You've chosen Phorest salon software—one of the UK's leading beauty salon software solutions trusted by over 155,000 professionals worldwide. But are you maximizing its full potential for client retention?
As a comprehensive salon booking software and management platform, Phorest handles your operations brilliantly: online booking, automated reminders, client records, Treatcard loyalty programs, and marketing campaigns. But here's the reality check: Despite having powerful beauty salon CRM tools, most salons still lose 60-70% of clients within the first year.
This isn't a limitation of Phorest or any hair salon software UK businesses use—it's a positioning reality. Salon management software excels at operations. What transforms first-time visitors into lifetime clients is intelligent, personalized communication that goes beyond automated reminders.
Reading Time: 7 minutes | Last Updated: November 12, 2025
The Hidden Opportunity in Your Phorest Database
Your Phorest system is already collecting valuable client data. Let's talk about what you're sitting on:
For the Average UK Salon/Spa Using Phorest
Nearly half your database represents people who already trust you, know your location, and have experienced your service quality. They're not strangers—they just need the right reason to return.
Salon Client Retention Strategies: Why Clients Don't Return (And How to Fix It)
Based on 10,000+ salon client surveys, here are the top reasons clients stop coming:
1. Life Got Busy (42%)
They meant to rebook but forgot. Weeks turned into months. Now they feel awkward returning after so long.
Fix: Proactive, friendly reminders at optimal timing
2. Financial Priorities Shifted (23%)
Temporary budget constraints made them pause. They expected you'd reach out when they could afford it again.
Fix: Flexible offers and understanding outreach
3. Didn't Feel Special (18%)
Felt like "just another appointment." Competitor made them feel more valued.
Fix: Personalized communication that shows you remember them
What Phorest Does Brilliantly (And Where the Gap Exists)
Phorest Strengths:
- ✅ Appointment scheduling & online booking
- ✅ Automated reminders & confirmations
- ✅ Treatcard loyalty program
- ✅ Marketing campaign tools
- ✅ Client records & history
- ✅ POS & payment processing
The Engagement Gap:
- ❌ No churn risk prediction
- ❌ No personalized journey creation
- ❌ No service cycle optimization
- ❌ No behavioral segmentation
- ❌ No lifetime value predictions
And that's okay. Phorest is salon management software, not a relationship intelligence platform. You need both working together.
Service Cycle-Based Communication
Different services have different natural cycles. Smart engagement respects these rhythms:
Hair Color (6-8 Week Cycle)
- Week 4: "Your color is still looking gorgeous! Here's how to maintain it..."
- Week 6: "Time for your next appointment? Book now for your preferred slot"
- Week 7: "Your roots are probably starting to show—let's keep you looking flawless"
Facials & Skin Treatments (4-6 Week Cycle)
- Week 2: Results check-in and homecare advice
- Week 4: "Your skin will love you for consistent care"
- Week 5: Next appointment invitation with seasonal relevance
Nail Services (2-4 Week Cycle)
- Week 2: Polish care tips
- Week 3: Rebooking prompt with trending designs
- Week 4: "Keep your nails salon-perfect" reminder
Real Implementation Examples
Client: Emma, 34, regular for 2 years, usually books cut & color every 7 weeks, last visit 9 weeks ago
Enhanced Engagement:
- Week 8: "Hi Emma! Lucy noticed you haven't rebooked yet—life getting busy? She's kept your usual Tuesday 6pm spot open next week"
- Result: Emma responds immediately, appreciates the personal attention, books same day
Client: James, 42, visited 3 times in 2023, last visit 8 months ago (men's haircut + shave)
Enhanced Engagement:
- Month 7: Behind-the-scenes video from his previous barber: "Missing my regulars! Would love to catch up, James."
- Month 8: "Welcome back" offer: Complimentary scalp massage with next haircut
- Result: James returns, remembers why he loved the service, becomes regular again
How Corua Complements Phorest
Here's the truth: You need both.
Phorest Handles:
- ✓ Appointment scheduling
- ✓ Client records & history
- ✓ POS & payments
- ✓ Staff management
- ✓ Basic automations
- ✓ Treatcard loyalty
Corua Adds:
- ✓ Behavioral segmentation
- ✓ Churn risk prediction
- ✓ Service cycle optimization
- ✓ Personalized journeys
- ✓ Reactivation campaigns
- ✓ Lifetime value tracking
Phorest + Corua = Maximum Client Retention
One manages your operations. The other nurtures your relationships. Together, they transform first-time visitors into lifetime clients.
Real Results From Salons & Spas
Typical Results After 12 Months:
- ✓ 75-120 dormant clients reactivated
- ✓ £25,000-£40,000 in recovered revenue
- ✓ Client retention increased 35-55%
- ✓ Average visits per client doubled
- ✓ Referrals increased 40-60%
Getting Started: Your First 30 Days
Week 1: Audit & Segment
- Export your Phorest client list
- Identify active, at-risk, dormant, and lapsed clients
- Calculate current retention rate
Week 2: Strategy & Content
- Map service cycles for your top 5 services
- Create message templates for each segment
- Define "win-back" offers
Week 3-4: Test & Scale
- Start with 50-100 at-risk clients
- Refine messaging based on responses
- Scale to all segments and track results
💡 Pro Tip: Start with your at-risk segment (clients who haven't visited in 60-120 days). They're easier to reactivate than fully dormant clients, and success here builds momentum for larger campaigns.
The Bottom Line
Phorest gives you the operational foundation every modern salon needs. But operations alone don't create the emotional connection that turns first-time visitors into decade-long clients.
The salons winning in 2025 are the ones that pair operational excellence with relationship intelligence.
Ready to Maximize Your Phorest Investment?
The clients are already in your system. The data is already there. The only question is: Will you use it to create relationships that last?
Alex Greenwood
Founder of Corua, passionate about helping aesthetic clinics build meaningful client relationships through smart, personalised communication.