Nail salon software: walk-ins, service timing and technician schedules — buying checklist
From: https://www.iwantmywebsitenow.com/industry/beauty/nails/
Workflow sources checked: 2026-10-02. Prices have separate capture dates.

Use this with a vendor or a builder. These are proposed evaluation tests, not claims that any product passed them.

YOUR BUSINESS
Current software:
What must work differently:
Records to bring across:
Budget and timing:

QUESTIONS TO TEST
1. Service variants
Ask: Can a booking include a removal, repair or nail-art add-on with the correct extra time?
Demonstrate: Book a gel removal plus a new set with nail art. Confirm duration, price and staff skill requirements before the time is offered.
Observed result:
Follow-up:

2. Walk-ins and queue
Ask: Can the desk add a walk-in without disrupting booked clients?
Demonstrate: Add a walk-in while one technician is finishing late. Check wait estimate, queue order and who receives the next open slot.
Observed result:
Follow-up:

3. Technician schedule
Ask: Can services be limited to qualified staff and real working hours?
Demonstrate: Disable one service for a junior technician and add a break. Confirm neither appears bookable online.
Observed result:
Follow-up:

4. Retail and commissions
Ask: Can product sales and service add-ons be reported separately?
Demonstrate: Sell a retail item and add nail art to a service. Compare sales, inventory and commission reports.
Observed result:
Follow-up:

DEMO SCENARIO (SYNTHETIC)
Test the busy hour at the front desk
1. Set two technicians with different hours and service permissions. Create a manicure, a soak-off, a full set and a nail-art add-on with explicit durations.
2. Accept an online full-set booking, then add a walk-in while a manicure runs late. Review the queue, customer estimate and next available qualified technician.
3. Move one appointment and apply your disclosed deposit and cancellation rules. Confirm messages and payment records reflect the change.
4. Close out the shift and compare service sales, add-ons, retail stock movement, tips and technician reports.

MIGRATION
Plan a controlled data move
Import active clients, future appointments, service definitions and durations, technician permissions, deposit balances, gift cards and retail inventory. Reconcile upcoming appointments and outstanding package balances; keep historical consultation or image data out unless you have a clear need and access policy.

A POSSIBLE FIRST BUILD
Booking tools do not set appropriate hygiene procedures, product instructions or employment and commission policies. Keep service descriptions and cancellation terms clear, and limit staff access to client information to what their role requires.

SOURCES
Phorest nail salon software
https://www.phorest.com/industry/nail-salon-software/
Vendor-specific overview for nail bars, booking and walk-ins.

Fresha pricing
https://www.fresha.com/pricing
Vendor-published pricing and fee terms vary by market.

Square Appointments features
https://squareup.com/us/en/appointments/features?country_redirection=true
Vendor feature overview for appointments and resources.

Research by Don, I Want My Website Now.
A product description is not hands-on testing. Verify the plan, current price and export access before committing.