The beauty and wellness industry is growing at an unprecedented pace. With more people prioritizing their appearance and personality, spas and salons are popping up everywhere. But here’s the catch—the competition is fierce.
So, how can you differentiate your business in a crowded market?
The answer lies in innovation. A salon booking app like Booksy can give you the competitive edge you need to thrive.
According to recent reports, 20% of customers account for 80% of future salon revenue. This highlights one crucial point—customer engagement is the key to your business’s long-term growth. By developing a salon booking app, you can:
The beauty app development and health industry is recession-proof, making it one of the most stable markets. With a salon app, you can tap into this stability and unlock new revenue streams, even during challenging times.
Ready to take your salon business to the next level? Let’s explore why investing in a beauty/wellness app is the most brilliant move and the most exciting features that will make your app stand out.
BUT FIRST… Let’s
Salon software is a set of tools that can assist salons in managing and growing their businesses. It includes client and appointment management, salon marketing, point-of-sale (POS), salon operation management, and reporting features.
This article is about “all-in-one” solutions. Platforms that offer support in all areas necessary to run a salon successfully.
However, this is not the only way to create systems that support your business. You can also use different systems specializing in other areas and combine them where needed.
However, this would add complexity and cost. Our recommendation to 95% of business owners is to find a tool that supports most of their needs and add additional tools when they have a business need.
We’ll be reviewing the features of each salon software platform listed here, and you’ll see where it makes sense for the software to be complemented by another, more specific tool.
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Well-known or renowned beauty brands develop apps like Booksy to help them expand their local markets. This allows app owners to make their services more accessible and enhance brand visibility. In addition, the admin can assign a professional to complete the service when a booking is made.
The Aggregator app brings together all beauty professionals, freelancers, hairdressers, and other service providers under one roof. By partnering with a local beauty salon or service provider, anyone looking for a particular service can find it.
An app owner may earn a commission/fee for every transaction.
It is growing exponentially, and competitors constantly look for better options to offer their customers the best service.
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Booksy booking app is a calendar- and appointment management application that connects businesses and customers. It was established in Poland and had its headquarters in San Francisco. Booksy app is the number one app for booking appointments in the beauty, lifestyle, and wellness industries.
Booksy raised $ 70 million in 2021 to purchase other salon booking apps and expand its reach. A popular salon booking app like Booksy is available in the United States, Brazil, South Africa, and Spain.
The platform lets users view local businesses, search by category, and book appointments in a calendar. They can also see all available timeslots.
Businesses can use Booksy’s app to discover new customers and manage appointments, schedules, and payments. Another benefit is Booksy’s availability for customers. Customers can schedule appointments at any hour, even after hours.
Booksy is a mobile Point-of-Sale system (POS) that manages all customer journey stages, including appointments.
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Customers can use Booksy to search for businesses and book appointments. They also have the option of paying for services with no fees. However, Booksy does charge a monthly fee for service providers. By doing so, businesses are more visible and accessible to mobile users and enhance their user experience.
Booksy offers service providers several payment options. A $29.99 monthly subscription can access all the main features, such as a calendar, appointments, payment processing, and marketing tools.
If you require access to your Booksy profile, each additional staff member costs $20 monthly. Thus, the cost of the staff member exceeds $14, and the monthly fee is $309,99.
Booksy offers marketing services. This feature is called Boost and allows businesses to be promoted on Booksy. In addition, the boost will enable companies to pay only for customers acquired through Booksy.
The platform charges a 30% commission for the first service a customer receives: a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $100. However, if 30% of a business’s service is more significant than that amount, it will no longer be charged.
Create an app like Booksy and make it highly profitable. It was ranked as one of the top-growing companies worldwide in 2020. Their revenue has increased by 1500% in three years, and their team has grown by 500% in just three years.
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We have seen the variety of beauty services available on-demand for various occasions and daily requirements. Because of their busy schedules, users can feel bored or irritated sitting in the salon lounge waiting for hours. The application has many other benefits, which we list below.
Clients will have no issues with trade fair information, such as hours, rules, packages, and costs.
Clients need to know that you exist. Although cold-calling may not be the best option, push notices can remind clients they are available.
This connects to the first benefit: Using a lounge reservation app, customers can save time planning their appointments.
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A salon reservation app is a key advantage. In addition, a smartphone app can allow customers to select the stylist they prefer, thanks to its fascination with personalized content that adds to the customer experience.
Given the current pandemic, payment is a common practice. Users will benefit in many ways from the development of a payment portal for salon reservations. The payment gateway provides multiple payment options.
Publicity is essential for any beauty salon booking app. It allows customers to learn about the salon and its services. In addition, on-demand applications enable salon owners to list their services and promote them to existing customers.
This gives the app owner insight into the trends and questions users are most interested in. They can then work on these issues to improve their services. Salons can also plan for expansion based on app downloads and demographics.
