How to Start a Salon Business?

Starting your own salon is a dream for many beauty enthusiasts, and with the right approach, it's totally achievable. 

If you're curious about how to start a salon business, this guide is for you. From choosing the right location to hiring skilled staff and creating a relaxing ambiance, every step plays a role in your success. 

The beauty industry is booming, and now is a great time to start a salon business that reflects your passion and style. Whether it’s hair, nails, skincare, or all of the above, your salon can become a go-to spot for self-care lovers. 

So, if you're ready to turn your vision into a real, thriving business, let’s get started on the journey.

What is a Salon App Business?

A salon app business is a technology-based model in which grooming and beauty services are operated and provided through an application on mobile. It's not just selling haircuts or facials, but it's about building a full digital platform. 

It enables the owner of a salon to make appointments, deal with customer data, monitor employees' schedules, accept payments, and execute offers all in one place. By beginning a salon app business, you're not merely opening up a salon, you're providing a smarter, more convenient customer experience for customers. 

With more salon businesses going digital, the demand for salon apps is growing rapidly. Let’s take a quick look at the market statistics to understand where this trend is heading.

Market Statistics of the Salon App

Understanding the statistics and salon app trends is vital for anyone looking to start a salon app business or expand their salon service business. By aligning with market demands and technology, your app can truly stand out in this booming digital space.

• • According to Fortune Business Insights, the global salon services business was valued at approximately $247.02 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $447.76 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 7.79%.
  • Clients increasingly prefer booking appointments through salon apps, seeking convenience and real-time availability.
  • Mordor Intelligence reported that the salon software market is expected to grow from $1.01 billion in 2025 to $1.69 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 10.9%.
  • There’s a growing demand for salons that adopt sustainable practices, including the use of organic products and environmentally friendly operations.
  • Salons are leveraging data analytics to offer tailored services, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.

The above insights show that the salon industry is experiencing significant growth, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer preferences.

Why Start an Online Salon Business? 

If you're curious about learning how to start a salon business that’s future-ready, building an app should be part of your strategy. 

Nowadays, businesses need a salon app to stay competitive, improve customer experience, and run operations more efficiently. Here's the detail breakdown on why you should start a salon business:

• • Customer Convenience: Most clients prefer booking services online rather than calling. A salon app simplifies the process, offering 24/7 access to your services.
  • Efficient Management: From appointments to inventory, a salon app helps you manage your entire operation with ease.
  • Stronger Branding: An app allows you to showcase your style, offers, and professionalism, helping your salon stand out in a competitive market.
  • Data Insights: With built-in analytics, you can better understand customer behavior and improve your marketing strategies.
  • Increased Customer Retention: Salon apps can offer loyalty programs, push notifications, and exclusive deals to keep clients coming back.
  • Better Communication: Send reminders, updates, and promotions directly to your clients’ phones, keeping them engaged and informed.

So, if you're ready to start a salon business that not only works offline but thrives online too, now is the perfect time to explore how a salon app can transform your journey.

Process to Set Up Your Salon App Business

Building a successful salon app business is more than just launching a mobile application; it's about creating a smart, accessible platform for the customers.

However, every development comes with many hurdles. So, it’s also important to be aware of the challenges of salon app development for ensuring a smooth user experience.

Let’s walk you through the complete process of starting a salon business and transforming it into a tech-enabled success story.

1. Understand the Salon Industry & Define Your Business Model

Before jumping into the development phase, take a step back and understand the dynamics of salon businesses in your target market. Are you targeting in-salon services, at-home services, freelance beauticians, or premium luxury salons?

Clarifying this will help you define your business model, which could be:

• • Single salon app: For your own salon brand only
  • Marketplace model: Aggregating multiple salons and beauty professionals
  • Freelance booking platform: Connecting independent stylists with customers

2. Conduct Market Research

When starting a salon app business, it’s important to understand user behavior and competitor offerings. Analyze what other salon apps are doing—look into features, UI/UX, service categories, pricing, and reviews. 

This research will help you avoid common pitfalls and develop features that customers actually want.

Identify gaps in the market. For example:

• • The shortage of instant booking options.
  • Customers’ issues about payment hassles.
  • Lack of online visibility of local salons.

3. Define the Core Features of Your Salon App

One of the most important steps in setting up your salon app business is deciding what features your app will offer. The goal is to ensure a seamless, user-friendly experience that serves both salon owners or professionals and customers efficiently.

Let’s break down the must-have features of salon app for each user group:

For Customers:

• • Easy Sign-Up/Login: Quick registration via mobile, email, or social logins (Google/Facebook) for seamless entry.
  • Service Browsing & Comparison: Browse and compare services, prices, ratings, and profiles before booking.
  • Real-Time Appointment Booking: View available slots and book appointments with reminders.
  • In-App Payment Options: Multiple secure payment options for better user satisfaction.

