Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to go live? ▾

Most salons are live within 5–10 working days of approving the design. We handle everything — domain, hosting, booking setup and Google profile — so you don't have to wait on anyone else.

Do I need any technical knowledge? ▾

None at all. We handle the design, build, copywriting and launch. You simply review and approve. After launch, our team manages hosting, updates and small tweaks.

What plans do you offer? ▾

There are three simple monthly plans, all with introductory Launch Prices and a 14-day free trial: Starter (£19/mo) for solo professionals who want proper online booking, Growth (£29/mo) for venues with two or more staff who need a full salon management system, and Signature (£49/mo) for the complete Orbis Salon package with premium tools and app package included. Those prices include a branded Orbis Salon website — if you already have a website and only want to link it to the booking platform, Starter is £9.99/mo, Growth is £19.99/mo and Signature is £39.99/mo.

Is there a free trial? ▾

Yes — every plan comes with a 14-day free trial, so you can try Orbis Salon before you commit. There's no long-term contract and you can cancel any time.

Are these Launch Prices permanent? ▾

These are introductory Launch Prices to help new salons get started. They may change for future sign-ups, but the rate you start on is confirmed when you join — we'll always be upfront about pricing. Ask us about annual billing (save around 20%) during your free audit.

What is the Professional Website Build? ▾

It's a premium, bespoke website designed and built for your salon by our team — ideal for venues that want a standout online presence beyond the standard plan templates. It's a £299 one-off plus £19.99/month for hosting, maintenance and support, and it works alongside any Orbis Salon booking plan. It launches on 1 August 2026 — register your interest to get early access at the opening-offer price.

Who is Starter for? ▾

Starter is for one-person businesses that want proper online booking, customer records and reminders without needing multi-staff tools.

Who is Growth for? ▾

Growth is for venues with two or more staff and includes multi-staff calendars, rota tools, customer CRM, POS, reviews, forms, marketing and team management.

Who is Signature for? ▾

Signature is for venues that want the complete Orbis Salon platform, including app package, premium marketing, advanced staff/customer tools and priority support.

How many staff are included? ▾

Growth includes up to 10 staff (including owners) and Signature includes up to 30 staff (including owners). On both plans, additional staff/users can be added for £3/month each. Starter is designed for one bookable person.

What is the difference between Website Included and Link to Existing Website? ▾

Website Included means Orbis Salon provides your branded website and booking experience as part of your package. Link to Existing Website is for venues that already have a website and simply want to connect it to the Orbis Salon booking platform.

Is the Link to Existing Website option cheaper? ▾

Yes. Link to Existing Website plans are cheaper than the equivalent Website Included plans: at Launch Prices, Starter is £9.99/month, Growth is £19.99/month and Signature is £39.99/month. Note that branded apps are not available on Link to Existing Website plans.

Can I switch from Link to Existing Website to Website Included later? ▾

Yes. You can start by linking Orbis Salon to your existing website and move to a full Orbis Salon-powered website later.

Does the Link to Existing Website option reduce features? ▾

Mostly no. The plan features are based on whether you choose Starter, Growth or Signature, and the lower price simply reflects that Orbis Salon is not providing the full branded website package. The one exception is branded apps — these are only available on Website Included plans.

What is the default card processing fee? ▾

The default card processing rate is 2.5% + 20p per transaction.

Can I get lower payment processing fees? ▾

Possibly. Venues with higher payment volume or specific requirements can contact us about integrated payment gateway options that may offer lower processing fees.

Are SMS reminders included? ▾

SMS is purchased in bundles. Standard texts — booking confirmations, reminders and notifications — are 6p per SMS, and marketing texts — offers, campaigns and promotions — are 8p per SMS, on all plans.

Are emails included? ▾

Starter, Growth and Signature include up to 300 transactional emails per day. Busy venues can add up to 100,000 emails per month for £20.

Do I get my own app? ▾

Signature includes the Orbis app package (a one-off £99 app build fee applies), including a branded PWA/app-style experience and native app preparation where suitable. On Starter and Growth, a branded app is available as an add-on for £10/month plus a one-off £129 app build fee. Branded apps are available on Website Included plans only — not on the Link to Existing Website option. Apple and Google developer accounts are required, and if we build an app for you, your plan cannot be downgraded for 3 months from the app build. App-store requirements and third-party fees may still apply.

Can I upgrade later? ▾

Yes. You can start on Starter and upgrade to Growth or Signature as your venue grows.

Do you charge commission on bookings? ▾

Orbis Salon is not a marketplace taking a percentage commission from every booking. Standard plans have no Orbis booking fee. Lite and Flex plans have lower monthly pricing and include a small booking fee on online bookings, shown before a customer confirms. The only other usage costs are optional SMS bundles and any third-party payment processing fees.

