How using Salon Tracker's Online Services can Benefit your Salon!

As summer fast approaches, here at  Salon Tracker we know that this means busy season is close for our customers. In this blog we are going to talk about how using the online services available in our enterprise package can help you and your salon business, especially in these upcoming months.

 

Open 24/7

One of the major benefits of offering online services such as online booking and online payments is that your customers aren’t limited to your salons opening hours when it comes to booking appointments and paying for services. When it comes to our customers who use our online booking feature, 36% of all of their online bookings are made out of their salons opening hours. This means that if they didn’t have this feature, they would lose out on 36% of their bookings. Our online payment feature also allows your customers to buy services out of your salons opening hours meaning your salon is bringing in a profit even when you’re shut.

Reduces Waiting time in the Salon

Another benefit of using our online services for your salon is that they can help reduce your customers' waiting time in the salon drastically. For example, if you’re a tanning salon or a nail salon who predominantly offer walk in appointments, offering your customers online booking will mean that they won’t need to just show up and wait for an appointment, they can choose a time which works for them and will know that they won’t need to wait once they get there.

Cloud Backup

One major benefit of using our Enterprise package is that all of your salon/customer data is backed up to the cloud. This means that every time your Salon Tracker syncs to the internet, this goes to the cloud. Due to this if your salon unfortunately gets into a situation where your PC breaks, gets damaged or even stolen, you won’t need to worry about losing any information on your software. All we will need to do is connect to your new PC and then redownload all of your Salon Tracker information onto there. Having all your data backed up to the cloud also means that you don’t have to back it up locally to your PC, saving space on your disk.

 

If you’re interested in getting booked in for a look at these services in a FREE demonstration of our system please don’t hesitate to contact us by calling 0113 350 8230 or emailing us on info@salontracker.co.uk .

 

If you’re an existing customer and are wanting more information about potentially upgrading your Salon Tracker package to our Enterprise package, again please don’t hesitate to contact us by calling 0113 350 8230 or emailing us on info@salontracker.co.uk .

 

Salon Tracker x

Professional Beauty London 2023

 

We are back and better than ever!

Come and join us this March at Professional Beauty 2023 at Excel London. It has been a whole year since we've seen you all and we can't wait to tell you about what we have been working on this year. You can find us at stand Q32 on 5th-6th March and talk to one of our dedicated sales team and receive our exclusive show deal! We will be showcasing all of the new features from the past year and we can't wait to see what you have been working on too. 

What's new and improved?

We have spent the past year improving all of our existing features and we even have some new features that we think you'd love to hear about. Here is an introduction of what we can't wait to show you in March: 

Online Payment and deposits-

We have now made online booking easier and more effective for you by adding online payments and deposits. We have brought this feature out with you guys in mind. Did you know that 40% of bookings are made outside of Salon hours?  This is why we've partnered with the payment provider stripe so customers can now charge their clients a set deposit when booking appointments online therefore reducing no-shows and generating a more streamlined revenue. 

Editable Siteview-

This past year we have been improving our Siteview app so that you can edit appointments within the app. This is available both as a feature within the native app on IOS and Android devices but can also be used in the web browser on any PC/iPad that has internet access. Appointments can now be added, edited, updated and deleted within the app, in which this is all permission based within the software itself, meaning if there are certain elements within the app that you don’t want some employees having access to (for example reports), these can be restricted for certain logins. This is now available to anyone on our Enterprise software package.

Enhanced security-

We know how important it is to keep your reports, takings, customer data and much more safe and secure. This year we have been further developing your Salon security. With Salon Tracker's Professional and Enterprise packages you can create password protected staff logins, you can even add a staff fingerprint for extra security. We can change your staff members' permissions so that only you can access to features such as reports or stock levels. With our fingerprint reader you can ensure that your customers are only using their own minutes and keep their data safe. 

Hardware-

In addition to all of our existing hardware, we have been working on a new hardware feature to improve your salon's efficiency and security. We are now launching QR code scanners for all of our Enterprise customers. All you need to do is get your customers to log into their online account and click into their profile icon to pull up their unique customer QR code. They can then scan this in the Salon to pull up their customer details making the book in process quicker and easier. 

