Top Digital Tools Every Salon Needs to Streamline Business

Operating a successful salon isn’t just about great haircuts, it’s also about creating a smooth, stress-free experience for your clients, and keeping your business organised behind the scenes. That’s why it’s so important to get the latest digital tech to transform your business. From booking systems to social media management, the right software can save you time, reduce stress and help you grow your hairdressing business.

Why Go Digital?

Managing appointments with a paper diary or juggling calls whilst you’re in the middle of cutting a client’s hair can lead to double-bookings, missed slots and unhappy customers. Digital tools can alleviate these headaches by automating tasks such as booking reminders, stock control and even social media.

How this helps transform your salon:

• Fewer no shows thanks to automatic reminders
• Better client experience thanks to 24/7 booking
• More time for creativity instead of admin

The Best Digital Tools for Salons

Fresha – an online appointment scheduling platform designed specifically for salons and spas.

Fresha is a free tool, which is a game changer for salons looking for a reliable booking tool without hidden fees. It offers online booking, payment processing and marketing features all in one, but we love it for the built-in client messaging and auto-reminders which helps to reduce no shows, keeping you busy and making money!

Phorest – Designed for the salon and aesthetic industry Phorest is great if you’re running a team.

It allows you to manage your team in one place, setting goals and reminders at checkouts – particularly handy if you’re trying to upsell at the end of appointments or you want to set a reminder to take those all important after photos. It offers everything from integrated payment processing, tipping, reporting and marketing features, as well as accounting integrations. However, this is a paid service and pricing will vary depending on what tier you choose.

Square Appointments – Combining appointment scheduling with integrated payment solutions, Square Appointments is perfect for smaller salons or freelancers.

It offers easy set up, as well as the all important built-in no-show protection. It allows customers to book online and also maximise your POS. It also allows you to take payments via your phone, without any additional hardware needed.

The Best Marketing Tools for Salons

Canva – An easy-to-use design platform for creating eye-catching social media posts, flyers and email campaigns.

Canva is easy to use and requires no prior design experience thanks to the handy templates. You can upgrade to the pro version or stay on the free version if you’re looking to save money on marketing.

Buffer or Later – Social media scheduling tools that allow you to plan and post content across multiple platforms.

We know that marketing takes time, but what if you could save time by scheduling content days, weeks or even months in advance? That’s what these tools do, freeing up more time for you to do what you do best!

How to Choose the Right Digital Tools

Before you dive in, think about what your salon needs. It’s best to consider, the size of your team – some tools are better for solo stylists whilst others incorporate tools for multi-chair salons. Budget – start with free or low cost options or even start with free trials before you commit to long term contracts. Features – look for mobile-friendly systems and integrations with your payment provider.

Ready to Upgrade Your Salon?

Digital tools aren’t just a trend, they’re essential for modern salons wanting to stay ahead. By automating the admin, you can focus on what you love: making clients look and feel amazing.

And don’t forget, CoolBlades is here for all your professional salon equipment needs. From styling tools to salon furniture, we’ve got everything you need to offer a service befitting your new tech upgrades.

If you enjoyed this guide, why not visit the CoolBlades blog for more content tailored to salon and beauty professionals in 2025?