Boulevard Review 2025: Transforming Business Management

May 5, 2025

Table of contents

Running an appointment-based business comes with its fair share of moving parts—scheduling, client management, marketing, and more. That’s where Boulevard steps in. Designed specifically for salons, spas, and other service providers, Boulevard offers a complete platform to help you manage your day-to-day operations with ease. In this review, we’ll break down its features, usability, and whether it’s the right fit for your business.

In this Boulevard review, we will examine the software 'Boulevard'. Boulevard offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to streamline operations for appointment-based businesses. From online appointment scheduling to automated marketing, Boulevard simplifies the booking process, manages client information, and provides valuable insights through reporting and analytics. Let’s get started!

Boulevard Platform Overview

Since 2016, Boulevard has grown to serve over 3,000 self-care businesses with a 76.9% year-over-year increase in installations. Beauty and fitness businesses make up most users (91.5%), while health (5.7%) and apparel (1.1%) sectors are growing.

Key highlights:

  • Over 3,000 businesses onboarded since 2016
  • 91.5% of users are in beauty and fitness industries
  • Steady expansion into health and apparel markets

Boulevard enhances every client touchpoint beyond basic booking. Let's examine its features, strengths, weaknesses, and real-world performance to determine if it's suitable for your business.

Boulevard was born to solve problems unique to appointment-driven service businesses, especially in beauty and wellness. Unlike generic scheduling tools, it's built around the specific workflows that define these industries.

The platform combines scheduling, client management, point-of-sale, and marketing tools into one system. Its Precision Scheduling™ technology fills calendar gaps and optimizes appointment timing automatically.

What makes Boulevard different is its focus on the complete client journey—from first booking through service delivery and checkout. This whole-picture approach sets it apart from competitors that only handle scheduling.

According to usage data, Boulevard has secured its strongest foothold in beauty services, though it's expanding into adjacent markets with similar needs like fitness studios, medical spas, and wellness centers.

Key Features of Boulevard

Boulevard offers tools specifically designed for service-based businesses. Here's how these features create a seamless experience:

Online Appointment Scheduling

Boulevard's Precision Scheduling™ technology maximizes your calendar by eliminating gaps between appointments. The system adjusts service timing based on client history, keeping your schedule optimized all day.

Clients can book 24/7 with real-time availability and receive immediate confirmation emails. The system sends automated reminders that reduce no-shows by up to 25%, according to Boulevard's data.

Both staff and clients find the color-coded scheduling interface intuitive, making it easy to see the day's workflow at a glance.

Client Management

Boulevard captures detailed client profiles beyond basic contact info. Staff can record preferences, color formulas, photos, purchase history, and special needs—all accessible instantly.

This level of detail creates personalized experiences that keep clients coming back. As one salon owner put it, "Our regulars love that we remember their preferences without asking, and Boulevard makes that possible."

These detailed profiles help clients feel truly remembered with each visit, building stronger relationships and higher retention rates.

Point of Sale (POS)

Boulevard streamlines checkout while boosting revenue opportunities. Clients can see suggested products based on their service history, add items, and pay quickly.

The system handles integrated payments, digital tipping, multi-merchant transactions, and booking deposits—covering all service business needs.

One multi-location spa reduced average transaction time by 40% after implementing Boulevard, while the "suggested products" feature boosted retail sales by 15%.

Automated Marketing

Boulevard helps maintain client relationships through targeted engagement. It integrates with tools like Mailchimp to use client data for personalized campaigns.

Automated reminders not only reduce no-shows but also serve as client touchpoints. The system identifies opportunities for targeted marketing based on client history, helping promote relevant services and products.

Reporting and Analytics

The platform offers customizable reporting that tracks performance indicators, client retention, appointment history, and revenue growth. These analytics provide insights for smarter business decisions.

Owners can spot scheduling bottlenecks, adjust staffing, and fine-tune service timings for maximum efficiency. The dashboard makes it easy to visualize trends and find improvement opportunities.

Inventory Management

Boulevard tracks product usage during services and helps maintain optimal inventory levels. The platform enables automated product tracking and integrates product usage into billing.

This feature is especially valuable for salons and spas monitoring product consumption during treatments. The system supports usage-based pricing and generates reports on products used in services.