On top of all our great features we also offer free demonstrations of the software and free two-week trials so that you can try Salon Tracker out free of charge. 

So come and visit us at stand Q32 for your very own live demonstration with one of our sales team who are there to answer any of your questions! 

Register for your free tickets at: Professional Beauty London 

See you soon, 

Salon Tracker x 

The Hidden Costs of 'Free' Salon Software

You may think you’re onto a winner when you sign up to a free Salon Software subscription but have you actually thought about the hidden costs and implications that come with it? You may end up paying overall just in the online bookings you take when the money from them bookings should be rightfully yours, wouldn’t you agree?

Here at Salon Tracker we have kept the same pricing model since 2014 – that’s nearly a decade of affordable software that is tailored to each of your Salon needs. Furthermore, we have 3 set subscriptions with no hidden costs… FREE training, FREE support and unlimited FREE online bookings. What more could you want?

The beauty industry is a competitive place, and it's important for salon owners to stay ahead of the game. However, when it comes to salon software, many salon owners mistakenly believe that free software is the best option for their business. While free salon software may seem like a great idea, there are hidden costs associated with using it that can add up over time. First, free salon software often comes with limited features and functionality. This means that salons may not be able to do all of the tasks necessary for running their business. For example, if a salon uses a free software to manage their appointments, they may not be able to customise the system to fit their business's needs. At Salon Tracker, all our development of features is done in house and we really care about the needs of our clients so everything that is requested is always taken on board. We really rely on our clients feedback to improve the software in every update we do – something a free software has not got the capacity to give you.

Additionally, free salon software may not offer online booking or other features that are necessary for a successful salon. Did you know that according to a study carried out by Zippia in Nov 2022 67% of clients prefer online booking and 40% of bookings are made outside of salon hours? That statistic alone is too significant to ignore as online bookings become more of a necessity than a luxury in order for your Salon to stay competitive. Although free software providers may offer the online booking functionality, there is a high chance they charge per booking made instead and in some cases they charge a high amount per new customer that registers. One free software actually charges a 20% finder’s fee for every new client booking so if they book a £60 treatment, £12 of your hard earned money goes to the software provider.

Secondly, free salon software often comes with outdated technology. This can lead to significant security issues. This could make your software vulnerable to malware and other malicious attacks, which can place customer information at risk. Thus putting you at risk of a GDPR breach leaving you with a hefty fine.  Additionally, outdated software can also be unreliable and unable to keep up with the demands of a busy salon which can lose you customers due to frustration and therefore reduce your profit, not what you need for your up and coming Salon. Free salon software has also proven to lack customer support. This means that if a salon owner runs into any issues with their software, they may be unable to get the help they need in an instance. Without proper support, salons may be unable to troubleshoot problems or update their system as needed. Whereas here at Salon Tracker, we are always on the other end of the phone to assist you with any help you may need instead of waiting days sometimes weeks with free salon software providers.

Finally, free salon software may not be compatible with other software programs and systems. At Salon Tracker, we link with payment provider ‘Payment sense’ and all of our POS hardware meaning that everything is all in one place. Additionally, salons may have difficulty transferring data from one program to another, leading to data loss or other costly issues. While free salon software may seem like a great way to save money, the hidden costs associated with it can add up quickly. Before you decide to go with a free salon software provider, you should carefully consider the features and functionality of the software and ensure that it meets the needs of your Salon. At Salon Tracker, we offer a FREE 2 week Trial and a virtual demonstration of the software with one of our friendly sales team, just give us a call on 0113 350 8230 or enquire through the link below to get started today!

Salon Tracker FREE trial!

Salon Tracker x

How to Build your Salon's Profits in Quieter Seasons!

We know that January can feel quiet after the Christmas rush. This doesn't mean that you can't build your profits. We think this would be a great time to look over prices, strategies and marketing tools. But where do you even start? No need to worry we are here to help. 

