The choice of software for your salon or spa is a significant decision. You can count on it to help your business operate daily and support it as you develop it, so it must have all the functionality you need.
The right software will save you time and money and guarantee you the highest ROI. From time to time, we meet with trade show owners who find it very difficult to organize their inventory, staff, marketing, appointments, etc.
However, there are five essential questions to ask yourself to make sure that your chosen software meets the unique requirements of your hairdressing and beauty business, which we cover below.
What to look into Salon & Spa Management Software?
The first preference of any salon owner regarding the software is its characteristics, accessibility and security. The requirement for an advanced management system and user-friendly interface specifically designed for the salon and spa can handle each task with flexibility and ease.
Some of the highly recommended features it required in good software and multitasking:
- Appointment Booking & Scheduling
- Analytics & Reports
- Inventory Management
- Multi-location management
- Staff Roster
- Automated Confirmation
- Instant Accounting
- Marketing
- Security
- Client Management
- Feedback System
Is The Software Simple To Operate?
Salons and spas may be hectic locations, so any system must meet your needs and be easy to use. There is no point in checking off all the boxes if it takes too long to make your top priority.
Make sure the tasks you perform the most, such as booking and rescheduling appointments, making sales, are easy for you and your team to learn and complete.
How do I know if the software is easy to work with? Book a demo of the program so you can watch it work in action and how intuitive it is.
Does The Business Have A Good Name?
When choosing your salon and spa software, you must search for a software supplier. To do this, you can contact other friendly spas and local salons to find out about the systems they use, the ones they considered and why they chose the one made. You may also want to ask online industry groups or people you know within the industry.
Ask them if they’re happy to recommend the one they use and why. It would help if you also asked whether they are satisfied with the service and support.
How Does It Work When You Need Support?
Suppose you encounter a problem with your software or cannot find out how to do something. Your software provider must be able to provide you with the support you need as early as possible.
Be able to pick up the phone and contact your software vendor’s support team, instead of having to find out how to do it yourself online or wait for a reply by email, will always be the best option when you need urgent help.
Ask about the type of support the software company provides and if the license is free (included in your package), or whether you need to pay for support, as this will have to be considered in your software budget.
Sometimes the software may crash, so you must always have access to your system if faults happen. Check to see if the software provider has two platforms, meaning that you have software installed locally in your salon, the spa or clinic mainframe, as well as an online cloud version of the software accessible from any device.
It ensures that you will still have a system that works if any of them experience problems, as if your Internet connection fails.
Is There A Package That Is Right For You?
The salon and spa software prices vary according to the features available and the pricing structure, how many users (do you have a large staff or do you work alone?) and your budget.
For example, if you have a large team and want all the best software features, your plan will cost more than a living room with one or two team members, but choosing the quality and value over the price is essential. You must also be aware of any hidden costs associated with the software you choose, such as the cost of using premium features of free-standing software for example.
In terms of salon management software, high-quality trade show software will add to your profitability, for example, rationalization and automation of processes, reduction of no-shows, improvement of your rebooking rate and increase in retail sales. Choose software that has all the functionality you need, including media, for a reasonable price.
Your spa and salon software should help your company meet its challenges and increase its revenues. The best way to start is to make a list of all the things you want your software to do.
Ensure your software has the “must-have” features, including monitoring your inventory, managing your appointments, targeting marketing messages, and measuring your success using various reports.
