Simple Salon

Pros

Simple Salon was a great starting point and was the first software I used when opening the salon. The main draw was the great client information privacy policy. It was very easy to use once all the data was put in and the team got used to using it. I love that I was able to run the salon off an iPad, including POS, and could check my schedule on my iPhone through the app
Support team and email correspondence was always fast in my experience. Never tried any pushy sales tactics or upgrades.
Overall, good software for newbies and reliable.

Cons

-Online booking - Slick App was the only way clients could book online, there was no real incentive for clients to use it and i never received any bookings from it- be it new or existing clients. It has no real online presence and was an unfamiliar brand. My clients felt uncomfortable handing over personal information. From memory I believe the business only had an 30 mins from opening time to confirm a booking which is ridiculous and almost impossible in a busy salon environment.
-Outdated looking interface. felt very dated and clunky. It was a breeze to use once you understood it, nut did take some getting used to.
- Customer support was a little tricky. Had a bit of trouble understanding how to unsubscribe (very well hidden)
- Expensive for the small size of the team I have. Paying double the price for 2 columns was a bit of a joke. I can definitely see benefit if the salon team was bigger.
-Disappointing that no appointment changes or new appointments couldn't be made via the phone app on the go. The app was only useful to see appointments, not much else.

Pros

That it is cloud based. Easy to use. Multiple users. Good price point.

Cons

That it isn't mobile phone friendly. Sometimes confirmation SMS don't get sent out to clients so I have to constantly double check.

Alternatives Considered

Reasons for Choosing Simple Salon

Switched From

Pros

see below please I had already started writing below and had no time to start again

Cons

see below please I had already started writing in the box no time to change

Pros

It’s ease of use, simplicity and value for money

Cons

That I couldn’t change back to 15 min segments from the 10 min segments. This is why I do not use online booking or your SMS or email service for reminders (I use my own SMS on my phone) I book by 15 min segments if it were in 5 minute segments it would work perfectly.

Pros

The software is simple to set up and use once the products and services are organised.

Cons

As for the wellness sector there isn't enough options for online bookings. I can only have 'cupping' as an option. I think if this can change or suit the users where they choose the options they provide that would be better for clients.

Pros

It is very affordable and easy to use. The unlimited columns works really well for us.

Cons

A lot of features do not work properly. Especially their online booking system. If a client goes to book in a laser treatment, it will show all staff members availabilities even if the laser is in use. So clients are constantly going through the entire process only to be rejected at the end, and then have no way of seeing which times they book for will actually work. This goes for every service, spray tans, micro, LED etc. This is one of many features that don't run smoothly .

Pros

It’s simple and not complicated. Clean look.

Cons

I can never get in contact with customer support. Like ever.

Pros

The cost, the features and the support.

Cons

A few things that could make emailing invoices easier some different reporting. Streamlining marketing.

Pros

This package does everything we need it to do in our small day spa. Whenever I have had an issue, I have had a quick response from the support desk. The price is great as well when compared to many other operators out there. I also like that they have continued to develop new options and features over the years to keep up with demand from their customers. I really haven't felt the need to look at another system. Thanks for the great work.

Cons

nothing really. It would be great to have a client intake form plug in at some point but you are probably working on it.

Pros

I found it easy to use and the reporting options cover all my requirements. When I was operating another salon i found it east to explain to other staff members regardless of their computer experience. I like that it prompts you to complete tasks and to complete services. Easy from both a user and admins point. Support is always fast and effective.

Cons

Don"t have anything negative to say .
For the price point its extremely effective, practical and easy to use.

Pros

Very easy to use and good snapshot reviews

Cons

End of day is not running perfectly since we connected it with Tyro.
It doesn't recognise the credit card or EFTPOS transactions.

Pros

I can easily access the system from any hardware and it is just easy to use. I am not particularly techy but it just works at an affordable price

Cons

Not always easy to distinguish time of appointments if you are in column 4

Pros

I have nothing to compare it too, but I like its capacity to upload documents to individual files and to send sms/email.

Cons

Individual screen too small for writing medical notes and no next of kin or allergy section.
Searching names is temperamental at times, time consuming.
After amending exisiting client details, i am unable to return to client notes with out going back through appointment page.
Takes time to load initially then needs to reload to be active

Pros

Ease of use. Functionality. The program is perfect for running any size salon.

Cons

No complaints. It does everything I need it to do.

Pros

I do not like this software and am looking to change

Cons

the customer support is terrible
the price is a rip off compared to others on the market
it logs us out ALL the time
difficult to use

Pros

Easy to use and good features 😊.............

Cons

Some of my long term clients profiles have gone and I want the phone app to have more features

Pros

I liked that I could book appointments in wherever I was, as it was on my phone, and I could always check my diary and see what I had available. I have simple salon on my phone, tablet and computer and it's very easy to use.

