{"id":179977,"date":"2026-10-13T11:48:37","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T11:48:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/blog\/salon-marketplaces-salon-directories\/"},"modified":"2026-10-13T11:56:14","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T11:56:14","slug":"salon-marketplaces-med-spa-directories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/salon-marketplaces-med-spa-directories\/","title":{"rendered":"Why the Most Profitable Salons and Med Spas Are Saying &#8220;No&#8221; to Marketplace Platforms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:42%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Why the Most Profitable Salons in 2025 Are Saying \u201cNo\u201d to Marketplace Platforms\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/episode\/74KsZYKJ6XYeERaCSRYAWD?si=98deb486c0ac4e6d&amp;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column pl-10 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:58%\">\n<p><strong>The most profitable salons, spas and med spas are stepping away from marketplace platforms because marketplaces are built to drive client movement, not client loyalty. The platform owns the client relationship and the data, and it nudges your clients towards competitors and discounts. Top businesses use salon-owned systems like Phorest instead. Phorest deliberately has no consumer marketplace, so your clients stay yours. These businesses win new clients through targeted Meta ads, Google reviews, referrals and branded online booking. They <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/salon-payments-loyalty-and-reviews\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">keep those clients<\/a> with automated marketing, loyalty rewards and memberships.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>A few years ago, online marketplaces seemed like the perfect solution for busy salon, spa, med spa and clinic owners. They offered more visibility, easier bookings, and a steady stream of new clients \u2013 what wasn&#8217;t to love?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But something has changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The most profitable businesses \u2013 the ones with fully booked calendars, thriving teams, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/one-platform-for-salon-marketing-segmentation-analytics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">steady growth<\/a> \u2013 are stepping away from these third-party platforms. They&#8217;ve seen behind the curtain. And what they&#8217;ve realized is simple but powerful: growth without retention isn&#8217;t growth at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because if a new client books through a platform, walks in once, and never returns, did your business actually grow?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today&#8217;s most successful salons, spas, and med spas aren&#8217;t chasing short-term bookings. They&#8217;re building long-term relationships. They&#8217;re investing in loyalty, branded experiences, and client journeys they control \u2013 start to finish. This isn&#8217;t just a shift in strategy; it&#8217;s a shift in mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is a salon or med spa marketplace platform?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A marketplace platform is a consumer-facing app or directory where clients browse and book many different salons, spas and clinics in one place. Businesses usually get free or low-cost software in exchange for being listed. The platform then earns money through commissions, booking fees, featured placements or marketing credits, often charged on the new clients it sends you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the surface, it looks like a win-win: free software, more bookings, and less admin. It&#8217;s no wonder so many salons, spas, and clinics jumped on board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why do marketplace platforms hurt salon and med spa profitability?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Marketplace platforms hurt profitability because their business model depends on clients moving between businesses, not staying loyal to yours. The platform owns the client relationship, promotes competitors and discounts to your clients, and often charges fees on the bookings it sends you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The truth is this: you&#8217;re not getting something for nothing. You&#8217;re trading control for convenience \u2013 and it&#8217;s costing you more than you think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These platforms are built to drive volume, not loyalty. The more often someone switches salons, spas, or clinics, the more the platform earns. That means it&#8217;s in their interest to keep clients browsing, comparing, and bouncing between businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even when a client has a great experience with you, the platform doesn&#8217;t want them to return to you directly. Instead, they&#8217;re nudged to rebook through the app, where they&#8217;re shown:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Discounts for other businesses nearby<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Targeted ads highlighting your competitors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Premium placements for salons, spas, or clinics they&#8217;ve never tried<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Recommended for you&#8221; suggestions designed to tempt them elsewhere<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In other words, these platforms are quietly training your clients to shop around \u2013 not stay loyal. You don&#8217;t own the relationship. You don&#8217;t own the data. You don&#8217;t even own the first impression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>You&#8217;re renting clients, not building a business.