The founding plan: free for the first 25 salons, and how that adds up

The first 25 salons to join SalonRadar get a founding account: €0 per month and 0% SalonRadar booking commission, for the life of that account. Not a trial. Not "free until we say otherwise". This post explains what that means, what it does not mean, and why we are doing it, because "free forever" from a software company ought to make you suspicious.

What a founding account includes

The whole product. Unlimited bookings, staff, services and clients. The calendar and team schedules, client records, booking confirmations and SMS reminders, online deposits and prepayment, the service menu, stock, deals and promotions, email campaigns, reports, and your public booking page. Hair, barbering, beauty and nails, and pet grooming are all covered by the same account.

There is no subscription, no per-staff fee, no commission per booking and no setup fee. That holds for new clients, for repeat clients and for the clients you had before you met us.

So how do we plan to make money?

Two ways, neither of which involves founding salons.

First, salons that join after the 25 founding places are taken will be on a normal paid plan. Second, SalonRadar is also a directory where people find and book salons. As that side grows we plan to offer optional paid products around it, such as premium placement. That side is still growing, and we would rather say that than dress it up.

The founding offer is how we get there. We want real salons using the product every day and telling us what would make it better. Twenty-five is about the number we can look after personally. In return for that feedback, you never pay for it.

The fine print, in normal print

• The cap is 25 salons in total, across all categories and countries. After that the founding plan closes to new sign-ups.
• "For the life of the account" means what it says. If we introduce paid plans, they apply to new salons and not to founding accounts.
• You talk to the founders. Questions, requests and problems come straight to us, and improvements ship every week.
• Your data stays yours. You can export a client's full record at any time. If SalonRadar ever stops being right for you, you leave with your data and without an invoice.
• Online payments cost what the processor charges. If you take deposits or prepayment by card, you pay the payment processor's own fee and SalonRadar adds nothing on top.

What we ask in return

Use it properly, as the system your salon really runs on. Tell us what gets in your way. When you are ready, and only if you mean it, leave an honest review. That is the whole deal.

If you would like one of the founding places, register your salon and you will be set up the same afternoon. If you have questions first, write to us.