These quiet periods are great time to grab the attention of new customers, create your Marketing plans for the year, get up to date on your reports or even have a bit of a Salon Makeover.

SMS Marketing Campaigns 

SMS marketing is a great way to engage with existing customers by sending text campaigns out such as for customers who haven't visited in a while. You could even include a January discount. On Salon Trackers marketing suite we have already made a template for you so that you don't have to worry about what to say.  Alternatively an SMS campaign can win over new customers, we think it would be a great idea to send a refer a friend campaign out. This way you can reward your loyal customers whilst obtaining new ones. 

Keep on top of your reports

Keeping an eye on your reports can sometimes take up a large amount of your day. It can be easy to put this task to the bottom of your to do list. This January period would the best time to look over your reports. Whilst you are having a few less bookings you can look over last years reports, takings and products to create any strategies or improvements for the upcoming year.  Why not take this opportunity to get on top of your admin and look at building your profit before the bookings come flooding in. With Salon Tracker you have access to over 25 reports including action log, day end receipt, no show bookings, retail sales and much more. We try to make running a Salon as easy as possible by the reports acting as your very own accountant. 

 

Salon Makeover 

You might even be thinking of giving your salon a bit of TLC. Are you wanting to mix up the colour scheme, get new equipment or even do a complete Salon rebrand. Now is the perfect time, you can get all the hard work done now so that when summer comes around you will have customers lining up to get booked in. 

We think you should take these quiet periods as a blessing in disguise. This is the time to get all the tasks done that you haven't had time to get to and to put plans in place now that will improve your profit in the future. We hope that these January tips have helped to keep you busy and will build your profits in the upcoming months. If this January you are looking to switch from paper cards or from a different software provider now is the time. If you would like to get booked in for a demonstration and two week free trial with one of our specialist sales team then give us a call on 0113 350 8230 or email at info@salontracker.co.uk. Or if you are already one of our amazing customers drop us a message on Instagram, @salontrackersoftware, to let us know how your Salon is getting on in the new year. 

Hello 2023!

Welcome back, and welcome to 2023! Happy New year everyone 😊

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas break.

These last couple of weeks we have reflected on 2022, our first year for our industry to be fully open since 2019. What a year it’s been being able to support and help you all to boost your salon businesses this year! We know that the last quarter of the year hasn’t been without its struggles, with the current economic climate and rise in energy costs, however please be reassured that our prices will be staying the same and we will do everything that we can to help you throughout the next few months.

Dates for your diary this year with Salon Tracker! We are exhibiting at the Professional Beauty London show across the 5th and 6th of March at London Excel. We have lots of new features we hope to bring to you across at the event, keep posted here on our blog for release dates. And some exciting news, our company is expanding!! We are gaining another large office space in Wakefield so keep posted on our news page for a time lapse of the new office shortly!!

Last year, you might have noticed we also redesigned our whole website, introducing a brand new help videos section, to guide our customers through the software and assist with training. Should you wish to take a look at this page, head to: https://www.salontracker.co.uk/help

And, for anyone reading this who is currently new to us and are in the process of thinking about a trial, we currently offer a FREE fortnight try of our system, with no obligation, to allow you to see how Salon Tracker works for you operationally before you sign up to a package. To enquire about getting a free trial, please head to our website at www.salontracker.co.uk/freetrial.aspx to submit your details and interest, and a member of our sales team will be in contact as soon as possible to arrange a demonstration. All of our demos are also carried out via remote assistance so this means that, providing you have a Windows PC or laptop, you can have a look at the software from anywhere you are, any time! If you would however prefer to speak to a member of our team beforehand, we’re just a phone call away on 0113 350 8230, where we are always on hand to help you with any enquiries and questions you many have.

So now all that’s left to say is, 2023, let’s go! We’ve got a great feeling about this year and with our help, we hope to continue to ensure your salons are successful.

Best wishes!

Salon Tracker x

Merry Christmas from The Salon Tracker Team x

 

It’s that time of the year again! And what a year this one has been.

