Salon & Beauty Blog

Tips, guides and comparisons for salon owners

guides

Salon Business Plan Guide: How to Write One That Actually Gets You Funded

You have decided to open a salon — now you need a business plan that actually works. This guide covers every section: executive summary, market analysis, financial projections, funding options, and a free checklist.

June 21, 2026 · 20 min read
compare

Mindbody Pricing for Salon Owners: What You Actually Pay in 2026

Mindbody pricing is notoriously opaque — starting at 9/mo officially but reportedly 39–99+/mo in practice. This breakdown covers all three plans, hidden costs, marketplace trade-offs, and whether it makes sense for salons.

June 21, 2026 · 17 min read
compare

Acuity Scheduling Pricing for Salon Owners: Full Cost Breakdown 2026

Full breakdown of Acuity Scheduling (now Squarespace Scheduling) pricing plans — Emerging, Growing, Powerhouse — plus payment processing fees, what's included, and how it compares to salon-specific software.

June 21, 2026 · 18 min read
compare

Booksy Pricing for Salon Owners: What You Actually Pay in 2026

A transparent breakdown of Booksy Biz costs for salon owners in 2026 — subscription fees, Boost commissions, payment processing, and the real monthly total for different team sizes.

June 21, 2026 · 12 min read
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GlossGenius Pricing Breakdown: What Salon Owners Actually Pay in 2026

GlossGenius plans start at $24/month, but the 2.6% transaction fee and hardware costs change the real number. Here's the full breakdown for salon owners in 2026.

June 21, 2026 · 13 min read
guides

How to Cancel Booksy and Switch Platforms: Complete Guide for Salons

Planning to cancel your Booksy subscription? This step-by-step guide walks you through exporting your client data, cancelling your account, and switching to a better booking system — without losing a single client.

June 21, 2026 · 12 min read
guides

Vagaro Pricing for Salons 2026 — Full Cost Breakdown

Vagaro's base price is $30/month for one bookable calendar — but adding a website, text marketing, a branded app, and extra staff means the real monthly cost is often $100–$250+. Here's exactly what UK salons pay in 2026.

June 20, 2026 · 11 min read
guides

Phorest Pricing for Salons 2026: Full Cost Breakdown

Phorest does not publish its prices. Here is what salons actually pay in 2026 — plans, add-on costs, SMS fees, contract terms, and how Phorest compares to DoTheBeauty's transparent flat-fee pricing.

June 20, 2026 · 9 min read
business-tips

How to Price Salon Services: The 2026 Guide to Rates That Actually Work

Setting the right prices for your salon services is one of the most important decisions you will make. This guide shows you how to calculate your true costs, research the local market, and build a pricing strategy that is both fair and profitable.

June 19, 2026 · 7 min read
salon-management

Salon Staff Scheduling: How to Build a Rota That Works for Everyone

Poor staff scheduling is one of the top sources of stress in salons. Here is how to build a rota that covers your busy periods, respects your team and actually stays manageable.

June 19, 2026 · 5 min read
salon-management

Salon Client Retention: 7 Strategies That Keep Clients Coming Back

Acquiring a new salon client costs 5× more than keeping one. These 7 retention strategies help you reduce churn, boost rebooking rates, and grow revenue from your existing client base.

June 18, 2026 · 3 min read
salon-management

Salon Cancellation Policy: Templates That Actually Get Paid

Last-minute cancellations cost the average salon owner 12–15% of monthly revenue. Grab our copy-paste templates and make your policy self-enforcing.

June 18, 2026 · 4 min read
salon-management

How Much Does Fresha Cost for Salons in 2026? The Real Numbers

Fresha is no longer free. In 2026, salons pay a monthly subscription, 20% commission on new clients from the marketplace, and transaction fees on every payment. Here is the complete cost breakdown for UK salons.

June 18, 2026 · 7 min read
salon-software

Treatwell Reviews 2026: What Salon Owners Actually Think

Honest roundup of what real salon owners think about Treatwell in 2026. Commission rates, client data ownership, who it genuinely suits — and who it doesn't.

June 1, 2026 · 8 min read
guides

Spa Scheduling Software 2026: Staff Rosters, Rooms and Package Deals

Spa scheduling is about more than online booking. Staff rosters, treatment room allocation, couples sessions, and package deals all need to work together. Here's what to look for.

April 25, 2026 · 11 min read
salon-software

Barbershop Booking App 2026 — Walk-Ins, Chair Scheduling & Male Grooming Services

Most booking apps are built for beauty salons — they're bloated for barbers and wrong for the way barbershops actually operate. Here's what a barbershop booking app needs to handle: walk-in queues, chair-by-chair scheduling, male grooming service durations, and a client experience that's fast enough for a 25-minute haircut business.

April 21, 2026 · 9 min read
guides

Salon Website Builder: AI-Powered, Live in 10 Minutes

Most salon owners spend weeks wrestling with Wix templates or paying thousands to a web agency — for a website that still can't take bookings. Here's a better way: AI-powered, no coding, live in 10 minutes.

