The world of beauty never stands still, and neither can you. From the latest techniques to the newest tools, staying current is non-negotiable. Ultimately, this is how you ensure a steady stream of appointments and keep your chair filled with loyal and future customers.
Let’s be honest, getting stuck with manual tasks or software that fights you every step of the way steals time and energy. That’s time you could be spending on what truly matters; growing your business and giving your clients the amazing experience they come back for.
It’s time to invest in salon management software that enables you to modernize your operations, connect with clients, and grow your salon business.
We’ve created this salon management software buyer’s guide to assist you in your search for better salon software. This includes a look at:
- Common barriers to switching software and how to overcome them
- Reasons salon owners should consider switching to a new software provider
- How to prepare for conversions with potential salon software providers
Common Barriers to Avoiding the Switch to a New Salon Software
While choosing new salon software can feel overwhelming, it’s a necessary step. The reality is, certain parts of your business operation need to run more efficiently, and finding the right tools is the key to achieving that.
Let’s review the most common barriers that could prevent you from researching the optimal salon management software for your business.
Transition and downtime
The concern: You’ve been using paper and pen or your current software for some time and learning how to use a new platform will take some time and adjustment.
The opportunity: The right salon software provider makes it easy for your transition with minimal downtime. They have resources and staff dedicated to onboarding, training, online tools, and customer support.
Pushback from employees
The concern: Employees already know the current software and may be resistant to changing what they’re used to.
The opportunity: Adopting a new, cloud-based salon software system will enable your staff to save time with automated processes, streamline client scheduling and communication, and access every feature — no matter where they are — via their laptop, phone, or tablet.
Data migration
The concern: Your salon has a huge database of customer contact information, sales data, and employee history that needs to be transferred to a new software system.
The opportunity: Many software platforms build data migration right into your onboarding timeline. Plus, they have dedicated staff on hand to personally help you set everything up. This helps seamlessly moving your data from the old system to the new one.
Lack of features and security
The concern: Finding a single software that perfectly balances your daily needs with top-tier security can feel like a daunting task.
The opportunity: Today’s cloud-based salon platforms are built based on your industry’s business needs. Software companies work daily to make their features, like appointment scheduling, even better to help you streamline your salon operations and make sure your business has the right security parameters to protect you and your customers.
Finding a cost-effective salon management software solution
The concern: A new software platform may be more expensive than your current system. You’re not sure it will fit in your budget.
The opportunity: Booking and management software is a solid investment for your salon. Its communication, sales, booking, reporting, and marketing features will save you time and allow you to run more efficiently, offer a better customer experience, and increase profits for your salon.
Why You Should Research New Salon Management Systems
Don’t let the doubts outweigh the benefits that come with adopting a new software platform for your salon. Once you realize the opportunities in store, you’ll be focused on finding the right solution that fits your needs.
Keep these reasons in mind as well:
- Your salon business could be managed more efficiently
- You’ll save time and money
- You’ll have access to current and enhanced features designed for your industry
- Your business growth can be accelerated
- You can provide your staff and clients with a positive, memorable experience
How to Prepare for Your Conversations with Salon Software Representatives
As you begin your search for new all-in-one management software, your journey will include meetings with representatives of the software companies you’re evaluating.
In each meeting, keep a list of questions to ensure you gather all the necessary information. This will help you decide which platform is the right choice for your business and your particular needs. We’ve compiled a list of questions to get you started in the research process.
To Ensure a Perfect Fit, Guide Your Conversations with These Key Questions
- Can you share your typical transition timeline?
- Do you anticipate anything different for us?
- Should we expect any delays?
- How will you support the transition?
- What does your pricing structure look like?
- Are there hidden fees?
- How can you save my practice money?
- What is the data transfer process like?
- Will we lose access to key information?
- To be direct, has a bad data transfer ever cost you time, money, or client trust?
- How would this transition impact our clients?
- What disruptions should we anticipate?
- How do you support simple salon appointment booking for clients?
- What kind of training would you provide for us to learn your software?
- What kind of support do you offer?
- Will we have points of contact we can reach directly for help?
- What successes or challenges have you seen with other practices?
- Do you have case studies to share?
- Do you have references we can contact?
Based on the Information You Receive, Ask Yourself These Questions
- How will the logistics of a transition impact my salon? My clients and employees?
- Will this provider support me well during the transition and beyond?
- Will this software scale with my salon as it grows?
- How will my team benefit from a transition?
- Is it financially feasible and/or beneficial to switch?
- Considering everything, does moving to a new system now position my salon for better growth?
Top Features to Look for in Salon Booking and Management Software
To find the right fit, start by carefully comparing the features of each platform. The goal is to find a truly comprehensive system that will be a reliable partner for your salon, year-round.
As you’re researching and meeting with software companies, make these features a priority for your salon business:
- Easy-to-use salon appointment online booking and scheduling tools
- Automated appointment confirmations and reminders for a seamless client experience
- Simple check-in and out
- Quick access to client profiles
- Pain-free inventory management
- Versatile accessibility from a computer, tablet, or mobile device
- Seamless online and in-person systems to process payments
- Available integrations for functions like accounting
- One-way and two-way texting for enhanced communication
- Custom reporting for tracking trends and growth of your business, allowing you to make informed decisions
Seize Your Day
DaySmart Salon provides an all-in-one solution for scheduling and business management. designed to streamline your daily tasks and elevate the customer experience. This means your operations stay resilient, and you and your staff have instant access to your business from any location.
Book a free demo of DaySmart Salon during your research to see how our features meet your needs.