Invoicing in a hair salon looks nothing like invoicing a building job: dozens of short services a day, prices that vary with hair length, product sales, payments by card, cash or mobile money. And every so often a business client or event organiser who wants a proper invoice. Here is what invoicing software brings to a salon, and what to expect from it.
Services saved once
Men's cut, cut and blow-dry, colour, highlights, braids, relaxer, straightening, treatments: each service is saved in a catalogue with its price. Supplements too: "long hair supplement", "thick hair supplement". At the till, you pick the lines and the invoice is ready in seconds.
Pricing that covers your time
A price list copied from the salon down the road often loses money on long services. Work out what one minute in the chair costs you (rent, wages, electricity, equipment, your own pay, divided by billable minutes), multiply by the real duration of each service, add products, then compare with the market. Long services such as braids or straightening are where the gap usually shows. For a broader method, see our guide to setting an hourly rate.
Product sales
Shampoo, treatment, oils, accessories: products sold go on the same invoice as product lines, with their own tax if needed. The client leaves with one document.
Packages
"Cut, colour and blow-dry" at a package price is saved like any other service. Simpler for the client, faster for you.
Every payment, whatever the method
Card, cash, mobile money, transfer: each payment is recorded on the invoice with its method. At the end of the day or month, you know exactly what came in, and how. For cash payments, an invoice marked as paid is the client's proof. See our article on receipts and invoices.
Business clients and events
Weddings, corporate events, photo shoots, group bookings: some clients want a quote first, then an invoice in their company's name. The software produces a professional quote the client can sign online, then the invoice in one click, with your details and continuous numbering. A deposit can be requested when booking larger jobs. See our article on signing quotes online.
Tracking the business
Beyond invoicing, a dashboard shows revenue invoiced and collected over the period. You can see strong and quiet months and plan ahead: offers in quiet periods, longer hours before holidays. See our article on cash flow forecasting.
On a phone or tablet
Many salons have no computer at the till. The software runs on a phone or tablet, installed on the home screen, with the same data everywhere.
What you gain
| Situation | Before | With software |
|---|---|---|
| Prices | Paper list, supplements forgotten | Catalogue with supplements |
| Invoice | Handwritten | Seconds |
| Products | Separate ticket | Same invoice |
| Takings | Cash book | Every payment with its method |
| Events | Price agreed verbally | Signed quote and deposit |
| Business view | Guesswork | Revenue visible |
Gift vouchers and prepaid packages
If you sell gift vouchers or prepaid packages, invoice them when they are sold, and note the voucher number on the invoice. When the voucher is used, the service is already paid, and your records show exactly which ones are still outstanding. Keep the rules simple and written on the voucher: validity period and what it covers.
Getting started
Try it free with your own price list. The page FacturWeb for hair salons shows the features that fit the salon, and plans are on the pricing page.