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While that might fill a few gaps in your schedule today, it&#8217;s undermining your long-term growth. Every booking that goes through a third-party platform is another chance for that client to be steered somewhere else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/15093300\/GettyImages-2204775454-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-156178\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/15093300\/GettyImages-2204775454-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/15093300\/GettyImages-2204775454-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/15093300\/GettyImages-2204775454-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/15093300\/GettyImages-2204775454-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/15093300\/GettyImages-2204775454-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Does Phorest have a consumer marketplace app?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>No \u2013 and that&#8217;s a deliberate choice. Phorest isn&#8217;t a race-to-the-bottom discount marketplace. There&#8217;s no Phorest directory listing your business next to the salon or clinic down the road, and no app sending your clients offers from competitors after their visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/best-all-in-one-salon-software-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">every booking happens under your brand<\/a>: on your website, your social profiles, your Google Business Profile, or your own branded app. Your clients stay yours, your client data stays yours, and your prices stay yours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That doesn&#8217;t mean Phorest leaves new client growth to chance. It means you grow through channels you own and control, as the next sections explain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Do clients from discount-driven platforms stay loyal?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Mostly, no. Clients who book because of a discount tend to leave for the next discount, so they rarely become the regulars who drive long-term profit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s the hard truth: when price is the only reason someone books, it&#8217;ll also be the reason they leave. Marketplace platforms are built for volume, not value. The clients they attract tend to be deal-chasers, not loyalists. When they&#8217;re always looking for the next cheapest offer, it&#8217;s your business that pays the price, through lower margins, more no-shows and constant pressure to discount.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To paraphrase <a href=\"https:\/\/antavo.com\/blog\/experiential-rewards-mission-loyalty\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bernd H. Schmitt<\/a>, a professor at Columbia University and marketing expert, &#8220;Discounts are forgotten. Great experiences are remembered. Loyalty is built.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you stop selling on price, you start attracting clients who are truly aligned with your brand \u2013 clients who want to be with you, not just with whoever&#8217;s offering a discount this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How do salons and med spas get new clients without a marketplace?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Salons and med spas get new clients without a marketplace by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/med-spa-marketing-automation-the-6-workflows-that-fill-your-calendar-automatically\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">using channels they own<\/a>: targeted Facebook and Instagram ads, a well-reviewed Google Business Profile, client referrals, fast follow-up on new inquiries, and branded online booking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not all new clients are deal-hunters. With the right tools, you can attract people who are aligned with your brand and ready to spend, without listing yourself next to your competitors. The most successful businesses combine a handful of owned acquisition channels:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Acquisition channel<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>How it brings in new clients<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Why it beats a marketplace listing<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/features\/ads-manager\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Phorest Ads Manager<\/strong><\/a><\/td><td>Runs targeted, data-driven Facebook and Instagram ads to high-value potential clients in your area, without needing to be a marketing expert<\/td><td>You&#8217;re paying to reach <em>your<\/em> ideal client, not for a spot beside competitors, and you can see the return on every dollar spent<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/features\/salon-reputation-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Online Reputation and Reviews<\/strong><\/a><\/td><td>Sends automated review requests after visits, building social proof on Google and beyond<\/td><td>Your reviews live on your own Google Business Profile, where most &#8220;near me&#8221; searches start<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/digital-loyalty-referrals-whats-new-at-phorest\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Referrals<\/strong><\/a><\/td><td>Makes it easy (and fun) for happy clients to show off your work and refer friends<\/td><td>Referred clients arrive already trusting you, not comparing prices<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/features\/lead-management-phorest\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Lead Management<\/strong><\/a><\/td><td>Organizes, tracks and converts new inquiries, including consultation requests<\/td><td>Good leads don&#8217;t slip through the cracks, which matters most for high-value treatments<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/features\/online-booking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Branded online booking<\/strong><\/a><\/td><td>Lets clients book 24\/7 from your website, Instagram, Google Business Profile or your own app<\/td><td>No platform branding, no competitor upsells, no commission on clients you&#8217;ve won<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A note on local search:<\/strong> Most new clients start with a Google search for &#8220;hair salon near me&#8221; or &#8220;Botox near me.