It’s been great to expand our Salon Tracker family this year and we’re so glad that you have all remained or joined us as customers, allowing us to help you with your businesses. We’ve also seen two new additions in our team, who have been a great help and I’m sure many of you have had the chance to speak to them by now.

We want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your consistent support and patience throughout the year. This year we introduced online payments which has been a huge development for our system. We have also been planning for next year and have some new exciting features which we are hoping to release in 2023.

And now, Christmas is only a few days away, we also want to thank all of you who entered our Xmas giveaway competition by leaving us some really wonderful reviews. They have been so lovely to read, our team have really enjoyed getting your feedback and it’s been great to have some Xmas fun & give away some fabulous prizes! We have revealed the winners over on our Instagram story, if you missed these please visit our highlights to see if you have been a lucky prize-winner! We will however also be in contact with you for you to be able to claim your prize.

We know that the rising energy prices and after effects of COVID have been difficult for many but we will always try and support our existing customers as much as possible in these times. Our subscription prices have remained the same for the last 10 years and as we go into 2023, they will continue to stay at this price. Also, we often have offers available for new customers signing up so keep your eyes peeled on our social media for those.

Christmas opening hours: We will be open until 5pm on 23^rd December, and then our offices will be closed throughout the Christmas period until Tuesday 3rd January.

If you do require any urgent licensing assistance during this time, please telephone our support line on 0113 350 8232 and someone will get back to you as soon as possible with your activation code.

On behalf of everyone here at Salon Tracker, we’d like to wish you a very Merry Christmas, and a happy & healthy New Year, see you in 2023!

Salon Tracker x

Christmas Marketing Tips

It's that time of year again and we know how busy you must be in the festive season. Have you been so busy getting ready for Christmas that you haven't had time to think about your Christmas marketing techniques? No need to stress, we have you covered. We have come up with some great marketing tips and tricks for your Salon this Christmas. 

Christmas competition

Do you want to increase your social media interactions this Christmas? We have a great idea for you, how’s about running a Christmas giveaway. This idea is always fun and easy to do. You could give away prizes such as 20 free minutes on a sunbed for the festive season or a cut and blow dry ready for the annual work party. All you need to do is create a social media post with your chosen prize and get your customers to comment or share on their stories to enter the competition. This Christmas trick is a great way to engage with your customers over Instagram or Facebook whilst still promoting your Salon at Christmas.

Christmas opening hours

We know that Christmas is a busy time of year, and you will be up to your ears in bookings. If your Salon has decided to have extended Christmas opening hours, make sure people know about it. A great way to make people aware of your extended hours is to do a social media post displaying your new Christmas hours. This will ensure that all of your customers are aware of your extended Christmas hours and will help to boost your bookings.  

    Window Display

    A great way to engage your customers and increase the sales of retails products is to create your very own festive window display. A window display is the perfect way to grab your customers attention and create a desire to buy your products for themselves or as presents for others. At Salon Tracker we think the best way to create an engaging Christmas window display is to have a theme. For example, Winter Wonderland or Santa’s workshop. Having a theme will make sure that your display is not overcrowded and keeps your products at the focus of attention.

    Gift vouchers

    Another marketing tip for this Christmas is to use Christmas gift vouchers. If you are wanting to have an offer on this Christmas how’s about using a gift voucher. Creating a gift voucher with festive images on is a great way to entice customers into your salon and make use of your offers. You can post on your social media accounts to make everyone aware of your gift vouchers and get them lining up to book in with you. 

    Christmas countdown loyalty card

    We have a great marketing trick to increase your bookings in the lead up to Christmas. This year how's about creating a loyalty card for the Christmas countdown. This will urge customers to come into your salon repeatedly to claim their free festive reward. We think it would be a great idea to do a 12 days of Christmas loyalty card. For example, the customer would use a sunbed 12 times and get their last session free. This Christmas trick would help to bring up your bookings and will give your customer a Christmas reward for their loyalty. 

    We hope that these Marketing tips will help you in the lead up to this Christmas season. We would love to see your Christmas decorations and displays, just dm us a picture @salontrackersoftware. Here at Salon Tracker, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 

   Salon Tracker X