Creating a Salon Service PRD for Success

“Success is not just about having a great idea; it's about having a plan to turn that idea into reality.”

Welcome, techies!

Ready to take your salon services online? Transforming your salon business requires more than just a vision; it needs a detailed plan. That’s where a Product Requirements Document (PRD) comes in.

In this blog, we'll walk you through the essential steps to create a PRD that will help you turn your salon service idea into a successful web application. So, grab a cup of chai, and let's get started on this exciting journey! 🚀

Breaking Down the PRD

1. Objective – Kya Banega?

Purpose: Define the main goal of your online salon service web application.

Example: Create an intuitive and user-friendly web application that allows customers to book salon services online, view available services, and manage their appointments seamlessly.

2. In Scope – Kya Banayenge?

Purpose: Outline what features and functionalities will be included.

Example:

  • For Customers:

    • Online booking system with calendar view. 📅

    • Service menu with detailed descriptions and prices. 📜

    • User accounts with profile management. 👤

    • Secure payment processing. 💳

    • Appointment reminders via email/SMS. 📧

    • Customer reviews and ratings. ⭐

    • Loyalty program and promotional offers. 🎁

    • FAQ section and customer support chat. ❓

  • For Salon Owners:

    • Appointment management dashboard. 🗓️

    • Customer profile and history management. 👥

    • Sales and revenue tracking. 💰

    • Staff scheduling and management. 🕒

    • Inventory management. 📦

    • Marketing tools for promotional offers. 🎉

    • Reporting and analytics. 📊

3. Out of Scope – Kya Abhi Nahi Banayenge?

Purpose: Clarify what will not be included in this web application version to manage expectations.

Example:

  • No in-app video consultations. 🚫

  • No advanced AI-driven recommendations. 🚫

  • There is no integration with third-party apps for the initial release. 🚫

  • There is no multilingual support for the initial release. 🚫

4. Features and Requirements – Product Karega Kya?

Breaking down the functionalities into detailed features.

P1 – Must-Have Features (High Priority)

  • For Customers:

    • Booking System: Customers can book appointments online. 📅

    • Service Menu: Detailed list of available services. 📜

    • Customer Management: Maintain customer profiles and preferences. 👥

    • Payment Processing: Secure and multiple payment options. 💳

    • Appointment Reminders: Send reminders via email/SMS. 📧

    • Customer Reviews: Allow customers to leave reviews and ratings. ⭐

  • For Salon Owners:

    • Appointment Management: View and manage all appointments. 📅

    • Customer Profiles: Access customer information and history. 👥

    • Sales Tracking: Monitor sales and revenue. 💰

    • Staff Scheduling: Manage staff schedules and availability. 🕒

    • Inventory Management: Track inventory levels and orders. 📦

P2 – Nice-to-Have Features (Medium Priority)

  • For Customers:

    • Promotional Offers: Display special offers and discounts. 🎉

    • Loyalty Program: Rewards for regular customers. 🎁

    • Newsletter Subscription: Option for customers to subscribe to newsletters. 📬

  • For Salon Owners:

    • Marketing Tools: Tools for creating and managing promotions. 🎉

    • Advanced Reporting: Detailed reports on sales, customer trends, etc. 📊

    • Customer Feedback: Collect and analyze customer feedback. 📋

P3 - Future Enhancements (Low Priority)

  • For Customers:

    • Virtual Consultations: Offer video consultations for beauty advice. 📹

    • AI Recommendations: Provide personalized service suggestions based on customer data. 🤖

    • Mobile App: Develop a mobile app for easy booking and management. 📱

    • Multilingual Support: Enable support for multiple languages. 🌍

  • For Salon Owners:

    • Integration with Third-Party Services: Integrate with popular apps like Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, etc. 📅

    • Advanced Analytics: In-depth analytics for business insights. 📊

    • Employee Performance Tracking: Track staff performance and feedback. 👥

5. User Stories – The User Is King

Purpose: Understand the product from the user's perspective.