Staff Management

The platform provides robust scheduling for staff and resources, minimizing downtime and optimizing operations. The color-coded calendar shows staff availability and assignments at a glance.

Some users note that breaks must be inserted manually for team members, which can take extra time if not managed proactively.

Customizable Booking Pages

Boulevard lets you tailor booking pages to match your brand. The booking widget can be embedded directly in your website, creating a consistent brand experience.

As one user explained, "The integrated booking widget that lives on our site is wonderful for preserving a fluid brand experience for clients booking online."

Mobile App

While Boulevard offers a mobile app for on-the-go management, some users find it has limitations compared to the desktop version.

Several reviewers mentioned specific issues, such as one who noted, "I cannot see client last names for booking" in the app. The mobile experience doesn't currently match the comprehensive capabilities of the web platform.

Customer Communication Tools

Boulevard enables client communication through various channels, with automated text reminders sent 24 hours before appointments. These reminders cut down no-shows and late arrivals while freeing front desk staff from making manual calls.

One user shared, "I love the text reminder it sends clients 24 hours before their appointment, and I love that it's user-friendly and holds all our electronic consent forms."

Strengths of Boulevard

User feedback and case studies reveal Boulevard's key advantages:

  • User-friendly interface means quick staff adaptation. One business owner shared that training new front desk employees takes "half the time as previous software."
  • Smart scheduling features stand out, with intelligent prompts and client-specific timing that automatically adjusts appointment lengths based on past visits.
  • Automated reminders work wonders—one boutique salon reported a 20% increase in booking rates and far fewer no-shows after switching to Boulevard.
  • Smooth client experience from booking to checkout builds loyalty. Clients appreciate easy online booking and the personalized service that detailed profiles enable.
  • Exceptional customer support earns rave reviews. One user called it "the best customer service I have ever experienced," while another needed "only a single training session" to implement the platform.
  • Continuous improvement with users loving that "new features come up every month" and updates often include their suggestions.

Areas for Improvement in Boulevard

Despite high satisfaction overall, Boulevard has room to grow:

  • Limited mobile app functionality compared to desktop features. Multiple reviewers mentioned limitations, especially around viewing client information and managing certain booking functions.
  • Higher price point compared to competitors, though most users eventually conclude that "this system is worth every penny."
  • Manual break scheduling requires insertion of breaks for team members, which some find time-consuming compared to automated alternatives.
  • Fewer integration options than established competitors like Mindbody. Businesses dependent on specific third-party tools should check compatibility before committing.

These limitations don't significantly affect the positive experience for most users but deserve consideration based on your specific needs.

Who Is Boulevard For?

Boulevard works best for industries where personalized service and appointment management are essential:

  • Hair salons and barbershops benefit from detailed client profiles storing color formulas, cut preferences, and styling notes. Service history tracking helps stylists maintain consistency with repeat clients.
  • Spas, nail salons, and massage centers use Boulevard's resource scheduling and inventory management to track product usage during treatments. The platform's client-first approach perfectly suits these relaxation-oriented businesses.
  • Fitness studios can use the class scheduling and membership management features, though only 7.3% of Boulevard users primarily offer fitness services, according to platform usage data.
  • Tattoo parlors value the detailed client records and photo storage capabilities that help with design consultations and documentation.
  • Medical aesthetics and wellness clinics appreciate the detailed client profiles supporting treatment planning and consistency. As one medspa owner shared, "We have loved using Boulevard at our medspa! The charting is excellent."

Beauty services remain the strongest fit (84.2% of Boulevard users), but any service business that values personalized client experiences can benefit.

Integration Ecosystem of Boulevard

Boulevard connects with various business tools to create a complete operational system:

  • Google Calendar sync lets staff view appointments across platforms, creating a unified scheduling experience. This integration prevents double-booking and keeps everyone coordinated.
  • QuickBooks integration automates financial management by transferring sales data, saving time on manual entry and reducing errors.
  • Mailchimp connectivity powers targeted marketing based on client data in Boulevard. Businesses can segment clients by visit frequency, service preferences, or purchase history for relevant communications.
  • Square and Stripe integrations enable seamless payment processing for service payments, retail purchases, and digital tipping.

