Name: Bella Booking Salon Software
Brand: Bella Booking
Price: 35 AUD
Availability: InStock

Question 1

What is Bella Booking and how does it help my salon business?

Accepted Answer

Bella Booking is salon management software designed for hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, and beauty salons. It helps with scheduling, basic client management, online booking, team coordination, and sales tracking. Our Australian-made platform aims to simplify salon operations and reduce administrative work.

Question 2

Is Bella Booking suitable for all types of beauty businesses?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Bella Booking is designed for the beauty industry and works well for hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, beauty salons, beauty clinics, spas, medical spas, and lash & brow studios. Each business type has relevant features - barbershops get walk-in management, nail salons get service duration management, beauty salons get multi-service booking, beauty clinics get consultation workflows, spas get room scheduling, and hair salons get stylist scheduling. The platform adapts to different business needs.

Question 3

Do I need any technical knowledge to use Bella Booking?

Accepted Answer

Not at all! Bella Booking is designed to be simple to use. The drag-and-drop interface is straightforward and requires minimal training. We provide free 1-on-1 onboarding and data migration assistance to get you started. Our support team is available to help, and most salon owners can get started quickly.

Question 4

What makes Bella Booking different from other salon software?

Accepted Answer

Bella Booking is designed specifically for salons (not generic business software), offers no-credit-card-required free trials, provides free data migration and onboarding, has Australian-made quality with global reach, includes basic AI features, and offers personal support from real humans who understand salon challenges. We focus on simplicity and ease of use.

Question 5

How does Bella Booking work for beauty clinics?

Accepted Answer

Beauty clinics benefit from extended appointment durations, comprehensive client notes and document management, service bundle creation, and specialist matching. The system helps track client medical information and contraindications in notes, attach consent forms and documents, and handle multi-service bookings. This ensures safe treatment delivery and compliance with health regulations.

Question 6

What features are designed for spas and wellness centers?

Accepted Answer

Spas and wellness centers get extended appointment durations (60-120 minutes), therapist matching, service bundle creation, and multi-service booking capabilities. The system handles longer treatments, coordinates therapist availability, and allows clients to book multiple spa services in one appointment.

Question 7

How does Bella Booking help medical spas?

Accepted Answer

Medical spas benefit from extended appointment durations, comprehensive client notes and document management, service bundle creation, and specialist matching. The system helps maintain compliance by storing medical history and contraindications in client notes, attaching consent forms and medical documents, and handling multi-service bookings for medical aesthetic procedures like injectables and laser treatments.

Question 8

What features are designed for lash and brow studios?

Accepted Answer

Lash and brow studios get quick booking and walk-in management, service duration management (full sets vs fills), detailed client preference tracking (lash style, curl, length, brow shape), appointment series for regular fills, and before/after photo galleries. The system handles high-frequency clients and helps maintain consistency across visits.

Question 9

How much does Bella Booking cost and what's included?

Accepted Answer

Bella Booking offers two affordable plans: Starter at $47/month (up to 3 team members) and Professional at $79/month (unlimited team members). Both plans include unlimited appointments, online booking, SMS reminders, and free onboarding. Professional includes advanced analytics, priority support, customisable booking pages, and API access. All prices are in AUD globally and AUD in Australia (inc. GST).

Question 10

Is there a free trial available and do I need a credit card?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We offer a completely free trial with full access to all features - no credit card required. You can test every feature, import your data, and see how Bella Booking works with your salon before making any commitment. Our free trial has no time limits, so you can take your time to evaluate the software properly.

Question 11

Are there any hidden fees or long-term contracts?

Accepted Answer

No hidden fees, no long-term contracts! Our pricing is completely transparent. You only pay the monthly subscription fee. There are no setup fees, cancellation fees, or surprise charges. You can cancel anytime with 30 days notice.

Question 12

What's the difference between Starter and Professional plans?

Accepted Answer

Starter includes core features: up to 3 team members, unlimited appointments, online booking, basic reporting, email support, and 200 SMS reminders per month. Professional adds online payments (2.9% + $0.30 + 1% per transaction), advanced analytics and reporting, priority customer support, customizable booking pages, 500 SMS reminders per month, and API access. Both plans include free onboarding and data migration.

Question 13

Can I change my plan later if my business grows?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! You can upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time. If you need more team members or advanced features, simply upgrade to Professional. If you need to scale down, you can downgrade to Starter. Changes take effect on your next billing cycle, and we'll prorate any differences in pricing.

Question 14

How does the appointment scheduling system work?

