Your salon or spa website needs more than a pretty homepage—it needs features that convert browsers into booked clients. From stunning design to seamless navigation and online booking, the right tools make all the difference in standing out from competitors.
One powerful approach covered here is building your salon's digital presence with Adalo—a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms, published to the Apple App Store and Google Play. This means you can create a feature-rich booking experience that reaches clients wherever they are, with push notifications to reduce no-shows and keep your appointment book full.
Ready to discover the seven features your salon website absolutely needs in 2026? Let's dive into what separates thriving salons from those losing clients to the competition.
Your salon or spa website needs to do more than exist—it needs to capture attention, showcase your expertise, and convert visitors into booked appointments. That early 2000s design with static pages and phone-only booking? It's costing you clients every day.
Modern clients expect seamless online booking, beautiful visuals, and mobile-friendly experiences. In this guide, we'll walk through the seven essential features your salon or spa website needs in 2026, plus the best platforms to build them—including options that let you create both a website and a native mobile app from a single build.
Essential Feature 1: Beautiful Design
An attention-grabbing, aesthetically pleasing design keeps visitors engaged and exploring your site. Your homepage should feature a thoughtful color palette that reflects your brand identity, paired with high-quality photos or videos of your work.
Present your services artistically—think before-and-after galleries, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and styled portfolio shots. This visual storytelling leaves a lasting impression that generic stock photos never achieve.
Ensure your colors match your logo and maintain brand consistency across every page. Mixing up colors between pages doesn't just confuse visitors—it makes your business look unprofessional. An aesthetically poor website actively repels potential clients who associate visual quality with service quality.
Consider how your design translates to mobile devices. Over 60% of local business searches happen on smartphones, so your beautiful design needs to look equally stunning on smaller screens.
Essential Feature 2: Make Site Navigation Easy
Keep your site structure simple so visitors can find what they need within seconds. You don't need thousands of pages—focus on these five essential sections:
- A Contact Page with your contact information, booking integration, and embedded location map
- An About Page introducing your background, your team's expertise, and your salon's story
- A Blog Page featuring articles about the latest trends in the salon and spa industry
- Your Work and Services page showcasing photos and videos of satisfied clients
- An Online Shop where clients can purchase lotions, shampoos, and other self-care products
With just five well-organized pages, visitors won't trudge through a maze of confusing menus to find what they're looking for. Simple navigation directly correlates with higher conversion rates—when people can easily book, they do.
Essential Feature 3: Integrate with Google
Google Maps has become the Yellow Pages of the 2020s. Many people discover their go-to salons and spas through Google Maps searches. If you're not currently listed, follow these steps to get your business uploaded:
- Go to Google Business and log in to your account. If you don't have a Google Account, you can easily create one from the Sign In page.
- Enter your business information to complete your Google Business Profile. Include your address, phone number, and website address.
- Upload high-quality photos of your storefront exterior and interior. These images present your business to the world, so make them count.
- After confirming your information, Google will verify your business via phone or email. Then your spa appears on Google Maps.
Once listed, encourage clients to leave reviews about their experience. Positive reviews vouch for your quality and significantly influence new client decisions. Studies show businesses with 4+ star ratings receive substantially more clicks than lower-rated competitors.
If you receive a negative review, respond professionally and reach out to the client directly. Invite them back, provide complimentary service under your guidance, and ask them to update their review explaining how you resolved the situation. Turning a negative into a positive demonstrates exceptional customer service to everyone reading your reviews.
Essential Feature 4: Include an Online Booking Feature
Clients—especially Millennials and Generation Z—expect to book appointments directly from your website or app. Use an AI-powered app builder like Adalo to add booking functionality to your contact page or create a dedicated booking app.
With a simple tap, clients can reserve appointments without dealing with busy phone lines or waiting for email responses. This convenience factor alone can significantly increase your booking rate.
Clients receive reservation notifications directly to their calendars, and so do you. An online booking system means more clients, no physical scheduler to manage, and zero time spent on phone tag. Everyone wins—your clients get convenience, and you get more billable hours.
