Running a salon is hard work. It takes a certain amount of drive and passion to be a salon owner, but between managing your team, handling the books, paying bills, and doing payroll, not to mention balancing your own clients, there simply are not enough hours in the day.
However, there are many forms of technology that can streamline, even automate processes, and help you manage many aspects of your business. Let’s take a look at some of the hurdles you and others like you may be up against and see what technology can help.
Issue: Scheduling and confirming clients is a lot of work. There’s got to be a better way than paper schedulers and calling or texting clients to confirm.
Tech Solution: Salon scheduling software is the best way to go digital and get a handle on your bookings. Scheduling features will let you book client appointments from anywhere and on any device, with quick access to client data to check them in and out on the day of their salon visit.
Setting up automated confirmations and reminders will help relieve the burden of making calls or sending individual texts or emails to confirm appointments. It’s all set up and running in the background sending a confirmation for every booking and reminding them before the appointment to make sure they don’t miss their scheduled time.
Issue: My front desk team is costing me a fortune. How can I cut back without affecting the quality of the client experience?
Tech Solution: To streamline some of their processes, use your salon software to help manage client data and book and confirm appointments. You can also make online scheduling an option for your clients, that way, they can manage their own data and book appointments when they remember to do so; plus, they can purchase memberships, packages, and gift cards without needing your team to assist them.
You might also like: Your Salon’s Guide to Going Deskless
Issue: A lot of hair color goes to waste in my salon. I’ve asked my team to be more mindful when mixing color, but nothing has changed. How do I get a handle on the costs, let alone the waste?
Tech Solution: There are a couple of color management options to consider: Vish and SalonScale. Both offer a means of accurately measuring the color used for every service and recording the formulas and amounts used, so you can replicate the application each time without costly overmixing and wasting color.
You might also like: Take Control of Your Business by Eliminating Waste
Issue: No-shows are killing my business. What can I do about it?
Tech Solution: You can do a few things to help minimize cancellations and no-shows in your business. Using automated confirmations and reminders through your salon software will help.
Otherwise, create and post your cancellation policy that includes provisions for people who are late or do not show up for their appointments. Also, require that all clients have a credit card on file to book appointments. That way, you can charge their card for late cancellations and no-shows. The other suggestion is requiring deposits, at least for new clients or those with costly and labor-intensive services. That way, you are covered for your expenses and a portion of the service should they no-show.
You might also like: How to Create a Cancellation Policy for Your Salon
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Issue: I have to pay the processing fees for my team’s tips, and it’s really adding up. What can I do?
Tech Solution: Tippy is a digital tipping solution that saves salon owners money on processing fees and provides real-time access to tips for service providers. When coupled with RosyPay, your clients get a fast, seamless, and single-swipe checkout, while your team gets increased tips and a faster payout.
Issue: I find that there is a lot of downtime for my stylists. How can I bring in new clients to help fill my chairs?
Tech Solution: It’s important to have continual lead generation for your business. That way, you have a steady flow of new clients filling your chairs. Salon Ninja can help you create simple funnels and marketing automation that quickly capture contact information so that you can generate and market to new leads.
Issue: Consultations are a necessary part of our business, but I wish there were a more cost-effective way of doing them rather than wasting time in the chair.
Tech Solution: You need a digital consultation tool, like SnapSnip, so your team can virtually hone in on what the client or potential client wants and the state of their hair so that you can provide a realistic timeframe and accurate pricing. This technology will help free up your chairs for services versus free consultations.
You might also like: Book Better with Digital Consultations
Issue: My salon is small – just a few stations and a shampoo bowl. There’s no room for a front desk, let alone retail. How can I participate in retail without resorting to affiliate links?
Tech Solution: You can generate retail sales without having to manage, pay for, or ship products by opening a free, customizable online store through SalonInteractive. Give your clients 24/7 online shopping convenience while you earn commissions by simply recommending your favorite products. Orders are fulfilled on your behalf by your local distributor. Plus, they can market to your clients on your behalf, so you can grow your retail sales without lifting a finger. For Rosy users, SalonInteractive is integrated into your software. Just log onto Rosy and look for the SalonInteractive tab to activate your free online store.
You might also like: 12 Easy Ways to Automate Your Salon Using Technology
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