For Salon Owners/Professionals:

• • Profile Creation & Service Listings: Create a profile, upload images, and list services with pricing.
  • Booking Management Dashboard: Manage appointments, availability, and calendar efficiently.
  • Payment & Revenue Tracking: Track earnings and payments in real-time for a financial organization.
  • Availability Schedule: Update working hours and availability to avoid double-booking.

4. Create a Business Plan

If you're going to start a salon app business or establish your salon business from the ground up, this step is essential. 

A well-defined and organized business plan is the cornerstone of your venture, it guides you in setting direction, making sound decisions, and attracting potential investors or partners. 

It also makes sure that all aspects of your salon app business are aligned with your objectives and market demand. Your business plan does not necessarily need to be complicated, yet it should mention all the essential fields that will determine your success.

Here’s what it should cover:

• • Define your app's purpose and long-term goals in the beauty industry.
  • Plan revenue sources like commissions, subscriptions, or in-app purchases.
  • Develop a strategy to promote your app using both online and offline channels.
  • This roadmap becomes your guiding light as you start a salon app business.

5. Choose the Right Tech Stack & Development Team

Once your plan is ready, the next big step is app development. 

This is where many entrepreneurs encounter the issues while creating a salon app, like choosing between native and hybrid platforms, managing app speed, ensuring secure payments, and integrating calendar systems.

Work with an experienced app development company that understands your industry. Ensure your team can:

• • Build a scalable architecture
  • User-friendly interfaces and good salon app design. 
  • Integrate third-party APIs (like Google Calendar, Stripe, etc.)
  • Offer post-launch support and maintenance

Don’t compromise on the quality of development, as it directly impacts the user experience.

6. Build & Test Your MVP (Minimum Viable Product)

Before going all-in, begin with an MVP version of your application. This minimal version should have only the fundamental features required to satisfy your users' basic needs.

Releasing an MVP enables you to pilot your idea with a small audience, gather feedback, monitor performance, and make data-driven decisions for enhancements.

Here’s what to focus on during the MVP stage:

• • Start with must-have features like booking, profiles, and payments.
  • Use real feedback to refine the app experience.
  • Perform thorough app testing on all devices and user types.

7. Launch & Promote Your Salon App

Once your MVP is tested, optimized, and ready to go, it’s time to take the leap and launch your salon app business officially. This is your moment to showcase the value your app brings to both users and salon professionals. 

But remember, just launching on the Play Store or App Store isn’t enough. You need a powerful promotion strategy to get noticed in a competitive market.

Use a mix of digital channels and creative promotions to gain traction and build your initial user base:

• • Social media ads targeting your local audience
  • Influencer collaborations in the beauty and self-care niche
  • Referral and loyalty programs to boost organic growth

8. Monitor, Improve & Scale

Launching is just the beginning now it’s time to grow and refine your salon app business. Post-launch success depends on how closely you track your app’s performance and respond to user behavior and market needs.

Regular monitoring will help you identify what’s working and what needs improvement. Using tools like Google Analytics, Firebase, or Mixpanel, track key user metrics and take a data-driven approach to development. 

Focus on these essential KPIs:

• • Track where users are coming from and which marketing channels are performing best.
  • Measure how often users are engaging with your platform.
  • Ensure a smooth transaction experience with minimal failures.

The process of starting a salon business in the digital world is exciting but it requires careful planning, user-centric design, and strategic execution.

Essential Features for a Winning Salon App Business

If you're going to start a salon app business, providing basics won't make you stand out in this competitive beauty market. 

Here are some of the most important features that make a salon app successful and contribute to the growth of your salon business:

• • Real-Time Booking: Customers prefer flexibility. An easy booking process with live availability maximizes convenience and satisfaction.
  • Secure Online Payment: Make payments quick, secure, and convenient by incorporating various payment methods.
  • Push Notification & Reminders: From reminders for appointments to promotional messages, push notifications keep your salon in mind and increase client retention.
  • Loyalty Programs & Referral Rewards: Win new customers and keep existing ones with in-app reward systems that foster customer loyalty.
  • Service & Product Showcase: Enable clients to explore your services, view prices, and even buy salon products within the app.
  • Analytics & Reports: Track bookings, revenue, top-performing services, and customer activity to make better business decisions.
  • Customer Profiles & History: Personalization is the name of the game. Access past services, preferences, and feedback to provide a customized experience each time.

These are the standard features that you should include before launching a salon app business for long-term success.

By focusing on customer convenience and operational efficiency, you can create a salon app that stands out in this competitive market.

Best Salon Apps in the Global Market

When you're thinking of launching a salon app business, it's always wise to learn from the industry leaders. The best salon apps provide seamless booking experiences, client management functionalities, and marketing tools that assist businesses in growing smarter and faster.

