YourSalon Research Β· Methodology
Central European Booking Software Transparency Index 2026
Research question
How transparent are the booking platforms used by salons in Czechia, Poland, Germany and Slovakia about pricing, commissions, client-data control, marketplace dependency, branding, features and legal terms?
Scope
A source-cited transparency audit of the booking platforms used in the four markets. It measures disclosure β pricing, commissions, data control, branding, contracts and features β not product quality or value.
Time period
2026 β re-checked at least quarterly (pricing/terms change).
Markets
Czechia, Poland, Germany, Slovakia. β Czechia, Poland, Germany, Slovakia
Target population
Booking platforms with real usage in at least one of the four markets (local, regional, international, marketplace, standalone), including YourSalon evaluated on the same terms.
Planned sample
A market audit first builds the list of platforms actually used per country. A platform is included because it is really used β not because it is globally famous. YourSalon is included on the same terms.
Inclusion criteria
- Platforms with real usage in at least one of the four markets.
- Categories: local, regional, international, marketplace, standalone booking software.
Exclusion criteria
- Platforms with no real presence in the four markets.
- Affiliate blogs as a source of any fact.
Data collection
- Only official sources per platform: official pricing page, terms, privacy policy, help center, feature documentation, official provider response.
- Every cell stores: source URL, checked date, quoted/paraphrased evidence and a status.
- Status values: verified Β· not publicly disclosed Β· unclear Β· provider confirmed Β· not applicable. Missing information is recorded as 'Not publicly disclosed at the time of checking' β never inferred as a 'hidden fee'.
Scoring framework
Rather than one subjective overall rank, we publish several transparency scores so factual disclosure is separated from editorial opinion. A composite is optional and, if shown, uses a published formula. Methodology is published before results and applied identically to every provider, including YourSalon.
Higher = more transparent disclosure (not 'better product').
| Scoring framework | % | β |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing transparency | β | Public price, VAT shown, Setup/contract/cancellation fees, Hidden mandatory costs |
| Commission transparency | β | New/returning-client commission, Payment/marketplace/booking/SMS fees |
| Data portability | β | Export clients/bookings, format, Access after cancellation, deletion, Ownership wording |
| Brand control | β | Own booking URL, custom domain, Widget, provider branding, white label |
| Contract flexibility | β | Monthly/annual, contract minimum, Cancellation terms |
| Feature disclosure | β | Documented features, Multi-location, multilingual, multi-currency |
Formulas
- Per-dimension score:
share of disclosed, verified criteria in that dimensionEach dimension is reported separately; weights are presented per dimension, not as one hidden blend.
Missing data
Undisclosed criteria are marked 'not publicly disclosed', counted transparently, and never scored as a negative claim about the provider's product.
Quality control
- Every cell stores a source URL, checked date, quoted evidence and a status.
- Statuses are re-verified at least quarterly.
- A second reviewer checks a sample of cells against the official source.
Potential bias
- YourSalon is the publisher and a provider β disclosed conflict of interest; the same method is applied to all.
- Official pages differ in depth by provider and country.
Limitations
- Transparency of disclosure is measured β not product quality or value.
- A point-in-time check; statuses carry a 'last checked' date and are re-verified quarterly.
Privacy
- Only official, public provider information is recorded β no confidential data.
- Factual disclosure scores are kept separate from any editorial opinion.
Correction policy
Every provider may send a correction with an official source; verified corrections are applied and logged. A factual score is kept separate from any editorial opinion.
Update policy
Re-checked at least quarterly; each provider may submit a correction, recorded in the change history.
Contact
Methodology and media questions: info@yoursalon.cz
Sources and methodology
No external sources are cited yet β they are added as each fact is verified.