How to manage a multi-location salon business
Australian multi-location salons benefit from software with AUD pricing per location, a shared SMS pool across sites, and the ability to manage different trading hours across states (especially relevant for salons spanning multiple time zones like NSW and QLD).
Challenges of running multiple salon locations
Expanding from one salon to two or more introduces complexity that single-location software often can't handle well.
Fragmented systems
When each location runs its own separate software account, you end up logging in and out of different systems to see how each site is performing. Reports need to be pulled and compared manually across accounts, and there's no unified view of your business.
Inconsistent service menus and pricing
Keeping service names, descriptions, and pricing consistent across locations is tedious when managed separately. A name change or price update needs to be made in each system individually, creating opportunities for inconsistencies that confuse clients.
Team scheduling across sites
Staff who work across multiple locations need their schedule to be visible at each site to prevent double-booking. A team member working Monday and Tuesday at one location and Wednesday through Friday at another needs this reflected in the booking system at both sites automatically.
Client records across locations
Managing client records across multiple locations adds complexity. Some platforms share a single client database across sites, while others keep each location's client list separate for cleaner data management. Either approach has trade-offs — shared databases risk data clutter, while separate databases mean a client visiting a second location is treated as new.
What multi-location salon software should do
Not all salon software supports multiple locations, and those that do vary significantly in how well they handle it.
Single login, all locations
You should be able to switch between locations from a single dashboard without logging out and back in. A location switcher lets you view any site's schedule, team, or reports instantly. This is the baseline — if a platform requires separate accounts per location, it's not true multi-location support.
Per-location settings
Each location needs its own trading hours, team roster, service availability, and booking page. A salon in a shopping centre with extended Saturday hours shouldn't be constrained by the same schedule as a standalone location that closes at 2pm on Saturdays.
Per-location client management
Each location should have its own clean client database, keeping records organised and relevant to that site. This approach ensures each location's client list reflects who actually visits that salon, making searches faster and data more manageable as your business grows.
Copy services between locations
When you add a new service or update pricing, you should be able to copy that change to other locations in a few clicks rather than recreating it manually at each site. Some platforms let you share a master service list while still allowing per-location customisation where needed.
Location-based access control
Not every team member needs access to every location's data. A manager at your Bondi salon shouldn't necessarily see the financial reports for your Surry Hills location. Granular role-based permissions should work at the location level — team members can have different roles and permissions per location, not just per account.
SMS and notifications
Appointment reminders should come from the specific location the client is booked at, with the correct address and contact details. A shared SMS pool across your account keeps things simple — you don't need to worry about allocating credits between sites. Each location's notifications include the right salon name and address automatically.
Reporting per location
Each location should have its own comprehensive reports, giving you focused insights into that site's performance without noise from other locations.
Location-level performance
Each location needs its own reports covering revenue, booking volume, no-show rates, and average service value. This lets you evaluate each site on its own merits and identify location-specific issues. Switch between locations to compare performance manually and make informed decisions about each site.
Team performance per site
Reports should show each team member's performance at that specific location — appointments completed, sales generated, and utilisation rate. For team members who work at multiple locations, you can view their performance at each site independently to understand their contribution at each salon.
Per-location revenue reporting
For your accountant and BAS reporting, having clear per-location revenue figures is essential. Export data for each location separately to maintain clean financial records. This is especially useful when locations are structured as separate business entities or cost centres.
Pricing for multi-location software
Multi-location pricing varies significantly between platforms. Understanding the models helps you budget accurately.
Per-location pricing
The most common model charges a fee per location per month. This is straightforward — you know that adding a third location will cost the same as your second. Look for platforms where each location includes its own team member slots and a shared SMS pool across your account for simplicity.
Enterprise or contact-for-pricing models
Some platforms require you to contact sales for multi-location pricing. This often means higher costs and potentially long-term contracts. While these platforms may offer more features, the lack of transparency makes it harder to budget and compare options.
When comparing costs, factor in the total price for all locations plus the team members at each site. A platform that's cheaper per location but charges extra per team member may end up costing more than one with a higher base price that includes more seats.
Ask about volume discounts. Some platforms offer reduced per-location pricing when you have three or more sites, which can make a meaningful difference as you scale.
Setting up multi-location in practice
- 1Start with one location fully set up and tested — services, team, booking page, and payment processing all working correctly.
- 2Add your second location to the same account. Copy the service menu from your first location and adjust pricing or availability where needed.
- 3Set up the team roster for the second location. If any team members work across both sites, configure their split schedule.
- 4Create a separate booking page for the second location with its own address, hours, and team members displayed.
- 5Test each location independently: verify that the booking page, services, and team schedules are correct for the new site.
- 6Set up location-specific SMS settings so reminders include the correct salon address.
- 7Configure access permissions so each location's manager can see their own site's data and reports.
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