The Hidden Cost of Booking Systems for Salons
Morandi Designs is a UK based design team specialising in branding for beauty salons and the beauty industry. Their team create unique print and web designs to level up businesses.
Every salon owner understands the importance of maintaining a seamless booking process. However, the hidden costs associated with third-party booking systems can quietly erode your profits. Subscriptions, commissions and data that is hosted by a different company make growing challenging - so how can setting up your own website save you money and help you build a stronger online brand presence in order to enhance your salon’s growth?
Many third-party booking systems charge a commission on each booking. These fees can range from a small percentage to a significant portion of your service price, gradually reducing your overall revenue. While third-party booking systems are great for improving flexibility as they allow your services to be booked any place, any time - they come at a high cost for first time clients. In addition to commission fees, these platforms often require a monthly or annual subscription. While the initial cost might seem manageable, it can add up over time, especially for smaller salons. Beyond the subscription and commission fees, some booking systems impose additional transaction fees for each payment processed. These extra charges can be an unexpected drain on your resources.
Third-party booking systems often provide limited customisation options. This can prevent you from fully expressing your brand’s identity, making it harder to stand out in a competitive market. Additionally, using an external system means your client data is stored on their servers. This can limit your access to crucial customer information and make it harder to implement personalised marketing strategies, and it means that you may run the risk of having your brand assimilated with the booking system - as opposed to your own brand identity.
So with third party bookings, you pay large commissions and fees, can’t express your brand identity and are unable to take control of client data - what’s the solution?
Custom-website created by Morandi Designs for Thyme Beauty
Setting up your own website with integrated booking
We understand the unique challenges beauty salons face. By creating a custom website hosted on Squarespace, we offer a comprehensive solution that puts you in control and saves you money in the long run.
One of the most significant advantages of a custom website is the integrated booking system with no commission fees. Squarespace allows you to integrate a booking system directly into your website, meaning no more commission fees per appointment, letting you keep more of your hard-earned revenue. With a Squarespace website, you pay a straightforward hosting fee without the surprise of additional subscription costs. This predictable expense helps you manage your budget more effectively.
Moreover, Squarespace provides secure payment processing without the excessive transaction fees typical of third-party systems, ensuring that more of your income stays in your pocket. A custom website also allows you to fully customise your online presence, reflecting your salon’s unique style and personality, enhancing your brand’s visibility and helping attract more clients. By managing your bookings and client interactions through your own website, you retain full ownership of your customer data, empowering you to create targeted marketing campaigns, build a mailing list, and develop stronger client relationships.
We know how important raising brand awareness is for your salon. Squarespace is built with SEO in mind, helping your salon rank higher in search engine results, and increasing your visibility to potential clients searching for beauty services in your area - and sharing educational content with your potential clients that will get even more people onto our website.
With a custom website, you can also easily build and manage a mailing list, a powerful tool for staying connected with your clients, promoting special offers, and encouraging repeat business.
By directing clients to your own website, you foster a sense of community and loyalty, and your clients will see your business as more truthworthy and professional. Your website becomes a hub for all client interactions, from bookings to feedback and reviews. Setting up and maintaining a website on Squarespace is cost-effective and user-friendly. You don’t need advanced technical skills to manage your site, and Morandi Designs provides ongoing support to ensure your website remains up-to-date and functional.
In the competitive world of beauty salons, every pound counts. By investing in a custom website with Morandi Designs, you can eliminate the hidden costs of third-party booking systems, enhance your brand, and build a direct relationship with your clients. Let us help you create a beautiful, functional website that saves you money and supports your salon’s growth. Contact Morandi Designs today to learn more about our services and how we can help your business thrive.