Founded by Delhi-based entrepreneur, Vijit Manaktala's Bookthesalon.com provides access to top notch salons, nail bars and make-up studios across Delhi/NCR. The website showcase personally vetted and genuine first hand customer reviews alongside detailed description and deals offered by salons, nail bars and make-up studios.
The website offers varied search criteria's like name, location, date and time, to find exactly what the consumer want at certain cost. Its directory provides detailed information about favourite salons, gives searching options to the consumers, eases bookings and much more.
Conceptualisation of the website
Bookthesalon was conceptualised in September last year. "Earlier there were very few sites available in the market. The fact that our model is different from those present will be able to showcase the brand differentiation. Everything from booking to searching packages is done via the website," says Manaktala.
"I have always been fond of technology. Even during my school days I had started a website giving users customized experience directly on their mobile phones when there were only a few," he adds further.
Whose brainchild?
Bookthesalon is Manaktala's wife Aastha’s brainchild, who came up with this idea after having a tough experience of fixing appointment with a good salon once. Following her idea, I conceptualised and worked upon this website to ease salon bookings.
Market response so far
The market has been very positive. On the tie up front, Bookthesalon serves more than 150 Salons, while on the customer front, the website has seen a growth of almost 60 per cent every day, considering the fact that it has been launched recently.
Overcoming challenges
Manaktala shares that since it’s a new site, there have been no major challenges so far. But at present, the team is facing issues with marketing their services/offerings effectively.
Revenue model
At present, tie-ups with salons is the only revenue model. The customer does not have to pay anything to the site.
Current market threats
"When we launched the portal, we knew we were the only one in this category. Bookthesalon’s directory provides detailed information about ones favourite salons, giving customer a place to search, discover and book appointments, whether it's a same-day blow-dry, a haircut next month or a manicure tomorrow, which nobody else does," Manaktala claims.
He further shares, "Visitors to Bookthesalon.com have an advantage to search for all services related to Hair, Nails, Body, Face, Spa, Makeup at one place. From different search & filter criteria’s one can narrow down a search to one that matches the exact requirement. Customers also have an advantage of great offers when a group booking is made through the portal."
Business roadmap ahead
At Bookthesalon, on-boarding partners are personally vetted. Only genuine first hand customer reviews are considered, which would help visitors decide and book their appointments instantly.
"People visiting the site also get reviews to help them discover the salon before even going there. After Delhi/NCR, we look to add different verticals and of course expand to other cities as well," points Manaktala.
