Think of a salon management software as an assistant. You want a software that works for you and takes care of the difficult parts of running a salon business. This allows you to focus on what you do best — the hairstyles. It can be hard to find a salon software that works best for your needs, and your requirements may vary if you are a big salon or a smaller establishment. In the following, the 5 most essential features of a salon management software are outlined to use as a checklist when you are searching!

1. Painless Scheduling

It can be hard to schedule your appointments without a software that can support you all the way. Whichever software you choose, it should have an efficient online scheduling software that will easily connect with your clients and staff if there ever needs to be a scheduling change.

If either you, your receptionist or another stylist is organizing your appointments, you probably know how difficult this can be without a software.  The idea is that the software helps to keep things consistent and standards. Otherwise, there is a high chance that you could miss some appointments. 

The calendar not only should be easy to navigate through, it should also be able to filter by date, client, staff member, and more.

2. Cancellation Management

Your software should be able to easily figure out all of your business’ finances with ease and keep you in the loop while doing so.

It should be able to pre-set when the latest and earliest is a person can cancel, handle cancellation fees, and keep it on the client’s record so you don’t have to lose as much money in these mundane managerial tasks.

With a good management software, your cancellations should be easily shown to you so you easily manage refunds and update your appointments as needed.

 

3. Customizable Notifications

You’re busy. Notifications should be able to help you and alert you when something needs your attention so you can run your business as intended.

You should be able to pick and choose what you want to see at first glance so you can stay up to date with your appointments and revenue in seconds.

A good management software doesn’t only manage your money and clients, it helps you run your business.

 

4. Straightforward UI

Your software should be logical and intuitive.

You shouldn’t have to guess what a button click will do. Everything will be easily accessed from the dashboard.

With a software that is easy to use, you can cut through all of the annoying parts of running a business and quickly do what needs to be done. When your software is five steps ahead of you, it helps you be more successful and efficient.

You already have 80 other things to do and learning how to use a complicated software should not be the 81st thing. Look for a software that is easy to learn and navigate through so you can spend the rest of the time expanding your business.

5. Marketing Integration

Marketing is the hardest part of running any organization. But you probably hate sending emails and putting up flyers to finding clients.

Your software should have all of the important information of your clients and should make contacting them a breeze.

Additionally, your software should be able to help you streamline all of your marketing into one platform and let you manage your social media accounts through it.

The software should be proactive in finding you clients instead of being another burden while you find new clients on your own.

 

Conclusion

Each salon management software has different features that make it unique. You want to be sure to find the best one that is best for your team. Take a close look at their features and find out what is offered in the version you are looking to buy and what might be covered by an upsell or more sophisticated plan. You can always try a free trial or demo for a software you are considering to make sure you are making the best decision for your business. Good luck — and remember it is worth the investment!

 

This post is sponsored by ChakraEdge.