&#8221; A strong, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/salon-payments-loyalty-and-reviews\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">well-reviewed Google Business Profile<\/a> with a direct booking link works like your own marketplace listing. The difference is that clicking through lands people on your brand, not on a page of alternatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/15095832\/GettyImages-2165085816-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-156188\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/15095832\/GettyImages-2165085816-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/15095832\/GettyImages-2165085816-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/15095832\/GettyImages-2165085816-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/15095832\/GettyImages-2165085816-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/15095832\/GettyImages-2165085816-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why is client retention more profitable than new client acquisition?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Client retention is more profitable because returning clients spend more per visit, rebook on a predictable schedule, and don&#8217;t need to be won all over again. A returning client spends <a href=\"https:\/\/www.business.com\/articles\/returning-customers-spend-67-more-than-new-customers-keep-your-customers-coming-back-with-a-recurring-revenue-sales-model\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">67% more<\/a> than a first-time visitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So why do so many salons, spas, and clinics focus only on chasing new clients, when the real gold lies in nurturing the ones who&#8217;ve already walked through the door \u2013 and making space for more just like them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Retention isn&#8217;t flashy. It doesn&#8217;t feel urgent. But it is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/empathy-understanding-and-patience-the-human-connection-in-customer-service-at-phorest\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">most powerful driver of long-term profit<\/a>, stability, and brand growth. Top-performing businesses aren&#8217;t relying on hope to bring clients back. They&#8217;ve built systems that do it for them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Client Reconnect<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When a loyal client hasn&#8217;t returned in a while, Phorest spots it and gently brings them back with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/features\/salon-crm-software\/\">personalized message<\/a> that feels thoughtful, not salesy. It works quietly in the background, reigniting relationships before they fade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Automated Marketing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Forget one-size-fits-all email blasts. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/med-spa-marketing-automation-the-6-workflows-that-fill-your-calendar-automatically\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Campaigns are triggered by client behavior<\/a> \u2013 birthdays, visit gaps, post-treatment check-ins \u2013 so your message is always relevant, always timely, and always yours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Digital Loyalty Card<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This isn&#8217;t a stamp card from the &#8217;90s. It&#8217;s an engaging digital experience that builds momentum with every visit. Clients don&#8217;t come back for points. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/best-med-spa-software-loyalty-and-membership-features-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">They come back because they feel valued<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Memberships and packages<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Especially popular with med spas and skin clinics, memberships <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/med-spa-software-complex-operations-workflows\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">turn one-off treatments into predictable, recurring revenue<\/a> and give clients a reason to stay with you rather than shop around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s not about working harder. It&#8217;s about making every new client worth more over time. The businesses that master this aren&#8217;t just busy. They&#8217;re booked with purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why are marketplaces a particular risk for med spas and aesthetic clinics?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Marketplaces are a particular risk for med spas because aesthetic treatments are chosen on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/med-spa-software-for-operational-control\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">trust and clinical credibility<\/a>, not price, and because med spas handle sensitive patient information that belongs in their own system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Everything above applies to med spas, and some of it matters even more. A marketplace that lists injectables by price-per-unit alongside nearby competitors turns a medical decision into a bargain hunt. That&#8217;s bad for your margins and bad for your reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Med spas also have more to protect. Consultation notes, consent forms and before-and-after photos are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/compliant-med-spa-software\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sensitive information<\/a>, and they shouldn&#8217;t be spread across a third-party platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Phorest is an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/when-does-a-med-spa-need-more-than-basic-booking-software\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">all-in-one platform for med spas<\/a> that keeps the whole patient journey under your brand:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Online booking and automated reminders for consultations and treatments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pre-appointment <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/features\/digital-consultation-forms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">digital