even zip codes

• Use engaging creatives: Short videos or “before and after” photo carousels tend to perform well

• Promote time-sensitive offers: Example: “20% off your first grooming appointment this month!”

• Install a Meta Pixel on your website to retarget visitors who didn’t book the first time

• Boost top-performing organic posts to reach even more local pet parents

You don’t need a huge ad budget to see results—just a clear message, a local audience, and irresistible dog content.

5. Get Listed in Local Directories

One of the easiest (and most overlooked) ways to boost your online visibility is by getting your dog grooming business listed in local directories. These listings help potential clients find you, improve your local SEO, and establish your credibility as a trusted grooming provider in your area.

Start with the most popular and pet-focused directories to maximize your reach. Each listing acts like a digital “billboard” for your business:

• Yelp – One of the first places people check for reviews and local businesses

• Nextdoor – Hyperlocal visibility with neighbors looking for trusted referrals

• Google Business Profile – Already covered, but don’t skip this one!
  

These platforms allow you to reach people actively searching for dog grooming services in your area, which makes them high-value marketing tools.

Why Local Listings Help Your SEO

Each directory listing creates a citation—a mention of your business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) on another site. These citations are key local SEO signals that:

• Boost your visibility in Google Maps and local search results

• Strengthen your website’s authority with backlinks from trusted sources

• Help Google confirm your legitimacy, improving trust and rankings

When your business is mentioned consistently across many trusted platforms, Google is more likely to show your profile when someone nearby searches “dog groomer near me.”

Pro Tip: Create a spreadsheet to track all your directory listings so you can easily update them if anything changes in the future.

6. Run Targeted Google and Facebook Ads

Paid ads on Google and Facebook are powerful tools to drive traffic, increase bookings, and maintain visibility in your local market. The best part is that you don’t need a large budget, just the right strategy.

To target local pet owners, use location-based and “near me” keywords in your Google Ads, such as “dog grooming near me,” “pet groomer in [City],” or “puppy grooming [Neighborhood].” On Facebook, narrow your audience to pet owners, people interested in pets, or recent movers. Be sure to focus on your city, zip codes, or a radius around your business to ensure your ads reach the right people.

7. Create Educational Content (Blog & Video Marketing)

Creating educational content is a powerful way to attract new clients, improve your search engine rankings, and build long-term trust with your audience. Whether you write blog posts or create videos, this content positions you as an expert that pet parents can rely on.

Blogging is an underrated tool for dog groomers, helping you boost SEO and engage with clients. It allows you to target long-tail keywords like “how often should I groom my golden retriever” and answer frequently asked questions. A well-maintained blog also keeps your website fresh, which Google loves.

Blog Post Ideas:

• “How Often Should I Groom My Dog?” – Tips by breed, coat type, and lifestyle.

• “Top 5 At-Home Grooming Tips Between Appointments” – Builds trust and shows care.

• “Grooming Myths Busted” – Fun and great for SEO and social sharing.

• “What to Expect at Your First Grooming Appointment” – Eases anxiety for first-time clients.

• “Signs Your Dog Needs Professional Grooming” – Educate while subtly promoting your services.

Pro Tip: Use location-based keywords like “dog grooming advice for [City] pet owners” to improve local rankings.

Video Content: People love watching dogs, especially when they’re getting pampered! Video content is highly engaging and helps show your personality, expertise, and passion.

Video Ideas:

• Quick tips (Reels, Shorts, TikToks) like “How to brush your doodle at home” or “The right way to clean dog ears.”

• Tool reviews and grooming demos, such as “Best slicker brush for shedding season.”

• Behind-the-scenes content like “A Day in the Life of a Dog Groomer” or “Inside Our Grooming Salon.”

• Short clips, even just 30 seconds, can drive local pet parents to contact you directly.

These content types build trust and engagement, driving more clients to your door.

