Hiring New Staff for Summer? Here’s How to Set Them Up for Success

The summer rush is in full swing, and with it comes the need for extra hands on deck. Whether you're bringing on junior beauticians, part-time tanning specialists, or reception support, it’s crucial to onboard new team members quickly and smoothly.

Thankfully, Salon Tracker can help you with this process!

Here’s how to set your new hires up for success using Salon Tracker:

1. Assign Services by Group for Faster Setup

When adding a new staff member to your system, we can help you set up Service Groups to assign them the treatments and appointments they're qualified to perform.

• No need to scroll through all the treatments, each staff can have their own group set up

• This ensures your online booking system only shows relevant services, avoiding booking confusion.

• You can always update their groups later as they learn more treatments.

💡 Pro Tip: Create pre-set service groups to make future onboarding even faster - we can help with this!

2. Manage Their Calendar with Smart Scheduling Tools

Whether they’re working part-time or covering seasonal gaps, Salon Tracker can help you build flexible, accurate calendars:

• Block out availability for training days, limited shifts, or holidays.

• Set up staff shifts to keep track of their working hours.

• Make sure new staff appear in the correct booking columns online and in-salon.

This not only avoids double-bookings but ensures clients can book with confidence.

🕒 Bonus: Use the weekly rota option if summer staff have different working hours each week

3. Train Them on the POS System – For Free!

The last thing you want is a queue of clients waiting at the desk while your new staff fumble with the till. That’s why we offer free POS training to all our clients and their teams.

With just one session, your new hire will learn:

• How to book customers with ease

• How to add retail products to bookings

• How to upsell retail products by viewing customer history

🎓 Let us do the heavy lifting - book a free training call for your new staff today.

4. Keep Their Learning Ongoing

New hires can take time to get up to speed. Use built-in tools like:

• Activity reports to track their booking volumes and retail performance.

• Client feedback, with our review option, to help them improve their service quality.

• Help videos with tips on how each section of Salon Tracker works.

This helps you coach them effectively, and see their progress over the busy season.

Final Thought: Don't Just Hire... Empower!

Hiring seasonal staff isn’t just about filling gaps, it’s a chance to build long-term team value. With the right tools and support from Salon Tracker, you can make onboarding faster, training easier, and your client experience even stronger this summer.

Need help with setting up a new staff member?

Reach out to our support team via our support chat or call up on 0113 350 8230... We're here to help you get customers booked in and ready to go during the busy season!

Salon Tracker x

Why You Should Keep Your PC Up to Date – A Must for Salon Owners

Running a busy salon means juggling appointments, stock management, staff schedules, and customer communications – often all from a single system. That’s why it's essential to make sure your PC, especially if you're using Salon Tracker, is well looked after.

But when was the last time you shut down your computer completely, or installed those pending updates? If you can’t remember, keep reading. 👇

 

1. Software Updates Keep Your Salon Running Smoothly

Your PC isn’t just a device - it’s the heart of your business. Regular updates ensure:

• Better security: Updates protect against viruses, malware, and data breaches. This is vital when storing sensitive client information.
• Improved performance: Bug fixes and optimisations help Salon Tracker (and other tools) run faster and more reliably.
• New features: Software developers (like us!) release updates to give you access to the latest tools that make managing your salon easier.

Pro tip: Salon Tracker regularly improves features based on user feedback. Keeping your system updated means you don’t miss out.

 

2. Why You Shouldn’t Just Put Your PC to Sleep

It’s tempting to just close the lid or leave your PC on all week - but here’s why that’s a bad habit:

• Updates don’t install properly: Many updates only finish when the system is restarted or shut down.
• Sluggish performance: Without a regular reboot, your PC’s memory gets clogged, slowing everything down.
• System health suffers: Constant uptime can shorten the life of your hardware and increase the risk of crashing during a busy workday.

Even just shutting down once a day can keep your system in top shape.

 

3. Data Safety & Security Matter More Than You Think

As a salon, you're likely holding personal client data - names, contact info, booking history, even payment details. Failing to update your PC:

• Leaves it open to cyber attacks
• Increases the risk of data loss or corruption
• Could even put you in breach of data protection laws

Protecting your clients = protecting your business reputation.