consent and consultation forms<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/industry\/medical-spa-software\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Face-mapping with markup tools and before-and-after<\/a> image storage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Automated rebooking reminders timed to treatment cycles, so clients come back when their results start to fade<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Memberships and packages for predictable recurring revenue<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A <a href=\"https:\/\/compliancy-group.com\/what-is-hipaa-compliance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HIPAA-compliant<\/a> platform<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>And because marketing, booking and charting are connected, you can see which campaigns actually bring in the clients who rebook. That&#8217;s something a marketplace listing will never tell you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/13125450\/Untitled-design-6-1024x683.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-149749\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/13125450\/Untitled-design-6-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/13125450\/Untitled-design-6-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/13125450\/Untitled-design-6-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/13125450\/Untitled-design-6-1536x1024.png 1536w, https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/13125450\/Untitled-design-6.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Salon-owned systems vs marketplace platforms: what&#8217;s the difference?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The main difference is ownership. With a salon-owned system like Phorest, your business owns the client data, the branding, the pricing and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/med-spa-software-vs-clinic-management-systems-which-is-right-for-your-growth-plan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">whole client journey<\/a>. With a marketplace platform, the platform owns the client relationship and uses it to keep clients moving between businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You&#8217;ve worked hard to build your brand, your vibe, your team, and your values. So why hand over your client experience, and your client data, to a platform that doesn&#8217;t share your vision?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With marketplace platforms, your business becomes part of a directory. Clients book through their system, get emails with their branding, and receive offers for other salons, spas, and clinics, sometimes just minutes after visiting yours. With Phorest, your business stays front and center: your logo, your voice, your booking link, and your app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><\/td><td><strong>Phorest (salon-owned system)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Marketplace platforms<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Client data<\/strong><\/td><td>You own it \u2013 every detail, every interaction<\/td><td>They own it. You&#8217;re granted access, but you&#8217;re not in control<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Branding<\/strong><\/td><td>Fully branded booking links, emails, and your own app<\/td><td>Clients book via platform-branded listings and links<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Pricing<\/strong><\/td><td>You set your prices, with no discount marketplace pressure<\/td><td>You&#8217;re listed beside competitors&#8217; deals and pushed to discount<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>New client acquisition<\/strong><\/td><td>Your own channels: Meta ads, Google reviews, referrals, local search<\/td><td>A shared directory where you compete with nearby businesses<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Marketing<\/strong><\/td><td>Automated, personalized, branded communications<\/td><td>Limited tools, often generic and shared with competitors<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>After the visit<\/strong><\/td><td>Rebooking reminders from you, under your brand<\/td><td>Clients may be shown offers for other businesses<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Client journey<\/strong><\/td><td>Fully customizable, from first booking to rebooking<\/td><td>Dictated by the platform and focused on repeat platform usage<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>With Phorest, you reclaim that ownership without sacrificing simplicity or speed. You&#8217;re not paying for visibility; you&#8217;ve already earned it. Because when your brand is the experience, loyalty naturally follows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/15103818\/GettyImages-2115371097-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-156207\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/15103818\/GettyImages-2115371097-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/15103818\/GettyImages-2115371097-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/15103818\/GettyImages-2115371097-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/15103818\/GettyImages-2115371097-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/15103818\/GettyImages-2115371097-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Is a marketplace ever the right choice?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, but only as a short-term bridge. For a brand-new business with an empty column, a marketplace can bring early foot traffic. It shouldn&#8217;t be your long-term growth strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Move every client you win onto your own booking channel as quickly as possible, collect reviews on your own Google profile, and build your client list somewhere you control. The goal is for every new client to become your client, not the platform&#8217;s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What are top salons, spas and clinics doing differently?