Is there a setup fee? ▾

There's no plan setup fee on Starter or Growth. Ask us for the latest details on Signature during your free audit. Note that branded apps have a separate one-off app build fee (£129 on Starter and Growth, £99 on Signature).

Can I keep my existing booking system? ▾

Yes. We can integrate with many popular booking tools, or migrate you to a booking system we manage under your own brand. We'll advise on the best approach during your free audit.

Can I still use Fresha, Booksy or Treatwell? ▾

Yes. Many venues use marketplaces for discovery while building their own direct booking channel. Orbis Salon helps you own your website, customers and bookings long term.

What happens to my data if I cancel? ▾

Your domain, content and client data are always yours. If you cancel, we'll help you transfer everything. We don't hold your data hostage.

Can you provide a professional phone number for my salon? ▾

Yes. Through OrbisVOIP — our sister service from Orbis Digital — your salon can have a professional VoIP number with a local UK dialling code, number porting so you keep the number clients know, IVR welcome menus, call holding and voicemail. It's a separate service with its own plans and pricing — see orbisvoip.co.uk or ask during your free audit.

Do you work with barbers as well as salons? ▾

Absolutely. We work with salons, barbershops, beauty studios, aesthetics clinics, wellness and holistic businesses across the UK. Our templates and booking tools are built for all appointment-based businesses.

Will my website rank on Google? ▾

We build every site with clean code, fast load times and solid on-page SEO. We also set up and optimise your Google Business Profile to help with local search. Rankings take time, but we give you the right foundation from day one.

What's included in the marketing pack? ▾

The marketing pack (business card and flyer design on Growth, expanded to a premium pack on Signature) includes print-ready menus, loyalty cards, social media templates (Instagram, Facebook), email newsletter design, and seasonal promotion graphics — all in your brand colours.

Is there a contract? ▾

No long-term contracts. All plans are monthly and you can cancel with 30 days' notice. We're confident you'll stay because of the value, not because you're locked in.

Does Orbis Salon support aesthetics and clinics? ▾

Yes. Alongside salons and barbers, Orbis Salon supports aesthetics clinics, skin clinics, injectable treatment providers, treatment rooms, advanced beauty clinics, wellness clinics, laser clinics and consultation-heavy salons. Advanced aesthetics and clinical-style record features are available on the Growth and Signature plans.

What advanced clinical-style features are included? ▾

On Growth and Signature you can use advanced client records, treatment plans, medical history fields, medication, allergy and contraindication notes, consultation and consent forms, body map / injection plotting, secure documents, before-and-after photos and follow-up reminders. These are administrative record-keeping tools — Orbis Salon does not provide medical advice, diagnose or prescribe.

Is Orbis Salon a medical device or EMR/EHR? ▾

No. Orbis Salon is an administrative and record-keeping platform. Clinical and treatment records should always be reviewed by a suitably qualified practitioner, and the venue remains responsible for professional, regulatory, consent and insurance obligations. See our Clinical and Aesthetics Disclaimer.

What is body map / injection plotting? ▾

It lets practitioners record treatment areas visually — marking treatment points on face and body maps and recording the product, amount, date, practitioner, notes, batch details and follow-up dates, with an audit trail and history over time. It records and tracks treatments; it does not diagnose or make medical decisions.

How much do SMS messages cost? ▾

Operational SMS (confirmations, reminders and notifications) are 6p per SMS and marketing SMS (offers and campaigns) are 8p per SMS. Growth and Signature include 50 free operational SMS per month; Starter does not include free SMS. Operational and marketing balances are separate and allowances do not roll over unless stated.

Can I export my data? ▾

Yes — data export (for example to Excel/CSV) is available with an active subscription. If a subscription is lapsed, cancelled, unpaid or suspended, exports may be blocked. See our Data Retention and Export Policy.

Can I have more than one location? ▾

Yes. Starter includes 1 location, Growth includes 2 and Signature includes 3, with additional locations available at £15/month each.

Does Orbis Salon use AI? ▾

Optional AI features can help draft website content, forms, follow-up emails and SEO text. AI output is a draft that must be reviewed and approved before use, and must not be relied on as legal, medical, clinical, financial or regulatory advice. See our AI Usage Policy.

Does Orbis Salon include an online shop? ▾

Orbis Salon Shop is available as a £9.99/month add-on for Starter and Growth and is included with Signature. It lets you sell products, aftercare, vouchers, packages and memberships from your salon website.

Can I sell skincare or hair products online? ▾

Yes. You can add products with images, descriptions, prices, stock levels and variants such as sizes, colours or pack options.

Can customers choose collection or delivery? ▾

Yes. You can offer salon collection, collection at the next appointment, local delivery by postcode area and flat-rate postage.

