If you are working in the salon and spa industry, you must be well aware of the impact of automated technologies and applications in the beauty industry. Salons and spas across the globe are increasingly counting on salon software for streamlining daily operations and boosting their business growth. In such a scenario, you cannot afford to fall behind technologically as the failure to keep up with the latest technology trends will end up crippling your business.
If you own a salon or spa, a salon management software can do wonders for your business. From booking appointments to keeping track of clients and marketing, a high-tech salon software makes business processes simpler for you. A salon software not only simplifies your business processes but also enables you to modify your workflows and meet customer satisfaction.
The market is flooded with multiple salon software solutions; however, not all salon management software is capable of catering to your business needs. Therefore, you should pick a software that comes with useful features. If you want to flourish in your market, you need a software solution that comes with simple payment processing features, salon membership options for encouraging customers, and easy point-of-sale (POS) transactions for enhancing service.
Here are five key features your salon software must have to keep you ahead of the pack this year:
1. Customer Relationship Management (CRM):
Recognizing the importance of maintaining healthy relationships with customers, salons are investing in a POS system that comes with an inbuilt CRM. Salon software with CRM features helps salons and spas convert more leads into customers. It also helps convert new customers into long-term loyal clients. What’s more, a CRM system also enables you to keep tabs on active and dormant clients.
The stronger relations your salon/spa has with your clients, the more clients you build with time. Therefore, before purchasing a salon software, make sure it helps you connect with your target audience. For example, CRM software’s client management tool allows you to document what beauty services a particular client received during his/her last visit so that you can impress your clients by remembering their details. Remembering tiny details about your clients helps build a special rapport, which in turn, makes your clients happy, and keeps them returning to your salon/spa on a regular basis.
2. Social Media Integration:
If you want to keep up with the current social media trends, make sure your salon software is capable of managing your social media profiles on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram, Pinterest, etc. under one platform. A powerful social media strategy is the best weapon to grab your audience’s attention. Visual content such as graphics and images shared on social media not only differentiates you from your competitors in creative ways but also increases your brand recognition and loyalty. Moreover, social media connects you with your target audience on their preferred social media platform and also helps you rank higher on search engines. Last but not least, it allows you to listen to your target audience and cater to their ever-changing demands.
Social media trends keep evolving every year. Thus, if you want to excel in social media marketing this year, make sure your salon software enables you to leverage the power of social media so that you can experiment with novel social media marketing tactics and enhance awareness of your marketing efforts.
3. Appointment Scheduling:
It is the most crucial facet in the salon business. Instant appointment booking option is the most fundamental feature salon owners from their salon software. Your salon software should make it easy for you to add, edit, cancel, or reschedule appointments with stylists. A smart salon software simplifies your tasks by taking orders online through messages, emails, and even over the phone. You can also integrate it with IVRs for the automatic processing of orders. What’s more, it also generates bills automatically on the arrival of the customer.
The Millennial customer prefers coming to your salon via various online channels, such as your official website, Facebook, Instagram, Google, etc. Therefore, make sure you have a strong presence on multiple social media channels. At the same time, allow your clients to book a salon appointment directly through these channels.
4. Inventory Management:
Choose a salon software solution that takes care of the retail side of your salon business. Inventory management feature keeps your beauty and wellness products well-stocked, besides helping you sell your merchandise with ease. Moreover, mass updates enable you to add all inventory data such as product names, costs, prices, sizes, etc. at one go.
Inventory management feature also keeps tabs on every product in your salon and adjusts the inventory figure whenever you receive a new shipment or sell a product. It also notifies you when you are running short of any product.
5. Staff Management:
A robust salon software comes with employee management features such as salary calculation, attendance tracking, employee targets, performance analyzer, commission management, access management, and much more. Staff management features help you set monthly, quarterly, and annual targets for client acquisition, inventory turnover, and stylists’ performance. It also helps you compare the same with the real data.
These are a few must-have features to look for in your salon software if you want to step up your game this year. When used properly, a salon software solution can impact your salon business positively. If you want your beauty salon business to flourish, make sure you choose a feature-packed salon software so that you can manage your business in the best possible manner.
Last but not least, since the mobile app industry is revolutionizing businesses across sectors, you should consider investing in a mobile business app to provide your millennial customers with ease and convenience. The best salon software is the one that enables your customers to book an appointment on the go. Therefore, pick a salon software solution that can be accessed from desktops as well as handheld devices.
Shrushti K. Chaware Works as a Digital Marketing Executive. She is a State Basketball player and always curious to explore new stuff. Currently working on Applicant Tracking System & Spa and Salon Software, When she is not working hard at work, she can be found writing, reading or just wandering.