Finding the right salon software can help grow your business and save you time on business operations. While every salon has unique needs, there are some core aspects you should consider when looking for new software. Here are eight core salon management software features to keep on your checklist.
1. Seamless online booking and salon appointment scheduling
Your online booking system is often the first interaction clients have with your business. A clunky booking process can cost you appointments before clients have ever walked through your door.
Key considerations for your salon booking system:
Skip the account creation: According to data from the Baymard Institute, forced account creation is the second-highest cause of checkout abandonment. Roughly 25% of potential clients will find another salon when forced to make an account to book. Find a salon software system that lets clients book without creating an account.
Handle phone bookings smartly: Manual entry takes time and creates error (not to mention headaches). Instead of taking contact details and credit card info over the phone, look for features like Mangomint's Express Booking™ that sends clients a digital link to complete their information and confirm their appointment.
Create customized service flows: Your booking system should support customized add-ons that maximize appointment value (and make the most of your time behind the chair). Features like service customizations let clients tailor their experience while increasing their ticket. Win-win.
Test the experience: Try booking appointments through potential software platforms by starting a trial or testing on businesses' websites. Is it fast and intuitive? Your clients will judge it the same way you do.
2. Built-in payroll processing
If payroll isn't on your salon software wishlist, it should be. Processing payroll through your salon software saves you time, money, and headaches compared to juggling multiple platforms.
Manages payment distributions and tax filings for you
Reduces errors and simplifies adjustments—without the extra trouble across systems
Unlike generic payroll services, salon software payroll processing is designed for salon's unique needs. This integration can be a total game changer for your administrative workload.
3. Streamlined client check-in and checkout
Improving how clients check in and out maximizes your billable time while creating a better experience for everyone involved.
Smart check-in and checkout features:
Self-service check-in: Let clients handle check-in themselves with features like Virtual Waiting Room.
Multiple payment options: Look for an integrated POS that accepts all modern payment options.
Mobile checkout: Send self-checkout links directly to clients' smartphones for ultimate convenience. They can checkout on the go (and still tip your service providers).
These features reduce staff workload while giving clients more control over their experience.
4. Staff management with individual account views
Your salon software should work with your management style, not against it. Look for platforms that let you customize permissions for each team member.
Essential staff management capabilities:
Individual account access levels
Customizable permissions per employee
Accommodation for provider-specific service time and pricing (e.g., charging more for more seasoned stylists)
Whether you prefer hands-on control or want to delegate responsibilities, your software should support your approach.
Explore software features tailored to hair salons
Mangomint is the highest-rated hair salon software system thanks to industry-leading features tailored to businesses like yours.
Email and text marketing are the easiest ways to connect with your clients and works best when it's built into your salon software system. Because your salon system knows your clients better than any third-party tool ever could.
Benefits of integrated email and text marketing:
Advanced audience filtering: Leverage client data to target specific audiences (e.g., customers at a specific location) and send the right message at the right time
Save money: by targeting relevant customers instead of blasting everyone on your list. Integrated email and text marketing work with your CRM to find relevant opportunities (and cut down on message costs).
Avoid spam filters: Personalized, relevant emails are less likely to go to your recipients' spam than generic blasts—keeping your authority high and making it more likely your message gets through.
Save time: Salon-centric, industry-specific email and text templates mean less work setting up campaigns.
Third-party tools simply can't match the client insights salon software has. Combined with built-in features like Mangomint's targeted campaigns and Automated Flows, you'll be running your marketing like a pro.
6. Memberships, packages, and promotions management
Your software should make it simple to run promotions, manage memberships, and offer packages, so you don't have to do a bunch of extra work to maximize revenue.
Look for these revenue-boosting features:
Simple-to-use offers and promotional tools for clients to easily apply discounts at checkout
Built-in membership and package usage tracking and management
Automated membership billing
Customizable client portals for managing memberships or package credits
These tools help increase client retention and average transaction value without drowning you in administrative tasks.
Sell memberships and packages
Learn how Mangomint can help seamlessly sell your memberships and packages with intuitive software features.
Staying connected with clients is vital for salons. Most clients and providers prefer to text, but using personal phones for business can make the experience bad for everyone involved. Centralized texting through your salon software solves this.
Benefits of integrated texting:
Keeps business communications off providers' personal ones
Centralizes client communications all in one place
Allows multiple staff members to view and respond—so a message never gets lost because someone's on vacation
Features like Mangomint's Two-Way Texting keep your communication professional and organized.
8. Digital gift card sales and management
Gift cards boost revenue while encouraging word-of-mouth marketing. Your salon software should make gift card sales easy and seamless.
The gift card functionality you need:
Sell directly through your website
Track usage and balances
Offer pre-built gift card templates designed for salons
Support custom design uploads with your branding
Run gift card promos and offers
The easier you make gift card sales and management, the more revenue they'll generate.
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When deciding on salon software, focus on platforms that include these features and enhance your operations without adding complexity.
Mangomint includes all these features in a single platform, designed specifically for salons with teams of 3-5+ service providers. Our software combines powerful functionality with an intuitive interface that lets you focus on what matters most—taking great care of your clients.
Josephine Hulburd Schultz is the Operations Manager of Growth Services at Mangomint. With a degree in Business Management and Entrepreneurship, she focuses on transparent and impactful marketing that empowers salon and spa owners to grow their businesses and succeed. Fun fact: Josephine is obsessed with testing out new curly hair products and trying out unique nail art.
