Business Growth
❓ Question
Is the Setmore marketplace actually worth being listed on?
Diana Shaw
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Aesthetic Clinic · Exeter · 4mo ago
I've been running my beauty salon in Leeds for 8 years and still taking bookings over WhatsApp. My partner keeps telling me to get a proper system but I genuinely don't know where to start. Someone in my local business group mentioned BookPin — has anyone here actually used it day to day? Is the setup complicated? Does it look professional enough to send clients to? Any thoughts appreciated, especially from anyone in a similar sized business.
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For deposits specifically, Fresha is really smooth. The client gets a card payment screen as part of the booking flow — it doesn't feel like a separate step or like you're being suspicious of them. I take £20 on everything and no one has complained since I set it up properly.
#1
Honestly? Just go with Timely. I know there are loads of options but for a solo aesthetics clinic in the UK it covers everything you actually need — online booking, SMS reminders, deposits, basic reporting. Don't overthink it. Half the features on the premium plans you'll never use.
#2
I was asking myself this a year ago. Best decision I ever made was just picking one and starting. Jane App has a free plan that's genuinely functional. Start there, learn the system, then upgrade when you actually need the paid features. Don't let the choice paralysis stop you from just getting on with it.
#3
I asked myself this exact question 18 months ago. Ended up going with Shedul because it had the best free trial and I could test it properly without committing. 18 months later I'm still on it. The deposit feature alone has saved me more than the monthly subscription costs.
#4
For a mobile mobile therapist I'd go with Trafft every time. You can set a service area rather than a fixed address, clients can see your availability, and the automated confirmations include all the details they need. Works perfectly without needing a physical premises.
#5
I had the same concern about GDPR when I first started with Timely. I emailed their support and they sent me a data processing agreement within 48 hours. They're UK-compliant and store data in Europe. Worth emailing them directly if you want the formal paperwork.
#6
The Instagram booking integration on Appointy was a bit fiddly to set up but it does work. The issue is usually the Facebook Business account connection — make sure your Instagram is properly linked to a Facebook page first, then the Appointy integration finds it straight away.
#7