---

✅ Quick Tips from Salon Tracker:

• Restart your PC at least once a day.
• Install updates when prompted - don’t delay them endlessly!
• Set updates to run outside of working hours if possible, to avoid interruptions.
• Keep your Salon Tracker software up to date for the best experience.
• Shut Salon Tracker, save data to a USB stick and shut down your PC at the end of every day

---

Final Thought: Treat Your PC Like You Do Your Salon

You wouldn’t skip cleaning your tools or servicing equipment, so treat your PC with the same care. A well-maintained system means no surprises during peak times and a smoother experience for your team and your clients.

If you have any questions about Salon Tracker updates or need technical support, our team is always here to help.

Salon Tracker x

Benefits of Good Quality Equipment

When you’re running a salon or tanning business, having the right tools in place is essential. Not just for smooth day to day operations, but also for ensuring your equipment integrates properly and delivers a seamless customer experience.

At Salon Tracker we don’t just offer software,  we offer complete peace of mind by supplying salon hardware that is guaranteed to work with our system. Here’s why it makes sense to buy your hardware from us and who we recommend when it comes to tanning products and sunbed equipment.

 

Guaranteed Compatibility with Salon Tracker

When you purchase your salon hardware directly from Salon Tracker, you can trust that it’s fully compatible with our software. Everything we provide, from our all-in-one PCs and receipt printers to barcode scanners and cash drawers is tried, tested, and configured to work seamlessly with our system.

If you choose to buy hardware elsewhere, we can’t guarantee that it will integrate properly. This could result in frustrating connection issues, unsupported devices, and delays in getting up and running.

We’re also only able to offer full technical support for hardware that has been purchased through us, giving you added reassurance if you ever need help or advice.

 

Built for Professional Use

All of the equipment we supply is designed for high traffic salon environments. That means it’s reliable, built to last, and offers a professional appearance that enhances your customer experience. With pre-configured setup and ongoing support, you save time, avoid unnecessary headaches, and get the most from your investment.

 

Here is a list of the hardware we sell and the prices:

 

Individual items: 

·       Cash drawer - £149 +VAT 

·       Barcode scanner - £179 +VAT 

·       Receipt printer - £249 +VAT 

·       Fingerprint reader - £149 +VAT 

·       Signature pad - £179 +VAT 

·       All-in-one PC - £999 +VAT 

 

Bundles: 

·      All-in-one PC, cash drawer, barcode scanner (or fingerprint reader) & receipt printer - £1399 + VAT

·      Cash drawer, barcode scanner, receipt printer - £549 + VAT 

 

For T-Max Timers - Use Trusted Providers

While we don’t sell T-Max timers directly, we strongly recommend purchasing them from trusted industry suppliers. These providers offer reliable equipment that we know works well with Salon Tracker, and many also supply full sunbed solutions.

Here are the T-Max providers we recommend:

• Tan Empire
• Bronze Direct
• Sun & Health
• Cyrano

These companies are highly regarded in the industry and offer not only timers, but also a wide range of tanning equipment including sunbeds and accessories.

 

Important: When purchasing a T-Max timer to use with Salon Tracker, it’s essential that you also buy the correct communication cable. This specific cable is required to ensure proper integration with our software. Without it, the timer may not connect correctly, so double check with your supplier or speak to our team for guidance.

 

Purchasing your salon hardware through Salon Tracker means guaranteed software compatibility, professional grade quality, and full technical support. When it comes to specialist tanning equipment like T-Max timers, choosing trusted suppliers ensures everything works properly, looks great, and lasts longer.

Need help setting up? Want a hardware quote or advice on timer integration? Get in touch with our team today by emailing support@salontracker.co.uk or opening a chat through our website.

Salon Tracker x

How Your Data Is Stored Depending on Your Salon Tracker Package

At Salon Tracker, we know how important your data is - from customer appointments to sales records and everything in between. Depending on your subscription package, we offer different methods for safely storing and backing up your data. Here’s a quick guide to help you understand where your data is stored and how to make sure it’s backed up correctly.

 

Standard & Professional Packages: Local Storage

If you’re using our Standard or Professional package, your data is stored locally. This means that it stays on your computer and is not saved on our servers.

To protect your valuable information, we strongly recommend regularly backing up your database to a USB stick. We suggest using a USB drive with at least 8GB of storage to ensure there’s enough space for the backup.