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When choosing the right salon software, many factors must be considered. First, the software must deliver on the “killer points” you already know.
To make sure you make an informed decision, here are some things we recommend you keep in mind.
Today’s salon software platforms are primarily localized. One reason is that credit card payments can still be managed differently in different countries. However, business structures can also differ from country to country.
It is essential to know if the platform has supported your country.
After reviewing multiple platforms, we found there is always a balance between providing essential features and flexibility while still being easy to use.
You will need to learn more if you want to control your company’s branding and customize reports than if you use something predetermined and locked down.
Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages. However, ultimately, you will decide how important it is to control everything and whether you will accept more complexity.
This list shows that Fresha and GlossGenius are the easiest-to-use platforms. However, this also means you have less flexibility if they are chosen over the other options.
Do you need to be able to use specific accounting software, such as Quickbooks, or an external e-mail marketing service? You should also consider how easy it is to integrate with other platforms.
Mangomint is the platform that supports the most integrations. Mangomint can be integrated with almost any software that supports integrations. However, you will likely need to hire one of the best mobile app development companies to help you set it up. Furthermore, Square offers a wide range of partner software, making it easy to integrate. Vagaro allows integration with many of the most popular tools used in salons.
Your clients will interact with you through the platform, so you want to ensure everything, from email templates to hardware, is consistent with the salon or spa experience.
Many salon software platforms are outdated and have interfaces that remind you of Windows 95. While some may have good functionality, the design is more critical than the functionalities.
The platforms are all good. Square is the best POS unit for a larger salon, GlossGenius has the most innovative card reader, and Mangomint has the most intuitive interface. Fresha and Vagaro come close. However, what looks good can also be subjective, so this is not a significant difference in the list of salon software.
We cannot ignore the price. The price of your software will impact your decision. The pricing differences between these systems are significant.
When evaluating the price of a subscription, it is essential to consider your staff, any additional fees (such as card transactions), and the features and customer service support you receive at the subscription price.
All the tools here are worth it, or they wouldn’t exist.
You must ensure that your software supports the necessary features, which will differ from one business to the next.
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Understanding the features you should include when setting up a salon booking application is essential. These are the main features to remember when building a salon booking application.
Include a calendar in your app to manage your appointments. Your app users can open the app and check their reservations directly from your internal calendar. Then, they can book their appointments accordingly.
To ensure that customers arrive on time, include a deposit.
Your customers can make in-app payments even during the post-COVID era. You can manage your customers’ transactions and payment details with in-app payments.
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You can show your customers that you care by creating a loyalty program or providing special offers. To give your customers incentives, make sure to include a loyalty program. One example is giving them a haircut free of charge for every ten. For your loyal customers, you can offer a variety of other perks and rewards to increase your chances of keeping them.
A style library can be handy. A photo gallery with many photos can give your clients a clear idea of what they are looking for, improving communication.
Given the number of software and apps available, potential customers can easily forget about your app. Push notifications are the best way for customers to know you’re available. You can also send your customers the most recent updates and news.
GPS is a standard feature in every app. GPS is essential to assist customers in finding the salon.
– The ability to view, add, and delete users
– The provision to view the client audits of beauticians
– View and manage clients’ profile
This feature allows admins to view and manage past and future appointments.
This feature lets you edit, delete, or modify your beautician management and view the beauty therapist’s schedule.
Service management allows admins to view, edit, delete, and add data. These data include bank details, beautician records, appointments, and ID card information.
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On-demand beauty apps are changing how clients book services, and their advanced features can dramatically improve customer satisfaction while optimizing business operations. From personalized promotions to seamless in-app communication, here’s how the latest technology can enhance the beauty service booking app experience.
The app allows the creation of one-time-use promo codes to redeem discounts, service packages, or loyalty rewards. These offers make the customers feel appreciated and ensure that they return repeatedly. This means that if you provide your previous customers with loyalty bonuses, such as discounted prices, you can make them stick around longer and make more purchases with your company. Also, other features can be added within the app to support using time-sensitive promo codes that help generate more appointments at quiet times or for newly offered services.
I discovered that the most crucial benefit is that customers can either chat or call the salon experts. This improves the general customer experience as they can easily engage in one-on-one communication in real-time. If customers want to get more information about a particular service, inquire about their availability, or clarify any concerns they may have about a specific stylist, it is to their benefit if they can make real-time contact through messaging or a direct call. It also helps cut back on scheduling since, most of the time, customers can clear up the details before confirming an appointment, thus reducing the frequency of cancellations and dissatisfied clients.
For makeup artists, hairstylists, and other beauty professionals, the ability to upload videos or portfolios into the app allows potential clients to assess the quality and style of services offered. These video portfolios provide visual proof of the provider’s skills and build trust with users hesitant about trying a new service. High-quality video content can showcase transformations, step-by-step tutorials, or client testimonials, giving users a clear idea of what to expect. This can significantly influence booking decisions and help professionals build their online reputation.
