How to Make a Booking Website for Hair Salons, Spas & Studios

As a beauty salon, spa, studio, or wellness center owner, you know how time-consuming appointment scheduling can be. Juggling calls, walk-ins, calendar openings, and client requests eats up valuable time you could spend on revenue-generating services.

What’s worse is the appointments that fall through the cracks from all that chaos – the last-minute cancellations, no-shows, and scheduling mishaps cost you big. Which is why it’s a gamechanger to introduce an automated, easy way for clients to book appointments online themselves.

Read on to learn what to look for in a booking website builder and how to build a booking website for your spa or hair salon. 

What to Look for in a Booking Website Builder?

When searching for a booking website builder, especially for hair salons, spas, or any small business in the service sector, it's crucial to choose a platform that not only simplifies the appointment scheduling process but also enhances your overall business management. 

Integration and functionality

• Look for a platform that offers seamless integrations with other tools you already use or plan to use (such as point of sale or calendar sync). The ability to integrate with marketing tools, analytics, payment processing, or other management software can not only streamline your operations, but provide a holistic view of your business to better inform your decision-making. 

User-friendly website builder

• A good booking website builder should offer a range of templates that are not only visually appealing but also optimized for SEO to help potential clients find your business online. As an added bonus, the ideal website builder should offer a variety of custom options (such as color schemes, fonts, and images) to perfectly reflect your brand’s style and ethos.

Real-time scheduling 

• Real-time scheduling is vital for service providers to avoid double bookings and manage their calendars efficiently. Automated appointment reminders will also help reduce no-shows and discourage late arrivals. 

Pricing and free trial

• Pricing transparency is key. Choose a service that offers clear, straightforward pricing without hidden fees. It can also help to find an online booking system that gives users a free trial so they can test out the features and get a better feel for how it can support their business. 

Domain name and backend optimization

• Having a personalized domain name can significantly impact your brand’s online presence and credibility. Ensure the website builder allows you to create custom domains to align with your business name. 

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How to Create a Booking Website

Establishing your online presence is an important step to building a thriving empire. Here, we list several steps for creating the perfect booking site.

1. Sign up for an online booking platform

Whether a custom website builder comes with your booking software or you integrate an online booking system into a domain all of your own, you’ll need to choose the right platform for your needs. The ideal platform should include supportive features that are easy to use and designed to simplify your experience. If the software includes a custom URL option, use that to embrace your unique brand identity and create a memorable name that’s easy to search for and find. 

You also want a platform that prioritizes user experience, making the booking process straightforward for your clients. They can easily navigate through your services, view your availability in real time, and book appointments without any hassle, all while enjoying a beautifully crafted interface that showcases your work and ethos.

• ‍How to create a custom URL with GlossGenius: Settings > Website > Change Website URL > Save.

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2. Choose a stunning cover photo

First impressions are everything, especially in the beauty industry, and your branding image can be make or break. For your website cover photo, select an image that inspires you or is a piece of work that you are proud of. Choose a color scheme that accurately reflects your vibe, and most importantly, is readable on both desktop and mobile devices. 

• How to choose a cover photo with GlossGenius: Settings > Website > Upload Cover Image > Add From Your Camera Roll > Choose from Library > Pick your photo! > Back > Preview Website.
• How to choose a color scheme with GlossGenius: Settings > Website > Choose Accent Color > Pick your color! > Refresh Website and you're done!

3. List your services and previous work

Keep a list of services and bundles (and their prices) on your booking site to help current and future clients see your offerings. If your custom booking site includes integrated payment processing, clients can pay their deposits or prepay for services during the process, making the process efficient and straightforward (and making sure you maintain a steady flow in your own online booking system).

If you own a hair salon, including a portfolio showcasing your best work can also entice prospective customers to your business, allowing them to see your skills and decide if your expertise is the right fit for them. Include positive reviews or testimonials from previous clients to help bolster your reputation. 

• How to display your services with GlossGenius: Settings > Website > Display my services visually (turn it on to show pictures and off for a list format).
• How to create a portfolio with GlossGenius: Settings > Website > Show Portfolio Gallery > toggle Make Portfolio Live ON or OFF > Add From Your Camera Roll.

4. Display your business details

Use your booking site to display your hours of operation, location, and any other relevant contact details such as phone number or business email. Your online booking system should have everything the client needs to understand your availability and how to make an appointment (as an added feature, waitlists can keep hair salon and spa hopefuls on a dedicated list to fill in gaps and cancellations as they become available). 

You’ll also want to list directions on how to find your business if your location is particularly hard to find. And if parking is difficult, you might want to include information on that too!

• How to adjust your booking settings: Settings > Booking Controls & Notifications > Online Booking Settings > Select your preference.
• How to adjust your hours: Settings > Business Details > Business Hours > tap each day to change the hours or to turn off the days you take off.
• How to adjust your location: Settings > Business Details > Location > Add your location or turn House Call Location on or do both!

5. Include your policies and preferences

Some booking websites allow you the option to customize your booking preferences, such as only allowing existing clients to book appointments online or only between certain hours. You can take advantage of features like these to help get control over your booking services to completely curate the process. 

You’ll also want to include information about the rules for engaging with your business, such as cancellation policies, refund information, deposits, and more. Displaying your policies will make it easier for clients to understand how you run your business, and make it less likely you’ll encounter conflict with your customers later on. 

6. Add a personal bio

Your personal bio is a chance for clients to learn more about you, your professional journey, and your skills. You can share your experience, training, certifications and anything else you’re proud of to help appeal to clients and attract their business. Keep it short and sweet, highlighting your most relevant abilities and providing a digital connection long before your customers ever set foot inside your doors. 

• ‍How to create a bio with GlossGenius: Settings > Website > About > Type your bio > Save.

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7. Share your booking link

Once your booking website is up and running, share your link on as many platforms as you can! Whether that’s Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or all of the above, adding a handy link to your social media bios and posts can make it simple to connect with your business and schedule appointments. You should also add this link to your marketing promos and emails, so that clients always have quick, instant access to your booking website. 

• ‍How to connect your social media with GlossGenius: Settings > Website > Connect Social Accounts > Add links to your social accounts.

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Launch Your Hair Salon Booking Website with GlossGenius

Building an online booking website may seem daunting at first, but it’s a necessary tool to keep operations running smoothly. The right booking website can become your 24/7 assistant – allowing clients to explore your services, check your hours, and the option to self-book while you focus on delivering exceptional services. 

GlossGenius is your number one partner to aid in appointment scheduling, with booking deposits, auto-confirmations, and appointment reminders at the ready to boost your daily operations. Plus, with features like integrated payments and seamless calendar syncing, plus inventory and client management, this software works behind the scenes to create booking magic. See firsthand how an online booking platform can amplify your brand, captivate your audience, and optimize your salon, spa or studio operations. 

Try GlossGenius free for 14 days!