April 21, 2026 · 9 min read
salon-software

Best Beauty Appointment Apps for Salons in 2026

There are dozens of beauty appointment apps competing for your business. This guide compares the six most popular options — DoTheBeauty, Fresha, Booksy, Treatwell, Timely, and Vagaro — with pricing tables, hidden-fee breakdowns, and a clear recommendation for independent salons.

April 21, 2026 · 9 min read
guides

SEO for Beauty Salons: The Complete 2026 Guide to Ranking Locally

Most beauty salons are invisible on Google — not because their work isn't good, but because nobody told them what Google actually looks for. This guide covers everything: Google Business Profile, local SEO, reviews, schema markup, and how to get more clients finding you online in 2026.

April 21, 2026 · 14 min read
growth

Salon Marketing Ideas That Actually Work in 2026

Practical, budget-friendly salon marketing ideas for independent salon owners in 2026. From Google Business Profile optimisation to referral schemes and seasonal promos — no paid ads required.

April 21, 2026 · 10 min read
salon-software

Best Treatwell Alternatives for Salons in 2026

Tired of Treatwell commissions? We compare the 6 best Treatwell alternatives for salons in 2026 — with honest pricing, pros, cons, and a side-by-side table.

April 21, 2026 · 10 min read
guides

How Bonnie Reid Built Her Salon Website in 10 Minutes — Without Any Tech Skills

Bonnie Reid runs a hair salon in Kuta, Lombok. She had no website, took bookings by WhatsApp, and was sceptical about a "10 minutes" promise. Here's what happened when she tried it.

April 16, 2026 · 3 min read
guides

Best Salon Booking Systems 2026: 12 Platforms Compared with Real Pricing

Compare the best salon booking systems available in the UK in 2026. Online booking, 0% commission, card payments via Stripe — find the right fit for your salon.

2026-06-29 · 8 min read
migration-guides

How to Leave Fresha Without Losing Clients: Step-by-Step Migration Guide

Fresha's commission charges are pushing salons to switch. This guide walks you through every step — from exporting your client list to notifying clients and cancelling your subscription — so you can leave without losing a booking.

2026-06-21 · 11 min read
guides

How to Leave Phorest: Migration Guide for UK Salons Switching Software

Thinking about leaving Phorest? This step-by-step migration guide walks UK salon owners through data export, contract notice periods, client communication, and switching to a more affordable alternative.

2026-06-21 · 10 min read
guides

Hair Salon Name Ideas: 110+ Creative Names to Inspire Your Brand

Over 110 hair salon name ideas organised by style, with a one-line description of the vibe each name evokes. Plus a checklist for securing your name online and offline.

2026-06-21 · 10 min read
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Square Appointments Pricing for Salon Owners: Full Cost Breakdown 2026

Square Appointments has a genuinely free plan — but processing fees and upgrade costs add up fast. Here's exactly what salon owners pay across all tiers in 2026.

2026-06-21 · 9 min read
guides

How to Open a Hair Salon in 2026 — Complete UK Guide

From business planning and UK legal requirements to real cost breakdowns and a launch-day checklist — this is the complete guide to opening a hair salon in the UK in 2026.

2026-06-20 · 12 min read
salon-management

Treatwell Pricing for Salons 2026: How Much Does Treatwell Really Take?

Treatwell charges €35/month AND takes 35% commission on every new client booking. We do the real 2026 math — including UK vs NL fee differences — and show how much you keep by switching.

2026-06-19 · 12 min read
website-builder

Hair Salon Website: How to Build One in 10 Minutes with AI

Most salon owners know they need a website but think it'll cost thousands or take weeks. DoTheBeauty's AI builder gets your hair salon live online in under 10 minutes — complete with booking, services, and a gallery.

2026-06-14 · 7 min read
tips

How to Reduce Salon No-Shows: 7 Proven Strategies (2026)

Industry no-show rates range from 15–30% — costing the average salon tens of thousands per year. Here are seven proven strategies to bring that rate below 5%: automated email reminders, deposit policies, waitlist systems, same-day booking, online confirmations, client-level tracking, and loyalty incentives.

2026-06-14 · 15 min read
salon-management

How to Get More Online Bookings for Your UK Salon (2026 Guide)

UK salon owners: how to get more direct online bookings in 2026 — with UK market stats, Treatwell alternatives, and practical steps to fill your diary without paying marketplace commission.

2026-06-14 · 7 min read
salon-software

Treatwell Connect Review 2026: Is It Worth It for UK Salon Owners?

Opiniones honestas sobre Treatwell Connect para salones españoles. Modelo de comisión, funciones y las mejores alternativas en 2026.

2026-05-17 · 10 min de lecture
salon-software

Treatwell vs Fresha vs DoTheBeauty: Which Salon Software Is Actually Worth It?

Treatwell and Fresha both charge commission on new clients. Here is how they compare — and why a flat-fee alternative might make more sense for your salon.

