Treatwell Commission: What Salons Are Actually Paying Per Booking
"Join Treatwell and grow your salon" sounds straightforward. The commission structure less so. Here's what salons are actually paying.
How Treatwell's Commission Works
Treatwell operates a marketplace model: consumers search for beauty services on their platform, and salons pay commission on bookings made through it.
The commission rate reported by UK salons and documented in industry comparisons is typically 20–30% per booking. The exact rate varies by contract, location, and service category. Treatwell doesn't publish a universal rate on its website.
On a £45 haircut and colour: £9–£13.50 per booking to Treatwell. On a £60 treatment: £12–£18 per booking. On a £30 blow-dry: £6–£9 per booking.
What the Annual Cost Looks Like
A busy salon taking 15 Treatwell bookings per week at £45 average:
| Scenario | Weekly cost | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| 20% commission | £135 | £7,020 |
| 30% commission | £202.50 | £10,530 |
That's in commission alone — before your subscription fee, which Treatwell also charges on top of commission on most plans.
The Rebooking Problem
The deeper issue is how rebooking works. When a client first discovers you through Treatwell, they associate "booking this salon" with the Treatwell app. Their next appointment — even with a returning client who now loves your work — may be made through Treatwell again, triggering another commission.
Some salons report successfully migrating clients to direct booking through WhatsApp messages after the first appointment. Others find the Treatwell habit sticky, particularly among clients who already have the app installed.
When Treatwell Is Worth It
Treatwell commission is most defensible when:
- You're a new salon with no existing client base and no Google presence
- You're in a high-footfall location where Treatwell has strong consumer penetration (London, Manchester, Bristol)
- You're specifically targeting the type of client who uses Treatwell (typically price-comparing, often first-time)
It's least defensible when:
- You have an established client base who you could communicate with directly
- Your Google Business Profile is generating organic discovery
- You're paying commission on clients who have already visited multiple times
The Flat-Fee Comparison
A salon paying 25% Treatwell commission on 12 monthly new bookings at £50 average:
| Monthly cost | What you get | |
|---|---|---|
| Treatwell (25% on 12 × £50) | £150 | Marketplace visibility + bookings |
| Vomni flat fee | £29 | Direct booking + review automation + rebooking reminders |
The Treatwell spend generates discovery. The flat-fee spend generates retention and review growth. Which matters more depends on where your salon is in its lifecycle.
For most established salons, the marginal value of Treatwell discovery is lower than the cost of the commission. For a new salon with no Google presence, it's a different calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Treatwell publish its commission rates? Treatwell doesn't publish a universal commission rate. Rates are set per contract. Always clarify the exact rate before signing.
Is there a Treatwell subscription fee on top of commission? Yes — most Treatwell plans include a subscription fee in addition to per-booking commission. The total cost is subscription plus commission.
Can Treatwell clients be moved to direct booking? Yes, but it requires active effort. A WhatsApp message or confirmation email with your direct booking link after their first visit is the standard approach. Some clients follow immediately; others continue to use Treatwell through habit.
What's the biggest hidden cost of Treatwell? The compounding nature of commission on repeat bookings. If you don't actively migrate clients to direct booking after their first visit, you continue paying commission on clients who are, by now, loyal to your salon.
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