Accepted Answer

Our smart scheduling features include drag-and-drop appointment management, color-coded services, automatic conflict prevention, and real-time availability updates. You can manage multiple team members, set different service durations, handle walk-ins, configure minimum notice periods, and view your schedule from any device. The system prevents double-bookings and automatically calculates service times for combo bookings.

Question 15

Can clients book appointments online 24/7?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Your clients can book appointments anytime through your personalised booking page. The system shows real-time availability, allows service selection, team member selection (if enabled), and integrated payment processing. Clients can also reschedule or cancel appointments online and view their appointment history. This reduces phone calls and no-shows while increasing bookings outside business hours.

Question 16

Can clients pay for appointments online?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Online payments are available exclusively on the Professional plan. You can require deposits or full payment during online booking, accept credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay through Stripe. Transaction fees are 2.9% + $0.30 (Stripe) plus 1% (Bella Booking) per transaction. Payments are processed securely and go directly to your account. This reduces no-shows and ensures you get paid faster.

Question 17

How do online payments work for bookings?

Accepted Answer

Online payments are a Professional plan exclusive feature. When enabled, clients can pay deposits or full amounts during booking. You can set deposit amounts as a fixed dollar amount or percentage of the total. Transaction fees are transparent: Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30, and Bella Booking adds a 1% application fee. For example, on a $50 deposit, you'd receive approximately $47.85. Payments are processed securely through Stripe, and funds go directly to your connected account.

Question 18

Can clients view and manage their own appointments?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Clients can access their appointment history, view upcoming appointments, and manage bookings through their account. This self-service feature reduces support requests and gives clients more control over their bookings.

Question 19

Can clients choose which team member they want?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can enable client team member selection in your online booking settings. When enabled, clients can choose their preferred stylist, barber, or technician during booking. You can also disable this feature if you prefer to assign team members automatically.

Question 20

Can clients cancel appointments online?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Clients can cancel appointments online if self-service cancellation is enabled in your cancellation policy settings. You can set minimum notice requirements (e.g., 24 hours' notice required) and cancellation fees (percentage of deposit). If cancellation is made with less than the required notice, refunds are automatically calculated and processed. You can also restrict self-service cancellation and require clients to contact you directly.

Question 21

How do cancellation policies and automatic refunds work?

Accepted Answer

You can set a cancellation period (e.g., 24 hours) and a cancellation fee percentage (0-100%). Clients cancelling with at least the required notice receive full refunds. Clients cancelling with less notice forfeit the fee percentage. For example, with a 24-hour period and 50% fee: cancelling 25 hours before = full refund; cancelling 12 hours before = 50% refunded. Refunds are processed automatically via Stripe. You can also set different policies per service - the most restrictive policy applies when booking multiple services.

Question 22

What is client confirmation and how does it reduce no-shows?

Accepted Answer

Client confirmation requires clients to actively confirm their appointment before their visit. When enabled, appointments stay in 'Booked' status until confirmed. You can set confirmation windows (e.g., confirm at least 24 hours before). Clients receive a one-click confirmation link in their reminder messages. This helps identify clients who may not show up and gives you time to fill slots. When deposits are required, successful payment serves as confirmation automatically.

Question 23

How do deposits work for online bookings?

Accepted Answer

On the Professional plan, you can require deposits when clients book online. Set deposits as a fixed amount (e.g., $50) or percentage of the total (e.g., 25%). You can also set different deposit requirements per service - useful for high-value services that need deposits regardless of your default settings. Deposits are collected securely via Stripe (credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay). When deposit payment succeeds, the appointment is automatically confirmed.

Question 24

How do I find a specific appointment?

Accepted Answer

Use the Appointments page to search and filter appointments. You can search by client name, email, or phone number. Filter by team member, appointment status (Booked, Confirmed, Completed, Cancelled), or date range. Sort by appointment date, client name, or creation date. This makes it easy to find any appointment quickly, even across large date ranges.

Question 25

Can I set minimum notice periods for bookings?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can set a minimum notice period at the account level (e.g., require 24 hours notice for all bookings) and override it per service. For example, you might require 48 hours notice for complex services but allow same-day bookings for simple services. The system automatically prevents bookings within the notice period and applies the most restrictive policy when multiple services are booked together.

Question 26

Can I limit how far in advance clients can book?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can set a maximum booking window to control how far into the future clients can book. Options range from 7 days to 2 years. This helps manage your schedule - use shorter windows if your availability changes frequently, or longer windows for wedding and event services. Business users can still book appointments at any time through the Scheduler.

Question 27

Can I require approval for online bookings?