Cons

There's a lot of different features for the reports but I'm not sure about some of them so I'm probably not getting the most out of all the features it has.

Pros

So simple to use, and being cloud based i can log in anywhere and everything is safe and saved. Having the option for clients to book appointments is amazing.

Cons

I dont find their marketing side very accurate or useful at all . could have a few more admin options to utilise.

Pros

This software system is easy to set up, the reports are amazing to track all the going on in my business. I like the fact it's a cloud base system so i can log in at home to help my staff if needed. The price is extremely affordable. Bonus is it's links to XERO my accounting system.

Cons

I haven't had any problems i'm unable to fix.

Pros

being able to access off any computer or tablet,phone

Cons

i dont like that there is no phone support

Pros

I love how reliable it is, I never have to worry about not having my clients formulas/ phone number etc.

Cons

I wish there was a quicker way to log in

Pros

The ease to move appointments and able to access it on various devices.

Cons

The client search feature could be a little more flexible and access a wider search than the exact spelling.
The reminder calls are generated from different numbers.

Pros

Easy to use all my friends were using it

Cons

Paying for sms
Not the best app to use

Alternatives Considered

Reasons for Switching to Simple Salon

Pros

Client sms reminders reduce no shows which takes away frustrating gaps you could have filled.
Checking appointments on your phone is a big bonus.

Cons

Customer service is lacking.
I’d like to be able to talk to someone from time to time to enquire about features and have questions answered.

Pros

easy to use, the appointment reminders were invaluable, the bookkeeping feature was easy to execute and understand, the stock record keeping was great.

Cons

Sometimes i was frustrated that there was not a help desk phone call to talk me though any issues. But that is only because I am of that era that prefers telephone calls to emails.

Pros

The program is reasonably easy to work with and does prompt you to find what you are looking for in most cases.

Cons

There have been times where I have really needed to speak to a support person, but this is not an option unless you ask for a return phone call that you need to wait for.

There is not a simple option for treatment packages so if someone books in for a discount package, we are required to book each treatment in separately and I have to rely on my staff to remember to apply the discount.

Pros

Has most needs - appointments, reporting, sms and email reminders and marketing, ordering, not expensive (I’m a small salon)

Cons

Support- even if I request support I don’t receive any feedback it’s extremely bad to the point I’ve considered changing systems - but changing is hard as I can’t download all the information easily - the exported excel files are in different order. If I had better support I’d be happy.
Can’t add sustainable salon - no response on how to do this
Many reports are locked at 1 months - it would be great if this wasn’t locked
Dashboard- not live like Kitoomba - I don’t really know how I’m doing

Pros

I like that I can use it anywhere anytime (when I have service). I like the potential of the product.

Cons

The software has been in use as a basic booking system for years in the salon before I came on board. I would have liked to be able to have face to face training or be able to attend a course to increase the use across the board.
Once I requested this earlier in my time with the company and I was directed to research it myself. I simply do not have the time or inclination to do this. We are a busy salon and time gets away from us. The task of research of the software is always on the list but always gets pushed when we have to look after our clients or staff. I would learn better if I could attend a course or if someone could come out and spend some time with me.
In short, we are paying for a system and not using it to its full potential. I have been researching other software as I think if I set it up from scratch I would have a better understanding of it and it would benefit business growth.

Pros

The software is web based so can access from anywhere.

Relatively simple to use, even stylists with very little computer experience can navigate their way around the common functionality.

Has Xero integration for end of day.

Cons

Software is old. It's using old web technology. Clunky to use, not mobile friendly, not user friendly - especially in the setups. Editing and saving things takes you to different screens on save so you have to keep going back.

There is a basic mobile app, which might as well not exist.

Software went down 4 times (for more than a few hours at a time in full working day) in a space of 3 months. A basic apology via their Facebook page and an email. Nothing else. 6 months later they increase the monthly fee by nearly 15%.

Reports are ok, but never detailed enough. Data in the report changes (rebooking) and date limits on reports.

They have Support for the software. But if you want good support, well I wouldn't count on it. There is no phone support, only email.

Only received one call from the Support team, when we were leaving Simple Salon. Prior to that, had an urgent issue and also requested a manager to call me, they didn't want to know about it.

Pros

General functions are easy to use, affordable and has pretty much everything I need. Easy to book and rebook clients, set up appointment reminders and add & change services.

Cons

The app doesn’t allow all functions to be performed, such as moving an appointment to a different day or time, or inputting a task without booking it as a clients appointment.
I also find setting up a list to text out clients for promotions tricky at times.

