Think about the sequence of events that goes into the average salon visit. A customer arrives at the time of the appointment and checks in. The stylist confirms that the station is clean and well-stocked for this client before guiding them to their seat. After some adjustments to the seat, the stylist and customer begin to discuss the styling that is about to take place. The stylist then completes the appointment, escorts the customer back to the reception area for payment, and the process repeats.
This seems pretty straightforward, but in many salons this is an idealized representation of what should happen. The fact is that salons working without a mobile POS system for hair salon operations often find themselves playing catch up all day due to inefficient processes and tasks that could easily be managed using modern mPOS solutions. Many salons need an innovative solution to remain competitive and to engage their customers on a deeper level.
A mobile POS system for hair salon applications provides a number of tools and features that are perfectly suited for these businesses. Implementing mobile POS, or mPOS, tools into a salon will reduce the time spent on reacting to customer management, instead allowing you to reallocate your time towards building deeper customer relationships. The mPOS tools featured here will be particularly beneficial to keeping a stylist focused on the person in the chair and nothing else.
Mobile Means Flexibility through Mobile Devices
One of the most noticeable visual changes that make up the foundation of mobile POS systems is the hardware. Static, always-in-place POS terminals are replaced with mounted tablets that can be swiveled towards the customer and be used to accept payment in one, compact, hardware platform. This reduces the footprint of the hardware you use, and introduces other space-saving and equipment cost-cutting options as well, such as moving from physical receipt printers to digital receipts.
Stylists can have the basic tools of customer service at their stations through the use of mobile devices. Customer histories can be quickly reviewed to help customers make tough styling decisions and to further personalize their salon experience. Mobile devices, especially tablets, can be used to show photos of trending styles that often outpace those shown in styling books or other media materials, adding a personalized touch to every interaction.
A Mobile App Makes Business Tools a Constant Companion
Integrating modern mobile POS technology into your salon must include an accompanying app to be considered a complete solution. An mPOS app adds features that build on the customer enhancing options introduced into a salon workflow by mobile devices. These tools work together to provide faster and higher quality service by reducing the time stylists must spend on repetitive tasks, both customer-facing and those completed behind the scenes.
The resulting productivity improvements delivered by an mPOS are directly reflected in the quality of service and attention your stylists provide. An app places the most important tools they need within arm’s reach, ensuring that any appointment-related tasks can all be accomplished without leaving a customer’s side, including a list or applicable products or services, pricing lookups, and the ability to apply discounts or service charges on the final bill.
Payments can be processed immediately as well, with a high degree of accuracy. When a list of products and services is pre-loaded into your mPOS app, all a stylist has to do is to click on the appropriate options to create an accurate invoice that can be paid for while the client is still in the chair. These all contribute towards keeping appointment times on track, resulting in reduced wait times and improved rates of customer satisfaction.
Appointment Booking Improves the Experience for All
One aspect of mobile POS systems that can make the case for being the most impactful use of mobile technology in salons is online appointment booking capability. Having a web-based scheduling tool that is mobile friendly and easy to use will reduce staff stress and mostly automate one of the most time-consuming processes in a salon environment. Some of the most common traits to seek in a mobile POS-provided appointment management solution are:
- One-click booking website that presents customers with the ability to customize their salon experience.
- Auto-reply capabilities for appointment requests or changes via email or SMS messaging.
- Auto acceptance of appointments.
- Staff profiles so customers can request the stylist of their choice.
- Ability to reserve openings for walk-ins, phone reservations, or last-minute requests.
These are just a few examples of the advanced capabilities that a modern, web-based booking solution can provide. By giving customers full control over the scheduling of services, customers gain full control over their experience. And, through the ability to establish time guidelines for each service, you gain a better handle on the overall management of staff, ensuring that you always have the exact number of experienced styling hands required to meet your scheduled volume.
What is the Best Mobile POS System For Hair Salon Efficiency?
The affordable, scalable options that are available in mobile POS system technology can have a lasting, positive impact on how you operate your salon. The winning combination of mobile devices and apps reduces business-related bottlenecks by placing the technical tools your stylists have in their hands. This contributes to the creation of a relaxed, welcoming vibe that your clients seek in their customized visit with you.
Adding mobile POS technology into your salon can be tricky to get right. The POS solution experts at talech will help you to introduce cutting-edge mobile tools along with an appointment scheduling solution that places control of the salon experience into the hands of your clients.
