Digital Loyalty & Referrals: What’s New at Phorest

Loyal clients and word-of-mouth referrals are the backbone of any thriving salon, spa, or clinic. They keep your chairs full and your business growing. But in today’s digital world, traditional methods need an upgrade.

That’s why Phorest is introducing our updated Digital Loyalty programme and a brand new Referrals feature. Together, these tools make it easier than ever to reward repeat visits and turn happy clients into your best promoters. After all, referred visitors are likely to bring in up to 57% more new clients through referrals than other clients. 

Let’s explore how these new features work – and why they’re must-haves for salons, clinics, and spas aiming to grow in 2025.

The Evolution of Loyalty – From Treatcard to Digital Loyalty

The days of keeping track of physical loyalty cards are over. Phorest’s updated Digital Loyalty programme takes the beloved Treatcard system to the next level, combining the convenience of technology with the power of client retention.

What’s New?

With Digital Loyalty, your clients can now:

• Access their Treatcard – anytime, through your salon, spa, or clinic’s online booking or Branded App.
• Track their points and rewards – in real-time, giving them full visibility into what they’ve earned, and what’s available to redeem.
• Use their Treatcard barcode and number – digitally, eliminating the need for physical cards entirely.

Why it Matters

“At our salon and barbershop, rewarding our guests for their loyalty is a top priority. With Phorest, doing so is a breeze. The programme is easy to use, fun, and digital, making it simple for our guests to see how many points they’ve earned.” – Christina Yun, Co-Owner & Stylist at Dollhouse Hair Boutique (Edmonton, Canada)

When clients can easily see and redeem their rewards, they’re more likely to stay engaged and book their next appointment. This improved accessibility increases retention rates and ensures your loyalty programme delivers results.

Plus, it’s a more sustainable and streamlined alternative to traditional physical cards. No more lost cards or missed opportunities – just a digital-first loyalty programme that works for everyone. 

Word-of-Mouth Referrals, Reinvented 

Referrals have always been one of the most effective ways to grow a salon, clinic, or spa’s new clientele – but managing them can be tricky. Enter Phorest’s new Referrals feature, a simple, automated solution that turns happy clients into your best promoters.

What Is the Referrals Feature?

This innovative tool allows your existing clients to share your salon, clinic, or spa with their friends through a unique referral link. These links can be:

• Shared easily via email, SMS, WhatsApp, or social media.
• Accessed through your salon, spa, or clinic’s online booking system or Branded App.

Here’s how the referrer and the new client will benefit:

• New clients receive a customisable reward voucher, valid for their first appointment.
• Referrers earn their reward once the new client completes their visit.

It’s a win-win that rewards loyalty and brings in new clients who are more likely to stick around.

Supercharging Your Referral Marketing

With 88% of consumers trusting peer recommendations, word-of-mouth marketing has always been a salon, spa, and clinic’s best friend. However, manual referral programmes often lack structure and scalability. Phorest’s Referrals feature changes the game by automating the process and making it measurable. With the ability to track referrals and customise rewards, your business can now:

• Encourage clients to advocate for their favourite salon, spa, or medi-aesthetic clinic
• Attract high-quality, engaged new clients who are likely to become regulars

“As a salon owner, finding new clients has always been a challenge, especially ones who keep coming back. The new Referrals feature from Phorest has been a game changer. My loyal clients love being able to refer their friends and earn rewards, and I’ve seen a noticeable boost in new and returning clients since launching the campaign.” – Jimmy Sharpe, Manager of Jakata Salon (Warrington, UK)

How it Works

Phorest’s Referral feature is as simple as 1-2-3:

1. Share: Your client receives a unique referral link and shares it with friends.
2. Book: The new client books their first appointment using the link and receives their reward voucher.
3. Reward: The referrer earns the reward once the new client completes their visit.

With everything tracked and managed in Phorest, it’s effortless to set up and monitor results. The Referrals feature doesn’t just bring in new clients; it builds lasting relationships that fuel long-term growth.

How Digital Loyalty and Referrals Work Together

Phorest’s Digital Loyalty and Referrals features aren’t just standalone tools. Together, they create a seamless cycle of client retention and acquisition that fuels growth for your business.

Turning New Clients into Loyal Customers

Referrals bring in high-quality new clients – people who trust your existing clients’ recommendations and are excited to try your services. But the real magic happens when those new clients become repeat visitors.

That’s where Digital Loyalty can help. By rewarding clients for their continued visits, you create an incentive for new clients to come back, book their next appointment, and keep engaging with your salon, spa, or clinic. After all, referred clients have a 37% higher retention rate than those acquired through other methods, proving their long-term value.

Building a Complete Client Lifecycle

With these two features working hand-in-hand, your business is equipped  to:

• Attract New Clients: Use referrals to expand your client base with minimal effort.
• Reward Loyalty: Keep both referrers and new clients engaged through the Digital Loyalty programme.
• Encourage Repeat Business: Make it easy for clients to track their rewards and stay connected, through your Branded App or online booking portal.

Tips for Maximising Your Digital Loyalty and Referral Programmes

Ready to make the most out of Phorest’s Digital Loyalty and Referrals features? Here are some quick, actionable tips to help you boost client engagement and drive business growth.

For Digital Loyalty

• Spread the Word: Let your clients know about the new digital features. Use email and SMS marketing, social media, and in-store signage to highlight how easy it is for clients to access their Digital Loyalty card through your Branded App or online booking system.
• Highlight the Benefits: Emphasise the convenience and rewards your clients can enjoy. For example: “Check your points anytime and see what rewards you’ve unlocked – no card required!”
• Incentivise Engagement: Encourage clients to log in and explore the new system. Offer a bonus reward or double points for their first digital redemption to spark excitement.

For Referrals

• Make it Easy to Share: Create engaging marketing campaigns encouraging clients to use their referral links. Phrases like, “Share the love and get rewarded!” or, “Refer a friend and earn €10 off!” can be highly effective.
• Use Automation: Set up automated email or SMS reminders to nudge clients about the referral programme.
• Add a Sense of Urgency: Run limited-time campaigns to encourage immediate action. For example, “This month only: Double rewards for every friend you refer!”

“Over the years, the Branded App has grown in functionality and intelligence. Now, with the additions of Digital Loyalty and Referrals, our digital relationship with our clients is much stronger,” – Mike Messenger, Salon Director at Ed’s Hair (Bramhall, UK). 

By promoting these features and adding creative incentives, you’ll create a buzz that keeps your current clients engaged – while also bringing in new ones.

Ready to Transform Your Salon’s Growth?

Whether you’re looking to retain your regulars, grow your client base, or streamline your processes, our new Digital Loyalty and Referral features are designed to help your business thrive.