Accepted Answer

Yes! When 'Require Approval for Online Bookings' is enabled, online bookings don't get confirmed automatically. Instead, they stay in 'Booked' status until you review and approve them. Clients receive a notification that their request is being reviewed. This gives you full control over which bookings to accept.

Question 28

Can I customize automated messages and reminders?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Bella Booking allows full customisation of SMS and email templates. You can use variables like {{FirstName}}, {{Date}}, {{Time}}, and {{ServiceName}} to personalise messages. Create custom templates that match your brand voice and include the information clients need.

Question 29

How does the client management (CRM) system work?

Accepted Answer

Our basic CRM stores client profiles, appointment history, service preferences, notes, and contact information. You can track client visits, store service formulas, manage preferences, and maintain records. The system helps you provide personalized service and build client relationships with history at your fingertips.

Question 30

Can I manage my team and track their performance?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Bella Booking includes team management with role-based permissions (Owner, Admin, Team Member), individual schedules, basic performance tracking, and availability management. You can track each team member's appointments, earnings, and productivity. The system helps coordinate schedules and manage coverage.

Question 31

Does Bella Booking handle sales and inventory management?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our sales management includes transaction tracking, product inventory with stock levels, SKU and barcode support, refund processing, and basic sales reporting. You can track daily earnings, monitor product sales, manage suppliers, and generate analytics. Note: This is software-based management - no physical POS hardware required.

Question 32

What kind of reporting and analytics are available?

Accepted Answer

Bella Booking includes 9 comprehensive reports: Appointments Summary (team performance, new vs returning clients), Appointment Cancellations (reasons and trends), Sales Summary (daily revenue breakdown), Service & Product Sales (by team member), Services Sales (individual service performance), Products Sales (retail performance), Team Member Sales (individual sales metrics), Team Member Utilisation (booking efficiency), and Team Member Days Off. All reports support date-range filtering and CSV export.

Question 33

How do SMS reminders work and how many are included?

Accepted Answer

SMS reminders automatically notify clients about upcoming appointments, helping reduce no-shows. Starter plan includes 200 SMS reminders per month, Professional plan includes 500. You can customise reminder timing and messages. Need more? Purchase additional SMS packages at $10 for 100 SMS whenever you need them. The system integrates with your appointment scheduling.

Question 34

Can I customize the booking page to match my salon's branding?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Professional plan users can customize their booking page with their salon's colors, logo, and branding. This creates a consistent experience for your clients and reinforces your brand identity. The booking page is mobile-responsive and professional-looking, helping you attract and retain clients.

Question 35

Do I need to install any software on my computer?

Accepted Answer

No installation required! Bella Booking is a cloud-based system that works through your web browser on any device - computer, tablet, or smartphone. Simply log in from anywhere with internet access. We handle all updates and maintenance automatically, so you always have the latest features without any technical hassle.

Question 36

Is my data safe and secure with Bella Booking?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We use enterprise-grade security with encrypted data storage, secure servers, and regular backups. Your data is protected with 99.9% uptime guarantee and is stored in secure, compliant data centers. We never share your data with third parties and follow strict privacy policies. Your client information and business data are completely secure.

Question 37

Can I import my existing client data and appointments?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We provide free data migration assistance as part of your onboarding. Our team can help import client lists, appointment history, service information, and other data from most salon management systems. We handle the technical work so you don't have to manually re-enter hundreds of client records.

Question 38

Does Bella Booking work on mobile devices?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Bella Booking is fully mobile-responsive and works perfectly on smartphones and tablets. You can manage appointments, view client history, track sales, and access all features from any device. The mobile interface is optimized for touch screens and provides the same functionality as the desktop version.

Question 39

What if I need help or have questions?

Accepted Answer

We provide support through multiple channels: live chat on our website, email support, and phone support. Professional plan users get priority support. We also offer free 1-on-1 onboarding, regular check-ins, and optimisation suggestions. Our Sydney-based team supports businesses worldwide and understands salon business challenges.

Question 40

How reliable is Bella Booking and what's the uptime guarantee?

Accepted Answer

Bella Booking offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee with enterprise-grade infrastructure. We use redundant servers, automatic failover, and regular backups to ensure your salon operations are never interrupted. Our cloud-based system is designed for reliability and performance, so you can count on it being available when you need it most.

Question 41

How does Bella Booking work specifically for hair salons?

Accepted Answer

Hair salons get specialized features like smart stylist scheduling, service combo booking (cut + color + treatment), client history with formulas and preferences, and stylist-specific availability. The system handles complex service combinations, tracks individual stylist performance, and manages client preferences for personalized service every visit.

