Beauty professionals: how to build customer loyalty with payment links?

The beauty and wellness sector is constantly evolving with the latest technologies. This fast-growing sector is keen to keep up with the times, so as to meet its customers' needs. The various beauty professions offer a wide range of services, and are keen to minimize the time spent on technical complexities. Payment links have gained in popularity in this sector, enabling professionals to strengthen their relationship with their customers.

Payment links in the beauty industry

Payment links meet many specific needs. They have come to facilitate the transaction process between a professional and his or her customer, whether at home or in an institute. No need to go through an application or website to get paid in advance or after a service. Payment links are links generated by payment interfaces, enabling beauty professionals to offer a variety of payment methods and types.

Depending on the provider chosen, payment in instalments, deferred payment, as well as conventional payment by credit card or bank transfer, can be offered.

Not infrequently, these payment types have already come to support the beauty sector, thanks to the flexibility they offer. Escrow payments are popular for bookings, but so are recurring payments for subscriptions. Immediate payments, known as classic payments, are frequently used for instant payment of a purchase or service.

Offering a variety of services helps to attract and retain customers by taking their needs into account.

Payment links eliminate overdue payments and last-minute cancellations

Payment links are used in a variety of ways, depending on the needs of the professional and his or her clientele. Whether it's a session at the hairdresser's, a make-up service, an hour's massage (...), appointments have a direct impact on your company's portfolio. How do payment links come into play to reduce "no-shows" or unpaid bills?

Here are a few examples: 

• Prepayments and deposits: are you familiar with the situation where someone fails to keep an appointment for no reason at all, instead of allowing someone else to book that slot? Prepayments ensure that the person keeps their appointment, or if necessary, makes the necessary arrangements to reschedule it, since their appointment has been prepaid or a deposit has been made.
  
  
• Recurring payments: setting up subscriptions for services enables you to provide recurring services and offer more services to your customers.
  
  
• Online payments: some beauty professionals prefer to make online payments so that customers can pay in advance or at the time of appointment via a payment link. This virtually eliminates the risk of non-payment on site, as payment is required before the service is performed.
  
  
• Payment by escrow: to build confidence with your customers, payment by escrow ensures that the customer has the necessary funds to pay for the service. Payment can be made in advance, in order to book an appointment. The funds will only be debited once the service has been rendered. This action enables professionals to guarantee payment and avoid last-minute cancellations.

How can payment links build customer loyalty?

Thanks to a rapid digital transformation in the beauty industry, online payments have made it possible to build customer loyalty in a number of ways: 

• Ease of use: by sending your payment links by e-mail, SMS or social networks, all that's left for the customer to do is click on the link to make the payment. The process is considerably simplified, and payment can be made quickly.

• Customization: payment pages can be completely personalized. By using payment links tailored to your corporate image, you can build trust with your customers. Personalizing your payment pages demonstrates your willingness to reinforce your brand image and shows your concern for the image you project.

• Tracking and simplified management: getting paid via payment links makes it easy to track each customer's transactions. This can help you to better understand your customers' consumption habits (loyal or otherwise) and improve their experience in your salon, beauty salon or at-home service.

• Payment flexibility: offering a variety of payment methods is one way to convert more. The ability to finance purchases with flexible payment solutions, such as payment in instalments (for major services), deferred payment or deposit (enabling customers to pay part of the amount on reservation and the balance after the service or product purchase), is a lever for building customer loyalty. This flexibility increases your sales and your average basket.

• Increased security: security is an important growth factor. Payment information is protected. Payment links rely on advanced security services to deliver a trusted experience

Use of payment links for beauty professionals by trade sector

All beauty professionals can use payment links to make their transactions more viable and secure their payments.

Here are just a few examples:

• Hairdressers: whether booking an appointment for a haircut, botox treatment or Brazilian straightening, hairdressers can create a payment link in just a few clicks to share with their customers before the appointment or after the service. Monthly packages may be of interest to regular customers, who can set up recurring payments.

• Estheticians and Spas: to guarantee an appointment and block a slot, an esthetician can ask for a deposit by providing her customer with a secure payment link. Payment facilities for costly services such as laser hair removal, microblading, microshading (...) can help customers access a service that is more impactful on their wallet. For payment in instalments, the entire amount is paid in one go by the professional, while the customer pays in instalments.

• Manicures and pedicures: beauty professionals in the manicure and pedicure field can create a payment link to receive immediate payment for their service at the end of their appointment.

• Make-up artists: a make-up service for an event is booked in advance. Payment by escrow guarantees the customer's creditworthiness, but the funds are only debited once the transaction has been completed. This ensures that a customer's reservation is guaranteed in advance.

• Tattooists and piercers: a personalized service can be accompanied by a payment link, so you can pay the deposit in just a few clicks.

Obvy payment links are tailored to the needs of beauty professionals

Obvy payment links are secure and fully customizable in just a few clicks, with no technical requirements whatsoever. They guarantee payments for beauty professionals thanks to their state-of-the-art security and payment methods such as escrow, subscription or immediate payment.

Make life easier for your customers by offering them various payment methods, including payment in instalments, so that they can afford the best services and products for their well-being. Your aim will be to increase customer satisfaction, as well as the average basket and the number of transactions.