subject: 3 Things You Need To Ask Yourself Prior To Buying Salon Management Software [print this page] There are several things you need to consider before you order that upgrade for a total salon management software system. This could very well be a significant investment for your business. It could also set you back when it comes to getting a return on your initial investment when you opened your hair salon in the first place. There are also the rare times when software may not be the answer to your problems. You need to ask yourself a few questions before you make the decision to make a deal with a software vendor.
Have you thought about what your business really needs?
You'll want to figure out what your business really needs by evaluating your business and figuring out what's really causing any problems you're experiencing. You can't fix it if you don't know what's causing it. If you're using hairdressing software as a band-aid without learning all you can about it, you can do your business more harm than good. What are the features you really need to make realistic improvements to your business?. You want features you can use and you don't want to pay for something that will not help your business in the long run.
Which software vendor are you going with?
Find out as much information as you can about the various salon software suppliers and their specific products. There are software programs out there that can look attractive but they aren't easy to use. You'll want to make a list of the suppliers you're thinking about talking to and find out about their past work and their current clients if you can manage it. Narrow down your list of possibilities by eliminating providers that don't have what you're looking for and then you can go on to schedule appointments with each of the one left on your list. Most companies will give you a short demo on how their software works and what features are included.
Is it within your budget and are you happy with the details of the contract?
It's best that you already have a number in mind when it comes to total cost. You'll want to evaluate whether your current hardware can support the program, if not, find out how much it will cost to upgrade your system to support the program. It's possible that you may need to purchase computer terminals where your new hair salon software system can be run from if your salon is run mostly manually. This means that when you calculate your budget, you'll need to include the possible cost of hardware since it will add a hefty sum to your original total. Some companies could tie you up for longer than you would want, so make sure you look at that aspect of the contract as well. Being legally bound to a contract you signed while paying month after month for software you're not happy with can be frustrating.
