Frequently asked questions
How do I get started with Vanity Business?
Download the Vanity Business app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Once installed, create a new account. You should receive an email asking you to verify your account. It should only take a few seconds.
Why do I need to verify my email address?
Email verification helps keep accounts secure and ensures we can contact you about important updates.
You must verify your email before you can sign in.
I didn’t receive my verification email — what should I do?
Check your spam or junk folder first.
If it’s not there, return to the app and request a new verification email
What’s the difference between a Business Owner and a Staff Member?
Business Owner: You own the business (sole trader or limited company).
Staff Member: You work for a business and are invited by a business owner.
Choose the option that best describes your role — this determines what features you can access.
I work for someone else — which option should I choose?
Choose Staff Member.
You’ll see any outstanding business invites. You will have also received the invites via email.
I own the business — which option should I choose?
Choose Business Owner, whether you own a Ltd company, are a sole trader or work on your own — this is the option for you.
What’s the difference between a Sole Trader and a Limited Company in Vanity?
Sole Trader: You run the business under your own name or trading name.
Limited Company: Your business is registered with Companies House.
Both Sole Trader's and Limited Company owners can employ staff members and work as owner operators if they choose to.
Why do Limited Companies need extra information?
If you choose Limited Company, you'll be asked for your Companies House details to:
Verify the business.
Keep everything compliant — Don't worry, we handle most of this for you.
This is a one-time step. After that, setup is the same for sole traders.
What is the business name used for?
Your business name is the name that customers will see in the Vanity consumer app.
Make sure it’s clear, professional, and recognisable. You can think of this as your business profile name.
Why do I need to add a business address?
Your address allows:
Customers find you
Show your business in the correct location
You’ll be asked to confirm the address before continuing.
How should I set my opening times?
If your hours change week to week, we recommend:
Setting all days as open
Managing availability through staff shifts instead
This gives you maximum flexibility.
What are business types and why do I need them?
Business types describe the services you offer (e.g. barber, hairdresser, tattoo studio).
You can select multiple business types — choose everything that applies. For example, let's say you have a Salon that comprises of a hairdressers, a nail salon and a tanning studio. You would check Hairdressers, Nail Salon and Tanning Studio. You can later apply specific staff members to the specific business types.
I’m signed in — what should I do first?
After signing in as a business owner, complete these steps in order:
Add business profile picture in the business details page (This should ideally be an image of your shop-front).
Invite staff members or set yourself as an owner operator (This is done in the staff management page).
Create staff shifts in staff rota's (This is done in the staff rota page).
Set up payments — Allowing you to take payments from your customers. (This is done in the business financials page).
Open your business to customers by setting the toggle on the business details page.
Where do I add my business profile picture?
Open the menu and go to Business Details.
Your profile picture is visible to customers — we recommend a clear logo or ideally the storefront image.
I’m unable to set my business to "open for business" what should I do?
Ensure you have followed the criteria in the "I’m signed in — what should I do first?" section of this FAQ. Or simply give us a call (free of charge) on 020 8058 3530 and one of our UK based experts will help — without pressure.
I'm signed in as a staff member and have joined a business, what should I do now?
The first thing you should do is to upload a profile picture in the my profile page. This will help customers identify you when they book. It's all part of building your brand as a professional service provider. Next you should set your specialities.
What are specialities and why should I set them?
Specialities are used to help customers identify if you are the right professional for them. For example — if a customer is looking for the best hair dresser to perform "root bleaching" in your place of work and you don't consider yourself as "good" at that particular service. Then you do not really want the customer to choose you. However, you may have the exceptional skills at crafting the perfect set of "Layers", in which case you would select that service as one of your specialities allowing you to stand out to your ideal customers. The customer leaves happy and you get to do what you are best at!
Why do I need at least one staff member?
Bookings are always assigned to staff members. Even if you work alone, you must either:
Invite staff, or
Set yourself as an Owner Operator
What is an Owner Operator?
An Owner Operator is:
You (the business owner)
Acting as a normal staff member
Fully bookable by customers
This is ideal for sole traders or owner-led businesses.
How do I invite staff members?
Go to the staff management page and click the invite icon. You will then be navigated to a new page whereby you can enter the staff member details and send an invite via email (in-app). Or, you can set yourself as an owner operator on the same screen.
Invited staff will appear once they accept the invitation.
Can staff have different roles?
Yes. Each staff member must be assigned at least one business type (also known as a service type)
(e.g. one barber, one hairdresser). However one staff member can be both a barber and a hairdresser etc. One staff member can have multiple service types.
This ensures customers book the right person for the right service.
Why do I need to add shifts?
Shifts define when staff are available for bookings. Without shifts, customers can’t book appointments with them.
Do I need shifts if I’m an Owner Operator?
Yes — Owner Operators work exactly like staff members and need shifts too.
How do I create staff shifts?
Once you have at least one staff member (including yourself if you are an owner operator) you will then be able to navigate to the staff rota page and add a new shift. select the date you wish to add the shift for and tap the small plus icon at the end of the chosen date's row. You will then be able to select as many staff members as you wish for that day and add them at the same time or individually. This is a perfect feature for staff that may start at different times too.
It is advised to create shifts for the next 6 weeks to maximise availability, however it isn't required. Vanity Business is as flexible as you need it to be.
Why do I need to complete Stripe onboarding?
Stripe allows you to:
Take payments
Receive payouts directly to your bank
Keep full control of your money
Offer Buy-Now-Pay-Later to your customers such as Klarna (if you wish). Meaning you get paid straight away and your customers gain the benefit of flexible payments.
Vanity never holds your funds.
Is Stripe required to go live?
Yes. Payments must be set up before customers can book paid appointments.
Is my money safe?
Yes. Payments go directly from the customer to your Stripe account (minus the payment processing fee).
How do I set up my stripe account to be able to take payments?
Navigate to the business financials page from the main menu (in-app). You will then be able to start the stripe onboarding flow. Please allow roughly 5 minutes for this one time set up. When completed you'll be able to view your funds from your bookings as well as metrics in terms of your business revenue and profitability.
Do I really get paid for No-shows?
Absolutely! No-shows are solely at the responsibility of the customer, not the service provider. This is one of the main reasons that Vanity exists in the first place. With Vanity, when a customer doesn't show without notice (No-show) you keep the FULL amount owed, no ifs, no buts. It's your time and time is money!
Why can’t customers see my business yet?
Your business won’t appear until:
Staff are set up
Shifts exist
Payments are connected
Once everything is complete, you can open your business.
How do I open my business to customers?
Go to Business details page and set your business to Open for Business.
Your business will then appear in the Vanity consumer app. If you have outstanding requirements (one time set-up) then you will be informed with details explain which parts you may have overlooked in a nice and clear, simple manner.
What happens after I’m open for business?
Customers can:
Discover your business
View services
Book appointments
Pay securely
You can:
Manage bookings
Message clients
Update staff and shifts anytime
Upload images
Recruit staff
Much, much more.