A salon doesn’t live off walk-ins; it lives off returns in a rhythm: the same cut every four to eight weeks, the same colour, ideally for years. That’s exactly why loyalty cards behave differently in salons than in cafés — and why the digital version pays off here in particular. Treuly is currently running its pilot phase in, among others, a hair salon; the patterns below come from that practice.
Is a loyalty card worth it for a hair salon?
Yes — but with different mechanics than a café. Weeks pass between salon visits, not days. A ten-stamp card then means a year and a half until the reward; nobody stays motivated for that. Five to six stamps with a reward you can feel (“every 6th treatment: hair mask on the house” or “50% off your 6th cut”) match the rhythm and honour real loyalty within a year.
Why digital instead of paper — especially in a salon?
The visit gap is the problem. A paper card that’s needed every six weeks is misplaced, washed, or in the other handbag by the time the next appointment comes around. The digital card lives in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet — it cannot get lost, and it speaks up on its own: after every stamp it updates on the lock screen, and near your salon it can appear there automatically.
Your clients install nothing. One camera scan of the QR code at reception and the card is in their wallet. That works on iPhones and, via Google Wallet, on Android phones alike. No app download, no account, no email address: your clients stay anonymous — which happens to be the simplest possible data-protection setup, too.
What does it look like in day-to-day salon life?
- Design the card — in the Treuly app on your iPhone: pick a template (the catalog includes dark, elegant studio designs), set the stamp target and reward. Colours and the stamp icon (the scissors, say) are included in every plan; your own logo and background image come with Pro.
- QR code at reception — Treuly provides print templates; a small stand next to the card reader is all it takes.
- Stamp at checkout — your team scans the client’s wallet pass with the app. One motion, even on a packed Saturday. Every stylist gets their own access via QR login; nobody shares passwords.
- Redeem the reward — once the card is full, the reward unlocks automatically. Redeem at the next appointment or save it up — both work.
The full walkthrough with tips on targets and rewards: How to create a digital stamp card.
How does a salon differ from a café in practice?
| Café | Hair salon | |
|---|---|---|
| Visit rhythm | daily to weekly | every 4–8 weeks |
| Sensible stamp target | 8–10 | 5–6 |
| Reward | product on the house (coffee) | add-on service or discount (mask, styling) |
| When to stamp | at the counter | at reception, when paying |
| Visit type | spontaneous | booked — push shortly before slow weeks is especially effective |
That last point is underrated: with push campaigns (Pro plan, with audiences like “hasn’t been in for a while”) you can fill weak weeks deliberately — say, a colour-refresh offer to everyone whose last visit is more than eight weeks back.
What does it cost for a salon?
Starting is free: the Free plan covers one card, one location and up to 50 active wallet passes — often enough for a single salon for months. Beyond that: Pro at €39/month (or €390/year with a 7-day trial) with unlimited cards, push campaigns and analytics. All details on the pricing page; the subscription itself is purchased inside the iOS app via the App Store.
Frequently asked questions
Do my clients need an app?
No. After one QR scan the loyalty card sits in the Apple Wallet or Google Wallet of their phone. Only you as the owner use the Treuly app on your iPhone.
Does this work with an older clientele?
Better than expected, in practice: anyone with a smartphone has a wallet — boarding passes and tickets have lived there for years. The one sentence “scan this with your camera and the card is on your phone” almost always does it. For clients without smartphones, keep a few paper cards as a fallback.
Can several stylists stamp?
Yes. The Free plan includes one seat, Pro three, and Business unlimited team logins — each stylist signs in with a QR code, and the log shows who stamped when.
More fundamentals — rewards, mechanics, common mistakes — in the loyalty program guide for small businesses.