Introducing TimeToBook for Hair Salons
We're building booking software that does less, costs less, and just works. Here's why we think the salon industry deserves better.
Jack Cruden
Founder
Every hair salon and barber shop needs a way for clients to book appointments. It's not complicated. You need a calendar, a way for clients to book online, and reminders so they don't forget their appointment.
So why does booking software cost $200+ per month for a small salon?
The problem with existing solutions
We talked to dozens of salon owners before building TimeToBook. The same frustrations came up again and again:
"It costs too much." A 5-person salon using Timely pays $195-350 per month. That's $2,340-4,200 per year just to manage appointments. Many small businesses can't justify that cost.
"I only use 10% of the features." Most booking platforms are packed with payroll integration, marketing automation, and analytics dashboards. Salon owners told us they just want to see their calendar and let clients book online.
"It's too complicated." Staff don't want to learn a complex system. They want to open the app, see today's appointments, and get on with their work.
What we're building
TimeToBook is booking software that does three things well:
-
Calendar management - See your appointments at a glance. Add, edit, or cancel bookings in a few taps.
-
Online booking - Give clients a simple page where they can book 24/7 without calling or texting.
-
Reminders - Send SMS and email reminders to reduce no-shows.
That's it. No payroll. No marketing automation. Just the core features every salon needs.
Pricing that makes sense
We believe the first staff member should always be free. Solo stylists, rent-a-chair operators, and mobile hairdressers shouldn't have to pay just to have an online booking page.
For teams, each additional staff member is $15 NZD per month. A 5-person salon pays $60/month instead of $200+. Simple.
No contracts. No percentage cuts from your bookings. No hidden fees.
Built for New Zealand (and beyond)
We're starting in New Zealand because we know this market. NZ salons use SMS, not WhatsApp. They want prices in NZD and software that works with their timezone.
But the problems we're solving aren't unique to New Zealand. Over time, we'll expand to Australia, the UK, and beyond.
What's next
We're actively building TimeToBook and working closely with real salon owners to make sure we're solving the right problems.
If you run a salon and want to try TimeToBook, get in touch. We'd love to hear from you.
Here's to simpler booking software.
Enjoyed this article?
Subscribe to our RSS feed for more tips and insights.