If you run a hair or beauty business in the UK, you know the reality of the numbers. You might turn over £100,000 a year, but after wages, stock, rent, VAT, and utilities, the average salon is left with a net profit margin of just 6% to 8%.

That means on a £50 service, the business effectively keeps about £3 or £4 in "real" profit.

So, why are you handing over £10, £15, or even £20 of that appointment to a software company?

For years, the leading platforms a have dominated the market. They started as simple diaries, but they have evolved into marketplaces that charge hefty subscriptions or, worse, "New Client Fees" of up to 30%. When you do the maths, these fees don't just eat your profit, they often mean you are paying for the privilege of working for free.

It’s time for a change. It’s time for a model that puts the salon first. Enter Bookable U.

The New Client Trap

Let’s look at a real-world example. A new client finds you and books a £60 Colour & Cut.

On the surface, it looks like good money. But let’s strip away the costs using the "Big Two" apps versus Bookable U.

Scenario: You have standard salon overheads (Staff, Rent, Stock) costing you £52 to deliver this £60 service.
Your Pre-Software Profit: £8.00.

From the 2 big players they will charge you a either a 30% fee (~£18) or a 20% fee (~£12). With these big marketplaces, you are taking the risk. On this single appointment you actually lost between £4 to £10. This isn't counting the additional subscription fees and extra addons they also charge you for.

Now let's look at these figures with Bookable U. The client pays a total of £61 at the time of booking, £1 is added to their basket at time of booking, this covers all the costs associated with their booking including notifications via email and SMS about their booking (including reminders). The other £60 is sent to your Stripe account. On the exact same appointment through Bookable U, you've made £8 profit.

With the big marketplaces, you take the risk, you pay the rent, and you do the work, but they take the profit. With Bookable U, the software is completely free for you. We don't touch your turnover. You keep 100% of the service price.

But won't the £1 fee scare clients off?

This is the most common question we get: "Will my clients refuse to book if they have to pay a £1 fee?"

The answer is no.

We live in a "convenience economy." Your clients are already paying service fees every single day without blinking:

They pay £2.50+ service fees on Uber Eats or Deliveroo.
They pay £5.00+ booking fees for concert tickets.
They pay service charges on Airbnb.

A £1.00 fee (less than the price of a chocolate bar) is a tiny price to pay for the convenience of booking you instantly, 24/7, without playing "text tennis" to find a slot.

By shifting the cost to the user—just like Just Eat or Ticketmaster does—we remove the burden from the small business owner.

The "Subscription Tax" Savings

Even if you ignore the new client commissions, the monthly subscriptions add up.

Competitor Average: £40–£60 per month (often more for extra staff).
Annual Cost: £500 to £800+ per year.

With Bookable U, your monthly cost is £0. That £500+ isn't just a saving; it's pure net profit. To generate £500 of net profit in a salon running at a 6% margin, you would need to do £8,300 worth of haircuts.

Or, you could just switch to Bookable U.

The hair and beauty industry is tough enough without your software acting like a silent partner that takes a cut of your earnings.

Stop paying to work. Stop losing your margin to marketing fees. Switch to the app that supports the professional.

Join Bookable U today. Free for Pros. Forever.