StyleSeat

StyleSeat Review:

StyleSeat proposes to put your beauty shop online. It will also provide scheduling, payment and marketing services. The only cost to the beauty shop owner is a payment processing fee of 3%.  The site otherwise simply adds a fee on to new client bills.

You manage pricing

The site does not manage your pricing or affect your business in any other way. However, it does provide marketing by listing your salon whenever a consumer in your geographic area searches for a relevant service. These listings include your prices and reviews.

When new customers book your salon through StyleSeat, StyleSeat takes a deposit. If that client cancels at the last minute, the site will also charge the client a cancellation fee.

This can be a benefit, allowing you to get compensated for no-shows. But it may be something you’ll want to warn existing clients about, if you end up directing them to book through StyleSeat.

Monthly fees

Notably, StyleSeat used to charge salon owners a $35 monthly fee. That fee is currently gone. But, the site’s terms continue to mention membership fees and say that they can institute them at any time. We think the $35 is a reasonable cost for what StyleSeat offers. But we also think salon owners should get a heads-up if they’re going to have to pay a monthly fee.

Otherwise, we saw nothing to worry us in their terms and plenty to like in how the StyleSeat could help a salon manage bookings.

Recommendations

Another site you might want to consider, if you’re willing to travel to do hair and/or make-up for weddings: Priv, which offers high returns for cosmetologists.

What their users say (from GetApp)

Extremely convenient for both myself and my client. They can book an appointment and see availability from nearly anywhere their phone, their computer etc. I can see what exactly they need done and make my schedule work better for me so everyone is happy.

I love that I can require a deposit. It is super easy for my clients to book an appointment and it gives me the choice of putting up pictures which is a great help for my clients. I absolutely love that I can link it to my Instagram or any social media.

I stopped using it when StyleSeat started charging stylists to use the software. Didn’t feel like it was worth it at the time.

(Google Play)

Great app, works well, my clients like it. The only thing is that for $35 a month this app loads very slow. I have a note 9 so it it’s not because of my side. Please work on the quickness of the app.