Why SMS is charged for everywhere else
Most software sends SMS through a bulk messaging provider. Each message costs them a few cents, which they recharge to the salon, per message or in bundles. The day-before reminder and the booking confirmation, for a busy salon, quickly add up to several hundred messages a month.
How the CYB gateway works
- You install the CYB app on an Android smartphone — an entry-level phone is enough — with a SIM card and an unlimited SMS plan.
- The phone stays at the salon, plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi.
- When a reminder is due, CYB sends it to the phone, which sends it as an ordinary SMS from your number.
The customer receives a message from your salon, not from an anonymous short code, and can reply to you directly. Tracking of messages sent, failures and replies is in your dashboard.
What to know before choosing
- The plan. Check that “unlimited SMS” really covers sending to all French networks, with no daily cap. Plans costing a few euros generally offer this.
- The phone must stay on. A phone that is switched off reminds no one: CYB flags in the dashboard when the gateway cannot be reached.
- The pace. A consumer plan is not designed to send thousands of messages an hour. For a salon — even with several chairs — one reminder per appointment stays far below those limits.
- You don't have to. The Pro and Ultimate plans also offer sending through a provider, for those who prefer not to manage a phone. Messages are then charged by that provider, in bundles.
What the reminder should say
A good reminder fits in three lines: the day and time, the salon's name, and an easy way to cancel or reschedule. That last point makes all the difference: a customer who can cancel in one tap frees up the slot instead of not turning up. CYB includes this link in every reminder, and cancelling puts the slot back online immediately.
Frequently asked questions
What phone do I need for the CYB gateway?
A recent Android smartphone, even entry-level, with a SIM card and an unlimited SMS plan. It stays at the salon, plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi; no daily handling is required.
Do customers see an unknown number?
No: reminders are sent from your number, the one on the SIM card in the salon's phone. Customers can reply to you, and their reply appears in your dashboard.
What happens if the phone is switched off?
Reminders are not sent until it is back on, and the dashboard warns you that the gateway cannot be reached. As soon as the phone is back, pending messages resume.
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Other guides
- Which barber software charges no commission on bookings?
- Directory-style booking platform or independent software: which should I choose for my salon?
- How much does an online booking website cost for a barber?
- How can a barbershop reduce missed appointments?
The prices quoted are those currently in force, read from the database at the time of display.