Adalo's platform lets you build this booking functionality with a drag-and-drop interface, then publish it as both a website and native iOS and Android apps from a single codebase. Your clients can book from wherever they prefer.
Essential Feature 5: Feature Your Work
Photos and videos of your work demonstrate your skills and expertise far better than any written description. While you likely already post to social media, having a dedicated portfolio page on your website creates a comprehensive library that helps clients decide exactly what they want.
Add new shots of your work at least every two weeks. Consistent updates show visitors you're actively engaged in your craft and serious about showcasing your services. This regularity also gives returning visitors something new to see, keeping your site fresh and relevant.
Consider organizing your portfolio by service type—hair styling, nail art, spa treatments—so clients can quickly find examples relevant to their interests. Include brief descriptions of techniques used or products applied to educate visitors while showcasing your expertise.
Essential Feature 6: Offer Your Expert Advice
If you have insight into the latest aromatherapy trends, Ayurvedic massage methods, or nail design techniques, share your knowledge through monthly articles. Writing about relevant industry topics positions you as an expert, and clients who see your expertise are more likely to trust your services.
You don't need PhD-length dissertations. Around 1,000 words per article works perfectly. Organize your content with clear headings to separate ideas and maintain readable flow. Topics like "5 Hair Care Mistakes You're Making" or "What to Expect from Your First Hot Stone Massage" provide genuine value while showcasing your knowledge.
Blog content also improves your search engine visibility. When someone searches "best hair treatments for damaged hair" and your article appears, you've just earned a potential new client who already trusts your expertise.
Essential Feature 7: Testimonials and Reviews
Feature client testimonials prominently on your homepage. Like Google reviews, these personal endorsements vouch for your services and build trust with potential clients who've never visited.
Ask specific loyal clients to write detailed testimonials. Long-term clients who've been with you for years can speak to consistency, quality, and the relationship they've built with your team. Visitors want to know why these clients keep returning—that story often convinces new people to book their first appointment.
Include the client's first name and, with permission, their photo alongside their testimonial. This authenticity makes reviews more credible than anonymous quotes.
Choose The Right Site Builder
Now that you know the features you need, it's time to select your building platform. Dozens of website builders exist, but we've identified three top options that can create an eye-catching salon or spa website.
Our selection criteria focused on three essential factors:
- Simplicity of Use: Each builder offers a drag-and-drop interface. You won't need coding or technical expertise to build a professional website.
- Beautiful Template Selection: Your website's appearance depends on available templates. We ensured each option provides eye-catching designs that naturally integrate your logo and photos.
- Free Trial: You'll use your website builder for at least a year, so you need to test it first. Each option includes a free trial period to confirm it fits your needs.
Website Builder #1: Adalo
Adalo is a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms, published to the Apple App Store and Google Play. If you choose Adalo, you can build both a website and a native mobile app that clients can download directly from their app store.
Adalo's drag-and-drop interface has been described as "easy as PowerPoint," so you'll start building immediately without a learning curve. The platform's AI features accelerate development further—Magic Start generates complete app foundations from simple descriptions, while Magic Add lets you add features by describing what you want in plain language.
You'll connect your app to essential business tools like QuickBooks for accounting and take payments through Stripe, Square, and PayPal. With over 5,500 integrations available, your site and app can feature virtually anything your business needs.
Following the Adalo 3.0 infrastructure overhaul in late 2026, the platform now runs 3-4x faster with modular infrastructure that scales to serve apps with over a million monthly active users. Paid plans include no data caps on database records and no usage-based charges—your monthly cost stays predictable regardless of how popular your booking app becomes.
Pricing
Get Adalo for $36/month with unlimited usage and app store publishing included.
Website Builder #2: Salon Builder
Salon Builder provides a specialized website builder designed specifically for salons and spas. You'll find industry-specific templates and tools tailored to beauty business needs.
Salon Builder has been around since 2002, giving them two decades of experience understanding what makes salon and spa websites effective. They know the industry's unique requirements and provide tools accordingly.
However, Salon Builder focuses exclusively on websites—if you want a native mobile app for the App Store or Play Store, you'll need a separate solution. The platform also charges separately for features like gift certificates and live booking.
