#nyusoft

Grooming salons run on tight schedules and happy clients. One missed booking or forgotten pet detail can throw the whole day off. The right software keeps everything moving without drama. Owners who switch usually point to the same five features that save time, reduce mistakes, and keep customers coming back. Here they are no fluff, just what works.

Feature 1: Online Booking with Real-Time Availability

Clients hate calling during business hours. Give them a booking link that works any time. They see open slots, pick a service, and lock it in from their phone. The calendar updates instantly across all devices, so double-bookings disappear.

Add automated text or email reminders two days before and again the morning of. No-shows drop fast. One salon cut them by 40% in the first month.

Look for:

Mobile-friendly interface

Waitlist that fills cancellations automatically

Option to block buffer time between appointments

Feature 2: Detailed Pet and Client Profiles

Every dog walks in with a story. Software should store it. Breed, age, weight, allergies, vaccine dates, and behavior notes all live in one spot. Add photos of past cuts so the next groomer matches the style without asking.

Link multiple pets to the same owner. When Mrs. Lopez books for her poodle and terrier, the system pulls both files. Send birthday treats or recall alerts with one click.

Must-haves:

Custom fields for medical or style notes

Quick-search by name or tag number

History log of every visit and service

Feature 3: Built-In Payments and Invoicing

Stop chasing checks. Process cards, digital wallets, or split bills right in the app. Generate invoices on the spot and email them. Set up auto-charges for packages or memberships.

Track deposits, refunds, and tips in the same place. At day’s end, see exactly what came in and where.

Key points:

PCI-compliant security

Automatic receipts

Package tracking (buy 5 baths, get 1 free)

Feature 4: Inventory Tracking Tied to Services

Run out of flea shampoo mid-groom and you’re stuck. Link products to each service. Every time a groomer selects “flea bath,” the system deducts the right amount from stock.

Set low-stock alerts. Create purchase orders with two taps. Spot slow movers before they expire.

Simple wins:

Barcode scanning for check-in

Usage reports by groomer or service

Supplier contact list inside the app

Feature 5: Reporting and Loyalty Tools

Know what makes money. Pull reports on top services, busiest days, or best clients. See which groomer books the most add-ons. Spot slow months early and plan promotions.

Build loyalty without paper cards. Award points per dollar spent. Let clients redeem for free nail trims or toys. Send targeted offers: “Huskies get 15% off deshedding this week.”

Essential reports:

Revenue by service or staff

Client retention rates

Marketing campaign results

Quick Buyer’s Checklist

Before signing up, test these in a demo:

Can a client book and pay in under two minutes?

Does the pet profile show last groom date on the home screen?

Can you run a profit report for the past 30 days in one click?

Does inventory update when a service is marked complete?

Are loyalty points automatic and visible to clients?

Pick software that nails these five areas. Everything else fancy dashboards, pet selfies, gamification is nice, but not the core. Get the basics rock-solid and the rest falls into place.