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Top salons, spas and clinics are growing through channels they own: automated rebooking, targeted social ads and branded online booking, instead of relying on marketplaces for new clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Across the UK, Ireland, Australia, North America, and beyond, leading salons, spas, med spas and clinics are building loyal communities driven by brand power, not booking platforms. They&#8217;re not waiting around for &#8220;new client spikes&#8221; from discount-driven platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And it&#8217;s working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Reclaiming profits and rebooking<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.beautysecretsspa.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Beauty Secrets<\/a>, a multi-branch group of salons and spas across the south of England, switched to Phorest after expanding. They generated 1647% ROI from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/case-study\/beauty-secrets-rebooking-reminders\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sending automated rebooking reminders<\/a> and reduced their no-show rate to less than 2%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Phorest has really helped us to grow as a business \u2013 it has an amazing marketing suite, which is [one of the] reasons why I moved to Phorest in the first place.&#8221; \u2013 Karen Thompson, owner<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Growing without discounting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zazou.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zazou Salon &amp; Academy<\/a>, a hair salon and academy in Canada, transformed their marketing strategy with Phorest Ads Manager. They had run numerous Google Ad campaigns but found them difficult to track. One of their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/case-study\/zazou-case-study\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">most successful ads<\/a>, run on Facebook and Instagram for 28 days, has made $27.42 for every $1 spent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Phorest takes away a lot of the guesswork that can feel overwhelming, especially for those unfamiliar with the Meta Business Suite. The support team has been responsive, guiding me on metrics, budgeting, and ad setup.&#8221; \u2013 Janine, Brand &amp; Business Development Lead, Zazou<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Building a brand, not just a book<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zinchairandbeauty.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zinc<\/a>, a premium hair and beauty salon in Dublin, realized that Phorest was &#8220;leaps and bounds&#8221; ahead of any other software company. They saw they could curate their brand presence with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/case-study\/zinc-hair-beauty-streamline-payments-with-phorestpay\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Phorest&#8217;s branded app and custom online booking<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The online booking system was something that I thought was going to revolutionize how we would take appointments in the salon\u2026 even when we were closed, we were going to be able to take appointments!&#8221; \u2013 Lisa Eccles, owner<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Top salons, spas, and clinics aren&#8217;t just busy. They&#8217;re intentional, branded, profitable, and booked on their terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/09154537\/Admin-Asssistant-Booking-App.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-144539\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/09154537\/Admin-Asssistant-Booking-App.png 1000w, https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/09154537\/Admin-Asssistant-Booking-App-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/09154537\/Admin-Asssistant-Booking-App-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/09154537\/Admin-Asssistant-Booking-App-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Own your growth, own your future<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The most profitable salons, spas, and med spas have one thing in common: they&#8217;ve stopped <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/7-signs-your-med-spa-software-cant-scale-with-you\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">outsourcing their growth to platforms that don&#8217;t share their goals<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They&#8217;ve moved beyond short-term fixes and reclaimed long-term strategy. They&#8217;re not chasing price-sensitive clients; they&#8217;re building communities. They&#8217;re not competing for space on someone else&#8217;s platform; they own their client journey, from first click to lifelong loyalty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So ask yourself honestly: are you growing your business, or are you helping someone else grow theirs?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every time a client books through a third-party platform, your brand takes a backseat. With Phorest, you stay in the driver&#8217;s seat. Phorest is more than just technology. Many of us have worked in the industry ourselves, in salons, spas, and clinics, and we get it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Phorest is software for premium salons, spas and aesthetic clinics focused on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/best-med-spa-software-for-growth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">growth, team performance and client retention<\/a>. Whether it&#8217;s education, innovation, or day-to-day support, we&#8217;re with you every step of the way. We&#8217;re your growth partner, not just a provider.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"align wp-block-bannercta\">\n\n\n<div class=\"relative lg:mb-10 overflow-hidden bg-green-dark\" >\n  <div class=\"container py-16 px-12 lg:py-24 flex items-center  justify-center  flex-wrap relative z-10\">\n   <div class=\"w-full mr-0 mb-6 md:mr-12 md:mb-0  md:w-2\/3 \" >\n   <h2 class=\"text-white mb-2 text-3xl text-center md:text-left lg:text-4xl\" style=\"color:white;\"><p>Ready to grow your business without relying on marketplaces?