Work out whether a booking marketplace brings profitable new hair clients after commissions, discounts, product costs and repeat-booking restrictions.
Abby's take
What this means for the industry — and for independents
Industry impact. Online booking marketplaces can offer discovery, but different providers have different commercial terms. Government marketing guidance recommends budgets and measurable channel performance.
For freelancers. An independent hairdresser must cover product, payment and workspace costs from each appointment. A discount or platform charge reduces the contribution that remains after the client leaves.
My take. I would not buy a stream of bookings without calculating the first appointment's real contribution, then checking whether actual repeat bookings justify the acquisition cost. A full calendar is not the same as healthy profit.
What I'd do next
- Request the provider's current fee schedule including first and repeat bookings, payment costs, refunds and contract terms.
- Calculate actual service contribution after commission, discounts, consumables and variable costs before buying traffic.
- Set a limited trial budget and track genuinely new clients separately from people who would have booked directly.
Watch-out. No provider fee is assumed here. Check live pricing, service conditions, privacy rules and consumer obligations before relying on a marketplace.
Count new clients, not relocated bookings
A platform booking might be a genuinely new client or somebody already in your direct diary. Track how the customer first found you and whether the booking filled unused time.
Calculate what the visit really contributes
Deduct commissions, promotions, payment costs and products from the received service price. For example only, $160 minus $25 in hypothetical platform charges, $20 products and $5 payment fees leaves $110 before other labour and fixed costs.
Read the repeat-booking agreement
The first paid booking may cost more to acquire, but future profit depends on actual repeat visits. Confirm your rights to client data and communications rather than assuming rebookings can move off the platform.
Check prices, refunds and cancellations
The ACCC says online sellers retain consumer-law duties and displayed prices must include unavoidable fees. Verify the marketplace's total price presentation, payment flow, refund handling and the agreed client contact route.
Sources and a decision deadline
Australian Government marketing plan guidance: https://business.gov.au/planning/business-plans/develop-your-marketing-plan . ACCC pricing guidance: https://www.accc.gov.au/business/pricing/price-displays . Compare completed, incremental appointments and net contribution at a fixed review date.
Make the next decision with better information
Use The Beauty Basement's free tool to put your next business decision on a practical footing.
Run the income calculatorDisclaimer: General information only, not legal, financial or technical advice. Confirm the current official guidance and provider terms for your business.
Common questions
Is a marketplace commission worth it for a hairdresser?
Only when incremental appointments retain enough contribution after the actual platform and service costs.
What fees should I check before joining?
Commissions, subscriptions, payment costs, discounts, cancellations, refunds and charges for repeat bookings.
Can I move customers to direct rebooking?
Check the specific contract and relevant client-data rules first.
Next step at The Beauty Basement
Plan the next step with confidence
Use a clear checklist and the right numbers before you commit.
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