Salon Software for Small Business: Not For Use As Your Business Website
If you are considering using salon booking software as your business website, you may want to think twice. Salon software is designed to help manage the operations of a salon, not to serve as a comprehensive business website. Salon booking software often offers the ability to have a website, if you are using their system. Here’s why you should not use salon software as your business website.
Outline
- Lack of Features
- Poor applicant intake/ recruiting functionality
- Limited Customization
- Poor User Experience
- Drives Customers to Competing Salons
- Complicated Setup Process
- Difficulty Integrating with Other Platforms
- Security Concerns
- No SEO Optimization
Lack of Functionality & Features
Salon software is designed to be a one-stop-shop for the management of salon operations. As such, it lacks many of the features and functionality you would find on a comprehensive business website. This includes features such as content management systems, e-commerce integration, and customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities. Salon software typically has pre-made templates, a seemingly easy aspect of a salon owner’s digital assets to integrate.
Unfortunately, salons and spas come in every shape and size imaginable with different needs to serve customers and recruit new employees. A website designer is trained to cover all salon owner’s business needs, an aspect of doing business that is essential to profitability for salons and spas.
Salon booking systems are not designed to help you hire. Oftentimes they offer no way for salon pros to inquire to work with you or very limited form intake to screen potential applicants who are interested in working for you.
Salon Booking Apps: Poor User Experience
Because salon software is designed for the management of salon operations, it often has a poor client user experience. The interface may be confusing and difficult to navigate, making it hard for potential customers to find the information they need, outside of making an appointment. This can lead to a high bounce rate and lost sales.
CLICK HERE FOR SALON WEBSITE IDEAS
What is the best salon booking system? Our research into the top salon booking software is underway. Read about systems that most inhibit salon owner’s website capabilities:
Vagaro and Salon Builder ranked in the top worst design features and client user experience. Vagaro uses owner’s booking links and websites to advertise other salon’s booking options in your area. This may cause lost business and distract a new client from booking with your salon. Do your research before choosing a salon booking software and keep your website separate from your booking system.
Complicated Setup Process
Using salon software as a business website also requires a complicated setup process. This includes setting up the software, configuring the settings, and integrating it with other platforms. This process can be time-consuming and difficult, and may require the help of a developer.
Salon software is not designed to be integrated with other platforms. This means that if you want to add additional features to your website, such as e-commerce or customer relationship management, it can be difficult and time-consuming to do so. This aspect is particularly troublesome for booth rental salons or salons that have staff that choose different salon booking software to manage their business. This can limit the capabilities of your website, as well as the potential for growth.
Security Concerns
Using salon software for small business websites can lead to security concerns. Because the software is not designed to be used as a website, it may not have the necessary security measures in place to protect your customer’s data. This can put your customers at risk of identity theft and other security breaches.
Finally, salon booking and appointment software inhibits the ability to optimize a website for SEO, or Search Engine Optimization. Ranking on Google and other search engines like Bing or Yahoo is the #1 way to increase your business’s visibility for new clientele.
Using salon software as your business website is not a good idea. While it may seem like a convenient solution, it lacks the features, functionality, and security measures that you need for a successful website. Instead, you should look for a website platform that is specifically designed for businesses.
