How to take online bookings for your salon (and stop drowning in DMs)

6 minute read · Last updated June 2025

If you're still taking bookings over Instagram DMs, WhatsApp messages or phone calls, you're leaving money on the table and spending hours every week on admin that a booking system would handle automatically. This guide walks you through exactly how to set up online booking for your salon — and what to look for when choosing a platform.

Why online booking matters for salons

Studies consistently show that more than half of appointment bookings happen outside of business hours — evenings and weekends when you're not at your phone. Every time a potential client can't book immediately, some of them book somewhere else.

Online booking solves three problems at once:

• Availability 24/7 — clients book whenever they think of it
• No-show reduction — automatic reminders dramatically cut missed appointments
• Time back for you — no more back-and-forth messages to find a slot

What to look for in salon booking software

Not all booking software is built with beauty businesses in mind. Here's what matters:

1. Watch out for commission-based pricing

Some platforms (notably Fresha on their "free" plan) charge you a percentage of every booking made through new clients — often 20% or more. If a client books a £50 gel manicure, you're handing over £10 just for the booking. On a busy month that adds up fast. Look for flat-fee software where your pricing is predictable.

2. Multiple technicians

If you employ staff or rent chairs, you need a system where clients can choose a specific technician — or where the system assigns one based on availability. Single-technician tools hit a ceiling quickly.

3. Automated reminders

No-shows cost UK salons an estimated £1.2bn a year. A booking system that sends a reminder 24 hours before the appointment pays for itself in the first week.

4. Your own branded page

Marketplaces like Treatwell put your competitors one click away from your clients. Look for software that gives you a dedicated booking URL you can put in your Instagram bio and on your website.

5. Simplicity for clients

The best booking flow is: pick a service → pick a time → confirm. If there are too many steps, clients drop off. Test it on a phone before committing.

Step-by-step: setting up online booking for your salon

Step 1: Choose your platform

For most independent salons and small teams, the key criteria are no commission, clean mobile UI, and a quick setup. Get Your Glow is built specifically for nail salons, lash studios and beauty therapists — flat fee from £10/month, no commission, 30-day free trial with no card required.

Step 2: Add your services

Create entries for each service you offer: name, duration and price. Be specific — "Gel manicure (45 min · £35)" converts better than just "Manicure" because clients know exactly what they're getting and can plan their day.

Step 3: Add your team

If you have more than one technician, add them all and set their individual working hours. Clients appreciate being able to choose their favourite tech. You can always set it to auto-assign if you prefer.

Step 4: Set your availability

Add your opening hours and any regular days off. Good systems let you block out holidays, override individual days, and manage public holidays separately.

Step 5: Share your booking link

Put your booking URL everywhere: Instagram bio, Facebook page, Google Business Profile, your website, a QR code on your front desk. The more places it appears, the more bookings come in passively.

Step 6: Test as a client

Book an appointment as if you were a customer. Check the confirmation email looks good, the calendar invite works and the reminder fires at the right time.

Bonus: reward your regulars

Once your booking system is running, consider adding a loyalty programme. A simple stamp-card system — "check in 10 times, earn 20% off" — costs nothing to run and keeps regulars coming back instead of trying a competitor. Some booking software, including Get Your Glow, includes this built in with an iPad kiosk app.

Common questions

Do clients need to download an app?

No. The best salon booking systems are web-based — clients tap a link and book in their browser, no download required. This removes a huge amount of friction.

How long does setup take?

For a straightforward salon with a few services and one or two technicians, you can be live in under an hour.

What if I already have a website?

You can link to your booking page from your website, or embed a "Book now" button. Most clients will find you via Instagram or Google anyway, so a standalone booking page works perfectly without a full website.