Example:

  • For Customers:

    • As a customer, I want to book appointments easily so that I can manage my schedule conveniently. 📅

    • As a customer, I want to receive reminders for my appointments so that I don't forget them. 📧

    • As a customer, I want a seamless online payment experience so that I can pay for services securely. 💳

    • As a customer, I want to see customer reviews and ratings to help me choose the best services.

  • For Salon Owners:

    • As a salon owner, I want to manage bookings and customer profiles efficiently so that I can provide personalized services. 👤

    • As a salon owner, I want to track sales and revenue to monitor business performance. 💰

    • As a salon owner, I want to schedule my staff effectively to ensure smooth operations. 🕒

    • As a salon owner, I want to manage inventory levels to ensure we never run out of essential products. 📦

6. Technical Requirements – Tech Stack Decisions

Purpose: Define the technologies you'll use to build the web application.

Example:

  • Frontend: HTML, CSS, JavaScript (using a framework like React). 🌐

  • Backend: Node.js, Express.js. 🖧

  • Database: MongoDB for customer and booking data. 🗃️

  • Platform: Web application optimized for mobile and desktop browsers. 🖥️📱

  • Payment Gateway: Integrate with secure payment gateways like Stripe or PayPal. 💳

  • Email/SMS Service: Use services like SendGrid or Twilio for appointment reminders. 📧

  • Hosting: Use reliable web hosting services like AWS or Heroku. 🌩️

  • Security: Implement SSL/TLS encryption and secure user authentication. 🔒

7. Design Requirements – Dikhave pe Mat Jao, Design Pe Jao

Purpose: Outline the look and feel of the web application.

Example:

  • Simplicity: Clean and modern design with a focus on user experience. ✨

  • Color Scheme: Soft and relaxing colors to create a soothing ambiance. 🎨

  • Responsive Design: The web app should work seamlessly on various screen sizes. 📱💻

  • Intuitive Navigation: Easy-to-use interface with clear navigation. 🗺️

  • Accessibility: Ensure the web app is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. ♿

  • Branding: Consistent use of salon branding elements (logo, colors, fonts). 🖌️

8. Success Metrics – Kaise Pata Chalega Ki Kamyab Hue?

Purpose: Determine how you'll measure the web application's success.

Example:

  • User Engagement: Track the number of bookings and repeat customers. 📈

  • Customer Satisfaction: Monitor customer feedback and ratings. ⭐

  • Revenue Growth: Measure monthly and annual revenue. 💰

  • Conversion Rate: Percentage of website visitors who book an appointment. 🛒

  • Churn Rate: Percentage of customers who stop using the service. 📉

  • Site Performance: Monitor page load times and uptime. 🚀

9. Timeline – Kab Tak Banega?

Purpose: Set a realistic timeline for developing and launching the web application.

Example:

  • Phase 1: Market research and planning (1 month). 📊

  • Phase 2: Design and prototyping (1 month). 🎨

  • Phase 3: Development and testing (2 months). 🛠️

  • Phase 4: Beta launch and feedback collection (2 weeks). 📣

  • Phase 5: Official launch and marketing (1 month). 🚀

Conclusion

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned professional, a well-thought-out PRD keeps everyone aligned and focused on building a service that customers will love.

💡
What are you waiting for? Dive into development and watch your ideas come to life! And hey, don't forget to share your progress with us — behind-the-scenes moments, and all the fun stuff. Let's make this journey as enjoyable as a fresh new haircut! 💇‍♀️💬

So, grab a cup of chai, roll up your sleeves, and start coding your way to success. Your salon's digital transformation awaits! ☕💻

Follow for more of these tech learnings - Hashnode | X | LinkedIn

4
Subscribe to my newsletter

Read articles from Sagar Maheshwari directly inside your inbox. Subscribe to the newsletter, and don't miss out.

Written by

Sagar Maheshwari
Sagar Maheshwari

MERN Developer | AI-900 certified | C++ | Problem-solving