How to set up a hair salon booking system

Today, having an online presence is no longer optional—it’s essential for any business that wants to grow and stay close to its customers. How people find and choose services has changed, as everything can be searched, compared, and booked online. That’s why having a professional website can make a difference if you run a hair salon or work in the beauty industry. 

Consumers value convenience and speed, and new generations don’t want to make phone calls or wait for replies on social media to book an appointment. They want to book anytime, from anywhere.  

Market research backs this up: 70% of users prefer booking appointments online, and 87% would never leave a voicemail if a salon doesn’t answer the phone. What’s more, businesses that use online booking systems see an average 26% increase in revenue and 30% more repeat bookings. 

A website with an integrated booking calendar helps you meet those expectations, making things easier and more accessible for your clients…and for you. In this article, we’ll show you how to create a website for beauty experts and set up an online booking system step by step, with no technical skills needed. 

How to set up a hair salon online booking system 

Don’t worry, setting up and configuring your salon booking system is easier than you think. Here is a practical guide to help you launch your website with an integrated booking system in just one day. Let’s get started! 

Step 1: Create a website for your hair salon 

The first thing you need is a website, a place where your clients can easily book appointments from any device. The fastest and easiest way to get started is with an AI-powered website builder that can generate an entire site for you automatically. 

You’ll need to register a domain (your web address) and sign up with a hosting service, which is where your site and all its files will be stored. Often, a domain and the hosting service come bundled together.  

All one.com plans, for example, include a free domain, secure web hosting, corporate email addresses, and unlimited access to the Website Builder tool. 

Launching your hair salon website is simple: 

1. Open Website Builder and answer a few basic questions about your business. 
2. The system will generate a complete website in minutes. If you don’t like the design, you can choose a different one. 
3. Make edits and add your content: informative text, photos of your salon, and call-to-action buttons that lead visitors to your booking form. 

You can also go the more ‘hands-on’ route by designing the website yourself using a template. Then, drag and drop the elements into place. Another option is to use more advanced website management platforms like WordPress. 

We recommend keeping your web design clean, professional, and aligned with your salon’s visual identity. Less is more: avoid cluttering the site with too many elements that could distract users or slow down the page. Remember, the goal is to make information easily accessible and booking as straightforward as possible. 

Step 2: Add the best booking system 

If you’re using Website Builder, you simply must add the Bookings add-on from the control panel on the left-hand menu. This will automatically add the booking option to your site menu. Just click it to access the settings. 

If you’re using WordPress or another content management system (CMS), you’ll need to install a separate plugin to enable this feature. If you’d like to explore further, check out our recommended list of online booking systems for WordPress. 

Step 3: Set your availability  

Start by setting the days and times when clients can book appointments. You can define a standard workweek, for example, Monday to Friday, or customise your working days according to your specific business needs. 

Any days marked as “Unavailable” will be considered your days off, and clients won’t be able to book services on those dates. 

Remember to include any extra time off, such as vacations or national holidays. Find the date on the calendar and switch it to “OFF” to block bookings for that day. 

Step 4: Define your services and pricing 

Now it’s time to list all your salon or beauty centre’s services. Make sure each service has a clear, detailed, and accurate description to avoid misunderstandings with your clients.  

You can also add a representative image and set an estimated session duration depending on the type of service. 

With the online booking system in Website Builder, you can choose between two service formats: 

• Private personal appointment: a one-on-one booking. 
• Private group appointment: ideal for salons offering special services for events, such as weddings or family celebrations. For these, you’ll need to set a minimum and maximum number of participants allowed per booking. 

The next step is to define the price of each service. If you offer private group sessions, you can also choose whether to show a price per person or a total group price. 

Lastly, set the service location. You can assign a fixed address (like your salon) or allow clients to enter their own address if you offer home services. 

Step 5: Create custom booking rules 

Once you’ve set up your services, pricing, and availability, head to the Bookings control panel to adjust additional rules that help manage your calendar efficiently. 

Here, you’ll be able to configure key aspects such as: 

• Cancellation policies 
• How far in advance can clients book an appointment 
• The option to limit bookings to specific future dates 

You can also adjust regional settings by selecting the booking language, your local time zone, and the currency in which your service prices are displayed. 

How to add the reservation system to your salon website

Once you have set up all the booking system details, it’s time to integrate the system into your website. In Website Builder, you only need to click “Publish to site”. The tool will automatically add a new page with all your configured services. 

You can also customise this page’s layout to match the rest of your website. While the default layout uses your global template settings, you can edit elements like the header, fonts, backgrounds, and even the booking widget buttons. 

Benefits of using a hair salon booking system vs. manual scheduling 

Managing appointments the old-fashioned way can quickly become chaotic. Adding an online booking system to your salon makes your daily tasks easier, while also improving your clients’ experience.  

Here are some key advantages: 

• 24/7 availability: Your salon has set opening hours, but your website doesn’t. With an online booking system, clients can schedule appointments anytime without needing you to confirm each step manually. 
• Better customer experience: A quick, easy, and professional booking process increases the chances of converting visitors into clients. Manual systems often create unnecessary barriers. 
• Automated confirmations and reminders: An online booking system sends automatic emails from your business account to confirm appointments, send reminders, and notify about cancellations or changes. Both you and your clients stay informed, helping reduce misunderstandings and last-minute no-shows. 
• Centralised management from anywhere: You can access your booking calendar from your desktop or via the mobile app, giving you complete control of your schedule—even when you’re away from the salon. 
• More organisation, less stress: Say goodbye to double bookings, missed appointments, and human error. Everything is registered automatically, allowing you to immediately check your daily, weekly, or monthly availability. 

In short, a modern booking system gives you more time to focus on what truly matters: delivering outstanding service to your clients. 

How much does a salon booking system cost? 

Creating a website with an integrated booking system doesn’t have to be expensive. At one.com, beauty website plans start at less than £20 a month and include everything you need to manage appointments online: a domain, hosting, our AI-powered Website Builder, and the built-in Bookings feature. 

Digitise your business today and let your salon shine online. Now more than ever, having an online presence is essential for growth. Take the next step: make it easy for clients to book with you and increase your appointments with a professional website and innovative booking system. Your salon deserves to thrive in the digital world.