Question 42

What features are designed for barbershops?

Accepted Answer

Barbershops get walk-in management, quick booking processes, barber preference selection, and streamlined scheduling for high-turnover services. The system handles the unique balance between appointments and walk-ins, allows clients to choose specific barbers, and provides tools for managing busy barbershop operations efficiently.

Question 43

How does Bella Booking help nail salons?

Accepted Answer

Nail salons benefit from service duration management for different treatments, combo service booking (manicure + pedicure), client preferences tracking (colors, designs, shapes), and quick booking for walk-ins. The system accurately schedules based on service complexity and prevents overbooking of technicians.

Question 44

What makes Bella Booking ideal for beauty salons?

Accepted Answer

Beauty salons get multi-service booking capabilities, specialist management for different treatments, product selling integration, and client history for personalized care. The system handles service combinations, manages multiple specialists, and provides tools for retail sales alongside service bookings.

Question 45

Can Bella Booking handle multiple locations or franchise salons?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Bella Booking supports multi-location management from a single account. Each location can have its own settings, team members, services, and booking policies. Team members can be assigned to specific locations with appropriate permissions. Perfect for salon chains, franchises, or owners with multiple locations.

Question 46

How do pricing tiers work for different stylist levels?

Accepted Answer

You can create custom pricing tiers (e.g., Junior, Senior, Master) and assign different prices for the same service based on team member experience level. When a client books, they see the appropriate price based on which team member they select. This helps you charge more for experienced stylists while offering budget-friendly options with junior staff.

Question 47

Can I store client documents like consent forms?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can upload and manage files for each client profile, including consent forms, medical documents, before/after photos, and any other relevant files. Supported formats include PDF, DOC, DOCX, TXT, JPG, PNG, WEBP, XLS, and XLSX (max 5MB each). Files are stored securely and easily accessible when viewing client details.

Question 48

What is the AI Assistant feature and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Our AI Assistant (currently in beta) allows you to ask questions about your business data and get instant insights. You can query your salon performance, generate reports, and get data-driven recommendations. The AI helps you understand trends, identify opportunities, and make informed business decisions based on your actual data.

Question 49

Are there any upcoming features I should know about?

Accepted Answer

We're constantly improving Bella Booking based on user feedback. Current developments include enhanced AI features, advanced reporting options, additional integrations, and mobile app improvements. We regularly update the platform with new features and improvements, always keeping our users' needs in mind.

Question 50

Can I integrate Bella Booking with other software I use?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Professional plan users get API access for integrations with other business tools. We're also working on direct integrations with popular salon software, accounting systems, and marketing tools. Contact our support team to discuss specific integration needs for your salon.

Question 51

Is Bella Booking available internationally?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Bella Booking serves customers globally with our main website (bellabooking.com) and has a dedicated Australian site (bellabooking.com.au) with local pricing in AUD including GST. We provide support across multiple timezones, with teams in Sydney and Dubai, offering assistance to businesses worldwide.

Question 52

Do you offer support in languages other than English?

Accepted Answer

Currently, our primary support is in English, but we're working on expanding language support. Our software interface is designed to be intuitive regardless of language, and our support team can assist with setup and technical questions. We're always looking to improve our international support capabilities.

Question 53

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) and PayPal. For Australian customers, we also accept direct bank transfers. All payments are processed securely through our payment partners, and you can update your payment method anytime through your account settings.

Question 54

Do prices include GST for Australian customers?

Accepted Answer

Yes! All prices shown on bellabooking.com.au include GST. There are no hidden fees or additional taxes. What you see is what you pay. Our Australian pricing is designed to be completely transparent with GST included in all displayed prices.

Question 55

What are the payment processing fees for Australian businesses?

Accepted Answer

Australian businesses benefit from lower payment processing fees through Stripe's domestic rates: 1.7% + A$0.30 per transaction (compared to 2.9% + $0.30 for international transactions). Bella Booking adds a 1% application fee on Professional plans. This means Australian salons pay 2.7% + A$0.30 total per transaction - significantly lower than international rates of 3.9% + $0.30.

Question 56

Are SMS reminders sent through Australian networks?

Accepted Answer

Yes! For Australian customers, SMS reminders are sent through Australian mobile networks using local numbers. This ensures better deliverability and reliability for your appointment reminders, and you don't pay international SMS rates.

Question 57

Is Bella Booking built in Australia?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Bella Booking is designed and developed in Sydney, Australia. Our team understands Australian beauty businesses and has built the software to meet local needs, including GST-inclusive pricing, Australian timezone support, and local payment processing.

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