Boulevard works with multiple website platforms, with usage data showing implementation across Custom Cart (28.7%), Shopify (21.0%), WooCommerce (18.5%), and Wix (17.3%). This variety shows Boulevard's flexibility across different technical setups.

While the integration options continue to grow, they remain less extensive than some established competitors, so businesses with specific integration needs should verify compatibility first.

Boulevard in the Market: A Comparison

Among appointment platforms, Boulevard positions itself as a premium, industry-specific solution:

  • Mindbody offers robust features focused on fitness, but many users find its interface dated and complex. Boulevard provides a more intuitive, salon-focused experience with deeper client personalization.
  • Vagaro delivers a highly customizable platform at a competitive price but lacks Boulevard's sophisticated scheduling algorithms and client experience features.
  • Square Appointments provides a simple calendar-driven system that works seamlessly with Square payments but offers much less depth in client profiles and industry-specific functionality.
  • Fresha stands out with its free core offering (monetized through payment processing), making it attractive for budget-conscious businesses, while Boulevard focuses on premium features that justify its higher price.

Price-wise, Boulevard sits in the mid-to-high range. While Fresha offers free access with payment fees and Square Appointments has an entry-level option, Boulevard positions itself as a complete solution for businesses that prioritize client experience and operational efficiency.

The key difference is Boulevard's focus on being a complete Client Experience Platform rather than just scheduling software—a distinction that resonates with service businesses building long-term client relationships.

User Satisfaction and Testimonials

Boulevard users consistently express high satisfaction, especially highlighting its user-friendly interface, efficient scheduling, and reliable performance.

"I use Boulevard every day to book appointments, process sales, and so much more. Boulevard really does it all," shared one salon manager. Another praised the support: "Easy to integrate, easy to use, customer service is extremely helpful & responsive. Really this is the best customer service I have ever experienced."

The most praised features include:

  • The intuitive scheduling system
  • Detailed client management
  • Customization options
  • Client self-service booking
  • Color-coding organization
  • Automated notification system

Price concerns typically fade after implementation. As one user explained, "There was a hesitancy at first due to the higher price point, but this system is worth every penny."

Real results back up these positive reviews. One salon saw booking rates jump by over 20% after implementing Boulevard, while also seeing far fewer no-shows thanks to automated reminders.

Most users indicate that Boulevard delivers substantial value despite its premium pricing, with many stating they "wouldn't change it" and use the platform "every day of the week."

Implementing Boulevard Across Industries

Boulevard implementation varies by industry, with each using different aspects of the platform:

  • Salons focus on client profiles storing color formulas and style preferences. A high-end hair salon might document each client's color history, processing time, and styling products in Boulevard, allowing any stylist to provide consistent service to returning clients.
  • Spas and wellness centers emphasize inventory management to track product usage. A luxury day spa might use Boulevard to monitor massage oil, facial products, or other consumables used per treatment, ensuring accurate ordering and cost control.
  • Medical aesthetics practices use detailed client records for treatment consistency and compliance. As one medspa owner shared, "The charting is excellent," allowing them to document treatment plans, results, and follow-up recommendations.
  • Fitness studios implement Boulevard for class scheduling and membership tracking, though they make up a smaller portion of users compared to beauty services.

Implementation timelines vary, but most businesses report smooth transitions. Boulevard's support team helps with data migration, and staff typically need minimal training due to the intuitive interface. One owner noted they "only needed a single training session to implement it" and Boulevard "handled the migration of their client base."

The most successful implementations customize Boulevard's features to match specific business workflows rather than changing business processes to fit the software.

Conclusion: Is Boulevard Right for Your Business?

Boulevard is a purpose-built platform for service-based businesses, particularly in beauty and wellness. It stands out with smart scheduling tools, personalized client management, and a seamless checkout experience. While premium pricing and limited mobile features may be drawbacks for some, many users find its user-friendly interface, strong support, and operational benefits well worth the cost.

If you're focused on client retention, efficiency, and elevating the overall service experience, Boulevard is a strong contender. To decide if it’s the right fit, schedule a demo, explore real user reviews, and assess how its features align with your business needs and goals.

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