It’s not a secret that the beauty industry is currently experiencing a boom. According to Common Thread, in 2020 it was worth $483 billion, in 2021 it was worth $511 billion, and it’s predicted to exceed $716 billion by 2025. In 2019, skincare made up 40% of the global cosmetic market, with makeup coming in second and hair care in third place. The salon and spa industry has seen an uptick as well. Statista states that the salon market is expected to reach $190 billion by 2024 and beauty booking apps are revolutionizing how consumers find and purchase services. But with all of the beauty tech apps out there, how do you know which company to trust?
Before You Download that App!
We know there are plenty of beauty tech apps that you’re dying to try (ShearShare, anyone?) But before you click that download button, we suggest taking a few extra steps to make sure it’s the right app for you!
Read Reviews
This should be a no-brainer, but it’s worth the mention. Companies establish trust when consumers can look at others’ experiences. Take the time to read through the reviews of an app before downloading it. Oftentimes, companies will respond to reviewers – a sign that the company has good customer service. Plus, it shows that the company engages with its audience in real time.
But it’s not only about the number of reviews, it’s also about the ratings. High ratings are always a good sign and prove that the majority of its users had a good experience. It’s not uncommon for companies to have a few bad reviews (you can’t please everyone!) Just make sure the good reviews outweigh the bad ones.
Research the Company
Your research doesn’t stop at reviews. What else do you know about the company? What are its payment policies? Does the company even service your area? The company’s website is where all of this information should be housed. A reputable company should clearly state who owns it, who the audience is, what it provides and where. The “About” section on a website is a good place to start and typically there should be FAQs available on its site that can answer any lingering questions. On the ShearShare website, you can find all of this information and more.
It’s also good to take a look at any press the company has received. It’s a good sign if prestigious publications such as Fast Company and Essence are talking about the company. Take a look at their social media also. What platforms are they on? Are they active users? What are people saying in the comments?
Is Your Information Safe?
The unfortunate truth is that not all apps respect your privacy. And apps that are free sometimes use data as currency. In these cases, apps can sell your data to third-party companies. It’s how they’re able to make money from you without charging you. A study carried out in 2018 by Oxford University found that the average app can transfer your data to 10 companies. It’s not just your name and email address that gets collected, according to Tech Advisor. It can be as wide-ranging as recording your financial information, health, browsing and search history, location, contacts, and more.
If this is something that concerns you, then you should take the time to read the company’s privacy policy. We know, we know, who even reads those things? But it’s worth taking the extra 5 minutes to make sure your personal information stays in the right hands. But if you have an IOS device you’re in luck. Apple added privacy labels to all apps available on its devices so you can see exactly what information is being collected.
Beauty Tech Apps Are Here to Stay
It’s clear that beauty tech apps are here to stay, so we hope these tips help you navigate the trustworthy from the untrustworthy. And don’t worry, we treat the information of users on our ShearShare App with the utmost care! Our community can always trust us to have their best interest at heart.
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