How to Back Up Locally:

1. Close Salon Tracker as you normally would at the end of the day.
2. Insert your USB stick.
3. Make sure the ‘Backup the Database (Removable Drive)’ option is ticked and turns green.
4. That’s it - your data is now safely backed up on your USB stick.

By following this simple step daily, you’ll always have a recent backup in case anything goes wrong with your PC.

 

Enterprise Package: Cloud Storage

For those on the Enterprise package, we offer the convenience and security of cloud data syncing. This means your data can be securely stored online - giving you peace of mind.

How to Sync to the Cloud:

1. Shut down Salon Tracker as usual.
2. Make sure the ‘Sync Data Online’ option is ticked and turns green before your PC powers off.

This feature ensures your data is uploaded to our secure cloud server, so there’s no need to manually back up using USB drives.

 

Need Help?

If you're unsure which package you're on, our support team is here to help. Regular data backups are vital to keeping your salon running smoothly, and we want to ensure you're covered no matter which plan you're using.

 

Stay safe, stay backed up, and thank you for choosing Salon Tracker.

Summer Marketing with Salon Tracker

Summer is the most profitable season for tanning salons. As customers prepare for holidays, festivals, and long-awaited beach days, everyone’s chasing that golden glow. But with high demand comes the challenge of staying organised, delivering great service, and standing out from the competition.

That’s where Salon Tracker steps in, your all-in-one salon management software that helps you fill every bed, boost bookings, and run smarter campaigns.

Whether you’re managing a single tanning studio or multiple locations, Salon Tracker gives you everything you need to keep operations running smoothly and your marketing sharp, all from one powerful platform.

Keep Every Bed Booked, Every Hour of the Day

Timing is everything during peak season. With Salon Tracker’s real-time bed scheduling, you can ensure no slot goes to waste. With our Enterprise package, clients can book and manage their own appointments online, which means fewer phone calls and less admin for your staff.

You can also use the system to promote off-peak time slots, helping you spread demand more evenly throughout the day and avoid bottlenecks during the busiest hours.

Supercharge Your Marketing with SMS & Mailchimp

Salon Tracker takes your marketing up a level with built-in SMS campaigns and seamless Mailchimp integration. This means you can stay front-of-mind with clients all summer long, whether it’s to promote a new tanning package, share an exciting giveaway, or fill last-minute availability.

Send flash promotions straight to client phones, email summer offers with eye-catching visuals, and trigger automatic reminders for expiring sessions. And because all activity is tracked, you can see exactly which messages are driving results and adjust your approach as needed.

Better still, marketing can be tailored to each client’s history and preferences, helping you build stronger relationships with minimal effort.

Convert Social Followers into Summer Clients

Social media is where your clients spend their time, especially in summer. With our Enterprise package, you can link your live booking calendar directly from your Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok posts or stories, making it easy for followers to book in just one tap.

This opens up exciting new ways to promote your business. Share last-minute appointment slots, showcase seasonal products like tan accelerators, or run giveaways that reward loyal followers with free sessions or discounts.

Analyse Your Success in Real Time

Salon Tracker’s reporting features help you do more than just run promotions, they help you understand what works. You can easily see which tanning beds are most popular, and monitor average client spend across your business.

These insights allow you to adjust your strategy mid-season and help you make better-informed marketing decisions next year.

 

Salon Tracker gives you the tools to stay fully booked, market more effectively, and build long-term client loyalty, during summer and beyond.

 

Book your free demo and trial today
Call us on 0113 350 8230 to get started!

 

Salon Tracker x

 

Keep Your Salon Clean and Safe During Hotter Months with Salon Tracker

As temperatures rise and salon footfall increases, keeping your space clean, safe, and efficient becomes even more important. Whether you're running a busy tanning studio, beauty salon, or multi-service space, the summer months bring unique challenges; from hygiene to equipment upkeep.

That’s where Salon Tracker comes in. Our all-in-one salon management software is designed to help you maintain high standards, even during your busiest season.

 

Inventory Management for Cleanliness Supplies

From disinfectants to disposable towels and gloves, your summer hygiene game depends on staying stocked up. Salon Tracker’s stock management features help you keep track of what’s running low, so you never find yourself short on essential cleaning supplies when you need them most.