Pros

This software is easy to use.You can access it anywhere and the online booking function is a must.The reports are easy to read and are invaluable to my staff for their KPIs.
No updates to purchase and no contracts. It ticks all my boxes.

Cons

That it sometimes goes down.Unfortunately this is a universal problem not just Simple salon.I really have not experienced any down side.The help desk is awesome and the video tutorials are always their if you need them.

Pros

It provides scheduling, stock control and accounting feeds to xerp

Cons

Clunky, not intuitive, online booking portal is appalling, our clients complain it’s virtually impossible to use

Pros

I love the online booking system and the price is very reasonable.

Cons

I'm not at at tech savvy and some of the things on offer while easy to use I don't quite understand.

Pros

I really enjoy the simplicity of the software once you understand how to use it. I like how everything is automatic and does a lot of my job for me

Cons

I don’t like how I can’t sync up with my personal calander. This is a big feature that I miss in my old software. Countless times I have my own personal appointment or am not in salon and have booked in a client because it doesn’t show that I’m away

I would like more options for messaging, for example, different messages for different services - prices, reminders etc

Pros

• Easy to use
• Love that I can access my appointment book anywhere in the world
• Great SMS reminder feature

Cons

• Can’t see full week view on full screen
• I would like to be able to click on appointment and create note straight away instead of having to going to next box and selecting note. (And have note visable on appointment book view- for single therapist column)
• I would like to be able to load a personalised client consult form on Simple Salon for my clients to fill out on iPad that links straight to their file.

Pros

fairly easy to learn, has options for more use in bussiness

Cons

can be slow sometimes and doesn't log in easily on some servers.

Alternatives Considered

Reasons for Switching to Simple Salon

Pros

The support is amazing, if I cant work something out within 24hours of submitting a request it is fixed for me. I love how easy it is to set up yourself and I love that it runs online so I can access it anywhere anytime.

Cons

I have had a few issues with the online booking system, most have been fixed straight away otherwise they have said they will try figure out the problem.

Pros

I can access my appointments anywhere I am, I have the app on my phone, ipad & work computer. the system is the easiest one I have used. I like that it has previous history stored too.

Cons

there isn't much I don't like about simple salon but an upgrade would be good, give the whole system a makeover

Alternatives Considered

Reasons for Switching to Simple Salon

Pros

I have been using it for over 8 years simple to use and value for money does it all and the back up is great would not even think of using anything else

Rochelle Fisher

Cons

all good we have had no problems since we started and good that they have videos if you need to find out something

Pros

Ease of use
Various reports
Easy to keep a track of customer
Loyalty point system

Cons

I am sure the support team is working on this but at the moment you cannot customize your reports for example you cannot add a specific column in your report.

Alternatives Considered

Reasons for Switching to Simple Salon

Pros

We’ve been very pleased with the simple salon software. It’s been easy to use, fast and very reliable.

Cons

We are hoping the online booking system will take into consideration ‘ processing times ‘ for clients colours

Alternatives Considered

Reasons for Switching to Simple Salon

Pros

I like the ease of the user on this and the search format

Cons

I really dislike the lack of customer service, the fact that you need something fixed straight away or an answer and you can’t just pick up the phone to speak to someone to resolve the issue you need to wait for an email response.
I find the value for money disappointing, as soon as you exceed 3 users the price range surges even if you only need one extra column.

Pros

Booking are cloud based. And I could track inventory

Cons

Need an easier way to tick off inventory. A check box beside each product that says correct and then another box to add a total if not correct. Then it can ask for details on next page. But too hard at the moment have to print out and hand write to keep track

Pros

User experience is great, easy to use and great support.

Cons

No click through from time page in the inline booking which can confuse customers.

Pros

That I can use it on my phone

Cons

There has been 2 crashes and I was unable to see any appointments and one of the times was very close to Christmas the busiest time of the year

Iv been paying for 2 columns because it’s to hard to use the double book feature
It won’t let me double book where I need to.

Alternatives Considered

Reasons for Switching to Simple Salon

Pros

I love how easy this software is to use. I am not tech savvy but I have 100% used this software with ease.
the customer support is really easy and always available

Cons

I cant really think of anything I don't like.

Pros

For the price it does mostly what I want

Cons

No wait list, can't use set and forget marketing with mail chimp- only basic typed emails. The look of the appointment book is old fashioned. Would like to auto send gift vouchers when loyalty points hit a certain point. Suggestions seem to take forever to be developed or not at all

Pros

it was easily customisable when first staring out with the software.

Cons

Some commands are difficult with a lot of steps to set up appointments. some of our development needs are not supported.

Alternatives Considered

Reasons for Switching to Simple Salon

Pros

It’s easy to use and i like that it keeps client records

Cons

Setting up the online system and trying to work out the roster