Websites using Fresha

Okay, let s break down Fresha, covering its overview, revenue, alternatives, pricing, and customer care.

Fresha Overview

Fresha (formerly Shedul) is a cloud-based software platform designed primarily for beauty, wellness, and fitness businesses. It s a comprehensive solution aiming to streamline operations and boost revenue for salons, spas, barbershops, gyms, and similar establishments.

• Key Features:

  • Appointment Scheduling: Online booking, calendar management, automated reminders (SMS/email).
  • Point of Sale (POS): Processing payments (including online payments), sales tracking, reporting.
  • Client Management (CRM): Client profiles, appointment history, marketing tools.
  • Inventory Management: Track product stock levels, manage suppliers.
  • Reporting & Analytics: Sales reports, client analytics, performance tracking.
  • Marketing Tools: Email marketing, promotions, loyalty programs.
  • Team Management: Staff scheduling, commissions, performance tracking.
  • Marketplace: Allows businesses to be discovered by new clients through the Fresha marketplace.
  • Integrations: Integrates with other popular business tools (e.g., Google Calendar, social media).

• Target Audience:

  • Salons (hair, nail, beauty)
  • Spas
  • Barbershops
  • Fitness studios/gyms
  • Wellness centers
  • Freelance beauty professionals

• Value Proposition:

  • Simplified business management.
  • Increased bookings and revenue.
  • Improved client relationships.
  • Reduced no-shows.
  • Enhanced online presence.

Revenue

Fresha operates on a freemium model with optional paid features. Fresha has stated they are aiming for 100 million USD of annual revenue in the near future.

• Commission on Marketplace Bookings: Fresha charges a commission (around 20%) on new clients acquired through the Fresha marketplace. This is a significant revenue source.

• Fresha Plus Paid Features:

  • No Show Protection: Clients must provide payment card details when booking, and can be charged a fee if they fail to turn up for their appointment.
  • Text Message Automations Businesses can use their own dedicated text messages for automations.
  • Card Storage and Processing: Fresha charges a processing fee for card storage.

Alternatives to Fresha

The market for salon and spa management software is competitive. Here are some notable alternatives to Fresha:

• Mindbody: A very popular platform, especially for fitness and wellness. More robust and feature-rich than Fresha, but typically more expensive.
• Booksy: Similar to Fresha, focused on beauty and wellness. Strong mobile app and marketplace.
• Square Appointments: Integrates seamlessly with the Square payment ecosystem. Good for smaller businesses and freelancers.
• Vagaro: Comprehensive platform with a wide range of features, including website building and e-commerce.
• SimpleSpa: Designed for spas and clinics, with features for managing treatments and consultations.
• Schedulicity: Another popular scheduling and booking platform.
• Acuity Scheduling (acquired by Squarespace): More focused on scheduling than full business management, but a good option for those needing primarily appointment booking.
• GlossGenius: All-in-one platform for salons and spas with a focus on marketing and client experience.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Alternative:

• Specific needs of your business: What are your most important features?
• Budget: How much are you willing to spend?
• Ease of use: Is the software intuitive and easy to learn?
• Integration with other tools: Does it integrate with your existing software?
• Customer support: How responsive and helpful is the customer support team?

Pricing

Fresha uses a freemium pricing model.

• Free Plan:
  • Core scheduling and management features are free.
  • Unlimited users, locations, and appointments.
  • Basic reporting.
  • Access to the Fresha marketplace (with commission on new client bookings).
• Fresha Plus: (Optional paid add-on)
  • Additional features: No Show Protection, Text Message Automations, Card Storage
  • Pricing for Fresha Plus varies and is usually a flat fee per month.
• Payment Processing Fees: Like most platforms, Fresha charges a processing fee for online and in-person payments. The fees are typically competitive with other payment processors.

Important Considerations About the Free Plan:

• Commission on Marketplace Bookings: The 20% commission on new clients acquired through the Fresha marketplace is a key factor to consider. If you rely heavily on the marketplace, this can add up.
• Payment Processing Fees: You ll still pay standard payment processing fees for any transactions.
• Feature Limitations: While the free plan is generous, it lacks some of the advanced features available in Fresha Plus.

Customer Care Details

• Help Center/Knowledge Base: Fresha provides a comprehensive online help center with articles and FAQs covering various topics. This is often the first place to look for answers.
• Email Support: Users can contact Fresha support via email.
• In-App Support: Support is often accessible directly within the Fresha platform.
• Community Forums/Social Media: Fresha may have community forums or social media groups where users can ask questions and share tips.
• Response Times: Response times can vary depending on the support channel and the complexity of the issue. Email support may take longer than in-app support.

Tips for Getting Good Customer Support:

• Be clear and concise: When contacting support, clearly explain your issue and provide all relevant details.
• Include screenshots or videos: Visual aids can help support understand the problem.
• Be patient: Support teams are often busy, so be patient and allow them time to respond.
• Check the help center first: You may be able to find the answer to your question in the help center.
• Utilize in-app support: This is often the fastest way to get help.

Overall Impression

Fresha is a solid option, especially for businesses on a tight budget who are comfortable with the marketplace commission structure. Its strengths are its ease of use, robust free plan, and focus on the beauty and wellness industry. Businesses that need more advanced features or want to avoid marketplace commissions may want to consider alternatives like Mindbody or Vagaro. It s crucial to evaluate your specific needs and compare Fresha with other platforms before making a decision.