This feature lets clients view the service providers’ real-time availability and instantly book appointments. It eliminates the back-and-forth of manual scheduling, ensuring clients can book their preferred time slots without delay. Salons can reduce no-shows and cancellations by offering seamless scheduling and real time updates while clients enjoy a more flexible and hassle-free experience. This also gives businesses more control over their calendars and allows them to optimize staff scheduling.
Allowing users to customize their service options directly through the app can improve their satisfaction and encourage them to choose more personalized treatments. For example, clients can select specific styles, preferences, or packages, making them feel more involved. This feature can increase salons’ average revenue per booking by offering tailored upsells or premium service options that cater to individual needs.
Leaving reviews and ratings after a service is crucial for building trust and credibility. Customers can share their experiences, providing valuable feedback for the salon and future clients. Positive reviews act as social proof and can attract new customers who value the experiences of others. Salon owners can also respond to reviews, fostering engagement and improving customer relations.
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Building a loyalty program within the app can motivate customers to continue using your services. Offer points for every visit, referral, or purchase that can be redeemed for free services, discounts, or exclusive perks. This not only boosts customer retention but also encourages word-of-mouth marketing. Customers will feel appreciated and are more likely to stay loyal to your brand when they see tangible rewards for their continued patronage.
Push notifications remind customers about upcoming appointments, special offers, or new services. Timely reminders help reduce no-shows, while promotional messages keep users engaged and informed about seasonal deals or discounts. Salons can enhance their marketing efforts and increase bookings by personalizing these notifications based on customer behavior.
These are just a few points that show that embracing multilingualism can help make your salon’s app popular. Making the app available in different languages means reaching a broader market, including clients from other groups, and ensuring all clients can understand and book the app’s services.
Allowing customers to purchase gift cards or service vouchers through the app is a great way to increase sales, especially during holidays or special events. It’s a fantastic way for clients to gift services to friends or family and for salons to gain new customers when recipients redeem their vouchers. Additionally, integrating digital gift cards makes the process more convenient for users, encouraging impulse purchases.
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If you are reading this article, you probably have an idea for an app similar to Booksy. However, you must ensure your product is unique and targeted to your market and audience. You should also create an app that applies to other businesses, not just salons.
Consider your user persona. Then, think about the problems your product will solve for them. Also, consider making it more personalized and easy to use.
Make a list of your requirements. Even though they may seem vague, a professional salon booking software vendor will make them concrete specifications.
Partnering with app developers in the USA can be the best and most cost-effective option for those who don’t have a development team. In addition, you can save money by finding vendors in countries with lower living costs. This will allow you to repurpose the funds for business expenses such as marketing.
How can you find a trustworthy vendor? These are some of the options:
Once you have narrowed down vendors, contact them to see what solutions they provide. Then, again, you can involve a third-party expert to ensure that your developers are competent in their technical tasks.
Once you have found the perfect candidate, it is time to sign a contract.
Booksy is a feature-rich on-demand service app, so plan your development and select the best on-demand app development company. The discovery phase involves gathering requirements, understanding the target market, and converting the user expectations and business goals into a technical specification.
Technical specifications are a description of every aspect of your product. They help all team members and stakeholders get on the same page. This document will ensure that you get exactly what you need and expect.
Now, it’s time for you to build an app like Booksy. You will need two apps to serve customers and businesses if you follow Booksy’s model. An admin panel is also required. This allows you to manage users and receive subscription payments.
To speed up development, you can prioritize features and create an MVP. This will enable you to develop your application based on actual user feedback.
If you select native technologies, you must create a custom iOS application and an Android app for end-users and businesses. On the other hand, Cross-platform technologies such as Flutter are a great way to save money. You can create one app that is suitable for both companies and end-users.
While your appointment booking app develops, you can market it. Contact businesses to inform them of upcoming opportunities and build a client base.
A promo campaign can be launched using the lean startup method. Your development team handles all technical aspects.
After launching your product and having your first users, it is time to monitor the metrics. Integrate analytics before you go live to track your users’ behavior, convention rates, and revenue.
Encourage customers to provide feedback to improve your product and grow your company.
Your work on appointment booking applications does not end with the release. You must continue maintaining them.
This stage also includes developing new features and redesigning existing functionality. You want to ensure that your software is always up-to-date and relevant to your customers so they can see its value and remain loyal.
Now, creating a salon booking application is your ticket to the success and longevity of your business. While making the most straightforward app first, choosing a top mobile app development company that may appear the most attractive, it is essential to opt for a feature-full, client-oriented application to meet the numerous competitors in the current market.
Your app should include all the essential features for your customers, from the possibility of booking a car with several clicks to individual adjustments. Whether you are a start-up or an established company, a salon app can enhance your business, attract and retain clientele, and make more money.
Why wait to change the way you get pampered at your salon? Contact Techugo, a top salon app development company, today to book a consultation and let us build your app!
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