Here are five leading salon apps that are making a difference at the global level and creating benchmarks for anyone looking to launch a salon app business:

1. Booksy

Booksy is a global favorite for its seamless booking and payment experience. It’s used by solo beauty professionals and large salon teams alike. Simple features like user interface and time-saving automation are perfect examples of how digital convenience can boost customer satisfaction and staff efficiency.

If you're planning to create an app like Booksy, focus on offering a smooth booking flow, secure payments, and real-time calendar management.

2. StyleSeat

A popular choice in the U.S., StyleSeat empowers individual stylists to manage their own businesses without needing a receptionist. It includes tools for scheduling, payments, and client engagement. Entrepreneurs starting a salon app business can learn from how StyleSeat personalizes the user journey while supporting solo beauty professionals.

3. Vagaro

Vagaro is ideal for those who want to set up a salon business with all the advanced tools on one platform. From POS systems to customer reviews and automated marketing, Vagaro helps salons operate like a well-oiled machine. Its focus on all-in-one functionality is a great benchmark for building a powerful, scalable app.

4. Fresha

Fresha’s clean design and zero subscription fee model make it accessible to salons of all sizes. Its robust inventory, appointment, and team management features have helped thousands of salon businesses go digital without heavy investment. It’s a shining example of how simplicity and value can attract a global user base.

5. GlossGenius

Designed with style in mind, GlossGenius blends aesthetics with smart tools, such as custom-branded booking pages and built-in marketing support. It’s a go-to for small businesses wanting a premium look without tech complexity. 

If you’re starting a salon app business, this is proof that beauty and functionality can go hand-in-hand.

Browsing through these apps can provide you with clear ideas on what works and what your business requires in a salon app. Take cues from them to create a one-of-a-kind experience as you establish your salon business the intelligent way.

What’s the Cost to Start an Online Salon Business?

If you're researching how to start a salon business in today's world, you should be well aware of the cost to build a salon app before starting the development journey.

So, depending on features and complexity the estimated cost would be $20,000 – $100,000+

Here’s a breakdown of the cost, including everything from development to marketing:

Starting a salon app business is a smart move for beauty entrepreneurs who want to stay ahead of the curve. While the initial investment may seem significant, the long-term benefits of streamlined operations, increased bookings, and client loyalty make it worth every dollar.

How to Monetize a Salon App Business?

Whether you’re starting a salon app business from scratch or scaling an existing salon service business, the right monetization strategy will determine how sustainable and profitable your app becomes in the long run.

So, are you wondering how salon apps make money? Here are some of the most effective ways to monetize your salon app:

• • Commission on Bookings: Charge a small commission for every appointment booked through your app. This is ideal if your app connects users with multiple salons or individual professionals.
  • Subscription Plans for Salons: Offer premium monthly or yearly plans for salons or stylists who want to unlock extra features like advanced analytics, promotional tools, or higher visibility in search results.
  • In-App Advertising: Promote beauty brands, cosmetic products, or other relevant services inside your app. Ads can display banners, pop-ups, or sponsored listings.
  • Product Sales (E-commerce): Integrate a small e-commerce section where salons can sell beauty products or tools. This opens up a new income stream through product sales and delivery.
  • Featured Listings: Salons can pay to be featured at the top of search results, increasing their visibility to app users.
  • Cancellation & Convenience Fees: You can charge small fees for last-minute cancellations or offer customers the option to pay a convenience fee for priority bookings.
  • Loyalty Programs with Upsell Options: Offer a built-in loyalty program where customers earn rewards. You can monetize it further by offering upsells like “exclusive deals” or “VIP perks.”

Whether you’re running a salon service business or looking to start a salon app business, choosing the right mix of these revenue models can significantly boost your revenue.

How JPLoft Can Help You in Creating a Salon App?

Looking to digitize your beauty brand and reach more clients? JPLoft is here to help you.

As a leading salon app development company, we specialize in building custom, user-friendly apps that match your business goals.

From appointment scheduling and digital payments to customer loyalty and marketing tools, our expert team will craft a solution that simplifies your operations and enhances your customer experience.

Whether you’re planning to start a salon business or want to scale your existing one, we’ll guide you through every step from idea to launch.

Ready to bring your salon app idea to life? Let’s build something beautiful together.

Final Wrap-Up

Beginning a salon enterprise is an enthralling endeavor, and in the present-day competitive industry, combining your creativity with smart technology is the recipe for enduring success. 

Beginning from establishing your salon to implementing a feature-studded app, every step works on building your brand and bolstering your client experience.

By learning how to begin a salon business and adopting digital solutions early in the game, you're positioning yourself for expansion, exposure, and client loyalty. 

So, if you're ready to leave your signature on the beauty world, now's the ideal time to invest in your passion and the technology to match.