Hair Salons in Des Moines Ia
236 hair salons competing in Des Moines Ia. Here's what the data shows.
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236
48%
Market Overview
With 236 hair salons operating in Des Moines, the market is crowded. That's a lot of chairs competing for the same set of heads. The competitive pressure is real — from budget chains like Great Clips and Cost Cutters to independent shops like Victoria's Chair of Awesome Hair and Hair On Hubbell, every price point and style niche has multiple players.
Here's the number that stands out: only 114 of those 236 salons — 48% — have a website. That means more than half the market is essentially invisible to anyone searching online. In a city this size, where new residents and comparison shoppers start with Google, that's a massive gap. The salons that do show up digitally have a built-in advantage over the ones that don't.
Des Moines isn't a sprawling metro — its population density means salons are geographically close to each other, often just blocks apart. Customers have real options within a short drive. That proximity raises the stakes: if your salon doesn't stand out on service, price, or convenience, the next one is right down the road. The market isn't growing fast enough to support 236 salons without serious competition for every client.
What Customers in Des Moines Ia Care About
Walk-in availability matters here
With chains like Great Clips and Cost Cutters setting expectations for no-appointment convenience, Des Moines customers often choose salons based on whether they can get a same-day cut without calling ahead.
Proximity over prestige
In a compact city like Des Moines, most people pick a salon within a few miles of home or work — location and parking beat out reputation for many routine visits.
Stylists who stay put
Des Moines clients build long-term relationships with their stylists and will follow them across town, so staff turnover at your salon is a direct threat to retention.
Straightforward pricing
With budget chains advertising $15-$20 haircuts, mid-range salons need to clearly justify higher prices — customers here do the math before they book.
Neighborhood reputation
Word of mouth in Des Moines neighborhoods like Beaverdale and the South Side carries real weight — a salon's standing in its immediate community often matters more than citywide visibility.
Hair Salons operating in Des Moines Ia
A sample of real hair salons in this area. Want ratings, reviews, and exactly where you rank against them? Run a free report on your business.
| Business | Type |
|---|---|
| Great Clips | Hair Salon |
| Hair Forum | Hair Salon |
| Cost Cutters | Hair Salon |
| Signature Style Salons | Hair Salon |
| Hair On Hubbell | Hair Salon |
| Victoria's Chair of Awesome Hair | Hair Salon |
| Pleasant Hill Hair Design | Hair Salon |
| Beautiful People Salon | Hair Salon |
| Glitz & Glam | Hair Salon |
| Salon Trendz And Nails | Hair Salon |
| Hair Works | Hair Salon |
| Lovely Lash And Hair Studio | Hair Salon |
Business listings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Tips for Hair Salons Owners in Des Moines Ia
Claim the online gap before others do
With 52% of Des Moines salons lacking a website, even a basic site with hours, services, and booking puts you ahead of over 120 competitors. Google Business Profile optimization alone can put you on the map — literally — when someone searches 'hair salon near me' in Des Moines.
Target a specific neighborhood, not the whole city
With 236 salons fighting for attention citywide, trying to compete broadly is a losing game. Pick a neighborhood — Waukee, Ankeny, the East Side — and become the go-to salon there. Local search results favor geographic specificity.
Differentiate from the chain experience
Great Clips and Cost Cutters dominate on price and convenience. Independent salons like Hair On Hubbell and Victoria's Chair of Awesome Hair compete by offering something chains can't: personal service, consistent stylists, and a distinct identity. Know which side of that line you're on.
Competition Snapshot
Des Moines is oversaturated with hair salons — 236 in a single city is a high density. Budget chains and independent shops are packed into the same neighborhoods, competing on thin margins. What's underserved: salons with a strong online presence. More than half have no website, making them invisible to the growing number of customers who search before they walk in. Standing out requires either a clear neighborhood niche, a distinct service angle, or simply showing up where your competitors don't — online. The bar to compete is low, but the bar to win is getting higher.
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