2026-05-05 · 9 min read
salon-software

Salon POS Software: Accept Payments Without the Headache

Most salons run their booking system and card terminal as two separate tools. Here's what integrated salon POS software does differently — and why it saves time and money.

2026-04-21 · 7 min read
growth

How to Get More Salon Clients in 2026: 7 Strategies That Work in Any Market

Seven strategies any salon can use to attract more clients — covering online and offline channels, from building your website and enabling 24/7 booking to referrals and local partnerships.

2026-04-21 · 10 min read
guides

Online Booking for Salons: Go Live in 10 Minutes

Your phone keeps ringing with booking requests while you're mid-cut. There's a better way — and it takes under 10 minutes to set up.

2026-04-20 · 7 min read
salon-software

Salon Scheduling Software: What You Actually Need in 2026

Not all salon scheduling software is built the same — and not all salons need the same features. This guide breaks down what actually matters for solo operators, small teams, and growing multi-location salons.

2026-04-20 · 9 min read
guides

How to Leave Treatwell Without Losing Your Clients — A Step-by-Step Migration Guide

Worried that leaving Treatwell means losing clients? This step-by-step migration guide shows you how to export your client list, set up your own booking system, and notify clients — without losing a single booking.

2026-04-16 · 11 min read
tips

How to Set Up a Salon Website as an Expat: Bali, Lisbon, Dubai and Beyond

You moved abroad to run a salon. Your "website" is a Linktree. Your bookings come through Instagram DMs at midnight. There is a better way — and it takes 10 minutes to set up.

2026-04-15 · 6 min read
tips

How to Set Up Automatic Appointment Reminders and Cut No-Shows in Half

3 no-shows a week is £7,000 a year walked out the door. This step-by-step guide shows how to set up automatic email reminders in DoTheBeauty — no manual calling, no staff time wasted, confirmed clients every morning.

2026-04-15 · 6 min read
tips

How to Handle Walk-Ins When Your Online Calendar Shows Full

Your online booking page says no availability. Then a regular walks through the door on a busy Saturday. Here's how to spot the real gaps in your schedule and handle walk-ins without chaos — even when your calendar looks completely full.

2026-04-15 · 5 min read
salon-software

Spa Booking Software 2026: What Wellness Centres Need That Salon Tools Miss

Most booking systems were built for hair salons — not spas. Here's what a wellness centre actually needs, and how DoTheBeauty handles multi-treatment, multi-therapist bookings.

2026-04-15 · 6 min read
tips

How to Let a Client Book Colour, Cut, and Nails in One Appointment

Client wants colour, a cut, and a gel manicure — all at the same visit. Here is exactly how Mixed Bookings lets them do it in one click, across two stylists, with no back-and-forth.

2026-04-15 · 5 min read
salon-software

Beauty Parlour Management Software 2026: The Complete Guide for Parlour Owners

Running a beauty parlour means juggling facials, massage slots, nail appointments, and staff rotas. Here is what to look for in management software — and why parlour-specific tools handle mixed bookings better than generic salon apps.

2026-04-15 · 9 min read
salon-software

Best Barbershop Booking Software & System 2026 — What Barbers Actually Need

Most salon booking software is built for beauty salons and charges barbers for features they'll never use. Here's what a barbershop booking software and system actually needs: walk-in queue management, accurate male grooming service durations, chair-by-chair scheduling, fast client booking, and no commission on haircut revenue.

2026-04-15 · 11 min read
tips

How to Set Up a Salon Reception iPad for Busy Saturdays

Saturdays are chaos. Walk-ins at the door, phones ringing, and your receptionist is juggling three things at once. Here's how to give your front desk a proper setup — with a PIN-protected iPad that keeps staff focused and clients moving.

2026-04-13 · 4 min read
salon-software

Nail Salon Software: What Nail Techs Need That Generic Booking Tools Miss

Gel sets, acrylics, infills, mani-pedi combinations, nail art add-ons — nail tech bookings have specific complexity that most generic tools can't handle. Here's what nail salon software and nail salon booking software actually needs to do for solo techs, home studios, and multi-chair nail bars.

2026-04-13 · 10 min read
guides

Salon Management Software: The Operational Layer Your Booking System Isn't

Online booking is solved. The harder problem is managing a team — staff schedules, role permissions, shared client records, inventory, and billing — without things falling through the cracks. This is the operational guide for salon owners managing 3 or more staff.

2026-04-13 · 8 min read
guides

Best Salon Booking Software for UK Salons: 2026 Comparison

A practical comparison of salon booking platforms for UK salons in 2026 — covering ICO registration, UK GDPR compliance, VAT costs, Stripe, and which platforms are genuinely built for British salons.

2026-04-10 · 8 min read
tips

Why Salon Owners Replace WhatsApp Bookings (And What to Use Instead)

Hundreds of salon owners manage their entire appointment diary through WhatsApp and Instagram DMs. Here is what that chaos costs you — and what to use instead.

2026-04-09 · 8 min read