<\/p>\n<\/h2>\n  \n  <\/div>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/custom-demo\/?request_type=Demo%20request\" style=\"color:white; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"\" class=\"rounded btn-demo-cta button bg-red px-8 text-white hover:bg-red-lighter w-full lg:w-auto lg:mr-5 rounded-none lg:rounded demo-cta\" data-ol-has-click-handler=\"\">\n      Book a demo!\n    <\/a>\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div>\n  <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<section id=\"state-faqs\" class=\"relative pt-8 mb-0\">\n  <section class=\"relative pt-10\">\n    <div class=\"container\">\n                    <h2 class=\"text-3xl text-center max-w-2xl mx-auto leading-tight\">Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n              <div class=\"accordion-container self-close w-full max-w-3xl mx-auto\">\n                            <div class=\"accordion border-b-2 border-grey-light bg-white w-full\">\n            <div class=\"accordion-trigger select-none py-2 my-4 pl-5 pr-12 leading-tight relative cursor-pointer\">\n                <p class=\"text-xl text-green\">Does Phorest have a marketplace app like Fresha or Mindbody?<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"accordion-content pl-5 pr-12 pb-6  text-sm\" style=\"display: none;\">\n                <div class=\"mb-4\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No. Phorest deliberately doesn&#8217;t run a consumer marketplace. Clients book directly with your business through your website, social media, Google Business Profile or your own branded app. They never see competitor listings or discounts from other businesses, and you keep full ownership of your client data.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"accordion border-b-2 border-grey-light bg-white w-full\">\n            <div class=\"accordion-trigger select-none py-2 my-4 pl-5 pr-12 leading-tight relative cursor-pointer\">\n                <p class=\"text-xl text-green\">How can a salon or med spa get new clients without a booking marketplace?<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"accordion-content pl-5 pr-12 pb-6  text-sm\" style=\"display: none;\">\n                <div class=\"mb-4\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most effective owned channels are targeted Facebook and Instagram ads, a well-reviewed Google Business Profile with a direct booking link, client referral programs, and fast follow-up on new inquiries. In Phorest, these are covered by Ads Manager, Online Reputation and Reviews, Referrals and Lead Management, so you can see exactly which channel brought in each client.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"accordion border-b-2 border-grey-light bg-white w-full\">\n            <div class=\"accordion-trigger select-none py-2 my-4 pl-5 pr-12 leading-tight relative cursor-pointer\">\n                <p class=\"text-xl text-green\">Who owns client data when you use a marketplace platform?<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"accordion-content pl-5 pr-12 pb-6  text-sm\" style=\"display: none;\">\n                <div class=\"mb-4\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In most cases, the platform controls the client relationship and the data, and businesses are given access to it. That means the platform can market to your clients, including promoting other businesses to them. With a salon-owned system like Phorest, the client data belongs to your business.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"accordion border-b-2 border-grey-light bg-white w-full\">\n            <div class=\"accordion-trigger select-none py-2 my-4 pl-5 pr-12 leading-tight relative cursor-pointer\">\n                <p class=\"text-xl text-green\">Do marketplace platforms charge commission on new clients?<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"accordion-content pl-5 pr-12 pb-6  text-sm\" style=\"display: none;\">\n                <div class=\"mb-4\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many do. Common models include a commission on bookings from new clients found through the marketplace, booking fees, or paid placements. Always check the fee structure carefully, because &#8220;free&#8221; software is usually paid for through these charges.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"accordion border-b-2 border-grey-light bg-white w-full\">\n            <div class=\"accordion-trigger select-none py-2 my-4 pl-5 pr-12 leading-tight relative cursor-pointer\">\n                <p class=\"text-xl text-green\">How do I move away from a marketplace without losing clients?<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"accordion-content pl-5 pr-12 pb-6  text-sm\" style=\"display: none;\">\n                <div class=\"mb-4\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start by exporting your client list where the platform allows it. Then set up your own branded online booking and tell existing clients how to book with you directly, in person, by text and by email. Rebooking clients before they leave the chair or clinic is the easiest way to make the switch without any drop in appointments.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"accordion border-b-2 border-grey-light bg-white w-full\">\n            <div class=\"accordion-trigger select-none py-2 my-4 pl-5 pr-12 leading-tight relative cursor-pointer\">\n                <p class=\"text-xl text-green\">Are marketplaces a good fit for med spas?<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"accordion-content pl-5 pr-12 pb-6  text-sm\" style=\"display: none;\">\n                <div class=\"mb-4\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They&#8217;re generally a poor fit. Aesthetic treatments rely on trust, consultations and ongoing treatment plans, and price-comparison listings undermine all three. Med spas also handle sensitive information like consent forms and treatment photos, which is better kept in your own compliant system.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"accordion border-b-2 border-grey-light bg-white w-full\">\n            <div class=\"accordion-trigger select-none py-2 my-4 pl-5 pr-12 leading-tight relative cursor-pointer\">\n                <p class=\"text-xl text-green\">How do memberships help med spas and salons retain clients?