8. Offer Online Booking and SMS Reminders

Let’s face it—no one wants to play phone tag to book a grooming appointment. In today’s fast-paced world, your clients expect a simple, seamless way to book services anytime, anywhere, and on their schedule. That’s why offering online booking with automated SMS or email reminders is no longer optional—it’s essential.

Tools to Make Online Booking Easy

There are several platforms that make it simple to accept bookings, sync appointments, and manage client communication all in one place. Here are a few favorites for dog grooming businesses:

• Square Appointments – Great for solopreneurs and small teams; includes payment integration, reminders, and client history tracking

• Gingr – Specifically built for pet care businesses; includes grooming, daycare, and boarding scheduling with robust pet profiles

• Acuity Scheduling – Clean interface, customizable booking flows, and great for salons that offer tiered services or multiple staff members

Each of these tools allows your clients to:

• View available time slots

• Select their preferred service and groomer

• Book and pay online

• Receive automated confirmations and reminders

This is the kind of frictionless experience that keeps pet parents coming back—and recommending you to others.

9. Email Marketing for Repeat Business

Email marketing is a powerful tool to nurture long-term relationships, boost client loyalty, and drive repeat business for your dog grooming business. With the right strategy, you can automate communication and encourage referrals with minimal effort.

Create a Simple Email Funnel:

• Welcome Email: Send a personalized welcome email when a client books. Include a brief intro, your grooming philosophy, links to social media, and helpful dog care tips.

• Booking Reminder: A few days before their appointment, send a reminder with the appointment details, any special instructions, and a CTA to reschedule if needed.

• Referral Program Email: After the grooming, invite clients to refer a friend with rewards like discounts, free add-ons, or fun pet incentives.

Offer Exclusive Deals for Subscribers:

• First-time discounts (e.g., “Save 20% on your first grooming session”)

• Seasonal promotions (e.g., “Free de-shedding treatment with your next booking”)

• Loyalty rewards (e.g., “Every 5th grooming is 50% off”)

• Birthday specials (e.g., “10% off your pup’s grooming appointment this month”)

Tips for Segmentation: Segment your email list to send more personalized content:

• By dog breed (e.g., “Golden Retriever grooming tips”)

• By grooming type (full grooming vs. nail trims)

• By frequency (special offers for lapsed clients)

• By age or service preference (e.g., senior dog care or puppy grooming)

Targeted emails make your communication more relevant, helping increase engagement and repeat bookings.

10. Performance and Adjust

Digital marketing allows you to easily track and measure your efforts, helping you refine strategies to drive more clients and revenue. Here’s how to track key metrics:

Use Google Analytics, Meta Ads Manager, and GBP Insights:

• Google Analytics: Track website traffic, user behavior, and conversions. Identify which channels (e.g., blog posts, ads) are driving bookings.

• Meta Ads Manager: Monitor ad performance on Facebook and Instagram, tracking metrics like click-through rate, cost per lead, and return on ad spend.

• Google Business Profile Insights: See how people find your business, how often they view your listing, and how many click to call or get directions. Optimize for better local SEO and Google Maps rankings.

Track Key Metrics:

• Bookings: Measure how many appointments come from specific campaigns or promotions.

• Website Traffic: See if your blog posts or SEO efforts drive visitors to service pages.

• Ad ROI: Track cost per booking to ensure paid ads are worth the investment.

Adjust campaigns based on data—optimize content, tweak offers, and refine targeting to continually improve performance.

Conclusion

Marketing your dog grooming business online doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By following these actionable strategies—whether it’s optimizing your Google Business Profile, creating engaging content, or offering frictionless booking options—you’ll not only attract more clients but also build long-term loyalty. With the right tools and marketing techniques, your grooming business can stand out in a competitive market, driving growth and success.

At Unleashed Consulting, we specialize in helping dog grooming businesses like yours develop and implement marketing strategies that get results. Whether you need help with website optimization, email marketing funnels, or paid advertising, we have the expertise to take your business to the next level.

Ready to grow your grooming business and see real results? Contact Unleashed Consulting today for a free consultation, and let’s create a customized plan that will keep your appointment book full and your clients happy!