Storing/keeping client records

[makeupmorris]

Hi everyone

I was wondering how everyone stores their client record cards? I will be going mobile as a nail technician later this year and I believe that my insurance requires that I keep client records for 7 years (insured with ABT). Thanks x

 

[Trinity]

I'm not mobile, however I have a filing cabinet which I prune every 6 months or so, if someone comes back after 6 months I do a new client card as things can change.

Old ones go in a box in the loft

 

[packerfan]

Hi everyone

I was wondering how everyone stores their client record cards? I will be going mobile as a nail technician later this year and I believe that my insurance requires that I keep client records for 7 years (insured with ABT). Thanks x

I use a recipe holder very compacted and has your alphabet cards

 

[Fisou]

Does anyone keep their records digitally? If so, how do you do it?

 

[asteropi]

Does anyone keep their records digitally? If so, how do you do it?

Hmm sounds good will have to give it a try a maybe just modify one of my files
you have to set up a database in Microsoft Access, keep different tables for your clients and your therapies and then link them together. It's pretty standard actually, like what the doctors do with their appointments

I have done a very similar file for my wools and projects (yes I knit) and one for my friend who's a doctor, So it shouldn't be too hard

 

[AcidPerm]

Does anyone keep their records digitally? If so, how do you do it?

Yes, there's lots of 'off the shelf' solutions you can buy. I used Ovatu when I was in the UK.

Your main choice from the various suppliers is whether to store on a local hard drive or via a Cloud storage system. I think it really depends on your set up, size of clientele and if you have a good wifi service.

 

[Ony]

I'm not sure about the legal requirements but for a small business a Google docs spreadsheet would be a free and easy solution. It's a cloud service so you could access it from multiple devices and you know the data is backed up.

 

[Fisou]

I am only now starting and my client list is quite small. I know the easiest thing to do right now would be paper. But to think about having to put it all in a digital system once my client list increases, I wouldn't mind making a small investment in something digital off the bat to avoid that nightmare.

I thought about using database tools such as ms Access but honestly, If I'm at it I would like to get a more inclusive software.

I've seen some threads on software like this, but opinions are so diverse, the prices are mad, well... there is no running away from it, I have to spend some precious time researching. Thank you all for your input!

 

[craigvn]

I am only now starting and my client list is quite small. I know the easiest thing to do right now would be paper. But to think about having to put it all in a digital system once my client list increases, I wouldn't mind making a small investment in something digital off the bat to avoid that nightmare.

I thought about using database tools such as ms Access but honestly, If I'm at it I would like to get a more inclusive software.

I've seen some threads on software like this, but opinions are so diverse, the prices are mad, well... there is no running away from it, I have to spend some precious time researching. Thank you all for your input!

Going computerised is going to save you in the long run. If you want to do any work at home like marketing are you going to carry the whole filing cabinet home with you and manually write out names to contact people? That's would be hours work and the effect is people don't do any marketing. If you are ever sitting in your salon during a slow period you need to think that could have been avoided with a computer system by easily emailing your client base a few days ahead with a promotion.

Like a previous commenter said the choice in computer system essentially comes down to cloud or installed locally. Cloud is the future, all systems will be cloud in 10 years, but if you don't have a good internet connection yet it could be a problem. It shouldn't cost too much to get going, you can get a top of the line cloud system for only £10 per month for a single user.