13 Features to Look for in Salon Scheduling Software
Last Updated on 27 August, 2024
Expanding at a rate of 7.55%, the growth trajectory of the salon industry is strong following the end of the pandemic.
But with at-home treatments also on the rise, the competition for loyal clientele is at an all-time high.
Your salon scheduling software has a major impact on your success as a business.
The easier and more enjoyable it is for clients to book appointments, the more revenue you’ll earn.
If you want to win over and retain clients with easy online bookings, then keep reading. We’ve got a list of the most essential features to hunt for in your scheduling software so you can exceed clients’ expectations.
What’s in this guide:
13 important features in salon scheduling software
Ready to pick a platform that will offer appointment booking and grow with you in the long run? Be on the lookout for these key features.
1. Online appointment booking
First and foremost, a salon scheduling platform should offer online appointment booking so clients can easily select their favorite hairdresser or esthetician and then choose a time that fits within their schedule.
The platform should also include payment processing so you can require payment or deposit up front for certain services, if desired.
2. Automated reminders
Automated appointment reminders are an absolute must. They improve the client experience and reduce no-shows. Plus, clients expect to receive them.
Your platform should make it easy to set up reminders via SMS, email, and push notifications (more on mobile apps later).
3. Staff and schedule management
Ideally, your platform will also enable you to manage staff. Look for hours tracking, payroll, task management, user permissions, and staff schedules.
The platform should allow staff to adjust their own schedules so they can block out time for vacation, doctors’ appointments, etc.
4. Review management
Customer reviews are the lifeblood of any salon. Not only do positive reviews help you win over new clients, but they also drive more traffic to your business. Reviews are a major ranking factor in search algorithms for Google, Yelp, and other sites.
To boost the volume and quality of your reviews, choose a platform that offers automated requests with a two-step process so you can address negative reviews before they go public.
You should be able to trigger review requests to all clients, or to a certain segment (such as clients who have booked more than three appointments with your salon).
5. Loyalty program
A loyalty program is an often-overlooked feature in salon scheduling software. And that’s a shame, because it has the potential to really boost your booking volume. Opt for a platform that lets you craft a strategic loyalty program with tiers for rewards, like free or discounted products and services. The platform should automatically give clients points when they book services, purchase products, refer friends, review you online, etc.
6. Segmented and automated marketing
Your salon scheduling software should make it easy to contact the right clients at the right times. You can send customized promotions with segmented and automated marketing campaigns. For example, you might automatically send an email reminder to clients who haven’t booked a service in over four months.
7. Website widgets and builder
At the very least, a salon appointment software will include widgets for embedding appointment booking in an existing website.
But platforms that include a fully featured website builder are even better. This way, you can seamlessly integrate the backend of your business with the frontend of your website. Using your business software to build your website (instead of a platform like Wix or WordPress) also means you’ll get better customer support to help you along the way.
8. Inventory management
Retail sales account for nearly 15% of salon revenue, so make sure your salon booking software also includes inventory management. The platform should make it easy for you to sell products in person, so also be on the lookout for POS hardware to take payments. And be able to sync products with your site and sell items online.
9. Staff app
Choose a platform that offers a mobile app for your staff. This way, they can do everything they need from their mobile devices: check and complete tasks, view schedules, and even clock-in (only when physically on site).
Staff should also be able to use the app to book appointments for clients. Immediately following a service, they can get the client on the schedule for their next appointment.
10. Client app
Your software should also include a salon scheduling app like WellnessLiving’s Achieve Client App where clients can book appointments, view loyalty program points, earn more points, and purchase products all in one place.
A mobile app is also a great business decision. The average person spends over 3 hours on their smartphone every day, making it the most reliable communication channel. Push notification can be used for appointment reminders and announcing events or promotions.
11. Reserve with Google integration
Reserve with Google allows people to book services directly within the Google Maps interface. Make sure to choose a platform that integrates with Reserve with Google, so you can take full advantage of this capability, while collecting all client data in your main system.
12. Events management
Salons can really benefit from hosting events like injectable parties, facial parties, Mother’s Day brunches, etc. Be sure to choose a platform with events management so you can setup both free and paid events, market them to your database, and take registrations.
13. Financial and marketing reports
As a business owner, you need data to make grounded decisions. Choose scheduling software that offers advanced reporting so you can benchmark your finances and analyze which marketing efforts are the most successful.
5 salon scheduling tools to consider
Here are a few popular options for salon scheduling software.
1. WellnessLiving
With WellnessLiving, you get all of the features mentioned above in one easy-to-use, customizable platform. You’ll be able to accept appointments, take payments, drive loyalty, and automate your marketing. We offer one-on-one onboarding, data migration, and 24/7 support so you always have the help you need to take your business to the next level.
What’s more, our payment processing fees are 20-40% lower than our competitors, allowing you to save on both credit card and ACH fees.
2. Vagaro
Vagaro is a good option for salon scheduling because it offers appointment booking, payments, inventory management, and marketing features in one place. However, Vagaro lacks events management, so if events are a big part of your marketing strategy, then this platform might not be the best fit.
3. Acuity Scheduling
Because it focuses primarily on appointment booking and payments, Acuity Scheduling is a simple, affordable solution. This platform is great for freelance hairdressers and estheticians. But for salons that want to grow their clientele, you’ll quickly outgrow Acuity Scheduling. It lacks marketing features, loyalty programs, review requests, and mobile apps.
4. Bookee
With Bookee, you’ll get access to every feature you need to schedule appointments for your salon. It also includes staff schedules, appointment reminders, email blasts, and client apps. But because it lacks review requests—which are so important for online rankings—it’s not a complete solution.
5. Glofox
Glofox is an affordable option for salons looking for online bookings, client apps, email marketing, and social media marketing. However, Glofox doesn’t offer automated review requests or events management.
Ready to get more appointments on the books for your salon?
Request a demo of WellnessLiving to see our salon management and marketing features in action.
