Business Growth
❓ Question
What's everyone's policy on last-minute cancellations?
Fraser Murphy
🏪 VIP Seller
🥇 Gold Seller
Lash Artist · Lancaster · 2mo ago
I've been running my nail studio in Sheffield for 3 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 Setmore — 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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I chair-rent and I use Setmore completely separately from the main salon. You just set your own location as a general Brighton address or your own mobile setup. Clients book with you specifically, not the salon. Works really well and the salon owner doesn't even see my diary.
#1
For a mobile hair salon I'd go with BookPin 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.
#2
My clients were pretty resistant at first — a few of them are older and not very tech-savvy. What helped was walking them through the booking link in person the first time. Once they'd done it once they were completely fine. Now I get booking confirmations at 11pm from people I would have thought would never manage it.
#3
I was asking myself this a year ago. Best decision I ever made was just picking one and starting. Appointy 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.
#4
Honestly? Just go with Phorest. I know there are loads of options but for a solo hair salon 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.
#5
I tested Trafft and Phorest side by side for a month. Trafft won on price, Phorest won on features. For a solo barbershop just starting out, Trafft's free plan is hard to argue with. You can always switch later once you know exactly what you need.
#6
For a mobile beauty salon I'd go with Setmore 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.
#7
I was asking myself this a year ago. Best decision I ever made was just picking one and starting. Treatwell 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.
#8
I chair-rent and I use Fresha completely separately from the main salon. You just set your own location as a general Bristol address or your own mobile setup. Clients book with you specifically, not the salon. Works really well and the salon owner doesn't even see my diary.
#9