What is collect at next appointment? ▾

If a customer has an upcoming appointment, they can choose to collect their order when they visit. Logged-in customers can see their appointment details. Guest checkouts can be offered appointment collection without revealing private appointment details.

Will staff know when a customer has an order to collect? ▾

Yes. Orders linked to appointments can appear on the booking or session screen so staff know there is an item ready to hand over.

Can products be used in the POS too? ▾

Yes. Products can be added to the shared product catalogue and sold through the online shop or the POS, helping keep stock and reporting connected.

Does shop stock sync with POS? ▾

Orbis Salon Shop is designed to use the same product catalogue as POS, so online orders and POS sales can reduce stock from the same product records.

Is Orbis Salon Shop included in all plans? ▾

It is included with Signature. Starter and Growth can add it for £9.99/month.

Can I use the shop for aesthetics aftercare? ▾

Yes. Aesthetics and skincare businesses can use the shop to sell recommended aftercare products, treatment kits and skincare products. Product recommendations should be made responsibly by suitable staff.

What is AI Quick Start? ▾

AI Quick Start helps create a draft salon website and service list from your business details, price list, uploads and existing information. You review everything before publishing.

Can AI set up my whole website automatically? ▾

AI Quick Start creates a draft to save time, but all content, prices and opening hours should be reviewed before publishing. AI-generated content should be reviewed before publishing.

Can Orbis help me set it up? ▾

Yes. Orbis can help prepare your draft during onboarding and send it to you for review.

What is Smart Waitlist? ▾

Smart Waitlist helps match cancellations and diary gaps with customers who are waiting for suitable appointments.

Does Orbis Salon manage patch tests? ▾

Yes. Orbis Salon can track patch test requirements, results, expiry dates and appointment warnings. Patch test and aesthetics tools are record-keeping and workflow tools — businesses remain responsible for professional guidance, insurance, consent and compliance.

Does Orbis Salon include payroll? ▾

No. Orbis Salon does not run HMRC payroll. Staff Pay Reports help prepare commission, tips, sales and hours summaries for your accountant or payroll provider. They are for internal reporting and preparation only — Orbis Salon is not payroll software and does not provide tax advice.

Can I manage suppliers and stock? ▾

Yes. Growth and Signature can include supplier records, purchase orders, stock movements, stocktake and low stock alerts.

Can Orbis Salon help get more reviews? ▾

Yes. Review Booster can send review requests, collect private feedback and guide happy customers towards public or Google reviews. Businesses are responsible for complying with review platform rules and should not create or encourage fake or misleading reviews.

Can I track where bookings come from? ▾

Yes. Marketing attribution can track sources such as Google, Instagram, Facebook, SMS, email, QR codes and paid campaigns. Tracking accuracy depends on correct link setup, browser behaviour, platform limitations and customer privacy settings.

Is training included? ▾

Orbis Salon Academy provides training content and onboarding help for salon teams.

Can I sell and track courses and packages? ▾

Yes. You can sell multi-session courses and packages, link sessions to bookings and see how many sessions have been used, remain or have expired on each customer record. Package rules, expiry dates and refunds should match your own business terms.

How does session tracking work for packages? ▾

When a client books or checks out against a package, the session count updates so staff can see used and remaining sessions on the customer record. This helps make sure paid sessions are not lost or double-counted.

Can I store colour and treatment formulas? ▾

Yes. Formula Records let staff record colour formulas, toner notes, developer strength, shade codes, product brands, processing times and repeat-service notes on the customer profile, and copy the last formula as a starting point for the next visit. Formula Records are internal salon records and should be used alongside professional judgement and product instructions.

Can I record client preferences? ▾

Yes. You can record preferences such as preferred staff, contact method, appointment times, whether a client likes a quiet or chatty appointment, drink preferences, service likes and dislikes, and accessibility or communication notes.

Are client preferences kept private? ▾

Preference visibility can be controlled by staff permissions, so sensitive notes can be visible only to authorised staff. Businesses remain responsible for handling client information in line with their privacy obligations.

Can I offer memberships? ▾

Yes. You can create membership templates with included service credits and discounts, track usage, and manage active, paused and cancelled memberships. Membership terms, cancellation rules and payment arrangements should be set clearly by the business.

Do memberships take automatic recurring payments? ▾

If enabled, memberships can support payment and credit tracking depending on your payment setup. Recurring payment automation may require additional setup. Membership terms and payment rules should be set clearly by the business.

Are treatment plans medical advice? ▾

No. Treatment Plans are workflow and record-keeping tools, not medical advice. Businesses remain responsible for professional guidance, suitability checks, consent and compliance.

Which plans include the retention features? ▾

Courses, packages, memberships, treatment plans, formula records and client preferences are available on the Growth and Signature plans, with some tools expanded on Signature. See the pricing comparison for details.