AI receptionist for hair salons: what it can and can't do

An AI receptionist answers the salon phone and books appointments without a person having to stop what they're doing. That's the idea. Whether it's right for your salon depends on the details, so here's an honest picture of what it can and can't do.

What it can do

• Answer every call, day or night, on about the second ring, in an Australian voice.
• Take the client's name and number, and what they'd like to book.
• Ask if they'd like a particular stylist, and note it down.
• Quote a price from your own price list: men's, women's and kids' cuts, colour, foils and treatments, each with its own price and time.
• Book a time that's actually free in your diary. You say how many stylists can work at the same time, and it books up to that many.
• Send the client a confirmation text, and let you know about the booking.
• Recognise returning clients by their phone number.
• Flag anything unusual, like a complaint or a request to speak to a person, for you to deal with.

What it can't do yet

• It books into WorkRoute's own diary. It doesn't connect to Fresha, Timely, Square or other booking software yet.
• A preferred stylist is recorded as a preference. Each stylist doesn't have their own separate calendar yet.
• It doesn't take deposits or payments when someone books.
• It isn't a person. If a caller needs a human, it flags that for you rather than pretending.

Is it right for your salon?

It tends to suit salons where:

• Someone often stops what they're doing to answer the phone.
• You don't already have a full-time receptionist.
• You're happy using one diary to run bookings (or you're starting fresh).
• Most of your calls are simple: booking, changing a time, or asking about prices.

It's probably not right yet if your whole business runs on another booking system that you can't move away from, or if you need each stylist to have a separate online calendar.

How to find out for yourself

1. Ring the WorkRoute demo number, 07 3522 6422, and book a pretend appointment. You'll hear exactly what your clients would.
2. Try the free 14-day trial and enter your own price list.
3. Test it with a few friendly clients before telling everyone.