40% of online bookings made while salons are shut

Salons without online booking could be missing out on significant business from potential clients who want to book outside of opening hours.

More than 40% of online salon and spa appointment bookings in the last 12 months were made outside salon opening hours, according to software provider Shortcuts.

Online bookings for salons and spas grew 80% in the last 12 months as more businesses adopted the functionality.

Shortcuts said £7.6million worth of business was booked online in the UK over the last 12 months via its own BookMe software. However, £3.1m of that was booked outside of salon opening hours, suggesting salons without an online booking system in place could be missing out on such bookings from potential clients who prefer to book at a time that suits them.

Shortcuts UK and Europe chief executive Tom Bentley-Taylor said: “Some clients like the feeling of control that booking online gives them, while others simply don’t have the time to call up a salon or spa during opening hours.”