How to add Phorest booking to your website
Phorest runs booking for a lot of premium salons and clinics. Here's how to connect it to your own website properly.
Quick answer
Phorest gives you a floating Book Now widget and a direct booking link. If you already have a booking button, hyperlink your Phorest direct link behind it — that's the simplest route. Phorest recommends the floating widget over an iFrame for user experience. Customise the colour under Manager → Settings → Online → Online Booking → Appearance, and add #onlinebookings to a page URL to make the widget open automatically.
Step-by-step
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Find your direct booking link
Phorest gives every salon a direct online booking URL. If your website already has a Book Now button, hyperlinking that URL behind it is the whole job — no code, no widget, works on every platform. Start here before considering anything more involved.
- 2
Use the floating widget rather than an iFrame
Phorest recommends the floating Book Now widget over embedding an iFrame, on user-experience grounds. The floating button sits on every page without pushing your layout around, and it's what clients expect from a salon site. Take the recommendation — it's their product and it's the right call.
- 3
Match it to your branding
In Phorest, go to Manager → Settings → Online → Online Booking → Appearance to set your brand colour and the look of the floating button. A widget in your salon's colours reads as part of the site; a default-coloured one reads as a third-party bolt-on.
- 4
Use the auto-open trick on your booking page
Adding #onlinebookings to the end of a page URL makes the Book Now widget open automatically when someone lands there. Point your 'Book' navigation item and any social bio links at that URL and clients arrive with the booking panel already open — one fewer tap between intention and appointment.
- 5
Test on a phone and check availability
Book yourself a real appointment from mobile. Confirm the right services, staff and availability appear and that the booking lands in Phorest. Fix anything wrong in Phorest itself rather than on the website — the site only opens the door.
Tips & best practices
- ▸The direct link behind an existing button is the fastest possible setup — do that first.
- ▸#onlinebookings on the URL auto-opens the widget; use it for your Book navigation item.
- ▸Phorest includes widget setup as part of onboarding — ask them if you'd rather not touch it.
- ▸Keep services and staff availability accurate in Phorest; the website simply reflects them.
Common questions
How do I add Phorest booking to my website?
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Either hyperlink your Phorest direct booking link behind an existing Book Now button, or add the floating Book Now widget. Phorest recommends the floating widget over an iFrame, and includes setup on your website and Facebook page as part of their onboarding service.
Can I change how the Phorest booking button looks?
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Yes — go to Manager → Settings → Online → Online Booking → Appearance to set your brand colour and the appearance of the floating Book Now widget.
Can I make the Phorest booking widget open automatically?
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Yes. Add #onlinebookings to the end of a page's URL and the Book Now widget opens automatically when someone lands on that page. Useful for your Book navigation link and social bio links.
Should I use the widget or an iFrame?
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The floating widget. Phorest recommends it over iFrames for user experience, and it keeps booking available on every page without disturbing your layout.