Updated October 21, 2026
Where paying customers actually come from
In Malta the market is local and personal. Expect most early customers to be people you already know or meet in daily life, and then gradual spread from there. Main sources are neighbours and community, workplaces and colleagues, students and school communities, people who find you through online search, and word of mouth when a client recommends you.
Think of it as concentric circles: first circle - family, friends and neighbours; second circle - colleagues, local shops and gym-goers; third circle - online search, marketplace leads and people who see your photos or listing; fourth circle - repeat clients and referrals. For online discovery, a clear local listing helps because many clients search for a barber near their town or village.
- Neighbours, friends and family
- Colleagues and workplace networks
- Students and school communities
- Online search and marketplace leads
- Word of mouth and referrals
Setting your first price and talking about money
To set a first price, calculate your direct costs per haircut - tools, products, travel, cleaning and the time you spend on each appointment - and add the hourly value you want for your time. Look at other local barbers to understand market expectations, then pick a simple structure: one price for a basic cut and separate prices for add-ons such as beard trim. You can offer an introductory rate for your first clients, but avoid underpricing indefinitely.
When talking about money, be direct and clear. State the price up front on your messages and booking page. If you need to secure a booking, ask for a small deposit or require a credit card on booking if the platform supports it. Explain your cancellation policy and how refunds are handled. Keep records of payments and issue a simple receipt or invoice for each job.
- Calculate costs and value per hour
- Use a simple service and add-on price list
- State prices up front and confirm in writing
- Consider a deposit or card hold for bookings
- Keep receipts and basic records
What the first ten customers usually look like
The first ten customers are rarely strangers who found you purely online. Expect a mix of family, friends, neighbours, a few colleagues and perhaps one or two walk-ins or marketplace leads. One or two may be trial clients from social posts or a marketplace request, and some will be students or people on a tight budget who pick your introductory offer.
Treat these first clients as experiments: ask for feedback, take photos (with permission), and refine timing and pricing. If someone becomes a repeat client, ask if they will recommend you to one person and whether you can add their photo to your portfolio.
- Mostly people you already know
- A few colleagues or workplace referrals
- Possibly one or two online or marketplace leads
- Students or price-sensitive early clients
- Use them to collect feedback and photos
Taking payments and legal checks in Malta
If you operate independently in Malta, check formal requirements with the appropriate authorities rather than relying on assumptions. Contact the Commissioner for Revenue and ask how to register as self-employed, how to declare income, how to issue invoices and whether VAT registration applies to your turnover. Contact the Social Security Department or Jobsplus and ask about social insurance contributions and how to register for social security as a self-employed person.
Websta supports card payments that are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe. You set your prices and decide whether to accept card payments, cash or both. Make sure you keep clear records of business income and expenses for tax and social security purposes, and ask the Commissioner for Revenue what documentation they expect at tax time.
- Ask Commissioner for Revenue - how to register and declare self-employed income
- Ask Social Security Department or Jobsplus - registration and contributions
- Keep invoices and records of income and expenses
- Websta card payments are processed via Stripe and paid out to your bank account
Common problems in the first months
Early-stage mistakes are predictable. You may undercharge, overbook or be inconsistent with availability. Poor photos and unclear service descriptions reduce bookings. Communication gaps - late replies, unclear confirmation messages, no cancellation policy - cause confusion and no-shows. Equipment issues or not having a dedicated space that looks professional for photos can also reduce trust.
Plan for these problems: set clear availability, build a simple booking and cancellation policy, use good lighting for photos, check your kit and backup supplies, and be strict about arrival times. Learn to say no to jobs that do not fit your skill level or schedule until you have more experience.
- Underpricing and inconsistent availability
- Poor photos and unclear service descriptions
- No cancellation policy or weak communication
- Equipment failures or lack of professional setup
- Taking jobs outside your skill range too soon
How a Websta profile fits into this
A Websta profile gives you a single page you can send to anyone - it lists services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking. The marketplace also lets people nearby find providers by service and place or post a task for providers to make offers on. You set your prices. Card payments from customers are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe.
Use the profile link in messages, social posts and on business cards. Keep the service list simple and update photos after each booking. On Websta the barber category is listed under /marketplace/barber, which helps local clients find you when they search by service and location.
- Single sharable page with services, prices, photos and booking
- Marketplace visibility for local searches and posted tasks
- Payments handled by Stripe and paid to your bank account
- You control your prices and service options
- Use the link in messages and social media
Practical next steps
Start by listing a clear service menu and a few good photos. Ask five people you know to be your first clients and ask for feedback and a photo. Contact the Commissioner for Revenue and the Social Security Department with the specific questions listed above before taking regular paid work. Decide payment methods you will accept and test card payments if you plan to use them via Websta and Stripe. Track time and expenses from day one so you can adjust prices realistically.
Earning as a barber in Malta is a process that usually starts small and grows through repeat clients and referrals. Be consistent, keep records, and use a sharable profile to make discovery and booking easier.
- Create a simple price list and upload photos
- Book five initial clients for feedback
- Check registration and tax questions with Commissioner for Revenue
- Decide payment methods and test card payouts to your bank account
- Keep records and review pricing after a month
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to register before I accept paid barber work in Malta?
- Check with the Commissioner for Revenue. Ask how to register as self-employed, how to declare income, what records are needed and whether VAT registration applies at your turnover level.
- Can I accept card payments through Websta and get the money in my bank account?
- Yes - Websta card payments are processed through Stripe and paid out to your own bank account. You set your prices and choose which payment methods to accept.
- What should I charge for my first clients?
- Calculate your costs and desired hourly value, review local barbers to see market expectations, then choose a simple price for basic cuts and separate add-ons. Consider a short introductory price but avoid underpricing permanently.
- How do I avoid no-shows and late cancellations?
- Set a clear cancellation policy, require a deposit or card hold on booking if possible, confirm appointments by message, and communicate your arrival and preparation requirements in advance.
- How do I get more clients beyond friends and neighbours?
- Keep improving photos and service descriptions, ask for referrals, list your page in local groups, use your Websta profile link in messages and social posts, and respond quickly to marketplace leads and online inquiries.
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.
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