The tanning industry isn’t just about bronze glows anymore.
Somewhere between scrubbing tanning beds and chasing missed payments, you start to wonder, is this really the job? You didn’t open a salon to spend your evenings untangling double bookings or explaining expired packages to frustrated clients. But here you are, doing just that.
And while the beauty industry keeps moving forward – faster, slicker, more digital – too many tanning salons are still stuck behind the front desk, trying to make broken systems work.
The truth? You don’t need more hands. You need the right tanning salon software.
Not a clunky tool with too many buttons. Not a flashy promise with a sneaky contract. Just something that fits your flow and stays out of your way.
This guide is for the salon owner who’s tired of patching holes and ready to run things smarter in 2025. Let’s walk through what that actually looks like, calmly, clearly, and without the usual sales pitch.
Know your tanning salon first, before you touch the software
Don’t start with features. Start with your needs.
Ask yourself:
- How many beds do I have?
- Do I offer spray tans, stand-up booths, or red light therapy?
- Do I sell memberships or just single sessions?
- How many clients come every day?
- Is my salon busy on weekends or weekdays?
The better you know your salon, the easier it is to pick the right tanning salon software that fits like a glove. Think of it like buying shoes, you don’t grab the first shiny pair. You check the size, shape, and what you’ll be walking in.
The goal? Don’t choose based on what other salons use. Choose what works for your flow.
Online tanning salon booking is a must, no excuses
In 2025, over 72% of salon clients prefer booking online instead of calling. That’s a significant number. If your tanning salon booking software doesn’t let them book easily, you’re losing sales fast.
What your salon software should do:
- Allow clients to book anytime, even when you’re closed.
- Let them cancel or reschedule themselves.
- Show real-time availability.
- Send booking confirmations instantly.
Online tanning salon booking is more than just saving time. It gives clients control, and when they feel in control, they return more often.
Smart scheduling saves your staff (and your reputation)
Tanning appointments are short but constant. You need to clean beds, reset timers, and handle clients back-to-back. One missed step and you’re off track for hours.
That’s why your tanning salon software needs smart scheduling.
Look for:
- Buffer times between sessions.
- Automatic alerts to staff.
- The ability to book a specific bed or service.
- Color-coded calendars that show who’s booked and who’s free.
Messy schedules make clients wait, and waiting clients leave bad reviews. A smooth calendar keeps your day running like clockwork.
Payments should be quick, clean, and automatic
Clients today expect fast checkout. They want to pay with a tap, card, or phone, and not stand around waiting. If your tanning salon POS software makes payments slow or clunky, they notice.
Choose a salon POS software that:
- Accepts credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
- Lets clients store payment information safely.
- Offers packages, memberships, and auto-renewals.
- Sends receipts and invoices without extra steps.
Salons that use digital payment options grow 25% faster. Than those that don’t. It’s not just about convenience, it’s about revenue.
Also, when clients sign up for auto-renew memberships, you create a stable income. That’s peace of mind after a month.
Track everything, without getting lost in reports
You shouldn’t need to be a spreadsheet expert to know how your business is doing. The right tanning salon POS software will show you the big picture in a few clicks.
You should see:
- Daily and weekly sales.
- Client visit history.
- Which package sells best?
- How is each staff member performing?
- Who’s cancelling or no-showing appointments?
Tanning salon software with intelligent dashboards can cut admin time by 40%. That’s more time for training your team, talking to clients, or breathing.
Knowing your numbers helps you grow; guessing slows you down.
Plan for growth, even if you’re small right now
Maybe you’re just starting, or perhaps you already have three locations. Either way, your salon POS software should grow with you, not hold you back.
Look for tanning salon software that:
- Supports multiple locations.
- Handles staff permissions.
- Lets you switch between locations easily.
- Syncs data across devices.
Changing systems later is complex. It costs money, it takes time. Pick one now that grows with you, even if you’re not there yet.
Marketing that runs itself
Many tanning salon owners forget this one. But your salon software can, and should, help bring clients back without you lifting a finger.
Look for:
- Email and text marketing tools.
- Birthday and thank-you messages.
- Referral codes.
- Loyalty rewards.
- Promo campaigns and discount alerts.
Salons that use automated marketing see 18% more repeat bookings. That’s free money sitting in your calendar.
Even a simple message like:
“Your next tan is 20% off this week.”
It can bring back dozens of clients. If your tanning salon software sends that for you, you win twice: time and money.
Support should be fast, friendly, and real
Even significant tanning salon software breaks down, or confuses you. Or updates something without warning. That’s when support matters most.
Ask before you buy:
- Do they have live chat, phone, or just email?
- How long do they take to reply?
- Do they offer one-on-one setup help?
- Is there a help center or video guide?
Good support is more than a bonus. It’s your backup. If something goes wrong and you can’t reach them, your day can fall apart.
Don’t trust promises. Read real reviews
Every tanning salon software says it’s the best. But you want proof from people who use it every day.
Look at reviews on:
- G2.
- Capterra.
- Trustpilot.
- Facebook groups or salon owner forums.
Read both the good and the bad. Look for comments about ease of use. Reliability support, and what people don’t like. If something feels off, trust your gut.
Take the free trial, and push it hard
Almost all platforms offer a free trial. Don’t waste it.
Try to:
- Book real and fake appointments.
- Run payments.
- Reschedule a client.
- Cancel something.
- Set up a membership.
- Try staff logins.
The goal is to find weak spots now, before you go live. What feels confusing now will feel worse when you’re busy. You’re probably in good hands if it’s smooth during your test.
Understand every cost before you sign up
Pricing isn’t always clear. Some charge monthly. Others take a percentage of every sale. Some charge extra for texts, emails, or training.
Make sure to ask:
- What’s included in the monthly fee?
- Is there a setup or training cost?
- Do they charge for texts or marketing messages?
- How do credit card fees work?
- Are there contracts?
The wrong pricing model can eat into your business profits. So read the fine print. Twice.
It must look good on phones
In 2025, over 80% of tanning salon bookings happen from mobile phones. Your booking page, client dashboard, and staff view must work perfectly on small screens.
Test it on your phone and ask friends to try it too.
Don’t use it if it’s clunky, slow, or hard to tap through. People won’t waste time trying to figure it out. They’ll go elsewhere.
Your tanning salon software should run while you sleep
This is the big one.
The right tanning salon software makes your business run even when you’re off the clock. It books appointments while you’re eating dinner. It sends payment reminders at midnight. It sends promos while you’re sleeping.
And it never forgets a thing.
It keeps your client happy. Your team is on schedule, and your mind is clear.
Growth begins with the right tanning salon scheduling software
You don’t need the most expensive tanning salon software. You don’t need the one with the most buttons. You need the one that fits your salon like a glove and makes daily life easier.
Growing a tanning salon is hard work, but with the right tanning salon software behind you, it’s a lot less stressful and a lot more fun.
Start small, think smart. Pick the software that shines just as bright as your clients do when they walk out your door.