Pricing
Pricing starts at $34.99/month. Additional features like gift certificates and live booking cost an extra $9.95 per feature/month, which can add up quickly.
Website Builder #3: Squarespace
Squarespace offers the most visually stunning template selection among mainstream website builders. You'll create a beautiful website with minimal effort using their polished designs.
For selling products directly from your website, Squarespace excels. Their e-commerce integration is among the best, allowing clients to purchase products seamlessly. However, like Salon Builder, Squarespace focuses on websites—native mobile apps require a different platform.
Pricing
Basic features start at $16/month. E-commerce capabilities require the $27/month plan.
Platform Comparison
| Feature | Adalo | Salon Builder | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $36/month | $34.99/month | $16/month |
| Native Mobile Apps | Yes (iOS & Android) | No | No |
| App Store Publishing | Included | Not available | Not available |
| AI-Assisted Building | Yes | No | Limited |
| Payment Integrations | Stripe, Square, PayPal | Additional cost | Built-in |
| Industry-Specific Templates | General (customizable) | Salon/Spa focused | General (beautiful) |
Next Steps
Now that you understand the essential features and platform options, grab a piece of paper and sketch how you want your site to look. Browse other salon and spa websites for inspiration—note what works and what doesn't.
Once you have a vision, start your free trial with your chosen platform. With the right builder and these seven essential features, you'll create a beautiful, visitor-friendly website that converts browsers into booked appointments.
FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Why choose Adalo over other app building solutions? | Adalo is an AI-powered app builder that creates true native iOS and Android apps alongside web apps—all from a single codebase. Unlike web wrappers, it compiles to native code and publishes directly to both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. This handles the hardest part of launching an app automatically, while AI features like Magic Start and Magic Add accelerate your build time. |
| What's the fastest way to build and publish a salon app to the App Store? | Adalo's drag-and-drop interface combined with AI-assisted building lets you go from idea to published app in days rather than months. Magic Start generates complete app foundations from simple descriptions, and Adalo handles the complex App Store submission process—certificates, provisioning profiles, and store guidelines—so you can focus on your app's features. |
| Can I build a salon website with online booking features without coding? | Yes. With Adalo's visual builder, you can add booking functionality that sends reservation notifications directly to your clients' calendars and yours. The drag-and-drop interface requires no coding knowledge, and you can integrate with payment processors like Stripe, Square, and PayPal for deposits or prepayments. |
| What essential pages should my salon or spa website include? | Focus on five essential pages: a Contact Page with booking integration and location map, an About Page introducing your team, a Blog Page featuring industry trends, a Work and Services page showcasing your portfolio, and an Online Shop for selling products. Simple navigation helps visitors find what they need quickly. |
| How much does it cost to build a salon booking app? | Adalo starts at $36/month with unlimited usage and app store publishing included. Salon Builder starts at $34.99/month for websites only, with booking features costing extra. Squarespace starts at $16/month but doesn't offer native mobile apps. For a complete solution with both website and mobile app, Adalo provides the best value. |
| Can Adalo integrate with payment processors for my spa's online shop? | Yes. Adalo connects seamlessly with Stripe, Square, and PayPal, allowing clients to purchase products directly from your website or app. With over 5,500 integrations available, you can also connect to QuickBooks for accounting and many other business tools. |
| How important are client reviews for my salon website? | Client reviews are essential for building trust. Feature testimonials from loyal, long-term clients on your homepage, and encourage reviews on your Google Business Profile. Businesses with 4+ star ratings receive significantly more clicks, and positive reviews directly influence new client decisions. |
| How often should I update content on my salon website? | Add new photos and videos of your work at least every two weeks to show visitors you're actively engaged. For blog content, aim to publish monthly articles about industry topics—around 1,000 words each—to establish yourself as an expert and improve your search engine visibility. |
| Do I need a mobile app if I already have a website? | A native mobile app provides advantages a website can't match: push notifications for appointment reminders, faster performance, and presence in the App Store where clients discover new businesses. With Adalo, you can build both from a single codebase, so you don't have to choose. |
