How to run a fair walk-in turn line
Walk-ins are the heart of a busy nail salon, and who gets the next client matters to every tech. Here is how salons keep turns fair, and how a live line makes it easier.
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What is a turn line in a nail salon?
It is the order in which techs take walk-in clients. Many salons keep a paper turn sheet at the front: each tech gets a turn when she takes a client, and the next walk-in goes to whoever is next. Some salons count a small service (like a polish change) as a half turn.
What goes wrong with a paper turn sheet?
It depends on one person watching the door. Turns get missed when it is busy, techs argue about who was next, and clients waiting at the front have no idea how long it will be.
How does Nail Signature handle walk-ins?
Walk-ins join one live line with the bookings. A client who picks "Whoever is free first" goes to the tech who is free soonest, and techs who are free right now show as Ready now. When a tech taps Done, the whole line moves up and everyone sees their new place.
Can walk-ins check themselves in?
Yes. Put a tablet at the door: clients type their name and phone, pick a service and a tech or "Whoever is free first", and join the line. A TV in the salon can show who is next.
Can clients wait somewhere else?
Yes. Each client sees their real place in line on their phone and gets a time-to-leave alert, so they can shop next door and come back right on time.
Does the app keep a turn count for each tech?
Not as a separate turn sheet. Nail Signature sends "Whoever is free first" walk-ins to whoever is free first, and the owner sees each tech’s finished services for the day. If your salon uses half turns or turns by ticket price, keep that rule and use the live line to see who is free.
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