<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"accordion-content pl-5 pr-12 pb-6  text-sm\" style=\"display: none;\">\n                <div class=\"mb-4\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memberships give clients a reason to keep coming back on a regular schedule, often with perks like priority booking or monthly treatment credits. For the business, they turn one-off visits into predictable recurring revenue, which smooths out quieter months.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"accordion border-b-2 border-grey-light bg-white w-full\">\n            <div class=\"accordion-trigger select-none py-2 my-4 pl-5 pr-12 leading-tight relative cursor-pointer\">\n                <p class=\"text-xl text-green\">Is Phorest suitable for med spas?<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"accordion-content pl-5 pr-12 pb-6  text-sm\" style=\"display: none;\">\n                <div class=\"mb-4\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes. Phorest is built for premium med spas and aesthetic clinics focused on growth, compliance and client retention. It combines online booking, digital consent and consultation forms, face-mapping, before-and-after photo storage, memberships and automated marketing in one platform.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                      <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are new salon marketplaces or directories launching every week. It is easy to see why sites such as Wahanda and Salon Spy are attractive to salons as partners because they come with the promise of getting more new clients through your front door.<\/p>\n<p>Today I\u2019m going to deep dive into how these sites work and investigate what impact it has on your salon; explain the client journey across all of these sites and the psychology behind them plus uncover the detrimental impact they are having on the industry.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40096,"featured_media":179979,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9666],"tags":[14708,10065,14709,14710,14711,9938,14712],"class_list":["post-179977","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sales-marketing","tag-beauty-salon-listing-ca","tag-salon-blog-ca","tag-salon-listing-sites-ca","tag-salon-market-ca","tag-salon-marketplace-ca","tag-salon-software-ca","tag-wahanda-ca"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Why Salon Marketplaces Cost You More Than You Think | Phorest<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Stop renting clients from salon marketplace platforms. Start building loyalty with tools made for salons and med spas from Phorest.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/salon-marketplaces-med-spa-directories\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Why Salon Marketplaces Cost You More Than You Think | Phorest\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Stop renting clients from salon marketplace platforms. Start building loyalty with tools made for salons and med spas from Phorest.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/salon-marketplaces-med-spa-directories\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Phorest\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/phorestsalonsoftware\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-10-13T11:48:37+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-10-13T11:56:14+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/18144253\/SalonMarketplacesDirectories_1200x940_NewDimensions.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1153\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"442\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Steph Fernandez\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/18144253\/SalonMarketplacesDirectories_1200x940_NewDimensions-150x150.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@thephorestword\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@thephorestword\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Steph Fernandez\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/salon-marketplaces-med-spa-directories\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/salon-marketplaces-med-spa-directories\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Steph Fernandez\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/#\/schema\/person\/085bce1c85242c85b0863facd0c93e92\"},\"headline\":\"Why the Most Profitable Salons and Med Spas Are Saying &#8220;No&#8221; to Marketplace Platforms\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-10-13T11:48:37+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-13T11:56:14+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/salon-marketplaces-med-spa-directories\/\"},\"wordCount\":2651,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/salon-marketplaces-med-spa-directories\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/18144253\/SalonMarketplacesDirectories_1200x940_NewDimensions.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"beauty salon listing\",\"salon blog\",\"salon listing sites\",\"salon market\",\"salon marketplace\",\"salon software\",\"wahanda\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Sales &amp; Marketing\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-CA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/salon-marketplaces-med-spa-directories\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/salon-marketplaces-med-spa-directories\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/salon-marketplaces-med-spa-directories\/\",\"name\":\"Why Salon Marketplaces Cost You More Than You Think | Phorest\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/salon-marketplaces-med-spa-directories\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.phorest.com\/ca\/blog\/salon-marketplaces-med-spa-directories\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/d2dfxqxblmblx4.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/18144253\/SalonMarketplacesDirectories_1200x940_NewDimensions.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-10-13T11:48:37+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-13T11:56:14+00:00\",\"description\":\"Stop renting clients from salon marketplace platforms. 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