 

Track Sunbed Usage and Stay on Top of Maintenance

Summer means peak tanning season—and more demand on your sunbeds. Salon Tracker’s sunbed timer and usage tracking features allow you to monitor exactly how many minutes each bed has been used.

When a bed is due for retubing, Salon Tracker will prompt you, helping you ensure that clients continue to receive safe, effective, and dark tanning results. Well-maintained equipment doesn’t just improve results—it also protects your reputation and reduces the risk of safety issues.

 

T-Max Integration and Dirty Bed Feature

We seamlessly integrate with T-Max timer managers, allowing you to take full control of your sunbed operations from one central system. One powerful tool in this setup is the Dirty Bed feature—which ensures no bed can be used again until it’s been cleaned by a staff member.

After a session, the bed is automatically marked as "dirty" in the system. Staff must confirm it’s been cleaned before the next client can use it, creating a reliable, trackable hygiene routine that keeps clients safe and gives them peace of mind.

Effortless Client Communication

Keep your clients informed and reassured with Salon Tracker’s SMS and email marketing tools. Share updates about your summer hygiene protocols, equipment maintenance, and promotions like “summer-safe” tanning or sun-protection treatments.

 

Safe, Clean, and Summer-Ready

From monitoring sunbed usage to streamlining staff workflows, Salon Tracker is your ultimate partner for a safe and successful summer. Our features are built to help you stay ahead of seasonal challenges while giving clients a relaxing, professional experience they’ll return to again and again.

 

Want to see how it works?

Book a free demo and free two-week trial by calling us on 0113 350 8230 today to discover how Salon Tracker can help your salon shine this summer—while keeping safety and hygiene top priority.

Salon Tracker x

 

Managing Summer Holiday Travel and Salon Operations

Summer often brings a wave of pre-holiday appointments, and balancing this with staff holidays can feel overwhelming. However, with Salon Tracker, managing your salon's diary becomes far simpler. The software provides full visibility into your appointment calendar, making it easier to plan ahead and allocate resources where they're most needed. Whether it's identifying peak times, blocking out unavailable slots, or rearranging bookings using the drag-and-drop function in the calendar, you’ll have complete control over your salon’s schedule, ensuring smooth operations, even when your team is running on reduced numbers.

 

Managing Your Salon from Anywhere

With Salon Tracker’s Siteview app, managing your salon remotely is simple and secure, perfect for when you're taking time off! You can monitor daily takings, bookings, and staff activity in real time, giving you peace of mind from anywhere. With our HQ system you can have even more control via PC or laptop, allowing you to oversee multiple locations, track KPIs and stock, view staff schedules, and even impersonate individual sites for deeper insights. Whether you're on holiday or just away from the salon, Salon Tracker ensures you're always connected and in control.

Dealing with High-Demand Periods

The summer season typically sees a sharp rise in appointment requests, and efficiency becomes key. Salon Tracker helps you handle this demand with smart booking tools that ensure nothing slips through the cracks. Real-time scheduling enables fast, hassle-free appointment management, while integrated online booking means clients can secure their slots 24/7. Automated SMS reminders reduce no-shows, giving your team more time to focus on providing top-notch service during the busiest weeks of the year.

Boosting Business with Seasonal Marketing

Summer is a prime time to reach out to clients with timely offers and promotions, and Salon Tracker makes marketing effortless. Its built-in tools allow you to send targeted SMS and email campaigns, whether you’re launching a summer glow package or promoting last-minute availability. You can schedule messages in advance to keep the momentum going while you're away and even tailor communications based on client preferences or previous bookings, helping you keep your calendar full with minimal effort.

Real-Time Insights for Smarter Decisions

Keeping tabs on your salon’s performance is just as important as managing bookings. Salon Tracker’s reporting features give you real-time access to key metrics like daily takings, best-selling products, and your top-performing team members. Whether you're in the salon or checking in remotely, this data empowers you to make quick, informed decisions and spot opportunities for growth, even in the middle of a busy season or while relaxing abroad.

Final Thoughts

Summer should be a time to seize business opportunities and enjoy some well-deserved rest. With Salon Tracker Software, you get the best of both worlds. Its combination of scheduling, booking, marketing, and performance tools ensures your salon runs smoothly, whether you're on the floor or taking a break.

Ready to see how Salon Tracker can support your salon this summer? Book a free demo and trial today to experience the difference.

Salon Tracker x