Running a small self-care business, whether it's a salon, spa, or wellness studio, means you've got a ton of responsibilities to juggle. One of the biggest administrative tasks is managing payroll. Making sure your team gets paid on time keeps everyone happy, helps you stay on the right side of the law, cuts down on mistakes, and makes the checkout process smoother for your clients. 

However, managing your salon's finances on your own can be a headache. So, what is the best way to do payroll for a small business? The initial answer is simple: payroll software. 

We know that simple answer brings up a lot more questions. What payroll system is easiest to use? How much should payroll cost for a small business? In a crowded marketplace with a ton of options, it can feel overwhelming to figure out which system checks all your boxes. If you’ve ever felt swamped by payroll duties or are just considering upgrading your current system, you’re in the right spot. We’re here to help you pick the best payroll software for your small business needs.

[CTA_MODULE]

What Is Payroll Software?

Let's break it down. Payroll software is your digital assistant for managing employee pay. It's designed to automate everything, from calculating wages to withholding taxes and delivering payments. For small self-care businesses like salons, spas, or wellness studios, this salon employee management software can be a real game-changer.

Payroll apps calculate wages based on hours worked, services provided, tips earned, and commissions. This means no more spending hours crunching numbers or worrying about mistakes. It also handles all tax-related tasks, deducting the correct amounts for federal, state, and local taxes, and even dealing with tax filings. Staying compliant with the latest regulations is easy because the software keeps everything up to date.

And there’s more. Payroll software ensures payments are delivered on time, whether through direct deposits, checks, or other methods. It’s like having a financial manager who never sleeps and always gets it right. This is especially helpful in the self-care industry where you might have a mix of pay structures – hourly wages for receptionists, per-service payments for stylists, as well as tips and commissions.

What to Look For in a Payroll Tool for Your Self-Care Business

Choosing the right payroll software involves more than just picking the first tool you come across. It’s about finding the tool that makes managing your salon finances less stressful for you and your entire team.

Make sure it’s easy to use

Ease of use is paramount. You want salon software with payroll that doesn’t require a degree in accounting to operate. Your time is precious, and you shouldn’t have to spend hours learning how to use your payroll system. A user-friendly tool will make onboarding and daily operations smoother for you and your team.

Evaluate the cost-effectiveness

Running a small self-care business means keeping a close eye on your budget. Payroll software should be cost-effective, offering the features you need without breaking the bank. Look for transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Some software providers offer tiered pricing based on the number of employees, which can be beneficial for growing businesses. 

Ensure it is up-to-date with payroll regulations

Payroll regulations can be confusing. The best payroll for small businesses like yours will stay updated with federal, state, and local payroll laws, ensuring you remain compliant. This feature is crucial for avoiding costly penalties and legal issues. Reliable payroll software will also handle tax filings and end-of-year tax forms, so you don’t have to worry about staying on top of changing regulations.

Check compatibility with other self-care business tools

Your payroll software should integrate seamlessly with other tools you use daily, such as appointment scheduling, accounting, time-tracking, inventory management, and client management systems. This compatibility ensures a smooth flow of information across your business operations, reducing the need for manual data entry and minimizing errors. 

Look for commission management

Employee compensation by commission is uniquely common in the self-care industry, and your payroll software should support this pay structure – especially if you plan to hire more in the future. . Ideally, your payroll software should factor in commissions, so you can set each employee’s specific commission rate and trust that your software will calculate their compensation accurately and automatically. This feature makes paying your staff accurately and promptly a no-brainer, fostering trust and satisfaction among your team members. 

Consider scalability

As your business grows, your payroll needs will change. Partner with payroll companies that can scale with your business. This means it should be able to handle more employees, more complex pay structures, and additional features as you expand. You don’t want to switch systems every few years; you want something that can grow with you.

Customer support

Good customer support is essential. When you have questions or run into issues, you want a support team that’s responsive, knowledgeable, and friendly. Look for software providers that offer multiple support channels, including phone, email, and live chat. 

[CTA_MODULE]

Best Payroll for Small Businesses

Now let’s talk specifics. Here are some of the top payroll software options for small self-care businesses. Each of these tools offers unique features tailored to the needs of salons, spas, and other wellness establishments.

GlossGenius

GlossGenius stands out as an all-in-one tool designed specifically for self-care businesses. Beyond payroll, it offers features like appointment scheduling, client management, and team management. GlossGenius simplifies payroll with automatic calculations, tax filings, and direct deposits. It's a comprehensive solution that can handle everything from hourly wages to commissions, making it a top choice for salon owners looking to streamline their operations.

One of the standout features of GlossGenius is its intuitive interface. It’s designed with salon and spa owners in mind, so you don’t need to be a tech whiz to navigate it. Plus, it integrates seamlessly with other tools you already use, which means less time inputting data and more time focusing on your clients.

‍Gusto

Gusto is known for its user-friendly interface and extensive payroll features. It handles everything from tax filings to benefits administration. For self-care businesses, Gusto offers flexible pay schedules, automated payroll calculations, and detailed reporting. Its ability to integrate with various business tools makes it a versatile choice for small self-care business owners.

Gusto’s support team is known for being responsive and helpful. Additionally, Gusto offers employee benefits management, which can help you attract and retain top talent.

Vagaro

Vagaro is another good option tailored for salons and spas. It combines salon management software with payroll features, allowing you to manage appointments, inventory, and payroll all in one place. Vagaro's payroll module supports commission calculations, tip tracking, and automated tax filings, making it a comprehensive solution for managing your salon’s finances.

Plus, Vagaro’s robust reporting features give you insights into your business’s performance, helping you make informed decisions.

Square Payroll

Square Payroll is known for its simplicity and affordability. It’s a great option for small businesses with straightforward payroll needs. Square Payroll offers automatic tax calculations, direct deposits, and integration with Square's point-of-sale system. This integration is particularly beneficial for self-care businesses that already use Square for transactions, providing a seamless experience from payment to payroll.

Homebase

Homebase is ideal for small self-care businesses with hourly employees. It offers time tracking, scheduling, and payroll features in one platform. Homebase simplifies payroll by automatically calculating hours worked, including overtime and breaks. It also handles tax filings and offers a mobile app for managing schedules and payroll on the go.

Paychex

Paychex is another great option, especially for slightly larger self-care businesses. It offers comprehensive payroll services, including tax filing, direct deposit, and employee benefits administration. Paychex also provides HR support, which can be helpful as your business grows and you start to deal with more complex HR issues.

‍How Much Does A Self-Care Business Payroll Software Cost?

The cost of payroll software for small self-care businesses can vary widely. Understanding these costs is crucial to making an informed decision. Most software providers offer subscription plans, typically billed monthly or annually. Prices generally range from $20 to $100 per month, depending on the number of employees and the features included.

When considering costs, it's essential to factor in the value of the features offered. A slightly higher monthly fee might be worth it if the software saves you time and reduces errors, allowing you to focus more on growing your business. For instance, if the software can automate complex tasks like calculating commissions or tracking tips, it can greatly reduce your administrative workload.

Also, watch out for any hidden fees or additional costs for features you may need down the line. Some providers may charge extra for add-ons such as advanced reporting tools, additional user access, or integration with other business tools like accounting or scheduling software. It’s crucial to read the fine print and understand the total cost of ownership.

Many payroll software providers offer free trials or demos, which can be a great way to test the software before committing. Take advantage of these offers to get a hands-on feel for the software's ease of use and functionality.

Take Control of Your Self-Care Business Payroll with Confidence: Try GlossGenius!

Choosing the best payroll solution for your small business is a crucial step in managing your self-care business effectively. The right tool will save you time, reduce errors, and help you stay compliant with payroll regulations. Whether you're a salon owner managing a team of stylists or a spa owner handling various employee pay structures, the right all-in-one solution can make all the difference.

GlossGenius Payroll includes everything you need to run your business and get your employees paid, without the extra time and hassle. As an all-in-one solution, running payroll with GlossGenius means we’ll automatically crunch all the numbers for you – from appointment transactions to retail to commission rate, we pull in all the relevant info and calculate total compensation so you don’t have to. 

What’s even better is that we offer automatic tax filing in all 50 states, and our fees are always straightforward – we don’t nickel and dime you. Our always-on support team will help you every step of the way.

Other GlossGenius standout features include appointment scheduling, marketing tools, and modern booking website templates so that your brand shines through. With GlossGenius, you can streamline your operations, ensuring everything runs smoothly from booking to payroll. 

So, why wait? Take control of your payroll processes with confidence. Try GlossGenius today and see how it can transform your self-care business.